Awakening from the Deception of the Physical Body

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Hong Yaojian, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her life and her transition to the Pure Land. It was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on December 15, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Hong Yaojian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have already arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am filled with gratitude to the compassionate Practitioner Su for guiding me here. He has given me the opportunity to find liberation on the long, winding road of reincarnation, allowing me to follow the Buddha forever and ever, without ever having to return to the cycle of rebirth to suffer again.

The Great Deception of the Physical Body

We are all so foolish. While we are alive, we are completely deceived by this physical body. Whatever the body desires, we provide; we want to satisfy its every whim. We do this because if we do not give it what it wants, it feels uncomfortable and distressed. Because of this, we spend most of our lives simply obeying it. Our personality is much the same—it is merely the temperament of this physical body. We listen to it, and consequently, we perform the actions that this personality demands of us, such as losing our temper or refusing to listen to reason. We are entirely hoodwinked by this body, and in doing so, we create a vast amount of karma. Once that karma begins to demand its due, the suffering begins in earnest.

A Sudden Clarity

It is such a simple truth, yet while I was alive, I could not see it clearly at all. It was only after I came to Practitioner Su and listened to the Dharma talks, and then witnessed how people in the world are still being deceived by their own bodies, that I suddenly woke up. Humans are truly foolish. If only we could wake up a little earlier, study the Buddha’s teachings, and learn how not to be deceived by this body, I believe everyone would have the hope of attaining liberation and ending the cycle of rebirth.

Advice for My Granddaughter

Let me speak about my granddaughter, Lay Practitioner Dai Shaoyan. Her heart is not bad, but she carries the weight of her past karma, which makes it easy for her to cling to her own opinions. When she has a specific idea in mind and things do not go according to her wishes, her personality flares up, and her temper gets the better of her. Before one studies the Buddha’s teachings, this is considered 'normal' behaviour, but now that she is a practitioner and has heard the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su, she must begin to learn how to change. Changing one's personality is absolutely beneficial for oneself; it prevents one from creating further karma due to one's temperament, and it ensures that one will not suffer the consequences of being pursued by karmic creditors.

The Path to Liberation

I truly learned so much while I was with Practitioner Su; every day, listening to the Dharma talks brought me such immense Dharma joy. I can see that my family members are still being bound by their own karma. They must chant the Buddha's name, repent for their past deeds, change their personality traits, and perform more good deeds. They must also work to deliver sentient beings, helping them to attain liberation. Only then will their path ahead be smooth and bright.

Hong Yaojian bows in reverence. Namo Amituofo."