A Message from Zhao Puchu: The Truth About Humanistic Buddhism
The Fourth Letter of Zhao Puchu, Former President of the Buddhist Association of China
Recorded on the 14th of June, 2017
A Message from Beyond
I am Zhao Puchu. In my previous life, I was a dedicated seeker, a founder, and a staunch supporter of what is known as Humanistic Buddhism. Today, I write to you from the of Ultimate Bliss to share a profound realization. I wish to thoroughly correct the misconceptions that I once held and promoted. The human world, even with the practice of Humanistic Buddhism, remains bound by the relentless cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death. It is a reality that no one can escape through worldly efforts alone.
I once believed that we could create a Pure Land on Earth. However, I now see that this concept was merely a temporary transit point—a means to help the beings of this world achieve a foundation in , wisdom, and the understanding of emptiness. It was never meant to be the ultimate goal or the final destination. To treat it as such is a grave error. I feel deep shame for my past views, and I urge you to consider the reality of our situation.
The Limitations of Worldly Practice
Even if one were to establish the most perfect form of Humanistic Buddhism, it would still fail to liberate a practitioner from the cycle of rebirth. It deviates from the original intent of the sutras. The teachings of the Buddha clearly instruct us to transcend the three realms of existence and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The idea of a Pure Land on Earth is a modern invention, a construct of later generations that I myself helped to propagate. Now that I am no longer in the human world, I see the truth clearly from the Western Pure Land. I am sending this message back to you, but I must ask: how many will truly believe?
Consider the state of many practitioners today:
- They are burdened by the weight of aging and sickness.
- They are unable to achieve a peaceful and conscious departure from this life.
- They struggle to find true liberation despite their efforts.
How can this be considered a successful practice? I, Zhao Puchu, am determined to correct this misguided thinking. I wish to rectify the errors that have led so many to believe that their wrong paths are actually the right ones. It is a self-deception that must be corrected.
The Path to True Liberation
It is heartbreaking to watch so many people exert such immense effort and devotion, only to find that they cannot reach the Western Pure Land. Many have even come to believe that the Western Pure Land is merely an illusion or a distant dream. In truth, the Western Pure Land is not far at all, and reaching it is not difficult. The problem lies in the methods being used. When the direction is wrong, the destination remains the same: one cannot escape the six realms of existence. The end result is continued reincarnation and continued suffering.
I call upon the elders and leaders of the Buddha’s teachings to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to meet with me. This is a serious matter, and it is the most critical issue of our time. The Dharma-Ending Age must not become a total catastrophe. The Buddha’s teachings must be preserved and passed on correctly. I implore the ordained Venerables to have and save the lineage of the Dharma. This message is truly transmitted from the Western Pure Land.
A Call for Compassion and Correction
Please, come and meet me. The compassion of the Buddha is vast, and His majestic power is boundless. I ask for the Buddha's blessing to guide us all. We must return to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. We must stop relying on our own limited understanding and instead place our full faith in the vow of Namo Amituofo. Only through this can we truly leave suffering behind and find happiness. Let us work together to ensure that the light of the true Dharma continues to shine for all beings. Namo Amituofo.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library