From Earthly Ties to the Dharma Path

This is a record of an interview with the 973rd Venerable, Yuanying, who lived approximately 1,780 years ago. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and has returned to assist Practitioner Su in the work of deliverance. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 29, 2019.

Venerable Yuanying speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Yuanying. My mother often spoke of the Hongmei family next door. They were incredibly wealthy, possessing endless riches that had been passed down through generations. It was said that their ancestors were virtuous and understood the importance of performing good deeds and practising Generosity, which is why they enjoyed such great blessings. All the children in our village envied Hongmei, but I, Yuanying, felt no envy at all.

A Childhood Bound by Expectations

Hongmei and I were of similar age and grew up together. Despite the vast gap in our family circumstances—one wealthy and one poor—Hongmei was very fond of me and was always by my side. Her father once suggested to my parents that I should marry into their family as a son-in-law. My parents were ready to agree, but I was the first to jump up and refuse. My mother kicked me, and without even looking at her, I knew exactly what she was thinking. She loved money dearly and was very attentive to Hongmei; she hoped I would marry into their family so we would no longer have to live in poverty.

I had no desire to marry. Although I had spent my childhood with Hongmei, to me, she was like a sister. There was not a shred of romantic emotion between us; the idea of marriage was simply impossible. Yet, my mother did not give up. She told Hongmei’s father, 'Let us discuss it further; there will surely be another opportunity!'

The Weight of Unwanted Affection

No matter how humble my home was, Hongmei loved to visit. My mother would entertain her daily, and even when my mother was away, Hongmei would come on her own initiative. I had three older brothers, and they would often talk with Hongmei, but my mother would frequently interrupt them, pushing me toward Hongmei and hoping we would spend more time together. Sometimes, she would even chase my brothers out of the house, telling them to return later so that Hongmei and I could have more time alone. My brothers were helpless, but seeing how determined my mother was to arrange this marriage, they had no choice but to cooperate.

Whenever Hongmei was near, I would sit like a wooden statue, completely still. No matter what she said, I offered little response. Even so, she was very fond of me. She held such deep affection for me that she felt completely satisfied just by being by my side.

A Path Toward the Dharma

One day, taking advantage of a moment before Hongmei arrived, I snuck out of the house. I walked along the road, savouring the scent of the fresh air! I felt what it meant to have a life of my own. From childhood, I had been tethered to Hongmei’s side, lacking any freedom. Every time I had a chance to slip away, I felt as happy as if I were flying to the heavens!

I had not gone far when I saw the sedan chair of the Hongmei family approaching from the distance. I could never mistake that chair; Hongmei had used it since she was a child, and she insisted on being carried everywhere she went. Seeing it now, she was clearly searching for me. I immediately turned right onto a path I had never taken before and kept walking. The narrow road gradually widened, leading directly to the outskirts of the town. After walking for a long time, I saw a building appear before me—it was a temple.

The Call of the Buddha-Name

Curious, I entered the temple. The head master was teaching the young monks how to chant the Buddha’s name. I stood to the side, listening to them chant 'Namo Amituofo,' and before I knew it, I was humming along. Everyone turned their gaze toward me, and I immediately closed my mouth and apologised to the masters. The head master said, 'Little Bodhisattva, you sang very well. Could you chant this Buddha-name once more?' Since the head master had asked, I naturally complied. I cleared my throat and began to chant.

I remembered how my grandmother had taught me to chant when I was young. She had told me, 'The Buddha’s teachings must never leave us. One cannot live in this world without the Dharma, for this world is too full of suffering. If you have the ability in the future, remember what your grandmother said: become a monastic and help sentient beings.' My grandmother had taken me to see the suffering of people in the world, and although she passed away when I was ten, I kept her teachings in my heart. As I chanted the Buddha-name again, I sang with softness and compassion, hoping that all sentient beings could soon leave suffering behind.

A Vow to Save the Suffering

All the masters present were deeply moved; they had never heard a thirteen-year-old boy chant with such compassion. After I finished, I asked the head master, 'My grandmother wished for me to become a monastic. Can I do so now?' The head master replied, 'Little Bodhisattva, you must first study the Buddha’s teachings. If, after a year or two, you are truly determined to leave the home life, I will allow you to do so.' I was overjoyed and rushed home to share the good news with my parents.

Before I could enter the house, I saw Hongmei’s sedan chair parked outside. I hesitated for a long time, thinking that if she found out, she would surely be jumping with rage. Finally, I decided to face it and walked inside. Before I even stepped through the door, I heard Hongmei crying. My mother saw me and shouted, 'Yuanying! Come in quickly!' Seeing my mother’s anxious expression, I knew something had happened. She told me, 'Hongmei’s father has passed away! From today on, Hongmei will be under our care. She will stay with us for a while, and you must take good care of her.'

