From Merchant to Bodhisattva: A Journey of Awakening

This is a record of an interview with Bron, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 650 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing, on January 8, 2019.

Bron speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Bron. I was born into a wealthy European family. My father and mother were both from Europe, and from a very young age, I travelled extensively with my father for business. We visited countless countries. My father always told me that all the wealth he accumulated would eventually be left to me, ensuring I could enjoy a life of luxury forever. He even purchased a small boat, intending for it to be my private means of transport in the future.

A Life of Privilege and the Question of Karma

Because of our family's wealth, I never knew a day of hardship. Everything I used, everything I ate, was of the finest quality. It was a life that many envied. Some said I was a child of heaven, protected by celestial deities. Others claimed that everything I possessed was a reward from God for the good deeds I had done in past lives. I heard many different explanations as I travelled from country to country, but it was the Buddhist teaching on the laws of karma and cause and effect that resonated with me most deeply.

When I first set foot on the soil of China, the scene before me was truly astonishing. I had never seen a poor person treated with such profound respect. He wore clothes covered in patches and walked the streets with a bowl, yet when people saw him, they would bow down to him with the utmost reverence. At the time, I did not understand this culture at all. I asked the locals and learned that he was a highly respected monastic, not a destitute man at all.

The Monk Who Knew My Thoughts

I observed the monk's every move, and he was indeed vastly different from the people around him. His movements appeared slow, yet he was not slow in his actions; rather, his movements were incredibly steady—he was never flustered, never hurried, and never busy. My curiosity grew, and I decided to approach him. To my surprise, before I even got close, the monk immediately turned to face me and asked, 'Bodhisattva, you have been observing for a long time. May I ask what you are looking for?' I was stunned! He had been facing away from me, yet he knew I was watching him. This kind of skill is certainly not something an ordinary person possesses. I humbly asked him, 'May I also learn to practise the Buddha’s teachings?' The monk smiled and nodded, replying, 'The Buddha saves all beings. If a being seeks salvation, the Buddha will naturally save them.' I learned to bow to the monk just as the others did, feeling deep gratitude for his compassion.

The Meaning of True Diligence

I had originally come to China to conduct business with my father, but I discovered something far more meaningful. I decided to stay in China to study the Buddha’s teachings. My master knew I came from a wealthy background, so to help me develop a genuine resolve to learn, he initially left me to my own devices, allowing me to discipline myself. I quickly adapted to the relaxed pace and the lifestyle of the temple. Although the master did not impose strict rules on me, I did not spend my days sleeping or wandering about. Instead, I observed the conduct of all the monastics in the temple.

I noticed that the master never offered rewards to those who were diligent, nor did he severely punish those who were lazy. He never told these diligent practitioners what the highest state was; they simply continued to work hard on their own. Some chanted Namo Amituofo, some recited the Sutras, some walked in meditation, and others performed prostrations. Every monastic was focused entirely on their own practice.

A Lesson in Compassion

Day after day, the routine of the monastics remained unchanged, each focused on their personal practice. To an outsider, this might seem like a dull life. I couldn't help but curiously ask one of the monastics, 'The master never gives rewards, so why is everyone working so hard at their practice?' The monastic replied, 'We have all left the home life to save sentient beings. Everything we do is formless and without attachment. If we put in one part of effort today, we help sentient beings by one part. If we slacken by one part today, sentient beings suffer that much more. We know that sentient beings are suffering at every moment. We do not need the master's rewards; we will naturally and spontaneously learn and practise diligently, just to achieve spiritual success early so that we can help them.' Hearing this, I truly learned a lesson. I felt ashamed that I had come here with a heart full of curiosity and a desire for leisure, not knowing that this place was so magnificent. These monastics were truly worthy of respect, for they had genuinely let go of the self and were dedicated entirely to helping sentient beings leave suffering behind.

