Translated By Cheng Yew Chung

(Continued From Issue 450)

Once you leave behind all forms of self-attachment, you shall be liberated from all that binds you. Lotus practitioner! You must do as instructed and seek rebirth in the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and be born from its lotus.

What constitutes self-attachment? It is the 'I', including such things as status, wealth, spouse, children and grandchildren, sexual desire, etc.

Once a soul in the Bardo state is freed from self-attachment, it shall be free from all entanglements. This is because the individual is bound by whatever his thoughts may manifest, thus forever preventing him from crossing the ocean of life and death. The Lotus practitioner must feel tired of remaining in the six realms of reincarnation and recognize that these realms are nothing but suffering, emptiness, impermanence, and non-existence of the ego self.

As such, the soul should move without distraction toward the Other Shore, in the direction of the Western Paradise, the Pure Land of the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds, toward the Pure Land of Joy and Bliss, toward the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Jewel Light.......

Such sacred grounds are where saints would dwell. These Pure Lands are free from the contamination of the five impurities.

Our spiritual duty towards souls in the Bardo state is to awaken them. It is crucial that these souls stay in meditative stability and focus on Emptiness.

It is important to be freed from self-attachment. It is crucial that one understand that all doctrines are illusionary. It is essential to remain unmovable and keep the mind away from distraction. Hence, it is vital to take refuge in the Guru, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Chanting the Buddha epithet is essential, just as it is important to chant the mantra.

Transfer your consciousness to the purity of the Buddha Land! Be liberated and attain Buddhahood! Abide in the birthless and deathless realm of the Dharma body! Dwell in the fruition of non-birth and perfect awareness!

You are thus the Compassionate One!

(the end)

《本文譯自真佛報第412期頭版師尊「真佛論劍」文章「度過生死的大海」》