I was shocked to hear of her father’s passing and lamented the impermanence of life. Seeing Hongmei’s grief, I taught her to chant the Buddha’s name, to keep the Buddha-name in her heart and let the Buddha settle her mind. Hongmei followed my instructions, chanting the Buddha-name one phrase at a time. Her sobbing gradually ceased, and her heart grew calm. I told her, 'As long as you study the Buddha’s teachings, you can help your father escape the suffering of the six realms of rebirth.' Hongmei had never thought about studying the Buddha’s teachings, nor had she ever heard of the Dharma. I introduced the teachings to her, sharing everything my grandmother had told me. Hongmei was deeply moved; she began to take an interest in the Dharma, thinking of how her father had cared for her all these years, and she vowed to save him.

The Transformation of Affection

After Hongmei vowed to study the Buddha’s teachings, she rarely appeared at my home. When I asked my mother why, she told me, 'She is now actively studying the Dharma and travelling everywhere to perform good deeds and Generosity. She has taken all the money her father left her and donated it to those in need.' I admired Hongmei’s mind-capacity. Even though she was the only one left in her family, she was willing to give away all her wealth without keeping anything for her own future. It was truly remarkable.

With Hongmei no longer by my side, I began to focus on my own practice, frequently serving at the temple and listening to the sutras. I understood more and more the true meaning of studying the Buddha’s teachings and the purpose of human life. I solidified my resolve: in this life, I would definitely become a monastic.

A Shared Path of Deliverance

One day, Hongmei suddenly appeared. My mother greeted her happily and asked, 'Have you decided to marry Yuanying?' Hongmei shook her head and told us, 'I have decided to become a monastic.' My mother was astonished; she had never expected Hongmei to choose the monastic life before I did. I was also shocked by her speed! Hongmei sat down and spoke to my family about what she had done over the past two years. She had used her father’s wealth to travel to many countries, helping the poor wherever she went. Sometimes she donated to temples so they could continue spreading the Dharma and saving beings. Through her travels, she had gained deep insights. She felt that using one’s life for marriage was the height of foolishness. With so many beings in the world suffering, one should save them as quickly as possible—there was no time for false emotions! Moreover, having tasted the bitterness of the world, she did not want to marry and invite more suffering.

Every word Hongmei spoke moved my family and stirred my own heart to make a compassionate vow to help sentient beings. Although I did not have the wealth Hongmei had to relieve the poor, I was willing to dedicate my life to serving sentient beings. I took this opportunity to tell my parents, 'I, too, have decided to become a monastic.' My parents looked at us both and said, 'You were meant to be husband and wife in this life, yet now you both wish to become monastics. The Causal Conditions are truly inconceivable!' They did not oppose my decision; they only said, 'No matter how many years you practice, never forget your original intention for becoming a monastic.'

A Legacy of Compassion

I kept their words in my heart. I knew that becoming a monastic was for the purpose of saving sentient beings, so they would no longer suffer in the six realms. No matter how long I practised, I would never forget this. My Wisdom, perseverance, and compassion allowed me to grow rapidly in the temple, becoming a beloved disciple of the master. Many people praised me to flatter me, but I never took their words to heart, nor did I become complacent. I had long since let go of the 'self.' No matter how others praised me, my heart remained unmoved; I only wished to help sentient beings.

When my master passed his robe and bowl to me, I never developed arrogance. I understood that receiving them meant inheriting the Dharma lineage, ensuring the Buddha’s teachings would remain in the world forever. In my life, I took in many disciples and taught them never to forget their original intention. No matter what setbacks or difficulties they encountered, I told them to completely detach from the 'self.' With only a heart to save others, and without personal feelings, there are no obstacles and no setbacks.

I spent my entire life saving beings and teaching my disciples, hoping the Dharma lineage would continue. At the age of 103, after passing the robe and bowl to my disciple, I sat in meditation, chanted the Buddha’s name, and achieved rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Returning to Save the Masses

Now, I have returned to the worldly realm with other Venerables to assist Practitioner Su in recovering from her foot injury and saving sentient beings. Every day, I follow her to perform Chao Du in the universe. The space in the universe is so vast, yet it is filled with beings who have gone unsaved since ancient times. Seeing the great heart and Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su to save them, I am deeply moved. I learn from her spirit, practising with fierce diligence, moving forward to save beings without looking back at how many I have rescued each day. I simply press onward.

Every day, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre shines with brilliant golden light. Although the physical temple has yet to appear in the world, it has already saved countless spirits. The Goodness and Dharma affinity are spreading to the ten directions. When the Causal Conditions are ripe, the temple will open its doors to save the masses. In the future, it will surely lead countless beings from the human and spirit realms to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo for his compassion in establishing the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to lead beings to the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo."