From Shangyong to Fa Hui: Witnessing the Ageless and Deathless Spirit

A Journey of Transformation

Greetings to all. I am Shi Fa Hui. In my previous life, I was known as Yang Shangyong. I graduated from National Chiao Tung University and once served as an executive assistant in the corporate world, as well as a member of the Business Weekly Entrepreneurs Association. Today, I reside at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, the sacred place where Namo Amituofo truly abides. I am a member of the salvation team, striving to change myself for the sake of saving the world. I wish to share my true experiences and what I have witnessed here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

The Trap of Modernity

Like many people in the modern world, I began using the internet and encountering pornographic content during my middle school years. At that time, I saw many people using the internet. Although my parents warned me repeatedly and set strict rules, I was drawn to the novel things my classmates discussed. I saw the manga websites my brother visited, and I discovered the pornographic novels, comics, animations, video games, and videos in his study. For someone who had never encountered these things, it felt like stepping into a new world.

Back then, I did not understand that this state was called entering a space. In modern terms, it is better understood as being addicted. From that point on, it was as if a door had been opened. My parents gradually noticed that something was wrong. They strictly forbade me from continuing and shared many examples of others to educate me against becoming obsessed with video games, the internet, comics, novels, and pornography. However, I remained unable to extricate myself. Strangely, I seemed to take pride in creating karma. For instance, I took pride in sexual misconduct, as if I had become a different person. After entering university, I felt as though I had been set free, sinking uncontrollably into pornography and lust. Most severely, I would often stay up all night watching pornographic videos, masturbating, playing violent video games, or reading online novels. At that time, I did not have a girlfriend, so I sought physical pleasure and stimulation through these channels, hoping to satisfy myself and fill the void in my heart.

The Illusion of Control

In truth, I was still somewhat lucid; I knew I was suffering and hoped to find happiness to alleviate that pain. However, after I started dating, I became completely lost. Sometimes, I disregarded social norms and behaved inappropriately in public. In private, I was addicted to lust, imitating the negative examples from pornographic videos and exploring every possible avenue of sexual desire. I would even search online for ways to enhance the sexual experience for myself and my partner. After entering the workforce, I changed partners several times, always unable to master my own emotions and desires. I craved the various sensations of relationships, hoping to soothe my lonely and anxious heart.

Later, as I began to understand the meaning of responsibility, I truly wanted to establish a family and settle down, but things never went smoothly. After many setbacks, I slowly realised that once two people are involved in a relationship, especially with physical intimacy, building a healthy family is fraught with difficulties. I held an ideal: I wanted to build a family environment filled with conscience and innate ability, one that could provide genuine, positive help to both partners, their families, and society as a whole.

The Loss of Sovereignty

The terrifying part was that my body and mind became filled with unbearable pain. My body felt weak and pained, and my heart was deeply tormented. Yet, whenever I saw my partner, I could not control the urge to engage in physical intimacy. It was as if I had been injected with stimulants or morphine, though it was different. Even though my body felt tortured and eroded, I would still act like a madman, driven to engage in sexual acts. I often asked myself: was this for the sake of love, or for the satisfaction of physical desire? Or was it both? I did not understand. Sometimes, I felt that intimacy made the distance between two people seem so close that I was no longer lonely. At other times, I felt that relationships were such a burden. I wanted to satisfy my desires, but no matter how I explored it, it did not matter. It seemed that as long as I did not stop my lust and continued to cling to the relationship, it was enough. I did not fully understand what this discovery meant, but I began to feel fear, terror, or even disgust towards women.

I tried to quit my addiction time and again, but I would fluctuate between success and failure. During this process, my body and mind suffered greatly. I experienced knee pain, back pain, bone pain, and general discomfort. I felt irritable and emotionally unstable. In severe cases, I would often lose focus, my eyes would become vacant, and I would appear dull. While driving to work, I would often lose consciousness or have memory lapses. Fortunately, I would play the Buddha-name in the car, and I would often wake up at critical moments. I continued to change, and eventually, I completely cut off the physical manifestations of lust, including masturbation and watching pornographic videos. However, the desires and filthy thoughts in my heart never ceased; sometimes, they even evolved into stranger ideas. I must admit that I could not be the master of myself. I could not control my own actions. Many things that I felt were wrong and should not be done, I would think about uncontrollably. Many things I felt I should not do, I could not help but do. Even after tasting the bitter consequences, I still could not eradicate these bad habits.

A Single Thought of Goodness

In fact, I once wanted to end my own life. Whether it was a calm decision or an impulsive one, I had considered it because I felt my life was truly pathetic and ridiculous. However, when I saw my parents, I felt that doing so would be an act of evasion—too selfish and irresponsible. Thus, I continued to pursue change. Later, I came into contact with Buddhism and the Pure Land Dharma Gate. I hoped my parents would seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, but they did not believe because I had not cultivated well myself. Seeing my parents grow older day by day, struggling for wealth, I deeply felt the sorrow, helplessness, and pain in their hearts. It was not just them; everyone in my family, adults and children alike, was suffering. Only now do I realise that they were no longer themselves. At that time, I did not know how to express this. After trying every method, I did not give up; I was determined that I must change. I hoped that after practising, I would undergo a great transformation and be able to use sincerity to influence all the disapproval and opposition.

It was fortunate that when I thought of my parents, my brothers, and others, I felt happy myself. The more I simply thought of others and hoped for everyone's well-being, the more my tightly bound heart began to loosen. However, I knew it was not enough. Later, I saw the letter sent by Master Sheng Yen from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, and I realised that he did not understand at the time and had gone astray into the Avici Hell. I felt calm after reading it, knowing it was true. It was not that I thought poorly of him—I had listened to his lectures before—but I felt that what Master Sheng Yen said in those letters could truly help my parents change. It was simply about helping people. Therefore, I resolutely let go of everything, came to Australia alone, and stepped onto the Buddha-land: the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, where Namo Amituofo resides.

Witnessing the Ageless Spirit

The person who influenced me most at the Buddha-land is Practitioner Su. To be honest, when I first arrived, I thought I was quite bold. After all, I had let go of so much wealth and property, and even my parents, whom I found hardest to let go of. I had overcome all difficulties to travel thousands of miles to Australia alone. I thought I could fully immerse myself in practice. Little did I know, many unexpected situations would arise: I would fall asleep as soon as I sat down to listen to the sutras; I would break down in tears whenever my parents, especially my mother, were mentioned; and I could not control the evil thoughts in my heart or the stirrings of desire when seeing women. Only then did I clearly realise that I could not be the master of myself, and my personality and habits had not truly changed. I was not truly learning Buddhism. No wonder others thought I was superstitious or worshipped Buddhism as a religion, not knowing that the Buddha’s teachings are actually an education.

Later, after Practitioner Su pointed it out, I realised that my three hun souls and seven po souls were already incomplete. From the memorial tablets for Chao Du, I saw that many past fellow practitioners or disciples within my body were helping me come to the Buddha-land. Only then did I know that it was the Buddha’s compassion that brought me here. I have been here for over a year, and I have witnessed the vastness of the Buddha’s teachings. The truth that one does not grow old, does not get sick, and the spirit does not die has been proven in Practitioner Su. During the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies held three days a week at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM, I could not keep up with the physical demands at first, let alone the drowsiness that would overcome me. I saw Practitioner Su always full of energy and smiling, never tired. Her chanting was first-class—her voice was wonderful, and she was full of boldness. From time to time, she would give everyone a lion’s roar, yet she knew everyone’s problems like the back of her hand. Every time I had a thought, Practitioner Su already knew what I was thinking and what I wanted to do. I often did not understand myself, but Practitioner Su was crystal clear. She could always point out my problems with surgical precision and tell me how to improve.

The Infinite Reach of the Spirit

From Monday to Wednesday, Practitioner Su gives lectures, explaining the teachings of the spirit of Namo Amituofo and the spirit of Great Master Xuanzang. On Monday and Tuesday, from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and 5:40 PM to 8:00 PM; on Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM; and on Thursday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM—a total of 23 to 24 hours. The content of the lectures is vivid, lively, and filled with wisdom as vast as the ocean. It is flexible, direct, and essential, and she never seems tired. On the contrary, I would often fall into a state of drowsiness while sitting in the audience. Sometimes, the drowsiness was so severe that it was truly painful, and I could not be the master of myself. Yet, Practitioner Su was always full of energy, and her lectures only got better. On Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, Practitioner Su would also drive for several hours to purchase supplies for the temple. I once rode in Practitioner Su’s car; she drove fast but steadily, and her sense of direction was first-class—far better than any navigation system. The point is, I was about to fall asleep in the car, but Practitioner Su remained full of energy. I have never seen such bright, piercing eyes in my life. Truly, although Practitioner Su is eighty years old, her physical strength is better than mine, a thirty-one-year-old young man. Not to mention that Practitioner Su is bold yet compassionate, wise yet quick to react. I often could not keep up, which made me think: perhaps I am the old one!

Practitioner Su never gets sick, her energy is always full, and she sleeps only two hours every night, or sometimes not at all, spending her time performing Chao Du for sentient beings. Throughout the day, she is not like me, a young man who is frequently drowsy, sleepy, and weak. By her side, I saw that she truly becomes more energetic the more she does, and the less she sleeps, the more spirited she becomes. I listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma at the Buddha-land, and only then did I understand that Practitioner Su is able to do this because of her spiritual elevation. However, this requires truly changing the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness. This also motivates me to learn from Practitioner Su and elevate my own spirit to save the world.

Providing Real Benefits to Beings

Some people ask me how to save others. The most direct way is through Body-Mind-Spirit purification. In fact, I have many physical ailments, especially my spine, which is already at the age of an elderly person, not to mention issues like bone movement. These are all caused by my unchanged personality attracting karma; it is my own doing. Practitioner Su often performs Chao Du for me, helping me invite the beings out of my body—especially my karmic creditors—and helping to resolve the conflicts. She leads them to the Western Land of Dharma Nature to enjoy blessings, and they can even be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

During one Dharma assembly, I suddenly lost consciousness. When I woke up, I saw the scriptures on the floor. My body’s posture felt like I had polio; I could not move, somewhat like having a stroke, until Practitioner Su walked over and patted me, and I was suddenly fine. The most obvious case was someone at the Buddha-land who had severe asthma. He was panting so hard he could not walk and seemed to be gasping his last breath. As soon as Practitioner Su performed Chao Du and invited the beings out, he was instantly cured. Recently, there was a lay practitioner who had a huge tumour on his neck. To put it plainly, his neck was so swollen that anyone could see there was a problem. A fellow practitioner with a nursing background saw it and asked anxiously if he should see a doctor. Practitioner Su said with great confidence that learning Buddhism is learning to be a Great Physician. After a few days of performing Chao Du for him, the tumour shrank at a speed visible to the naked eye. It even bled during the process, but now it is healed. Only then did I realise that this body is truly the technology of technologies. As long as one changes the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness, truly learns Buddhism, and elevates one’s spirit, one can help sentient beings.

The History Within Our Cells

Bestowing real benefits upon sentient beings is what Practitioner Su has truly achieved. After elevating her spirit, Practitioner Su can lead people to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Many people have made vows to perform Chao Du for their deceased relatives, and Practitioner Su has led those spirits to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Moreover, Practitioner Su’s spirit can leave her body, manifesting in countless forms to save sentient beings. This sounds mystical, but it is true. At the Buddha-land, there are Venerables or lay practitioners who, through step-by-step purification and practice, have opened their space to converse with the Buddha and all things. Through this ability, they have interviewed spirits and learned the true situation of the Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su, which our physical eyes cannot see but the spiritual realm can. It turns out that the Buddha’s teachings are so vast, and that after elevating one’s spirit, one can use the human body to such an extent, saving immeasurable and boundless spirits, rushing directly to wherever there is suffering.

Practitioner Su’s spirit can manifest in countless forms, directly entering a person’s body to perform Chao Du and heal them. This is something I have verified. I, who still have a little sensitivity, once had Practitioner Su compassionately use this method to perform Chao Du for me while she was giving a lecture. After she told me, she asked if I felt anything. I was shocked because I immediately felt my whole body heating up. It was very obvious, and my whole person felt better. Usually, my karmic creditors hold onto me very tightly, making me feel tense and stressed. They are inside my body, and as long as I have one wrong thought, they want to make me suffer. But as soon as Practitioner Su finished speaking and her countless manifestations entered my body, I felt calm. This was the most direct personal experience.

Bestowing Oneself Upon All Beings

After listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma every day at the Buddha-land, I learned that the human body contains cells from millions of years ago. What does this mean? The karma created in the past is immeasurable and boundless, and our karmic creditors are within our bodies. As long as we have a thought—for example, if we were greedy and harmed someone in the past, and now a hint of greed arises—we awaken those beings and are sought for revenge. What happens when these beings are awakened? To put it bluntly, it is physical pain and emotional turmoil—all kinds of torment. For example: muscle pain, bone pain, spinal curvature, inability to stand straight, distorted body shape, bone weakness, soreness, weakness, dizziness, chest tightness, anger, resentment, osteoporosis, eye pain, skin redness, bladder weakness, urinary leakage, uncontrollable swelling and pain in the lower body, loss of consciousness, and drowsiness. Especially drowsiness—sleeping—seems normal to most people, but those with sensitivity can feel that their soul is being pulled. With each instance of drowsiness, I can clearly feel my memory slipping away bit by bit, and I am becoming increasingly dull. Listening to Practitioner Su’s lectures, I understand clearly that this is what is called entering a space. The body is being occupied bit by bit. The more it is occupied, the more one becomes a puppet. Therefore, one must be purely good, purely simple, follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, look at what is good, think of what is good, and be pure and moral. In the human world, there are no truly powerful people. A strong man, under the control of karmic creditors, can become powerless. Even the smartest person can become as dull as a dog. Under the influence of the power of these beings, I, Shangyong, truly had no power to resist. Unless one can listen to the sutras, hear the Dharma, and truly change the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness—changing until not even a trace of habit remains—one cannot prevent these beings from controlling the body. Only then is the body not a puppet and able to exert its innate ability.

I must mention that after I first came to the Buddha-land and returned to Taichung, I had to admit that my parents were no longer themselves. They could not be the masters of themselves; they were all controlled by spirits and demons, and were often puppets. I felt heartbroken and ashamed. I thought to myself, there is nothing in this secular world worth pursuing, and there is nothing I can do to help sentient beings. After all, I had let go of my wealth and property, I was not married and had no descendants, and now even my parents were controlled. I could not do anything for them. I believe in the Buddha, and I knew there was no other way. Therefore, I resolved to become a monk, bestowing myself upon the broader masses of sentient beings. My parents are also among these beings. I firmly believe that as long as I truly follow the Buddha’s teachings and actions, I will surely be able to benefit all spirits and allow more spirits and more people to have a perfect ending.

The Ageless Human Body

At the Buddha-land, I have verified that the Buddha’s teachings are ageless and deathless, and the spirit never dies. It is vast and boundless. I hope to be more compassionate and tolerant, to have a greater mind-capacity, to look at what is good, to think of what is good, and to have no selfishness. I do not want to let the karmic creditors within my body awaken—not out of selfishness, but because I do not want to cause them secondary harm. In the past, I learned competition and struggle in the secular world, thinking only of myself and clinging to everything. Now, learning from the Buddha, I want to learn to let go, to think for all beings, and to see all as one.

The end of life is by no means just aging, sickness, and death. The human body does not have to age; once it ages, one cannot go back. As long as one still has a breath, it is not too late to learn the Buddha’s teachings; there is always hope. I welcome those with similar aspirations to come to the Pure Land to save the world and deliver beings, and to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to verify this. One week, two weeks—it is all possible. Witness that the human body is the technology of technologies: it does not grow old, does not get sick, and the spirit does not die.

With palms joined, Shi Fa Hui

Namo Amituofo