Faith in Amitabha’s deliverance doesn’t just promise rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss – it also gives us the strength to face the trials and tribulations of daily life.  

       Many people struggle with worldly issues: difficult relationships, the need for affection or recognition, and the endless worries of life. They may wonder, “Why don’t others respect me? Why am I not appreciated?” These concerns appear to be external, practical problems. However, at their core, they are matters of faith - or the lack of it.

       So what if the whole world looks down on you? The Buddhas across all realms see you as a rare and wondrous presence – a “sacred white lotus” blooming among all humankind. Yet, you brush that off, dismissing it as just a line from a book. Instead, your attention turns outward, craving recognition, longing for others to admire you or take notice. You place great weight on social validation and worldly relationships, while the profound compassion of Amitabha’s deliverance barely registers. That contrast reveals where your true priorities lie. And when your heart is anchored in the fleeting concerns of this world, it’s no wonder that life feels heavy and troubled.

       If our faith in Amitabha’s deliverance were deeply rooted, all these worldly concerns would lose their power over us. The Saha World – this realm of ceaseless suffering – is not something to refine or perfect, but something to let go.

       To have true faith is to feel both profound weariness and aversion toward the Saha World and ardent joy in seeking rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. True aversion means rejecting everything within the Three Domains (Desire, Form, and Formlessness), whether good or bad, joyful or painful. The pleasures of heaven, the beauties of the world, even virtuous attachments are all transient illusions. Imagine being reborn in a heavenly realm, surrounded by seemingly lasting splendor and delights, would you still yearn for rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss?

       When we still harbour complaints and dissatisfaction with the world, it shows we have not truly seen through its nature and are still entangled in illusions. It’s like scolding a shadow for disappointing and hurting you – once you realize it has no substance, your anger dissolves.

       The Saha World is just such a shadow, lacking any true essence. We won’t be deceived by it if we see through its insubstantial and fleeting nature. Genuine faith in Amitabha gives us the clarity and strength to rise above every challenge. In fact, the depth of our faith is revealed in how we live our life.以了。

       Faith doesn’t promise that we will grow rich, remain healthy, or be admired by others. However, with faith, even in poverty or sickness, in loneliness or disgrace, we still feel the warmth of Amitabha’s compassionate vow embracing us. Nothing that happens seems unbearable anymore. Life in this world is full of impermanence and vexation, but when we accept this truth and take refuge in Amitabha, peace dawns naturally.

(Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team;
edited by Householder Fojin)