A Vision for the Amituofo Village

This is a record of an interview with Ma Yun, who reflects on his spiritual journey and his vision for the Amituofo Village project at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Hai Pin, on August 25, 2018.

Ma Yun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Every single day, I am faced with an endless stream of official documents and mountains of projects that require my attention. Although I have been learning to let go and delegate, the final decisions and the weight of the ultimate responsibility always seem to return to my hands. My Dharma brothers often speak of the necessity to 'see through and let go.' These four words sound simple enough, but in practice, they are incredibly difficult to embody. For someone like me, who has spent a lifetime accustomed to centralising power and managing every detail, the challenge is even greater.

When I look back on my life, I realise that I have spent my entire existence in a frantic chase. I could not escape the traps of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. By following the Dharma brothers in the daily morning deliverance, I have come to deeply understand the nature of my past days. I used to be so self-righteous, travelling everywhere to give speeches, intoxicated by the admiring gazes of the world. Little did I know that with every step, I was creating the very causes that would bind me to the hells."

A Sanctuary for the Elderly

"Today, Namo Amituofo has initiated the Amituofo Village project at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. For the elderly who have no one to rely on, this is undoubtedly wonderful news—a perfect sanctuary for nourishing the heart and cultivating the spirit. I initially thought of it as a developer launching a new project, where multiple promotional campaigns and word-of-mouth would attract many people to come and investigate for themselves.

However, this is not just any project. This is a pure land, a place filled with a powerful and transformative energy field. If I can help bring these plans to fruition one by one, I believe I can, to some extent, atone for my past sins. If this project succeeds, I believe that these elderly residents can continue to extend their wisdom by teaching the younger generation about the Dharma through a series of educational activities. As I speak about this, I feel a surge of excitement; I truly feel that the future is filled with brilliant light."

Atonement and a Vision for the Future

"I fully support the Venerables at the temple in placing these thoughts of mine on the website. I want to use this as a reminder to myself, to ensure that I translate these intentions into action as soon as possible, for that is the only way to be truly sincere. I pray that my Dharma brothers will not lose patience while waiting for me to act. Namo Amituofo!"