A Promise to the Heavens: An Interview with the Jade Emperor

This is a record of an interview with the Jade Emperor, the celestial ruler who oversees the heavens and earth. Seeking the ultimate path of liberation, the Jade Emperor approached the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to request Spiritual Deliverance for himself and the countless sentient beings under his jurisdiction. This interview, recorded by the chief writer Shi Hailiang on March 11, 2022, documents the Jade Emperor's reflections on the Thrice Yearning Ceremony and the profound vow made by Practitioner Su to save all suffering beings.

The Jade Emperor speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Practitioner Su requested that I be interviewed regarding the praise of the Buddha during the first session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, specifically concerning the promise made to the heavens and all sentient beings. I am honoured to accept this invitation.

The Truth of the Heavens

The Dharma Body saves countless billions. Throughout the heavens and the earth, all may be delivered. The Universal Principles are now realised, saving all boundless suffering beings. Though the dark clouds of the demon crowds attempt to interfere, the compassion of Practitioner Su delivers them all. With equal salvation for all suffering beings, each one may become a Buddha through Namo Amituofo. The true Buddha is right here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Namo Amituofo.

Practitioner Su, your sincerity and integrity are truly beyond compare. I am the Jade Emperor, and I have always believed in you. In the future, I ask for your continued guidance. All of us—the celestial deities, the heavenly soldiers and generals, the gods of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, as well as myself and all the divine beings—we all wish for you to lead us back to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. How could I ever doubt you? Regarding the rain that fell when it was predicted to be clear, that was the interference of the demon crowds; it was not a lack of integrity on my part. I ask for your understanding. I immediately shouted to the rain god to cease, and the demon crowds, having heard of the true power of your Chao Du, came forward to seek salvation themselves.

The Interference of the Demon Crowds

They were crying out in agony. There were those pressed deep beneath the earth, those crushed under the mountains, and even those demon crowds lurking on the roads outside the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. They had all come, forcing the rain god to bring down rain in an attempt to sabotage the construction progress of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Fortunately, Practitioner Su, you used your wisdom to handle the situation and immediately shouted for them to stop. I went along to observe, and after you spoke to the dark clouds of the demon crowds, expressing your hope that they would not interfere, you promised to deliver them on the first day of the Dharma Assembly. You promised that as long as the construction proceeded smoothly, all spirits who arrived would be delivered—whether they were the spirits within the dark clouds or the demon children and grandchildren of the demon crowds themselves.

A Miracle of Deliverance

As the Dharma Assembly commenced, Practitioner Su led the monastic community and the fourfold assembly in making prostrations to the ancestral masters. The sky above the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre was already impossibly crowded. I was incredibly nervous! The sky was so full, layer upon layer, and the movement was so rapid. I was deeply troubled, wondering how such a massive number could possibly be delivered. To my astonishment, in a single instant, I saw the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su manifest in countless billions of forms, leading the first group of spirits as they flew toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. You had already made several trips back and forth, and suddenly, the sky was completely cleared. Oh, my heavens! I was filled with endless praise. Truly, the true Buddha has arrived! It is simply extraordinary!

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

The dark clouds in the sky were all delivered and the heavens were cleared. The speed was so fast—so fast that even I, the Jade Emperor, felt a sudden urge to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss immediately. But then I recalled the teachings of Practitioner Su: 'Why return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? Is it just to enjoy yourself without saving other beings?' I felt a deep sense of shame. Your vows and your actions, Practitioner Su, have never once been for yourself; you think only of the countless sentient beings. You save them one by one, ensuring that every single one has the opportunity to become a Buddha. You are seizing every moment to save every spirit; how could we let such an opportunity slip away? I am once again in awe of your great compassion and mercy. I am also grateful to you for giving me this correct perspective once more: returning to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is also a way to save beings. I will follow you in saving beings, and in the future, you will help us return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

In today's Dharma Assembly, what was particularly special was that, in addition to the spirits of the dark clouds and the demon crowds, there were many crawling and flying creatures, soil insects, and even the dust and earth itself—all were liberated and delivered by you. The guardian spirits of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the flowers, the trees, every single insect, every ant, and every green tree frog—they all possess such immense blessings. They chant the Buddha's name, are liberated, and walk toward the golden light. Because they listen to your Dharma talks every day, they know that only by chanting the Buddha's name can they be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Each one of them knelt to express their gratitude to you. This magnificent Dharma Assembly, in just the first session, delivered an immeasurable and boundless number of beings. You are the treasure of the universe, Practitioner Su, acting as the representative of the forty-eight vows of Amitabha Buddha. You save beings extensively, never tiring, never weary. Please accept my respectful bow and my deepest congratulations. You have delivered an immeasurable number of beings. Please accept my prostrations. Namo Amituofo."