This is a record of an interview with Shi Huaishan, a disciple of the renowned Master Kuiji from the Tang Dynasty, approximately 1,400 years ago. He sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the . Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Hai Yuan, on February 28, 2026.
Shi Huaishan speaks:
". I am Shi Huaishan, originally from Liaocheng County, Shandong Province, China. It has been over two thousand years since the Buddha's teachings first arrived in China. I lived during the flourishing Tang Dynasty, about 1,400 years ago, when I travelled from Shandong to Chang'an to become a monk under my master. My master was the illustrious Master Kuiji. To become his disciple was no easy feat; he was incredibly strict, and we disciples were always walking on eggshells. If one did not possess a profound foundation in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, one would never have dared to seek refuge under his tutelage.
The Rigour and of Master Kuiji
In truth, while Master Kuiji was extremely disciplined with himself, he was profoundly compassionate toward us. He often taught us, 'To treat all beings with compassion is to treat oneself with compassion.' This is because, within the Realm, compassion is a force of reflection. Just as with compassion, all other of good and evil function in the same way. When you treat others with compassion, you are treating yourself with compassion. Conversely, the world will treat you with leniency—this is all the laws of and cause and effect. Through these laws, we come to understand the '-Only' doctrine, encompassing the six consciousnesses and the eight consciousnesses. Master Kuiji was a true expert in this field, and these were the profound lessons he imparted to us.
Master Kuiji was famous throughout the land; almost everyone knew him. We would often see high-ranking officials, ministers, and common civilians alike coming to him with their deepest questions. Because of this, we learned a vast array of both general and specialised skills required in the Buddha's gate. While general social knowledge is something everyone understands, one must also grasp the things that are difficult for others to comprehend. The most important concept, regardless of one's level of understanding, is that everything is ultimately empty, provided one can 'see one's true nature.' to one's true nature is the core essence of the Buddha's teachings, and this was the primary focus of the Master's guidance.
The Nature of Samadhi and Practice
This may sound a bit circuitous, but in reality, it is not. During the height of the Tang Dynasty, Master Kuiji's meditative concentration was incredibly deep. To put it simply, his meditative concentration was profound. Even now, after approximately 1,400 years, I can still feel the power of that concentration while residing within the presence of Practitioner Su. Why is this? It is because true meditative concentration does not require one to sit perfectly still. Those with true attainment remain unmoved in their hearts even amidst the constant movement of walking, standing, sitting, and lying down.
Have you ever seen Practitioner Su sitting somewhere chanting Namo Amituofo, or perhaps sitting quietly without doing anything at all? Perhaps you have not. The truth is, even in stillness, Practitioner Su is always prostrating or chanting. Yes, this is the meditative concentration of Practitioner Su—cultivating stillness within movement. This level of attainment is incredibly deep; the and the wisdom dharani were things the Master had long since mastered.
In this lifetime, Practitioner Su has taken the form of a woman, yet these skills flow through her just as naturally as they did back then. Perhaps she is aware of it, or perhaps she feels it, but she treats it as the most natural thing in the world. She never seeks fame or fortune, nor does she show off. This is exactly how Master Kuiji was back then; it is truly identical.
A Connection Across Time and Space
Why is it that I, Shi Huaishan, have appeared here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia? Because Practitioner Su said that whenever we mention the Centre, we must be precise about its location, so I have made sure to memorise this address. For a spirit from over a thousand years ago—I am ashamed to say, a ghost, a being of the spirit realm—to speak of this Australian address, which is a foreign land to us, is a breakthrough of time and space. Yet, it feels entirely natural. With Practitioner Su, anything is possible.
As for why I understand the Master so deeply? I am quite ashamed of this as well. At the time, I had not yet realised my true nature during my meditation, and I passed away while ill. During my illness, I was cared for by Master Kuiji and my fellow disciples, which allowed me to depart in relative peace despite my suffering. Afterwards, I fell into the ghost realm, but my heart remained tethered to the Master, and I followed her through the space surrounding her.
In fact, Master Kuiji was already chanting Namo Amituofo back then, and his practice was truly focused and possessed profound merit. Why do I say this? The Zen school and the Pure Land school are originally one realm; when combined, they bring immense benefits to both body and mind. During the Tang Dynasty, there were those who would practise this, but there were also monastics who insisted on keeping the schools separate, creating rigid boundaries. But Master Kuiji's heart was empty and encompassed all things; he believed both were valid. The important thing is to have a firm heart and to establish a solid foundation through , meditative concentration, and wisdom. Once that is done, any method of practice is acceptable. The Master was, and is, a truly open-minded person.
The Impact and the Move to the Dharma-Nature Land
Just like Practitioner Su today, the core principles remain unchanged, but the methods are flexible, provided one does not break the precepts. Back then, Master Kuiji kept the precepts with extreme rigour. There are several anecdotes, such as the dialogues with Vinaya Master Daoxuan, that have been passed down to this day as true records. I still find them deeply thought-provoking.
In the years that followed, I could sense the Master appearing in the world again in a human body. As long as she was in a human body—whether in China or another land—I could follow her. In this lifetime, she is a woman. When she was still young, I had already entered her presence, staying near her eyes so I could watch wherever she went and whatever she saw. But the practice of Practitioner Su in this lifetime is very subtle; she follows the teachings but relies on self-study and diligent practice to achieve her results. Therefore, we who reside within her are very peaceful and undisturbed by the outside world. In this state, I entered into a deep meditative state in the space near her eye.
Practitioner Su once said that when she returns to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in this lifetime, she will take all the beings within her body along with her. I intend to follow her back to the West when that time comes. This is what we disciples have been waiting for day and night. After entering meditation near her eye, I had no intention of waking up unless Practitioner Su were to lead us away, in which case I would follow her closely. Life was peaceful enough, and although I was in meditation, I remained sensitive to the environment and its changes. This is the deep meditative concentration the Master helped us establish, which remains a great help even in the ghost realm.
Witnessing the Suffering of Practitioner Su
Then, this time, why did we enter the Western Dharma-Nature Land? It was because we were struck by a massive impact. In the area of the eye, there had never been such a loud sound, such a heavy, powerful force crashing into it. It shocked me and several other beings so much that it took us a while to regain our . When we did, the air smelled wrong, and we heard cries for help. When we were subjected to that immense vibration, we were practically ejected from the space within her body. Where we landed, I could feel that we were in a pool of blood.
In this pool of blood, many beings were wailing because the force of the vibration was so great. Naturally, I sustained some injuries myself. How can a spirit be injured? This injury was caused by that massive, violent impact. Practitioner Su must have been in extreme pain. In terms of practice, if a negative thought arises, it is very easy for demon crowds to enter , but I blocked them. I did not let the demons in. The body of Practitioner Su is like my own, which is why many people's bodies are controlled by demons, but we were primarily protecting the area of her face and eyes to prevent them from invading.
Practitioner Su said, 'Oh, the face and eyes are too dark; it is difficult to give Dharma talks. If only the darkness were in a place that could not be seen.' I thought to myself, I am grateful for the hint from Practitioner Su. I, along with many other beings who had been shaken loose, moved to the back and chest area. It was at this time that Practitioner Su said she was in great pain from her chest to her back. Perhaps it was the initial impact, compounded by our movement.
The force of the vibration Practitioner Su received this time was incredibly fierce and strong, far heavier than the previous situation. When I was ejected into that pool of blood, I knew this was extremely dangerous. Some spirits sustained injuries, but my spirit was relatively fine. Everything happened so suddenly that none of us were prepared.
Because Practitioner Su suffered such a heavy blow, I was forced to leave my original position. As I mentioned, we were soaked in a pool of blood, as were many other beings. When Practitioner Su wrote our names on the memorial tablets and chanted while striking the chime, we were absorbed into them and arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land.
A New Beginning in the Dharma-Nature Land
The journey from the body of Practitioner Su to the Western Dharma-Nature Land happened so quickly that I had no chance to collect my thoughts; the environment had changed so drastically. Because I had listened to the Dharma talks of Practitioner Su, I understood that this environment must be the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I settled in quite naturally, and there was even a lotus seat for me to sit upon. As I looked at this environment, I realised how magnificent a Buddha-land achieved through the vows of Practitioner Su truly is, and I felt a deep sense of reverence.
At the same time, I saw that the physical body of Practitioner Su was suffering immense pain. The physical eyes cannot see the state of the body's cells and the beings within, but from the Dharma-Nature Land, we can see it clearly. Indeed, the chest bone and the bones of the chest area had been shaken and were displaced. For someone over eighty years old, this is a severe injury. The physical pain of Practitioner Su is beyond words; she can barely breathe because it hurts so much. This is a fact that is unbearable for us disciples to witness, yet it is the reality. This is the faith of Practitioner Su in the Buddha and her indomitable willpower.
Although she seems slightly better today, the condition of her chest still prevents her from standing straight, as any slight movement causes painful pulling. I hope for the Buddha's . From the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I hope Practitioner Su recovers her health soon, and that she becomes even stronger than before.
This severe injury was sustained for the sake of saving beings. The large-scale Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su for the beings and demons of mainland China truly caused panic among the demon crowds, leading them to inflict this devastating, life-threatening torture upon her. Fortunately, the people of mainland China still have blessings. The incredible endurance of Practitioner Su and her ability to bear such intense pain, all to continue the Dharma assembly to save China, is truly moving. Here in the Dharma-Nature Land, I can hear the Dharma talks of Practitioner Su, and I have such a wonderful Buddha-land in which to continue my practice. I will attain Buddhahood soon, and I will follow Practitioner Su back to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su.
Namo Amituofo.
Shi Huaishan"
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