This is a record of an interview with the late Venerable Master Wei Chueh, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his profound journey of repentance. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on June 18, 2017.
Venerable Master Wei Chueh speaks:
". I am Wei Chueh. I speak these words with a heavy heart, offering them as a sincere confession. How many of my disciples are truly willing to listen to the words of an old man who has finally seen the truth?
When I was alive, the Chung Tai Chan Monastery was in full operation. When I fell ill, it continued to function. Even after I passed away, it continued its course. Everything in this world remains unchanged by the presence or absence of one individual. In time, the name 'Wei Chueh' will be forgotten by all. This is the nature of human life. I am fortunate that I have reached the Western Pure Land. If I were still trapped in the hells, the suffering would be truly unbearable—though I would have only myself to blame for creating such causes."
The Illusion of Legacy and the Truth of
"Every practitioner of the Buddha speaks of the laws of karma and cause and effect. It is a phrase that rolls easily off the tongue. We say we must not commit evil, but we rarely address the evil thoughts that linger in the mind. We say we must not have desires, but we do not say we must not think. How could I, Wei Chueh, not have known this? We are all the same, and I, too, made these mistakes. To the fourfold assembly of disciples at Chung Tai, I say: do not speak for me anymore. I was truly in error.
Recently, I have been thinking of my homeland. Although I am now in the Western Pure Land, memories of the past have quietly surfaced. Familiar scenes and Causal Conditions have appeared before me, and I cannot help but shed tears. Why is it that so many others cannot be reborn in the Western Pure Land? Why are they still trapped in the cycle of suffering?"
A Skeptic's to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
"The of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is something the outside world cannot comprehend. If I were still the Wei Chueh of the past, I would certainly have looked down upon such a group. I would have dismissed it as merely 'performing miracles' and would have had no interest in understanding what they were truly doing. I wonder, are there many others who, like the Wei Chueh of the past, view this sacred place through the same narrow lens? If I had not been saved from the hells, I would never have understood these truths.
After I left my hometown to become a monk, I vowed never to revisit the affairs of my secular life or the Causal Conditions of my past. Yet, during the , I witnessed scenes that broke my heart. The people from my past were still there, trapped in their suffering. Why? Why must they endure such pain? The era of war I lived through was absolutely terrifying. I discovered that they could not hear my cries. There seemed to be a barrier between us; I could see them, but they were unaware of my existence. When the Dharma assembly began the , I wept again. I did not dare to don the robes of the lead officiant; I wore only simple monastic attire. I knelt, for Namo Amituofo was right there before me. I wept for a very long time. The Buddha-light gently purified my Body-Mind-Spirit."
The Weight of Boundless Suffering
"In that moment, I saw my past. I realised that I was an emanation of the Venerable Master Hsu Yun, sent into this world to save people. Because of our deep Causal Conditions, I became a disciple within the same lineage. It was because of my past virtues that the scale of Chung Tai Chan Monastery was built. I am filled with such deep repenting for squandering this magnificent opportunity. The Buddha comforted me and raised me up, asking me to look at the suffering sentient beings who were waiting for deliverance. I wept even louder. There were so many—immeasurable and boundless. I did not dare to think about how I could ever repay this debt; I only thought, 'What will become of them?'
This was my first time learning to chant Buddha's name for the purpose of Chao Du. For the sake of these poor sentient beings, I followed the proceedings of the Dharma assembly. I knelt and implored them to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. For the first time, I truly understood the value of the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies—they are truly capable of guiding beings to the Western Pure Land. The compassionate grace of Namo Amituofo has led me to vow that I will follow Him throughout your many lives. I had the thought of returning to the world to save beings, but Namo Amituofo skillfully stopped me, teaching me, 'First, learn!' I now understand the true meaning behind His words. Even if I were to return to the world now, I could not repay my debts, and I would likely sink into the cycle of rebirth once more. I will return, but not now."
A Plea to the Fourfold Assembly
"Now that I know the magnificence of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I will participate in the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies every week. If my practice is sufficient, I hope Practitioner Su will allow me to assist, to help me dissolve karma. The grace of the Buddha is hard to repay, let alone the debt I owe to these sentient beings. My repenting is sincere.
Having said this, to the fourfold assembly of disciples at Chung Tai: do you prefer the Wei Chueh who has changed, or the arrogant Wei Chueh of the past? One must not be superstitious in practising the Buddha Dharma. I now know that one must follow Causal Conditions. You are the result of the mistakes I made; I did not lead Chung Tai well. However, I do not wish to force you to believe in my current state. Believe as much as you can, and whether you choose to come and see me or not is entirely up to you. I wish to use my own efforts to protect Chung Tai and to learn the skills of Chao Du. Venerable Jian Deng, if you are moved by these words, could you come to see this old man? This old man is currently filled with sorrow and repenting.
