A Call to Rectify the Path

The late Venerable Master Wei Chueh, having sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This urgent message was recorded on August 3, 2017, as a direct communication to his disciples, specifically addressing the current state of the Chung Tai community.

Venerable Master Wei Chueh speaks:

"Venerable Jian Yun, you are, in truth, a child who understands reason. If you were to examine the situation carefully, you surely would not be unaware of where the problems lie.

The Causal Conditions that lead one to leave the home life are often a response to the call of the times. In truth, this applies not only to you, Venerable Jian Yun, but to many of the disciples of the 'Jian' generation. You all possess magnificent Causal Conditions that brought you into the great family of Chung Tai. This is a family that stirs something deep within everyone's heart—perhaps it is a profound sense of familiarity, or a deep-seated feeling of belonging. This is what we call destiny, or karmic affinity.

The Weight of Responsibility

Venerable Jian Yun, the old monk is no longer in this world. You now shoulder multiple responsibilities within the Chan temple and serve as a leader on the front lines. It is truly exhausting work. However, your personal practice remains of the utmost importance. As you walk this path, you must remain open and honest, with a heart free from attachments. Even if you harbour grand visions and lofty ideals, you must learn to calm your mind and observe whether your inner heart is truly pure and clear.

Take Meditation (Concentration), for instance. How vital is this skill? The ability to maintain meditative concentration—both in stillness and in the midst of activity—is a skill that we must possess and master today. When I was still present in the world, I did not teach everyone well enough. I allowed everyone to inadvertently become tainted by incorrect behaviours. Without pure thoughts, many of you have spent your time wandering between the pursuit of fame and material gain.

A Plea for Spiritual Correction

I mention you today, Venerable Jian Yun, because the role of a vice-abbot is often even more taxing than that of the abbot. Jian Deng needs to step forward and face all of this. Venerable Jian Yun, you are, in truth, a child who understands reason. If you were to examine the situation carefully, you surely would not be unaware of where the problems lie. The time we have for practice is extremely limited and precious. We must set our direction accurately and move forward—move toward the Western Land.

No obstacles to the path should be permitted. These obstacles are nothing but the state of one's own character and the dust of worldly objects. We should meet again for a deep conversation. Your decision to leave the home life in this lifetime was truly magnificent, and your initial resolve was incredibly rare. But if you can see clearly and speak clearly about even the most subtle aspects of your practice, I believe that achieving spiritual success becomes possible.

Avoiding the Gates of Hell

Now, the old monk sees everything very clearly and understands it all. You must come to see me, and you must bring a few others with you. Come to have this talk, and come to learn these skills. The Chung Tai community must not continue to create karma. Once we speak, you will understand. Do not let the gates of hell open to welcome the fourfold assembly of disciples any longer. I, Wei Chueh, cannot bear to witness such a terrifying sight."

Written by the chief writer, Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi.