Beyond Life and Death: A Wish Across Two Realms

**SUMMARY:** The Ullambana Festival reminds us of the deep connection between the living and the departed, and the heartfelt wish for the "peace of the departed and the prosperity of the living" that all children of the Buddha hold.

During the Vu Lan season, as rose petals are pinned to our clothes, a quiet question often arises in many hearts: Where are those who have passed now? Are they still connected to us? The answer, as explained by Venerable Thích Chân Quang, lies not only in traditional meanings but also opens a realm of profound wonder—the realm of the seen and unseen.

**The Three Sacred Meanings of the Full Moon of the Seventh Lunar Month**

The Vu Lan festival is more than an occasion for filial piety. According to Venerable Thích Chân Quang, it carries three profound layers of meaning.

"First, it is a day we rejoice that the Sangha has completed three months of diligent practice, strengthening their spiritual power. Second, it is a day to remind all children of the Buddha about gratitude and the virtue of filial piety. Third, it is a day for the redemption of departed souls in the lower realms."

These three meanings are intimately linked: from the monks' dedicated retreat, to devotees honoring their parents, expanding further to the salvation of wandering spirits. This is a boundless flow of merit that nourishes both worlds.

**The Mutual Support of the Seen and Unseen Realms**

In his discourse, Venerable Thích Chân Quang clearly explained the familiar dedication phrase: "Peace for the departed, prosperity for the living." This is not just an empty blessing, but a principle of how things work.

"'Peace for the departed' means that the deceased find a peaceful, blessed destination. 'Prosperity for the living' means that in the human world, we enjoy good harvests, favorable weather, fewer accidents and diseases, a prosperous life with material abundance, money, food, and drink, and joyful relationships."

These two realms powerfully influence each other. When descendants practice and make virtuous dedications, their ancestors in the other realm find peace; conversely, when the departed have a refuge, they will quietly bless and help the living overcome difficulties. This is why we should live virtuously, regularly make offerings, and remember those who have passed.

**Avoiding Two Extremes in Thinking About the Unseen World**

The unseen world is a vast and often misunderstood domain. Venerable Chân Quang warns against two extreme attitudes: one is blind belief in fraudulent teachers who exploit superstition for personal gain; the other is complete denial, dismissing any connection with the unseen realm.

"The extreme of false teachers is fabricating superstitions contrary to the Buddha's teachings, causing long-term harm. The consequence of those who are overly cautious and dare not speak of the unseen world, leaving it aside, also has its results... The departed influence the living in two ways: first, they affect the mind, and second, they affect the material world."

Science has not yet proven the existence of the spiritual world, but we should not therefore deny it. In our lives, we do not see electricity flowing through wires, yet the light turns on. The unseen realm is similar: invisible but real, simply beyond ordinary sight.

**Living with Merit: Both Enjoying and Creating**

A wise Buddhist knows how to use blessings from merit like an endless stream. Instead of just exhausting one's blessings, we should enjoy them while continuously creating more.

"The wisdom of Buddhists lies in enjoying blessings while simultaneously creating more. We are never foolish enough to just enjoy until they are gone. Buddhists always enjoy blessings while working, savoring them while generating more merit. So they never run out; Buddhists are wiser."

The simple key: stop creating bad karma, start doing good, help others, and make offerings. This is the foundational practice to acquire merit, ensuring peace and joy regardless of which realm one inhabits.

**Practice: From Filial Piety to Dedicating Merit**

The Vu Lan season is an opportunity for each person to reflect inward. Begin by correcting your mistakes, dedicate time to making offerings to the monastic community, and chant sutras, reciting the Buddha's name to transfer merit to your grandparents and parents who have passed. If your loved ones are still alive, truly care for and attend to them, as this is the foundation of filial piety and the way to ensure the prosperity of the living.

Let us not leave wandering spirits waiting in vain hope. Every small action—a prayer, a gift of merit—has the power to extend love across the boundary between life and death. Act today, so that both realms may find peace and joy.