By Master Huijing (Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team; edited by Householder Fojin)
Have you ever paused to think about the weight of karma we all carry? If we weren’t burdened by it, we would already have transcended the six realms of samsara.
The very fact that we’re still here—caught in this endless cycle of reincarnation—shows we haven’t fully uprooted our greed, anger, ignorance, and deep-seated delusions. Existing in samsara means bearing heavy karmic burdens.
Let’s remember: we’ve all committed serious offenses over countless lifetimes. The poisons of craving, aversion, ignorance, arrogance, and skepticism run deep in us. Day by day, we chase after the five worldly desires: wealth, sensual pleasure, fame, gluttony, and sloth.
As the Sutra of the Earth Store Bodhisattva reminds us:
“Every single thought and action of beings in this world is nothing but karma and transgression.”
The Buddha’s teachings serve as a mirror. When we face it with honesty, we see ourselves exactly as we are. If we study the Dharma but fail to recognize our true colors—failing to see that we are just ordinary, flawed beings bound to this cycle of birth and death – then we haven’t truly let the Dharma touch our hearts. We’ve looked into the mirror, but we haven’t actually looked at ourselves.
Only when we acknowledge our shortcomings – our shallow wisdom, heavy karma, limited capacity and deep afflictions – do we awaken our hearts to seek Amitabha’s deliverance.
Imagine being swept out to sea, bobbing up and down in the waves. If you don’t recognize the danger of drowning, you won’t think to call for help.
True faith rests on two key realizations:
1. We are ordinary beings, burdened by karma and unable to escape samsara through our own efforts.
2. Amitabha Buddha, through his compassionate vow, embraces all who call upon him, promising rebirth in the Pure Land.
With these understandings, our hearts find steadiness. We don’t need to mix practices or seek out special spiritual experiences. Instead, we will just focus on the simple, single-minded recitation of Amitabha’s name throughout our lives, in trust and gratitude.
Namo Amituofo. Let’s embrace this journey together!