This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Gao, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his spiritual journey and his profound gratitude toward his teacher, Practitioner Su. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on March 28, 2019.
Venerable Chang Gao speaks:
". I existed in the Realm, completely free from the burden of thoughts. Within that deep meditative state, there was a profound sense of leisure and solitary . I had no need to count the passing of days or measure the flow of time. It was not until I emerged from that state and encountered my Master that I truly began to awaken. Witnessing the Master’s tireless efforts for the sake of all beings, I began to see the suffering inherent in this world. This realisation ignited within me a desire to follow the Master in the mission of saving the world. In this illusory human realm, we are engaged in the real, tangible work of delivering sentient beings to be reborn in the Western Pure Land."
The True Meaning of Practice
"The Master possesses a vast array of skills and has achieved the state of an awakened being. With no self-interest, no attachment, and no ego, the Master constantly expands the reach of this . On the other hand, for the sake of preserving the Buddha’s teachings and the Pure Land, the Master never relaxes. This fills me with a deep sense of humility. I am truly fortunate to have awakened and met the Master; only then did I understand what true practice is and what it means to broadly save sentient beings. I had not learned such vast mind-capacity or great compassion in the Dharma Realm, but I have seen and learned it all from the Master."
A Commitment to Follow the Master
"Many of my abilities were developed and brought forth by the Master. In the world of spirits, we witness the endless busyness, the disturbances, and the impermanence of the human world, and we yearn for the purity and dignity of the Western Pure Land. Previously, when the Master was in the midst of physical and mental pain and despair, the Master led a vast team—including the Yama Kings of the hells, Venerable Chang Ren, Venerable Yong Ning, myself, and many others—to the Western Pure Land. That was when I truly beheld the beauty of that realm. However, when I saw the Master listen to the counsel of Namo Amituofo and choose to descend back into this world, Venerable Chang Ren led us, and without a second thought, we followed the Master back down. We will never leave the Master’s side."
A Beacon in a World of Suffering
"There is a saying: 'One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father.' This is the heart the Master holds toward Venerable Master Chin Kung. In the same way, we hold this same heart as we follow the Master. That journey to the Western Pure Land, though brief, left an impression on my heart and in my eyes that will never fade. The Master saved our and wisdom, preventing me from sinking into the comfortable but stagnant days of the Dharma Realm. For this, I feel endless gratitude.
Seeing that the Master has returned to Australia after this trip to Taiwan and Hong Kong, I see new faces among the community. I feel such joy for you all. A true spiritual friend is hard to encounter. In this world of turbidity and suffering, where people do not even know they are suffering, you have encountered a bright lamp. You must follow it closely."
