ATIKOPA


The suffering of reincarnation

To be freed from the cycle of rebirth and attain perfect enlightenment.

1.The mindset of "the suffering of reincarnation"
Because of the habitual tendencies accumulated since beginningless time, we continue to create karma, transmigrating in the cycle of rebirth in the three realms, with suffering and afflictions following us like a shadow. If we can truly observe and contemplate, and abide in the Dharma, "renunciation" will surely arise in our hearts, allowing us to escape the great ocean of suffering in samsara and attain the perfect enlightenment. Therefore, we should diligently practice, perfecting the preliminary practices, the main practices, and the final practices.

2.Contemplate the suffering of each of the six realms separately.
Sentient beings create various unwholesome and evil deeds due to greed, anger, and ignorance. At the time of death, they are reborn in the six realms according to their different evil deeds. The six realms include hell, hungry ghosts, animals, humans, asuras, and gods.

（ 1 ) Hell
Hell is divided into four types: the eight hot hells, the near-border hells, the eight cold hells, and the solitary hells.
The "Eight Hot Hells" are entirely composed of burning iron ground; anyone whose foot touches the ground will be scorched. The "Eight Hot Hells" are divided into eight types: Resurrection Hell, Black Rope Hell, Hell of the Combined, Hell of Howling, Hell of the Great Howling, Hell of Burning Heat, Hell of Extreme Heat, and Hell of Avici Hell.
The "Near-Border Hells" are divided into five types: the Hell of Burning Pit, the Hell of Corpse and Excrement Mud, the Hell of Sharp Blade Plain, the Hell of Sword Leaf Forest, and the Hell of Iron Pillar Mountain.
The beings in the "Eight Cold Hells" are all naked in snow-capped mountains and glaciers, amidst raging storms and blizzards, suffering the pain of freezing temperatures due to the karmic retribution. The different kinds of physical suffering they endure are categorized into eight types: the Hell of Blisters, the Hell of Bursting Blisters, the Hell of Clenched Teeth, the Hell of Screaming Blisters, the Hell of Whispering Blisters, the Hell of Splits Like Blue Lotus Flowers, the Hell of Splits Like Red Lotus Flowers, and the Hell of Splits Like Great Lotus Flowers.
The location of "solitary hell" is uncertain, and the suffering experienced is also uncertain.

There are three types of "Hidden Hungry Ghosts": those with external obstacles, those with internal obstacles, and those with special obstacles. "External Hungry Ghosts" suffer from extreme hunger and thirst. "Internal Hungry Ghosts" have mouths the size of needle pricks and bellies as large as the earth; at night, they suffer unbearable pain as if their internal organs, such as their heart and lungs, are burned by a great fire within their abdomens. Their straw-like limbs cannot support their basin-sized bellies, causing them immense suffering. "Special Hungry Ghosts" come in many terrifying shapes and types; each enormous ghost is inhabited and devoured by swarms of smaller hungry ghosts.
"Hungry Ghosts" include fairies, ghost kings, death demons, vengeful ghosts, ghost women, one-horned ghosts, etc. These hungry ghosts are constantly in a state of fear, terror, and confusion.

( 3 ) Animal Realm
Because of the karmic force of ignorance and delusion, sentient beings fall into the animal realm. The animal realm is divided into "ocean-dwelling animals" and "scattered animals," which respectively reside in the ocean, on land, and in the air.
"Living by the sea" refers to creatures that live in the sea or water.
"Scattered creatures" refers to creatures that live on land or in the air.

( 4 ) Humane
Beings in the three lower realms suffer greatly, while beings born in the three higher realms—human, asura, and deva—also experience different kinds of suffering and have no lasting happiness.
Human suffering has two aspects: the "three fundamental sufferings" and the "eight secondary sufferings".
The "three fundamental sufferings" are the suffering of change, the suffering of suffering, and the suffering of impermanence. The suffering of change is when the happiness one feels in the present moment instantly turns into suffering. The suffering of suffering is when new suffering arises before the previous suffering has ended, adding suffering upon suffering, with no moment of happiness. The suffering of impermanence is when one perceives happiness but has not actually transcended the causes of suffering. All things we consider happiness, including the food we eat, the clothes we wear, all possessions, food, and comforts, are formed through the creation of negative karma, the ultimate consequence of which will lead to the boundless suffering of the lower realms. Therefore, all apparent happiness in the present moment is also inherently suffering of impermanence.

"Eight Branches" Pain
The most profound suffering in the human realm is the suffering endured by both the body and the mind. The physical changes that occur are the four great sufferings of birth, old age, sickness, and death. The psychological sufferings include the suffering of being with those one hates, the suffering of being separated from those one loves, the suffering of being with those one does not desire, and the suffering of not getting what one wants.
"The Suffering of Birth": Every fetus experiences immense pain during its time in the mother's womb and as it grows, enduring various perils during birth. As it develops and grows, its lifespan shortens day by day, gradually leading to death. Impermanence arises frequently, and suffering unfolds like ripples on water. All of this is associated with sinful karma and can become a cause for rebirth in lower realms.
"The suffering of old age": While enjoying life, one unknowingly experiences the pain of aging. Due to the aging of the external illusory body and the decline of the inner consciousness, this ugly and wrathful mother-like appearance is subjected to humiliation by others. One desires to die as soon as possible, yet is extremely afraid of approaching death. Therefore, "the suffering of old age" is similar to the suffering of beings in the lower realms.
"Suffering from Illness": The human body is composed of four elements. When these four elements are out of balance, one will suffer from various diseases such as wind, gallbladder, and phlegm, which are extremely painful.
"The suffering of death": Because death can come at any time, a person can die at any time, in any place, for any reason, and in any way. The suffering of death experienced by each person is also different.
"The suffering of encountering what one hates": In life, we often encounter people, things, and events that we dislike. This pain, stemming from our inability to have autonomy and control over our own lives, causes great suffering to both our body and mind.
"The suffering of separation from loved ones": All sentient beings in the cycle of rebirth are attached to themselves and hate others, enduring much suffering because of their attachment to those they love. Relatives and friends may gather temporarily, but in the end, they will all face the pain of separation. This is the nature of impermanence and separation.
"The suffering of not getting what one wants": People in the world pursue happiness and fulfillment in this life, but without the merit and good karma from past lives, they often cannot get what they want, and may even fall into the lower realms from which they cannot escape. If the time and energy spent pursuing worldly goals in this life are used to practice the Dharma, then one will not experience the suffering of the lower realms.
"Not wanting to experience suffering": People in the world do not like to suffer, but all kinds of pain will come to them. This is "not wanting to experience suffering".

( 5 ) Ashura Realm
The wealth enjoyed by beings in the Asura realm is comparable to that of the Devas. Due to the unwholesome karma of jealousy and belligerence accumulated in past lives, they are born with the form of Asuras, and their jealousy is extremely intense. They are extremely discordant with each other, spending their days in war, truly inseparable from the nature of suffering.

( 6 ) Heavenly Realm
The heavenly beings, enjoying happiness and fulfillment, thus live their days in a state of distraction, without any intention to cultivate the true Dharma. When their karmic connections in the heavenly realms come to an end, and their lifespan is about to conclude, five signs of decay will appear. Knowing that they are about to die, the heavenly beings will use their divine eyes to observe where they will be reborn. Upon learning their place of rebirth, they will wail loudly, experiencing intense pain.
Contemplating the suffering of samsara is the foundation of all the merits of the holy path, such as turning one's mind toward the Dharma, believing in cause and effect, renouncing this life, and generating compassion.

The "Four Turns of the Mind" belong to the "Common Preliminary Practices," used to tame one's mind, turn it toward the path of Buddhism, and generate correct renunciation. This is the common foundation required for entering any Dharma gate of Shakyamuni Buddhism, whether Hinayana, Mahayana, or Vajrayana. Because renunciation is the foundation of all precepts, those who do not possess true renunciation cannot fully uphold the "Pratimoksha Vows," "Bodhisattva Vows," and "Vajra Vows."

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