A Message from the Western Pure Land: Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu

A Reunion Across the Realms

It has been a long time since I have had the opportunity to speak with everyone in this manner. Many years ago, during our time in Shiding, Taiwan, we often engaged in such dialogues. Those days remain deeply cherished in my memory; they were truly unique and incomparable. During that period, many of us from the Western Pure Land would descend to the Hsiang Kuang Room to invite spirits to the Dharma assembly. It is perhaps imprecise to call us Westerners, as we no longer possess physical human bodies. Let us use the term that has become customary among all of you: we are the Western Sages. Every day, we would take turns visiting the Hsiang Kuang Room in Shiding to assist Practitioner Su in inviting spirits to receive the Dharma.

Today, I, Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu, wish to speak directly to Fasheng. He is the grandson of my own teacher, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju. In truth, he is not a stranger to me, nor am I to him. When I served as the president of the Pure Land Society in Beijing, he was my successor. His grandfather, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, was a person I held in the highest esteem. Even today, the Beijing Pure Land Society preserves many of his works, and his study remains exactly as it was during his lifetime. This was a consensus we reached long ago, ensuring that future generations might have the opportunity to visit and witness the environment of such a dedicated practitioner—a rarity in that era.

The Continuity of the Dharma

In those days, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju always kept Fasheng by his side, instructing him in the Buddha’s teachings and the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo. Today, my teacher and I have both returned to our true home—the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—while Fasheng remains in the human world. I am filled with joy to have this opportunity to converse with him. We were once so close, sharing the same space within the Society. Now that the world has changed so drastically, it is only because I have returned to my true home that I can communicate with Fasheng in this way. This opportunity is not limited to Fasheng alone; it is available to all, but only through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre can such a connection be made.

I have offered these opening words so that Fasheng may understand the context of this message. Now, I shall speak directly to him.

The Truth Beyond the Physical Senses

Fasheng, I am Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu. Like your grandfather, I wish to state clearly that no matter how I address you, the truth of this message remains unchanged. I shall continue to call you Fasheng. You had a brief encounter with the predecessor of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the Hsiang Kuang Room, along with Practitioner Su and the many fellow practitioners there. That was some eight or nine years ago, was it not? Must we count the days of the human world so precisely? Let us set aside such conventions. The point is that the connection was made.

Your grandfather spoke much to you yesterday, but I wish to emphasise this: if, within this limited span of life, you miss the karmic affinity of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—a place where Namo Amituofo truly abides—it will be a profound regret in your life. People in this world often seek various methods to verify the truth of such matters. However, in the spiritual realms, many things exist with absolute reality. Because people rely on their limited Six Roots to perceive the Six Dusts and the external environment, they may be unable to clearly see or receive accurate information. Yet, this does not mean the truth is absent.

The Mission of Practitioner Su

You have lived a long life and witnessed much; you know that the Truth is difficult to find. Naturally, you possess a personal measure to evaluate the authenticity of others, which is understandable for survival in this world. However, this matter cannot be understood through worldly laws; it can only be understood through the Buddha’s teachings. There is no fixed method in the Dharma. How can one know the next step in the Buddha and Bodhisattvas’ work to save beings? The hearts of beings are changing, the environment is changing, and all things are in flux. Namo Amituofo, the Universal Buddha, is infinitely precious. Knowing the suffering of the human world, Practitioner Su Yue’e has manifested in this world, appearing in a physical body to realise her true nature and attain Buddhahood. That Practitioner Su has descended from the Western Pure Land is beyond doubt. You need not speculate. I, Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu, have spoken it, and your grandfather made it clear yesterday. If you still harbour doubts, it would be a great pity. You are a person of reason; having served as the president of the Buddhist Association, you have seen the complexities of human nature and worldly affairs.

Namo Amituofo chose the Hsiang Kuang Room because He knew that Practitioner Su follows the teachings of the Infinite Life Sutra, practising step by step to realise her true nature. Fundamentally, she has descended from the West to save us all. Looking across this human world, only Practitioner Su can perfectly coordinate with Namo Amituofo to save the world. Through the current Venerable HaiZe, who receives the Buddha’s messages, we came to know Practitioner Su and thus established a connection with the West. This led to the formation of the Hsiang Kuang Room in Australia, where the Great Master Hanshan came to invite spirits, and Practitioner Su sent them back to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. After they returned to Shiding, Taiwan, we Western Sages, including the thirteen patriarchs of the Pure Land School, descended to assist Practitioner Su in inviting spirits. She has been bearing the suffering of beings since that time, not just now.

A Rare Opportunity for Awakening

It is a great pity that these processes did not receive the recognition of Venerable Master Chin Kung. Regardless of the interactions or perspectives during the propagation of the Pure Land teachings, from the perspective of saving the world, because of the situation with Venerable Master Chin Kung, the fact that Namo Amituofo had descended to save the world was not accepted by him. Because he did not speak of it, others remained unaware. Although Practitioner Su has continuously appealed to everyone through the internet and her lectures, the strength of one person is limited. She possesses extraordinary talents—truly extraordinary.

She has laboured tirelessly on this journey of saving the world through the Pure Land. Because of the descent of Namo Amituofo, it was revealed in the teachings of Namo Amituofo that the Hsiang Kuang Room should be renamed the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Since then, Practitioner Su has worked even more actively to bring Namo Amituofo to the forefront, hoping that everyone will know that Namo Amituofo is here, ready to help you practise, realise your true nature, and help the deceased achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Such a magnificent and rare event is happening right now at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, yet those who believe are few. In the past, we knew to chant the Buddha’s name to seek rebirth in the West. I used this method myself, chanting 140,000 times a day—Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo—without a moment’s interruption. That was how I practised. In truth, at the moment I fell, I did not go to the Western Pure Land immediately. It was only through the grace of my teacher, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, who instructed Practitioner Su, that my spirit was guided and sent to the Western Pure Land. No one in the world knew this, but Practitioner Su knew. Now I tell you, and you know it too. Do not disbelieve; too many things have happened in this world that you could not have predicted. In this sense, Practitioner Su is also my benefactor.

The Call to Return Home

From ancient times to the present, who has had the skill to guide a spirit to the Western Pure Land? In my view, we did not have such an opportunity in our own lives, yet it is happening in the current Pure Land. It is only natural. Given Practitioner Su’s background—do not underestimate this lay practitioner—she is one of the ancestral masters whom everyone should respect. In the Buddha’s teachings, we generally do not speak of past lives, but without a deep foundation from past lives, could one continue to maintain this Pure Land under such difficult and unrecognised circumstances? She sees that Namo Amituofo is right here. Because Practitioner Su travels back and forth to the Western Pure Land every day to bring beings there, for her, it is as simple as walking through one’s own back door. Who else has the ability to say, "If I wish to return to the West, and the Buddha calls me, I can return with my eyes closed"? Look across the world; who dares to make such a claim? Practitioner Su is truly such a person. You have encountered her while you are still alive in this lifetime; can you simply let this opportunity slip by?

Fasheng, these are the true Western Sages in the human world, and Namo Amituofo is truly in this place. If you open your eyes and come here to see for yourself, you will know. The Buddha is constantly radiating light upon this land. People’s eyes cannot see it, but the spiritual realms see it with absolute clarity. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, under the leadership of Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su leads the fourfold assembly of disciples in chanting and performing the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. Immeasurable and boundless beings from the Dharma realm, the spirit realm, lonely souls, and beings of the six realms all come here, imploring Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su to save them and guide them to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Of course, some beings who do not chant cannot reach the West, but at least they can escape the ghost realm or the animal realm and go to the heavenly or human realms. Where else can you find a place where the beings being saved do not enter the Three Evil Realms?

Everyone chants the Buddha’s name fervently, hoping that at the moment of death, the Buddha will come to guide them onto a lotus pedestal to the Western Pure Land. Now, Namo Amituofo is waiting right here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to guide you! By chanting the Buddha’s name and entering the Buddha-light, you enter the Western Pure Land. Where can you find such a precious opportunity? You cannot find it anywhere else! But how many people believe?

Operating this Pure Land is truly not easy. There are so many beings here. Practitioner Su’s skills are remarkable, and I deeply admire her practice of chanting—deep meditative concentration, chanting without chanting, and chanting while in a state of no-thought. Twenty-four hours a day, because she has a physical body, she must rest; I observe that she rests for about two hours a day. Her work of spiritual deliverance through the Dharma Body, visualising the deliverance of beings, and manifesting in countless forms to save them is extraordinary—the speed is incredible! I say this, and you may open your eyes wide, or believe, or perhaps you will just look and move on? If you move on, it is a great pity, and you will have lost a great benefit. This is not a joke; it is the truth. Such things are ordinary for Practitioner Su, who does this every day. Namo Amituofo is always in the Western Pure Land; as long as you chant well and with a single heart, the Buddha is in everyone’s heart. This principle is the same. In this light, I feel quite ashamed of my own 140,000 chants a day! Without putting in the effort, one truly needs the help of noble people to return to the West.

Lay Practitioner Cheng Yuan has performed exceptionally well; he is dedicated to the Pure Land and has great faith in me. I hope he believes what I am saying now. He also knows Practitioner Su. If there is an opportunity, he should come here to visit. A single trip here will reveal whether what I, Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu, have said is true. It would also be a good exchange. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, your grandfather, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, is guarding this place twenty-four hours a day. If you come here, it is equivalent to meeting your grandfather. You have a human body, and he has a Buddha body. It depends on whether your current practice allows you to see your grandfather. He sits within his photograph, lifelike, constantly caring for everyone. Practitioner Su has opened her eyes and can see him; it depends on your blessings whether you can see him. If you cannot see him, you will at least know whether this place is worth visiting.