The Reality of Suffering

I felt ashamed and repented to my master, saying, 'I do not believe I am qualified to practise here, for I do not have the same vow as these monastics. I should leave early.' The master looked at me and asked, 'Do you know the suffering of sentient beings?' I shook my head. The master continued, 'You were born into a wealthy family, travelled with your father to countless countries, and have seen so much. What have you realised over these years?' I replied, 'Although different countries have different customs, everyone lives the same life. There are only differences in the environment—some countries are wealthy and pleasant, while others are poor and dirty. But regardless of the country, everyone works from sunrise to sunset. Even in the wealthiest nations, people must work to sustain their lives. Everyone needs food, sleep, and...' The master interrupted, 'Have you seen the birth, aging, sickness, and death of people?' I nodded, 'I have, especially those who are sick; they are truly in great pain.' The master asked again, 'But have you ever seen the torment of the heart?' I shook my head. The master said, 'Worry, sorrow, afflictions, and the inability to control one's own mind—all these internal turmoils cause people to suffer. Furthermore, have you seen animals?' I nodded, 'They are everywhere.' The master said, 'Indeed. Animals are one of the six realms of existence. I mention the animal realm because, besides the human world, it is the one that is easiest for you to understand. Have you seen the suffering of these animals?' I nodded again.

Choosing the Path of the Bodhisattva

The master continued, 'In life, if one does not learn the Buddha’s teachings and does not know how to escape the six realms of existence, every day is spent in suffering. We do not practise for the sake of our own enjoyment or out of curiosity; we practise to cultivate ourselves so that we have the ability and virtue to save sentient beings and help them leave suffering behind. I know you are a person of potential. You can choose to be a suffering being, whom I will eventually have to save, or you can choose to be a compassionate one who helps others, saving every suffering being you encounter. It depends on your own heart of compassion. The master does not force you.'

After hearing these words, I reflected on my own life. It was truly meaningless. If I were to follow my father and run around for business every day, I might earn a lot of money, but I would not be happy. If I could use that wealth to support the Dharma and learn to save sentient beings, then my life would have meaning and value. I decided to continue following my master. Although I was not naturally gifted at Buddhist practice like others, I worked very hard to refine myself. I was diligent not only in my actions but also in my heart, nurturing my compassion and my resolve to save others. I worked on my character and habits, striving to become a person of virtue who could help sentient beings leave suffering behind.

The Path to the Western Pure Land

Through my practice, the master helped me realise the suffering of sentient beings—the suffering of the heart and the suffering of samsara are intense, causing people to suffer at every moment. The master said that as long as one has a body, karma, and desires, there is suffering. Only by truly letting go of the self can one escape all suffering. But who in this world can truly be without a self? Even I could not do it at the time, let alone those outside who had never practised. Everyone is struggling in the midst of suffering.

When I was finally able to truly understand the suffering of sentient beings, I made a sincere vow to save them. Although I did not know many Chinese characters and did not understand many Sutras, I knew how to honestly chant 'Namo Amituofo.' When I completely let go of myself, the Buddha-name was chanted with a heart free of other thoughts—single-mindedly and without confusion—until I saw the Buddha and achieved rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

A Legacy of Compassion

I am a foreigner, but I worked sincerely on the Buddha's path. In that life, I helped many people learn the Buddha's teachings. Although I did not achieve the great success of other predecessors, every step I took was done with a sincere heart for the sake of sentient beings. At the end of my life, I made a vow to return to the human world to save others.

After my rebirth in the Western Pure Land, I was given the opportunity to enter the leg of Practitioner Su to assist. I have been doing my utmost to help heal Practitioner Su's leg and to ensure it suffers no further harm. When Practitioner Su opens the space of the universe and ascends to the Milky Way to save sentient beings, I am filled with awe.

Practitioner Su has also compassionately opened the karmic space for me. Besides seeing many monastics, I have seen many beings wearing strange clothes. The space of this universe is beyond imagination. If not for the compassion of Practitioner Su in opening it, these beings would not have been saved even after millions of years. Now is the time for the universe to transform. Practitioner Su is the pioneer of saving the world, and there will surely be successors to carry on this work. The world is changing, moving towards Goodness, and more and more beings are leaving suffering behind. I am grateful for the compassion of the Buddha, and I am grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo."