Samsara and Reincarnation Explained:The Suffering of Illness & Successful Self-Healing (Ep.13/Part4)

Following the Buddha's teachings, our goal is not merely to cure illnesses or gain blessings in this life, the next, or even in future lives, as this is not the ultimate purpose of Buddhism. According to Master Chin Kung, the Buddha told us in the Avatamsaka Sutra, all sentient beings have the Tathagata's wisdom and virtue. So why have we lost our wisdom and virtuous qualities? The Sutra says, but they fail to realize them because of their deluded thoughts and attachments. It is because we fail to recognize them due to delusions, discriminations, and attachments, which are the root causes of our suffering, including illness. When sentient beings become deluded, they develop afflictions and commit karma, leading to numerous illnesses and calamities. This kind of suffering, while some religions offer corresponding remedies, is only tackled at a surface level and not fundamentally resolved. It can be said that apart from Buddha's teachings, no other method can effectively counteract it. The teachings of the Buddha impart ultimate and perfect wisdom, and the path to practice is one of awakening, righteousness, and purity. Awakening without confusion, right knowledge, and right view without distortion, and purity without contamination. In essence, learning Buddhism means learning to awaken, grasping the true nature of all phenomena, and returning to our original nature. The Buddha is the great healer, using countless methods to help all beings overcome delusion, attain enlightenment, and be free from suffering. With each teaching acts as a remedy tailored to address specific challenges, sentient beings in the six realms, when they encounter the practice of chanting Amitabha Buddha's name and adhere to the teachings, will inevitably overcome ignorance, realize awakening, and be liberated from suffering to enjoy ultimate bliss. So, Shakyamuni Buddha used the metaphor of agada medicine for this chanting practice, a remedy that can cure illnesses which no other methods can. This medicine is a priceless treasure. With this priceless medicine, combined with kind and sincere thoughts, there is another crucial mindset when faced with illness. We must never be intimidated by the sickness itself. Upon closer observation, many people don't die from the illness, but from being terrified by it, because in addition to physical suffering, the torment of mental anguish, such as helplessness, loneliness, and despair is often far harder to endure. An example of this is Ms. Liu Suyun, a successor of Master Chin Kung. He said that she had contracted lupus at the age of 59, a condition even more terrifying and harder to cure than cancer. The doctors told her, preparing her for the worst, that she could die at any moment, not just in a few months. Nonetheless, she was quite optimistic, viewing life and death with detachment, unshaken by the illness. At that time, she happened to come across a CD of Master Chin Kung's teachings on the Infinite Life Sutra, and she listened to it for 10 hours every day. She earnestly followed the Master's advice to delve deeply into one practice and devote a substantial amount of time to consistently cultivating it. Consequently, she listened to each session 10 times, spending 10 hours in total every day. At all other times, she devoted herself entirely to the practice, concentrating on the chanting of Amitabha Buddha's name, letting go of all distractions and thoughts. She explained that illness is a karmic obstacle. Once the karmic obstacle is eliminated, the illness will be cured. Since the Master said that chanting Amitabha Buddha's name is the best method to eliminate karmic obstacles, she sincerely focused on chanting the name, not the illness, meaning her thoughts were filled with the Buddha, not with sickness and suffering. Surprisingly, not long after, she began to feel unwell, but without any suffering. By the time three months had passed, she felt fine. Her body grew increasingly comfortable, and upon further examination, not only had the illness disappeared, but there was no trace of a scar. The doctor was astonished to see that she had survived. In fact, there were very few cases where this illness could be cured. Out of 10,000 people, not even one could be found. Moreover, the scar would never disappear. When the Master asked her why she had no scar, he wondered what kind of medicine she had applied, or what method she used. She answered that she had simply listened to the teachings and chanted the name of Amitabha Buddha. The doctor also believed what she said. Master Chin Kung said that she had a rare quality, something not easily found in today's world. She never spoke falsely throughout her life. As a result, the doctors completely trusted and believed everything she said. So, when sickness strikes, one should avoid thinking about the illness or the body. Our practice is to solely focus on Amitabha Buddha, listen to the Infinite Life Sutra, and chant Amitabha's name. By ignoring the body and the illness, forgetting about them entirely, healing will naturally occur. This is the theory scientists have uncovered, where thoughts are capable of influencing the physical body. The body is material, and it can be adjusted through mental intention. Venerable Ms. Liu said that prior to her illness, the challenges in her work and family life caused her considerable pain and distress, resulting in numerous feelings of anger and bitterness. Not only is illness a result of karmic obstacles, but our greed, anger, ignorance, pride, doubt, worries, attachments, scattered thoughts, and unwholesome intentions are also karmic obstacles. Once these obstacles are cleared through chanting Amitabha Buddha's name, the illness is cured. I am the best example of this. Her complete recovery wasn't due to a miracle. In fact, anyone can achieve the same by applying two key practices, focusing their mind entirely on the name Amitabha Buddha, and practicing with absolute earnestness every day for a long time. With this medicine of reciting Amitabha Buddha's name, we can achieve Buddhahood in this lifetime, let alone cure diseases. Do not approach chanting the Buddha's name and studying scriptures from perspectives rooted in religious superstition, philosophical inquiry, or the mere pursuit of knowledge. Many who view Buddhism as a philosophy, even if they possess advanced knowledge, have only reached the doorway of Buddhism without comprehending its profound truths. Moreover, the Buddhist scriptures heal not by changing karma, but by transforming our thoughts. Diseases stemming from karma, karmic obstacles, or even spirits are essentially the result of one's own harmful connections and actions, leading to impurity and contamination. By continuously reciting Buddhist scriptures or chanting the Buddha's name or a mantra, resolutely cutting off greed, anger, and ignorance, and genuinely letting go of attachments to fame, wealth, and sensual pleasure, one will naturally distance themselves from harmful connections and reduce the conditions for negative karma to ripen. This purification of body and mind leads to a lighter, unburdened body, which in turn allows for the swift alleviation and potential healing of illnesses. All realms, phenomena, pleasures, joys, pains, and sufferings within the cycle of samsara are entirely manifestations of our own mind. Once we commit to diligent practice, we will eventually uncover this reality and liberate ourselves from its hold. This is a capability inherent in our true nature. For thousands of years, countless individuals have received various blessings, such as safe childbirth, harmony in families, changed destinies, and helping elderly individuals suffering from illness find tranquility before death by reading and reciting the Ksitigarbha Sutra and following its fundamental teachings of repentance, self-correction, and cultivation. Given that so many have benefited from this sutra, there will be a complete recitation of the Ksitigarbha Sutra for all. If for any reason you are unable to recite on your own, you can listen with reverence and sincerity in a clean place. You will surely begin to experience its miraculous effects, directly attuning to the deepest consciousness of yourself, the fetus, and your family, which will gradually transform everyone's thoughts and actions, bringing auspiciousness and blessings. These days, more and more people are broadcasting sutras from well-kept spaces like balconies or windowsills, offering benefits to all sentient beings within a radius of about 20 kilometers. All that's needed is a quiet sound that can be heard. This is because their compassion outweighs their fear, rather than avoiding the proverbial elephant in the room. However, for practitioners, when listening to or reciting, it is essential to put aside all other tasks and give full attention to the practice to gain the true benefit. Remember, initially, follow the refuge and make bodhicitta vow. After reciting, dedicate the merit universally, while also seeking rebirth in the Pure Land. By expanding our limited efforts with sincere good intentions, we transform them into immense power, allowing all beings, including ourselves, to receive blessings until attaining the ultimate bliss. Among the eight sufferings of life, death is the most significant issue we must resolve in this lifetime. So be sure to subscribe and tune in. Best wishes to you and your loved ones. See you soon. Subscribe to Chillife. If you believe in yourself, all will be fine.