Pure Realm of the Soul

Chapter One  Lineage Of Wisdom Dakini

1.6. Pure Realm of the Soul

I have prayed to Guru Niguma numerous times: take me to your secret realm! I believe I have succeeded. I can always feel the wind from the secret realm, gently caressing my heart, sweeping away my frustration and bringing a piece of peace and tranquillity. In absolute silence, I see guru Niguma smiling to me, revealing to me the truth of life, the secret of souls, telling me how to see through illusion and break free from attachment, how to follow the wide road of Buddhism to obtain the eternal fruits of Buddhahood.

In my impression, the secret realm of Niguma is incomparably miraculous. The soul you possess is the realm you will see. It is as mysterious as the Land of Ultimate Bliss, as stately as the city of Yidam, as beautiful as a fairy realm, as splendid as clouds at sunrise, as glorious as rainbows. Dakini break into song and dance like birds on the wing, fountains of amrita bubble. It is filled with emptiness and joy, as cool as rain, rinsing hearts and bodies. I was deeply enchanted.

This is a pure land of the soul.

To soothe my soul, I once walked like a dog without a home, a drifting heart led by desire, superficial and without focus. It was often like walking endless night, no light to be seen, no refuge to be found, no tranquillity to be had, no relief from frustration. I have searched in many places, called again and again “who can soothe my soul, who can direct me to enlightenment?” Only silence answered me.

Later on, as Niguma met Vajra Dhara, I saw Niguma smiling to me. It is her secret realm that will rest my soul.

 In absolute silence, pray, using all your body and soul. When you dissolve your ego, break free from attachment and rid of desire, when you are filled with magnanimous love and your soul is full of benevolence and wisdom, when your love touches every being and you understand that the mosquito is your mother too, when clean the dust from your soul, you will enter that pure land. 

At that time, you will cry with astonishment “Niguma, I see you, mother.”

When writing this, tears stream down my face. I do not know how many readers will be able to read my heart.

Do you understand the feeling of a desert traveller at the sight of an oasis? Do you understand the unexpected joy of a child, seeing their mother after many years of wandering? Do you understand the excitement of an orphan seeing red sun after staying in long darkness? Do you know the warm tears of a starving boy who sees bread?

Therefore, do not laugh at me.

Certainly, you can wave your hand and leave me without taking away a single piece of cloud. But please believe that my tears are sincere. In the age where sincerity becomes rarer by the day, you should respect sincerity.

When you understand that this universe will end, when you understand that the brilliant red sun will one day become a black ball, when you discover that your own beloved body will leave you eventually, when we realise that the outward things we have strived for will soon come to naught, you may ask: where will my soul go?

There is a fable, full of meaning:

A man had four wives. The first wife tired herself out with managing the home, but the husband did not love her, and entirely overlooked her existence. The second wife was adept at showing consideration, so the husband treated her as an intimate friend. Whenever he needed something, he always asked her first. The third wife was the husband’s pride and joy. He always spoke of her, and boasted of her to others. The fourth wife was best beloved by the husband. Whatever her request, he would do his best for her satisfaction. One day, the husband was going to die. Fearing loneliness after death, he wished for one of his wives to accompany him. He asked his fourth wife, but she did not care, and just left him to be. He asked his third wife, and she answered, “life is so beautiful, I will take another husband after you die”. He asked his second wife, who replied that she could only accompany him as far as the graveyard. Finally, the first wife said, “husband, I will go with you, even through fire and water”. The husband saw that she was very thin. It pained his heart immensely and regretted that he had never treated her well.

Each of us has four wives: the fourth wife is body, who must leave despite her master’s infinite care; the third wife is fame and fortune, which will belong to others after its owner dies; the second wife is friends and relatives, who only can send you as far as the graveyard; the first wife is the soul, who will not leave you through life or death, even though sometimes you ignore her.

Have you ignored your first wife?

Do you understand the good care I give to her? Do you understand my unexpected joy at meeting Niguma? Do you also aspire to the same pure land of the soul?

Then, continue to listen to my introduction of Niguma.