The important thing is that Namo Amituofo is here. Do we not return to the Western Pure Land to see the Buddha? That is the destination of our spirits. As for the human body, in our practice of the Pure Land, we naturally hope for a place where we can practise well, perhaps even rediscover our true nature, teach beings, and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. This place is worth visiting to see the Buddha and perform prostrations. Just as people visit famous ancient temples in China to pay respects, visit, and observe the conduct of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas so that we, the later students, may emulate them, so too should you come here. Now, Namo Amituofo is right before everyone’s eyes, and Practitioner Su’s actions of realising her true nature, along with her personal experience, can lead everyone to rediscover their true nature.

Fasheng, I, Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu, ask you: have you realised your true nature? Do you have certainty about returning to the Western Pure Land? This is a very important matter. You have done so much in this life, dedicating your heart and strength to the Pure Land, hoping that everyone can return. Do you not also hope that you yourself can return to the Western Pure Land? Do you have certainty? You are so fortunate. As the grandson of my teacher, Practitioner Su addresses your grandfather as Teacher. When we went to the Beijing Pure Land Society, it was also through the instruction of my teacher—your grandfather, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju—that he hoped you would communicate and share with Practitioner Su. Good things should be shared with everyone. It is a pity that after that meeting, the Dharma affinity did not continue. Now that the connection has been re-established, I hope you will not miss it again. Do not lose your judgment or lose this great opportunity to draw close to Namo Amituofo and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land for the sake of a small reputation.

I mentioned that you are very fortunate because, since that meeting in Beijing, Practitioner Su has spoken very highly of you. During the subsequent Thrice Yearning Ceremonies, she even set up a memorial tablet for the "karmic creditors of Xia Fasheng’s parents and teachers over many lifetimes" to be delivered, and she would read it out, inviting them to attend so they might have the opportunity to be delivered and reborn in the West. Did you know this? This is a magnificent Dharma affinity for everyone. Furthermore, it means that one day, when Fasheng is no longer here, regardless of whether you return to your true home, Practitioner Su will look after you. Just as after Venerable Master Chin Kung left the human world and went to the hells, Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su rushed to save him, and he is now living a peaceful and tranquil life in the Dharma-Nature Land of the Western Pure Land at the Buddhist Centre. Therefore, he is also very fortunate.

I hope that while you are still in this world, you can come to the Buddhist Centre, know that Namo Amituofo is here, and tell everyone so that they too can come to draw close to the Buddha, perform prostrations, and seek the Dharma. Those who have realised their true nature can guide everyone and lead them to realise their true nature, just as we would visit a wise teacher, hoping to receive a verse or a sentence, or some method that is beneficial and helpful to our own practice, and follow that method to realise our true nature. Now, there is only one such place in the world. If you do not come here to draw close to the Buddha and those who have realised their true nature, where else can you find it? Although China has many advantages in the Buddha’s teachings, given the current situation, such a magnificent and rare event is happening at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Do not miss it; you must not miss it!

Practitioner Su comes from Shiding, Taiwan, which is her homeland. Her coming to Australia is also driven by Dharma affinity. Regardless, in this life, if you can encounter Namo Amituofo manifesting in the world, you must seize the opportunity. I have said enough. Do not treat the many things your grandfather told you yesterday as the casual words of an idle person. If that were the case, we would be helpless, only feeling regret in our hearts; naturally, we do not wish for such a result. I hope you can accept this, believe it, and come here for a visit. Practitioner Su made that journey to Beijing to meet you; now, you should return the courtesy and come here for a visit. It is only right.

Most people in the world only realise the truth after the Buddha and Bodhisattvas have departed, feeling regret that they did not seek the Dharma or draw closer at the time. In this age of the Dharma’s decline, people are suffering! Saving beings through the Buddha’s teachings requires everyone to work together and contribute their strength. Now you can tell everyone that Namo Amituofo is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre; you can do this one thing. If you do not do it, and wait until the truth is fully revealed, the opportunity will have been missed, and many beings connected to you will have missed the opportunity to go to the Western Pure Land. That would be too great a pity, too great a regret! To be reborn as a human again and encounter the Buddha’s teachings and the Pure Land is a very rare thing, and to encounter Namo Amituofo descending to the world and meet those who have realised their true nature while in a human body is even rarer among the rare. Now that you have the opportunity, do not let it slip through your fingers easily. This is my sincere appeal and expectation for you.

Well, I shall conclude this letter here. I look forward to your arrival in the West. In fact, this place is equivalent to the Western Pure Land; I am always here, your grandfather is always here, and Namo Amituofo is always here. If this is not the West, what place is it? There are many other ancestral masters whose names, if I were to list them, would be familiar to you; they are all here too. If you can come here to participate in a Thrice Yearning Ceremony, you will know that this is the West!

It is truly time to conclude. Namo Amituofo.

Spoken by Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu

From the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss