Introduction (Excerpt from the book The Buddha Teaches Once More)

(Excerpt from the book The Buddha Teaches Once More – Introduction)

Today, the world is rich in diverse beliefs, encompassing various religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, and Caodaism, among many others. While these religions share certain similarities, each upholds its own unique philosophy. This diversity often leads to confusion when attempting to understand the true nature of the universe. Therefore, Minh Nguyet invites you to explore the cosmic picture through the multicolored lenses of these religions in order to seek a deeper understanding of the universe’s true essence.

🌌 The Universe Through the Lens of Different Religions

Through the lens of Buddhism, we perceive the universe as consisting of six realms of reincarnation, operating under the law of cause and effect. According to Buddhist teachings, every action generates karma, which ultimately leads to consequences, demonstrating the fairness of this universal law. Karma accumulates over lifetimes, binding sentient beings to the cycle of birth and death, causing them to continuously transmigrate through the six realms. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to guide individuals toward enlightenment, liberating them from the cycle of reincarnation and leading them to a life free from suffering and rebirth.

When observing the universe through the perspective of Christianity, we recognize the existence of a Supreme Being. This being is God, also known as the Almighty, who created the universe and all living beings. Unlike Buddhism, Christianity views the soul as an entity that is inherently connected to God, existing independently from the physical body. The soul is eternal and continues to exist even after death. A fundamental difference between the two religions lies in their views on the afterlife—Christianity teaches that there are only two final destinations: Heaven and Hell, as opposed to the six realms of reincarnation. Additionally, Christianity does not accept the concept of rebirth.

In Taoism, the universe is perceived as functioning according to the principle of balancing Yin and Yang, promoting harmony with the natural order. The natural order is considered rational, just, and thorough. The balance of Yin and Yang serves to regulate any excesses or deficiencies, ensuring that everything follows the natural flow. This means that humanity, Heaven, and Earth must all align with the Yin-Yang principle to remain in harmony with the Tao; the natural law must always be respected and followed.

From the perspective of Caodaism, we acknowledge the existence of the Supreme Being, who created the universe and established religious paths. Caodaism integrates elements from Buddhism, Christianity, folk beliefs, philosophical thought, and spiritual traditions from various cultures, forming a distinctive and diverse religious system.

Thus, through different religious perspectives, the universe appears with various manifestations and interpretations. However, despite this diversity, there is ultimately only one true essence of the universe. This raises an essential question: What is the true nature of the universe? Perhaps the existence of multiple religions is not merely to cater to individual beliefs but also to expand human understanding. Overlooking or vaguely comprehending the teachings of any religion may result in missing an important piece of the grand puzzle of the universe.

🪢Knots and Ambiguities in Buddhism

Buddhist scriptures contain profound meanings hidden within mantras and prophetic verses. In particular, Mahayana sutras not only serve as teachings for enlightenment but also as a medium through which higher beings convey cosmic secrets. Despite thorough study, many aspects remain beyond human comprehension. This is because these scriptures are encoded in the Dharani language—a sacred script understood only by the Buddhas. This language lies beyond the realm of human translation, leaving many mysteries and unanswered questions within Buddhism.

Have we ever pondered the true meaning of human existence? Are we merely born to repay karma, only to accumulate more, perpetuating an endless cycle of retribution?

At the beginning of life, every individual starts in ignorance. Before receiving education, we are like children—without knowledge and guided by instinct. As we grow and mature, accumulating negative karma seems almost inevitable. If this cycle continues, can humanity ever escape the grip of karma and end the cycle of reincarnation?

Even within the same family, sharing the same upbringing, economic conditions, and even genetic traits, individuals develop distinct personalities, leading to vastly different destinies. Sometimes, a child’s character is entirely opposite to that of their parents, leaving us with the saying, “Parents give birth to children, but Heaven shapes their nature.” If that is the case, is there a divine force shaping these personalities, and if so, for what purpose?

In Buddhism, the concept of a soul does not exist as it does in Christianity or in folk beliefs. Instead, Buddhism speaks of the intermediate body (bardo), a transitional state between death and rebirth. This raises an intriguing question: Is the bardo a form of the soul? If so, upon what causes and conditions is it formed, given that Buddhists believe all things exist due to dependent origination?

🔭 Scientific Perspectives on the Universe

Let us temporarily set aside the unresolved mysteries of Buddhism and explore the views of scientists regarding the universe.

The scientist Isaac Newton once stated, “Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set them in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can be done.”

The renowned scientist Louis Pasteur remarked, “A little science takes you away from God, but a lot of science brings you back to Him.”

Similarly, Henri Becquerel shared, “Through my studies in science, I have been led to God and faith.”

Beyond these three, many scientists worldwide also believe in the existence of a Supreme Being. Although He cannot be seen with the naked eye, they perceive His presence through their intellect. Do you agree with their perspectives?

🔍Revealing Mysteries and Unraveling Ancient Knots

Buddhism is traditionally divided into three major periods: the Age of True Dharma, the Age of Semblance Dharma, and the Age of Declining Dharma. Today, we are living in the Age of Declining Dharma, the final stage of the Buddhist path as foretold in history. As this period unfolds, the divine has now permitted the revelation of hidden mysteries to untangle the ancient knots of wisdom.

Below are two significant revelations:

In our limited human perception, we often believe that we are the creators of our own destiny, as we consciously make decisions throughout our lives. However, from a broader perspective, we can see that God has already arranged our birth circumstances, karmic relationships, and even the trajectory of our lives. We are then placed into an environment where our choices unfold within a complex matrix that has been preordained, governed by the law of cause and effect (karma).

This perspective also explains why divination practices such as I Ching (Book of Changes) and Astrology can offer relatively accurate insights into various aspects of life, including personality traits, career paths, financial status, social relationships, and cycles of prosperity or decline. These ancient sciences reflect the existence of universal laws established by the Supreme Being.

Furthermore, many more mysteries have been revealed by the divine to awaken the Buddha-seed within all beings, allowing them to recognize the true nature of the universe.

I invite you to explore these profound truths in the book The Buddha Teaches Once More. This book compiles the teachings of an ancient Buddha, whom Minh Nguyet respectfully refers to as Venerable Buddha. He personally unveils the origins of sentient beings and uses the Dharani language to decode hidden secrets embedded within Buddhist scriptures, mantras, and the Prophecies of Trang Trinh, while also revealing the true identity of Shakyamuni Buddha.

By uncovering these mysteries, you will transcend religious prejudices, discover the truth, and gain a profound understanding of the meaning of each human life. The Buddha deliberately left complex knots in his teachings, challenging sentient beings to seek wisdom through inquiry. Those who expand their intellect and unravel these profound riddles will come closer to the wisdom of the enlightened ones.

July 2023

MINH NGUYET