Question:

       Why do some people seem to experience a profound spiritual connection with Amitabha Buddha almost immediately after they start reciting the Buddha’s name and miraculous things happen, while others practice for years without feeling anything special. This becomes particularly challenging when dealing with illness - sometimes the suffering just becomes unbearable. Why is this?

Answers:

       Your question touches on a struggle many practitioners face. I sense that you or someone close to you is dealing with an illness, and despite a long period of faithful practice, you haven’t experienced the dramatic results you’ve heard others describe.

       You might be wondering: "Is this some kind of test the Buddha’s putting me through? This illness is wearing me down - I just don’t have the strength anymore. All I want is to live, how much more can I take?"

       Let’s break this issue down from several angles:

1.  Understanding the Compassion of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

First, let’s clear up a common misconception: It’s never a notion in Buddhism that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas “test” people with suffering. These enlightened and compassionate beings offer only unconditional salvation to all sentient beings. Think of them as skilled doctors - their only mission is to heal and save lives. They wouldn’t create any obstacles to test the patients. Your suffering isn’t a test; it results from past karma.

2. Amitabha-recitation naturally brings benefits - either visible or subtle

Every recitation of Amitabha’s name brings us benefits. Some of them are more visible, others subtle. However, we tend to notice the more dramatic improvements but miss the imperceptible transformations happening beneath the surface.

3. The Role of Past Connection with Amitabha

Think of spiritual progress as satisfying a deep hunger. Imagine a very hungry person eating a series of steamed buns. After the seventh bun, he finally feels full and might think, "Only this last one really helped!" But of course, every bun contributed to his satisfaction.

In the same way, when people seem to experience quick spiritual benefits from recitation, they’re often building on their connection with Amitabha through many lifetimes of virtuous roots. In this lifetime, their connection with the Buddha has ripened and they are essentially eating their ‘seventh bun,’ so to speak. Others might be just beginning their spiritual journey - eating their first bun. For them, continued practice will gradually build that same deep connection.

4. Understanding our karmic burden

Our past karmic obstacles play a part in how readily we can feel the beneficial effects of Amitabha-recitation.

Think of karma like seeds buried under soil. Some lie under an inch of soil, others under a foot. Given the same sunlight and water, the shallow seed naturally sprouts first. This doesn’t mean the deeper seed won’t grow - it just needs more time. Similarly, those with very grave past karma may hinder the Buddha’s blessings in this life, delaying spiritual manifestations.

5. The Power of Mindset

Here’s the key: when we let go of all worldly attachments and whole-heartedly entrust ourselves to Amitabha, focus purely on seeking rebirth in the Pure Land, we naturally resonate with the Buddha. However, if we’re solely focused on curing illness quickly, we may block our connection with him.

Understanding life's inherent suffering helps us focus solely on seeking rebirth in the Pure Land. Whether illness improves or not, just let it go entirely. Life is impermanent - we shouldn’t cling to this Saha world, even in the best circumstances.

       With this mindset, if the illness is incurable, we will peacefully be reborn in the Pure Land. If it’s not our time to pass, we will recover swiftly. Do not cling to the hope of quick recovery - simply aspire for rebirth in the Pure Land.