The Cycle of Life

The Cycle of Life only ceases when we no longer create karma. When we "act" (actions) that is the initiative of rebirth.

Suffering accords to karma. Karma moves following the mind. Just enlightening the mind is the end of suffering. Therefore, this picture of the Cycle of Reincarnation or the Impermanent Devil is very important as it will help us understand the three chains of "ignorance-karma- suffering." "We must firmly believe in the cause-effect, morality and virtue that the Buddha emphasized with the precepts, avoiding evil to do good, transforming body and mind and guiding us to the truth.

Understanding, contemplating and realizing this profound and practical meaning, we can fulfill the aspiration to liberation and bring happiness for the sake of many.

Dr. Bhikkhuni Gioi Hong (world name Sunyata Pham) was born in 1963 in Binh Tuy, Vietnam and ordained at the age of fifteen under the great master, the Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Hai Trieu Am. In 1994, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Literature from Sai Gon University. She studied in India for ten years and in 2003, graduated with a PhD in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Delhi, India. In 2005, she settled down in the United States and in 2015, she earned a second Bachelor's Degree in Literature at the University of Riverside, California.

Currently, she is pursuing a degree in the Master of Arts Program at the University of California, Riverside and works as a lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in HCM City. She favors quietly reflecting on Dharma, and that leads her to write, as well as translate, Buddhist books and lyrics for music albums on her Bao Anh Lac Bookshelf.

In 2000, she established Huong Sen Temple, Binh Chanh, Sai Gon. Viet Nam. In 2010, she founded Hương Sen Temple in Perris, California, USA, where she serves as abbess.

I have been wandering for years

Going around and around for a tiring life

Two moons are shining on our two shoulders

Shining hundreds of years in our cyclic life

...Endless hundred years but yet not met one another

I do not know where to return and meet my nature.

(“A Place to Return," Mot Coi Di Ve, Trinh Cong Son)

That's it! Not only for hundreds of years, but for thousands of lives we have been wandering around the six cyclic realms with weariness and without any condition to reflect or go out of our dream and know how to return to our nature.

The Buddha compassionately told the Most Venerable Moggalana to warn the descendants about the changing impermanence that arises and ceases. Each guesthouse in a monastery should draw a picture of the impermanent demon, also called the cycle of life, illustrated by the Avadana Sutra. Capable bhikkhus and bhikkhunis are authorized to explain to the various visitors the meaning of this picture.

**Contents and Sample Pages**