A Call to Return Home: The Fifth Letter of Master Sheng Yen
The Fifth Letter of Master Sheng Yen to Master Guo Dong
Recorded at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Australia
This is a record of a message from the spirit of Master Sheng Yen, who sought to communicate with his successors at Drum Mountain from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. He now resides in the and shares this message through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This testimony was recorded on June 11, 2017, by the Buddhist disciple Shi Fa.
Master Sheng Yen speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Master Sheng Yen. Though my physical form has long since returned to the elements, my spirit remains ever-present, watching over the path of those I left behind. Letter after letter has been sent, yet I have received no word in return. However, I know that within the halls of Dharma Drum Mountain, the message has been received.
The Call to Hsiang Kuang
Master Guo Dong, I ask you: are you willing to meet with me once more? I am here, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Australia. This place has established a direct connection to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—it is truly magnificent. As the leader of Dharma Drum Mountain, you really ought to come and see this for yourself. You may visit privately, or you may bring the community of Dharma Drum Mountain with you; either way, I simply wish for someone to come and witness the truth of this place.
It was not easy for the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to open its doors in this way. It is by the direct instruction of the Buddha that the monastic community here has taken on the heavy burden of saving beings in this world. These monastics are young, yet they are remarkably capable. Through their diligent practice, they have attained the ability to connect with the Western Land. Some can even communicate with the Western Pure Land with ease. This is an inconceivable skill, yet it is quite distinct from the worldly supernatural powers people often speak of. In this world, who else has truly attained such a connection to the West? I do not say this to offer empty praise; my greatest wish now is for everyone to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land.
Reflections on Dharma Drum Mountain
If it is possible, I truly hope that Dharma Drum Mountain can become a 'Western Land' within the human world. The reach of Dharma Drum Mountain is vast; I had hoped it would become a true home for practitioners, a sacred site of purification. It was my own error that allowed Dharma Drum Mountain to settle for the mediocrity of mere education. I present this truth to you now, and I sincerely hope that Dharma Drum Mountain will not reject this message—this message that comes directly from the Western Land.
From the very beginning to this fifth letter, every word and every sentence has been written with the hope that Dharma Drum Mountain will face the reality of the situation and embrace the path of rebirth in the Western Pure Land. I have poured my heart into every letter sent; what more could there be to doubt? I may have lost my physical body, but my spirit remains. I will accompany Dharma Drum Mountain with full confidence as you find your way out of this impasse. No matter how many letters it takes, I am willing to help in any way I can, provided that the Western Pure Land is promoted.
A Plea for the Path Home
My own struggle with kidney disease in my final years brought me a profound . I have made a vow: I do not wish to see another monastic or practitioner lose their way on the path of practice, or lose the flight path that leads back to our true home in the West. Come home! The Western Land is the true home of our spirits. I also wish to reach out to the venerable Master Hsing Yun. Master Guo Dong, I am being sincere and truthful. I hope you will find the time to come and speak with me.
To the venerable Master Hsing Yun: I hope that this message from the Western Land will touch your heart and bring you deep realisation. I am here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, waiting to converse with you. This is not a matter of being misled by supernatural phenomena; this is the circulation of a true and authentic message. As long as one is purified, one can realise this truth. One must not harbour even a single grain of greed, anger, delusion, or arrogance in the heart; even a single grain of sand is an obstacle. This place is truly magnificent, and I wait for someone to come and see me. Namo Amituofo."
Written by Master Sheng Yen of Dharma Drum Mountain. Recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Fa.
More from Master Sheng Yen
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library