A Journey to the Western Pure Land: An Interview with Venerable Master Tanxu

This interview was recorded on August 26, 2018, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Venerable Master Tanxu, a renowned figure in the history of Chinese Buddhism, shares his profound reflections on his life, his practice, and the critical importance of rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He recounts his own spiritual journey and offers a heartfelt endorsement of the Amituofo Village, a sanctuary established to assist sentient beings in their final journey to the Western Pure Land.

Venerable Master Tanxu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Tanxu. It is with a sense of profound humility and immense gratitude that I accept this invitation to be interviewed here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. In my later years, many fellow practitioners on the Buddha’s path referred to me as 'Elder Tan,' a title that always felt warm and familiar. I shall refer to myself as 'Elder Tan' here, though it may seem a bit informal; perhaps it is more appropriate to simply call myself Tanxu.

A Late Start on the Path

My life before becoming a monastic was filled with twists and turns. I worked as an apprentice, married, had children, studied medicine on my own, listened to the teachings of the sutras, and eventually resolved to leave the household life. I was not like the little novices who enter the temple in childhood. By the time I began my life as a novice, I was already forty-three years old. While my memory and physical strength were perhaps not what they were in my youth, my life experiences and the trials I had endured allowed me to qualify for the most basic entry into the Buddha’s gate. I learned to know my place, to listen, and to work diligently.

After some time, I was able to enter the temple of the Venerable Master Dixian, where I received the full precepts and became a formal bhikshu. Following that, I devoted myself to rigorous study under my teacher’s guidance. Even though I lived during a time of constant war and national turmoil, I was still guided by Dharma affinity. I had the opportunity to spread the Dharma and build temples in Northeast China and across the country. I even served as an abbot, which allowed me to connect with many Dharma protectors and lay followers, adding many supportive conditions to my life of spreading the Dharma.

The Urgency of Spreading the Dharma

I dared not waste a single second. I felt that life was fleeting and that I had already spent the better part of my years in vain. I knew I had to find the true meaning of life within the Buddha’s teachings, to save myself and others, and to propagate the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. I worked earnestly, and whenever I gained an insight, I would—despite my limited talents—take up my pen to write the book Reminiscences of Shadow and Dust. I recorded every bit and piece of what I encountered before and after becoming a monastic and throughout my practice. It serves as a written record of my journey through this life.

For a monastic, if one wishes to propagate the True Teachings, one should truly cultivate in one place for a long time. Only when disciples and followers can have their doubts resolved can they see change and foster their Dharma heart and vow-practice. However, because I lived during the chaotic early years of the Republic of China, the Buddha’s teachings were scarce in the world. There were few who spread the Dharma, and even fewer who were willing to listen. Dharma affinity was often scattered or interrupted. Therefore, I had to seize every opportunity to lecture on the sutras. After all, those who were truly 'Dharma vessels'—those willing to let go of their worldly attachments and enter the Buddha’s gate—were rare and precious. If I could find even one, two, three, or four people who could continue the transmission of the Dharma, then my efforts, even at the cost of my own life, were worth it! Relying on this strength, even when I was unwell or faced with obstacles, I was protected by the Buddha’s blessings and passed through them safely.

The Weight of the Dharma Transmission

I knew the deep expectations my teacher, the Venerable Master Dixian, had for me. He entrusted the transmission of the Tiantai school to me. Therefore, every second of my life, I walked with caution, fearing that I might commit a transgression. I was terrified that while lecturing on the sutras, I might act or speak in a way that was false. Thus, before every lecture, I would always press my palms together and pray for the Buddha’s blessings. I wanted to be able to explain the profound and infinite meanings of the sutras accurately, according to the truth and the Dharma, so that those listening could understand the essence. Whenever I saw students gain an insight, and subsequently purify their body, speech, and mind, living out the open and bright life of a Buddha’s child, that was my greatest consolation.

A Lesson from the Heavens

Because of this, although I chanted the Buddha’s name and encouraged others to do so, and although I knew of the supreme beauty of the Western Pure Land and made a vow to be reborn there, when I reached the age of eighty-nine, I appeared to pass away while chanting. I even manifested auspicious signs, but in reality, I did not reach the Western Pure Land. I did not see Namo Amituofo come to receive me. I saw a golden light and followed it, but I ended up in the twenty-eighth heaven of the heavenly realm. It is shameful to admit, but I thought my skills were sufficient when, in fact, they were not. I was truly careless and lost the opportunity of a lifetime to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. While the heavenly realm is pleasant, it is not the ultimate destination.

Fortunately, Practitioner Su—now known as Buddha Su—called out my name from the human world. This gave me the opportunity to be led by a golden light into the Hsiang Kuang room. Then, amidst the chanting of Practitioner Su and the other lay practitioners, I was finally sent to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I express my deepest gratitude to Buddha Su for this grace.

A Final Plea to Practitioners

I share this from the pain of my own experience: those who practice the Buddha’s path, regardless of their sect, must not be careless in this Dharma-ending age. The ultimate goal must be rebirth in the Western Pure Land as the final liberation. One must practice diligently and earnestly while still alive, ensuring that one has certainty in their rebirth. You must keep the Buddha’s name in your heart—unmoving, unshifting, and uninterrupted—so that at the time of your passing, you may see Namo Amituofo and the lotus pedestal come to receive you and lead you to the Western Pure Land.

In this life, to know the truth of the universe, to play in the world of illusions and realities without attachments—that kind of free and easy style, moving between the human world and the Western Pure Land at will, and realising the Dharma Body—is truly magnificent. The earnest heart to save sentient beings from suffering, regardless of where one is, and the daily commitment to deliver spirits to the Western Pure Land—this is the embodiment of Buddha Su’s practice. It is truly worthy of admiration!

Today, on this land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, due to the blessings of Namo Amituofo, the Amituofo Village is being built to guide more beings who have a karmic affinity with the Pure Land to enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. For all who reside there, at the time of their passing, they will be personally guided by Buddha Su into the Western Pure Land. This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity—you must seize it! In this land and space, there are already immeasurable and boundless spirits who have joyfully chanted the Buddha’s name and been delivered to the Western Pure Land. I believe that you, who possess tremendous blessings, are one of them. Namo Amituofo is here; I invite those with affinity to come and see for yourselves.

Namo Amituofo."

The message was recorded by the disciple of the Buddha, Venerable HaiZe.