Fulfilling the Desires of All Sentient Beings

Venerable Hang Zhou, a dedicated monastic, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Currently residing at the centre, he devotes his life to the service of all sentient beings. This interview, recorded on May 19, 2020, captures his efforts in guiding karmic creditors toward the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Venerable Hang Zhou speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Hang Zhou. My existence today is defined by a single purpose: to serve all sentient beings, without a single thought for myself. The past has already faded into history. Now, I wear my work clothes—a short jacket, draped with the Haiqing and the precept sash. Looking out at the vast sea of humanity in this human world, I feel a profound sense of relief that these lost souls have finally found their way home. I was once a lost soul myself, just as all sentient beings are. I have awakened, and my deepest wish is for all beings to awaken as well. The Bodhisattva Lay Practitioner has dedicated his entire being to everyone, and I hope he can also receive the support needed to complete the construction of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. To reduce the obstacles faced by sentient beings, we must perform our tasks in a way that helps them grow roots of goodness, ensuring there are no lingering negative consequences."

The Power of Fulfilling Wishes

"This morning, Practitioner Su gave us instructions from the Buddha, mentioning that whatever sentient beings desire, their wishes can be fulfilled. We can all begin our work from this perspective. I approached the gathered spirits and asked, 'I ask you, what is it that you truly desire?'

The spirits replied, 'Who are you? Why do you ask us what we want?'

I answered, 'We have been sent by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su to look after the Bodhisattva Lay Practitioner, with the hope of building the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. However, we must coordinate with all sentient beings, and we hope to gain your support, cooperation, or assistance so that this task can be completed. After observing for some time, I have discovered that you spirits are the ones making decisions for the Lay Practitioner, and he is being led by your influence. That is why I am asking for your cooperation.'

The spirits retorted, 'Just because the Buddha sent you, why should we tell you anything?'

I replied, 'Because with the help of the Buddha, it is easy to realise your deepest wishes.'

The Weight of Past Grievances

"The spirits said, 'He is an atheist. You talk about Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, but he does not understand, and we do not really understand either!'

I said, 'It does not matter if you do not understand. As long as you can express what you need, the Buddha will fulfil your wishes!'

The spirits responded, 'We are all here to suffer. In the past, he owed us, and in this lifetime, he cannot pay it back. We want him to come with us.'

I replied, 'That is simple! In Practitioner Su’s Western Dharma-Nature Land, you can have as many of him as you want. One, two, three—you can have as many as you need!'

The spirits exclaimed, 'Ah! We can have as many as we want? I only need one of him.'

I said, 'Very well! Then I will ask my disciples to take you back to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to see Practitioner Su. May I ask your names? How many of you are there? Where are you located on his body? What is it that you want? Please, let my disciples register your requests.'

Debts of Gold and Heart

"The spirits continued, 'He still owes our pawnshop twenty taels of gold, and he owes Old Zhang fifty taels. He had no money at the time, so we lent it to him, and he acted as if he had forgotten. But we remember it very clearly! Once we get what is owed, we will leave! We are currently residing in The Head.'

I replied, 'Very well! We can pay you back double.'

The spirits added, 'Furthermore, in the past, he promised to marry Xiao Mei. They drank together, and after he got what he wanted, he woke up and never returned! Xiao Mei could not handle the trauma and threw herself into the river to end her life. Now, she has come as a spirit to find him. He owes Xiao Mei two lives—hers and the child in her womb. She is currently in his heart.'

I said, 'So many people are looking for him. How long will Xiao Mei have to wait to get what she is owed? It would be better to come back to the temple with us. Practitioner Su will send Xiao Mei to the Western Dharma-Nature Land. You can find him there, and you can have as many of him as you want!'

The spirits asked, 'How can there be such a good thing in this world? We can have whatever we want?'

I replied, 'This is the compassion of the Buddha. His Dharma power is boundless. The Buddha wants to save him, which means He also wants to save all of you.'

A Land of Gold and Infinite Space

"The spirits continued, 'There is more. He was my servant, yet he embezzled money and fled, leaving me to take the blame. Not only must he return the money, but he must also repay the debt of human kindness he owes me! I am in the back of his head.'

I asked, 'How much does he owe you?'

The spirits replied, 'A significant amount! One hundred taels of gold.'

I said, 'That is perfectly fine! The Western Dharma-Nature Land at the temple is just like the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; the ground is made of gold. There is so much gold there—you can have as much as you need!'

The spirits gasped, 'Ah! The ground is made of gold? Such a place actually exists!'

I said, 'In a moment, my disciples will take you all back to the temple. Those who wish to return, please follow them.'

The spirits added, 'There is also me. I was his former neighbour. He encroached upon my land while my whole family moved into the city, leaving our home empty. His family actually moved in and lived there, arguing that it would be a waste not to! We want him to return our land—a place where eighteen people can live.'

I replied, 'Land and houses that can accommodate eighteen people? In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, there is an abundance of land. There are all kinds of houses; you can have whatever you desire!'

The spirits said, 'We still want to see if what you say is true or false. We do not want to be deceived.'

I said, 'You are all accustomed to seeing only the bad. Now, I would like to give you all a gift.' I then asked my disciples, along with Venerable Fa Yuan and his disciples, to chant 'Namo Amituofo' ten times together. We placed the seed of 'Goodness' into the hearts of every spirit present. Immediately, I saw smiles appearing on their faces. I then asked my disciples to lead them to Practitioner Su at the temple. I humbly ask Practitioner Su to fulfil all their wishes."

This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo.