From Temple Keeper to Wandering Spirit: A Revelation

This is a record of an interview with Zhang Junliang, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life and his subsequent spiritual journey. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on February 19, 2026.

Zhang Junliang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. During my life, I was a devout follower of Guan Sheng Di Jun. It is quite a curious thing, really—the statue of Guan Sheng Di Jun in the temple looked remarkably like the Sangharama Bodhisattva in your Buddhist hall. The essence, however, felt just a little bit different. My faith was much like that of many people in Taiwan, a blend of Buddhism and Taoism. When I was twenty years old, I visited a public temple to draw a divination lot and seek guidance. The temple keeper at the time possessed certain abilities—what you might call yin-yang eyes. He told me that I, too, had a natural talent for this. He encouraged me to become his successor. Initially, I had no real interest, but I soon discovered that the divination lots and the guidance he provided were incredibly accurate. Driven by Causal Conditions, I eventually found myself serving as the next temple keeper of that very place."

A Lifetime of Service and the Burden of Sight

"From the moment I took on the role of temple keeper, I served that temple for my entire life. My yin-yang eyes grew increasingly powerful over the years. At the beginning, I could only see the two door gods at the entrance of the temple. Later on, I began to perceive the conditions of the devotees who came to offer incense. Eventually, I could even see Guan Sheng Di Jun himself. Throughout my life, I used these abilities to help many people. And so, when I passed away, I became the incense burner—the very one that people would scramble to offer the first incense to during every festival and holiday. I remained as that incense burner for a very, very long time."

The Call of the Buddha-Name

"One day, a young person came to offer incense and recited a single Namo Amituofo for me. That moment changed everything; I was finally released from the incense burner and became a wandering spirit. For the most part, I drifted around the temple grounds because I held such deep affection for the place where I had spent my life. Then, one day, I saw a billboard that was emitting light. Golden light was spreading across the entire sky, and upon it were the words: 'Please often recite Namo Amituofo.' I had an impression of this Buddha-name; it was because of that very recitation that I had been able to leave the incense burner. I was so excited! I felt as though I had found a new direction, so I made my way to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to seek Chao Du."

The Truth Behind Spiritual Attachment

"There are so many spirits just like me—lost, without a sense of direction, not knowing where to go. Many of us were drawn to the temple to seek Chao Du after seeing the light from the Namo Amituofo billboards. It was not just spirits from Taiwan; there were spirits from Poland, Germany, and Japan—so many of them coming to the temple seeking an exit. We watched as the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su, radiating golden light, multiplied again and again, covering us all. We were then sent into the Western Dharma-Nature Land.

In the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I was able to see the events of my past. I never imagined that the ability of yin-yang eyes had caused me such profound harm. Because I could see spirits and ghosts that ordinary people could not, I had been subjected to spiritual attachment by so many of them. I saw how, at the time, these spirits had entered my body. Heavens! What was going on? No one had ever taught me about these things. When I used my yin-yang eyes to help people, I saw even more spirits seeking me out. The difference was that these spirits were not all friendly; some came to cause me trouble. No wonder my body had suffered from such strange ailments back then. Seeing all of this in the Western Dharma-Nature Land truly terrified me. As I listened to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks, I slowly began to understand the relationship between the human body and the spiritual realms. This was truly a vital lesson."

The Path of Purification and True Cultivation

"There are many people in the world who, like me, are born with special abilities—some can see spirits, others can hear what they say. For those of us with these gifts, it feels like a natural part of existence, yet we are completely unaware of the concept of spiritual attachment, nor do we know how to use our abilities properly. Now, Zhang Junliang sees the magnificent, towering statue of Namo Amituofo at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. There is truly a Buddha residing here. Many of the people here can also communicate with spirits, but the difference is that the people in this temple understand the importance of purification and purity and absolute Goodness. They accept the teachings of Namo Amituofo and understand that they must follow the universal principle and the righteous path of Truth. Only in this way can they avoid bringing irreversible harm upon themselves through contact with the spiritual realms. As they continue to purify themselves, they are even able to converse with Namo Amituofo. If I had only had the opportunity to receive the education of the Buddha’s teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre back then, I could have achieved something quite different. Now that Namo Amituofo is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, it is truly a great blessing for people like us. If those with karmic affinity can come to the temple to practise, they will be able to use their abilities to save the world and reach their greatest potential."

A Final Reflection

"Watching Practitioner Su use his Dharma Body every single second to lead so many sentient beings into the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I am filled with such admiration. It turns out that the innate potential one can manifest after true purification is so magnificent. This is different from the supernatural powers associated with yin-yang eyes; this is true cultivation that can genuinely help sentient beings leave suffering behind and gain happiness. Now, I am in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma. I hope that one day, I, too, can learn such skills.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Zhang Junliang"