A Dialogue with Venerable Du Shun: The Prayer for the Resumption of Travel

The Sacred Bond Between Worlds

The spirits of the world wander in the shadows, yet who truly understands their plight? Within the heart of Namo Amituofo, there is no birth and no death. There is only one singular purpose that manifests within His heart: to ensure that all suffering beings find a place of refuge. When that time arrives, the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss will be clear for all. This is the great compassion of Practitioner Su, who perceives the sorrow of the spirits during this global pandemic. The living do not know when their confusion will end; the sick suffer in their bodies, wondering where their lives are heading; and the spirits of the deceased wander, searching for a place to return.

Suddenly, the brilliant light of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre shines forth. The spirits of the departed, together with the light and the holy name of Namo Amituofo, are present. They kneel together, begging for the mercy of the heavens and the earth, praying that the pandemic may be resolved and that lives may be preserved. They pray that the Dharma-ship may set sail, revealing the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and that the physical ships and aircraft of the world may once again travel freely between nations. May the land, the sea, and the air return to a state of harmony, all because the power of Namo Amituofo is allowed to manifest fully. With the support of the patriarchs and venerable masters, and with Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body unifying all teachings, we are fortunate to hear that these prayers can be fulfilled, provided we rely upon the great, compassionate power of Namo Amituofo.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre as a Western Land on Earth

I am Venerable Du Shun. From the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I have never truly left the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This is because the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre serves as a Western Land on Earth. For us, the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is here at the Centre, and the Centre is the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. During every Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Practitioner Su respectfully invokes the names of the patriarchs and venerable masters of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am one of them. As the fourfold assembly of disciples offers their prostrations one by one, we return the gesture in kind. This is a glimpse of the mutual connection between the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and the human world. Just as I am now accepting this interview at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, it is a moment of communion between these two realms. To the people of this world, this may seem difficult to conceive or imagine, but within the sacred space of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, it is a sight that can be witnessed at any time.

A Compassionate Vow to Alleviate Global Suffering

Practitioner Su has observed that the global pandemic has persisted for a long time, leaving the hearts of the people filled with fear and instability. At this very moment, Namo Amituofo truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Namo Amituofo is the Great Physician King, and this pandemic can only be truly resolved through His power. However, it requires the people of this world to awaken their hearts and seek salvation; only then can the power of Namo Amituofo be fully revealed. Furthermore, the pandemic has caused a cessation of international travel, severely impacting industries such as tourism. As a result, the income of the people has plummeted, and the strength of nations has stagnated or even declined.

Consequently, Practitioner Su has made a great vow to act as an initiator. He has respectfully invited Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, and many patriarchs and venerable masters of the Pure Land and Avatamsaka traditions to join him. Together, they kneel and offer incense, hoping that through our collective merit and power, we may assist in resolving the pandemic and ending the travel restrictions between nations. In particular, we pray that the Australian immigration authorities will open their borders to allow people from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Southeast Asia to enter. This would provide them with the opportunity to visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, to learn about Namo Amituofo, the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the work of the Centre. By doing so, they may become protectors of the Dharma, supporting the construction of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and the spreading of the Pure Land teachings. This will help alleviate the worries and suffering of the people, provide them with a true refuge, and save the spirits of the departed, guiding them into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Magnificent Dharma Affinity

Practitioner Su has made this great vow, and we all praise it and joyfully participate in it. This is a great blessing for all those in the world who have the karmic affinity to connect with the Dharma, and for all spirits who have the chance to encounter Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su in this lifetime. Only through this rare opportunity can we work together to resolve this great calamity. The Buddha is compassionate, and this magnificent Dharma affinity is unfolding at this very moment. We hope that all spirits in the Dharma Realm will protect and assist one another, allowing this vow to be realised as soon as possible, so that the grace of the Dharma may be bestowed upon all.

Namo Amituofo.

This interview was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.