From the Depths of Hell to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss
An Interview with the Late Venerable Shi Weili
Recorded on July 28, 2021
This is a record of an interview with the late Venerable Shi Weili, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his journey from the depths of the hell realms to his eventual deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer on July 28, 2021.
Venerable Shi Weili speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Shi Weili. I am now residing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It was Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre who, during the , used her to lead sixty prison guards and myself to the Western Land of Nature. My heart is filled with immense gratitude. The past feels like a dream, a thousand twists and turns, but now I have finally stepped into the Western Pure Land!"
The Shame of a Fallen Monk
"Although I spent over fifty years as a monk, I fell into the hell realms because of worldly desires I became entangled with early in my monastic life. It is often said that the gates of hell are crowded with monks and practitioners, and I felt such profound shame to be among them. Fortunately, my disciple, Wu Jiajin, sought Chao Du for me. He found Practitioner Su, who rescued me from the hell realms and brought me to the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, ending the agony of the Avici Hell.
I dedicated my life to the Buddha's gate. Whether in my home country or abroad, my efforts in Zen and Esoteric Buddhism were recognised by many followers. But merit is merit, and faults are faults. Regardless of my achievements, I had to face the for my mistakes; the merit was simply my duty as a practitioner."
The Magnificence of the Western Pure Land
"Now, I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Its dignity and magnificence far exceed what is written in the scriptures or what I could have ever imagined. This world of immeasurable light and life is the destination every practitioner longs for—the very place I vowed to reach during my life. To have my wish fulfilled is truly the result of the Buddha's . Namo Amituofo accepted my sincere repentance, giving me the courage to enter the Western Land. Without that, I would have had no face to meet my compassionate Father, Namo Amituofo."
The True Practice of Practitioner Su
"Meeting Practitioner Su was a magnificent Dharma affinity for Jiajin. More importantly, Practitioner Su is a true practitioner who has realised her true nature. Only through such an awakened state can one possess this Dharma Body, travel freely to and from the Western Land, and lead spirits who wish for rebirth into the Western Land during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. If I had not witnessed this with my own eyes, I would have found it hard to believe!
To chant the Buddha's name, realise one's true nature, and travel freely to the Western Land—this is what Practitioner Su has demonstrated at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. She has already saved immeasurable and boundless spirits, leading them to rebirth in the Western Land. This fruit of magnificent practice leaves me in awe!"
A Final Wish for My Disciple
"Jiajin, you must follow her teachings diligently. I hope you, too, can master these skills and lead those with karmic affinity to rebirth in the Western Land. This is my expectation as your master.
I am grateful to Namo Amituofo, grateful to Practitioner Su, and grateful to the fourfold assembly of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre."
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library