A Final Message of Repentance and Hope

This is a record of the twenty-fourth letter from the late Venerable Master Wei Chueh, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This message reflects his deep remorse and his final guidance to his disciples. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on July 10, 2017.

Venerable Master Wei Chueh speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. As someone who once served as the leader of the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, I truly carry an infinite sense of shame within my heart. How could I have left behind so many unresolved issues and complications? If there is no opportunity for a fundamental transformation, it will be extremely difficult—truly, extremely difficult—for all the Venerables, the lay practitioners, and the entire fourfold assembly to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

The Urgency of Rebirth

"I implore you to listen to the words of this old monk. Whether it is just the final sentence, or even if you only hear one phrase and believe in one phrase, I only need you to understand this: you must attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. This world is far too impermanent, and the cycle of being reincarnated is truly terrifying. I ask you all to agree with me—let us not come back to this world again. I sincerely hope that you will not return, unless you have already achieved spiritual success, attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land, and are returning to the world to save sentient beings. Otherwise, please, do not fall back into the cycle of being reincarnated. It is filled with suffering; everyone’s heart is burdened with such deep pain, is it not?

Every person, every member of the fourfold assembly, who chooses to embark on the path of monastic life or the path of studying the Buddha’s teachings, actually carries their own share of suffering. We have all experienced the different trials of life—the sweetness, the bitterness, the sourness, and the spice. To have walked this far is not an easy feat, and it is precisely because of this that you have chosen the Buddha’s teachings. I, this old monk, have seen much throughout my life. My childhood was not easy, and as I grew up, I lived through the era of war. I understand these sufferings deeply, and because I understand the hearts of all of you, you chose to place your faith in me, did you not? However, you should place your faith in the Buddha, not in people. After all, a person is still just a person; it is easy to stray from the path, and one is not always walking the true, righteous path—unless one has become an awakened being. I did not become an awakened being; I remained an ordinary person throughout my life. Because I eventually strayed from the path, perhaps some of you can see the truth of this. You may discuss this among yourselves; this is the reality."

A Heart Cleansed and Clear

"Now, because of the compassion of the Buddha and the compassion of Practitioner Su, I have finally attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Through these days of purification, and by witnessing many profound truths, my deepest self—the 'Wei Chueh' from long ago, and even the self that existed before that—has been awakened. My heart now truly sees through everything; it is genuinely clear and bright. I can once again feel that deep suffering within all of your hearts. The original intention I had when I first became a monk to serve all beings has been revealed to me once more.

If I can achieve spiritual success in this life, then all of these people can also attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. The assets and resources currently remaining at Chung Tai are sufficient to perform immeasurable and boundless acts of deliverance for sentient beings. However, the situation that I, Wei Chueh, left behind is not what it should be. Whether this can be changed depends entirely on your hearts and your vows. I hope that the fourfold assembly will face this issue squarely. At the very least, you must ensure you have the opportunity for rebirth. Time is not on your side; you must grasp this opportunity firmly, and you must remain clear-headed. Namo Amituofo."