Guidance from Venerable Master Chin Kung: A Letter to Lay Practitioner Huang

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Venerable Master Chin Kung, who now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. He reflects upon the current state of Dharma propagation and offers his wisdom to Lay Practitioner Huang. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on November 29, 2022, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia.

Venerable Master Chin Kung speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Master Chin Kung. Lay Practitioner Huang, I have been observing your recent efforts to support and protect Practitioner Su, and I have seen your dedication clearly from here, within the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

This is a magnificent opportunity for everyone to hear the teachings and Dharma lectures of Namo Amituofo. The teachings provided by Practitioner Su are so profound and rare; only those with the appropriate karmic affinity are able to truly absorb them. Those who lack this affinity may remain unaware or indifferent. For any practitioner seeking to realise their true nature and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, this is of the utmost importance. Those who are ready to receive these teachings are those with a deep and precious Dharma affinity. This situation is entirely natural; it cannot be forced upon anyone.

The Vital Mission of Spreading the Dharma

You have listened to the lectures of Practitioner Su and recognised that this is the true essence of the Buddha’s teachings. Because of this, you have made a great vow to support him. Through the collective efforts of the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the audio and video files of these lectures are meticulously prepared and handed to you for the production of Dharma-broadcasting machines, which are then circulated throughout mainland China. If there are those with the karmic connection, these Dharma treasures will naturally find their way into their hands, into their eyes, and into their ears. As for how much they can hear, how much they believe, and how much they can internalise—that is a matter of their own individual progress in Dharma affinity. However, without the initial dedication of those who provide the funding and the labour to make these teachings visible and audible, there would be no possibility for such progress to occur at all.

Therefore, I feel a profound sense of admiration for your great commitment, Lay Practitioner Huang, especially considering your youth. You are not a stranger to me; over a decade ago, you already made the vow to circulate my Dharma treasures into mainland China. This is no easy task. China is vast and populous, filled with all kinds of people. Their mindsets when listening to the Dharma vary greatly, as do their needs. Naturally, some will listen with joy, taking the words to heart and benefiting immensely, which in turn inspires them to support or make offerings. The logistics and flow of these Dharma treasures must be handled with extreme caution. Over these past ten years, you have accumulated a great deal of experience in this regard.

The Unique Path of Practitioner Su

From the initial stages of exploration, communication, and coordination, to the point where you can now execute these tasks effectively, you have required both a heart of compassion and the wisdom to handle complex situations. Otherwise, one might resolve a problem for a moment only to have issues arise later, requiring further intervention. If one can be cautious and thorough from the very beginning, that is ideal, but do not place too much pressure on yourself. Simply do what you can, following the conditions as they arise. What is important is that your initiative has opened the door for people in China to hear the Dharma—specifically, the teachings of Practitioner Su. These teachings are distinct from the traditional explanations of sutras or commentaries by ancestral masters. They are the direct teachings of Namo Amituofo, who currently abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and Teacher Xia Lianju, as revealed during the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies. Practitioner Su provides a comprehensive interpretation of these teachings, which are essential and precise. Every word and sentence addresses the very problems faced by today’s practitioners, helping everyone to wash away their dust and filth, purify their defilements, and rediscover their true nature. Furthermore, the interviews conducted by the Venerable monastics with demons and prison guards are truly spectacular.

Here, beyond witnessing that the spirit never dies, one can bear witness to the fact that Namo Amituofo is truly present in this place, and that Teacher Xia Lianju is here as a Dharma protector. These are indisputable facts. Yet, for those who hear of this, every word feels so inconceivable that they struggle to believe it. This is precisely why the circulation of these Dharma treasures is so necessary.

A Responsibility Borne by Lay Practitioners

Lay Practitioner Huang, the experience you have accumulated over these years in the Pure Land school has not only built up your merits and virtues but has also expanded your wisdom. This allows you to hear even more deeply what Practitioner Su intends to convey during his lectures. This is also the result of the Buddha’s blessing, granting you the opportunity to hear these teachings. Everything is unfolding according to the progression of Dharma affinity. I believe that Namo Amituofo, in his great compassion, allows those with aspiration to come into contact with the Great Dharma and make great vows. Such individuals are exactly the kind of talent needed as the Dharma lineage expands, and your ability to shoulder this responsibility is truly wonderful.

On the path of seeking the Dharma, as a lay practitioner, there are specific challenges to overcome, as well as unique conveniences. For instance, Practitioner Su has descended into this world to manifest his teachings, and now, at nearly eighty years of age, he continues to support the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre as a layperson. In particular, the daily needs of the monastics—their food, clothing, housing, and travel—are all managed by him. At present, he is the only one who can carry this burden; no one else has emerged to take his place. This is a magnificent display of the capabilities of an awakened being. The more he manifests, the more one can see and feel the vastness and boundless depth of the Buddha’s teachings.

Lay Practitioner Huang, likewise, you are also protecting the Dharma as a lay practitioner, which is a vital role. Practitioner Su is no ordinary figure. Ordinary people cannot perceive his level of skill, but those with open eyes and the beings of the spirit realm hold him in the highest respect. As an awakened being, he carries the responsibility of propagating and protecting the Dharma at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre on his shoulders. It is an incredibly arduous task, and he possesses immense perseverance.

The Ultimate Goal: Rebirth in the Western Pure Land

Because Namo Amituofo himself abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, this place is a manifestation of the entire Dharma Realm. The path of propagating and protecting the Dharma has no end and no stopping point. Both must walk this path together. Everything is done for the sake of propagating the Buddha’s teachings, ensuring the True Teachings endure forever, and helping practitioners realise their true nature. It is to help everyone recognise Namo Amituofo and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, so they may sincerely vow to be reborn there. Most importantly, one must ensure that they themselves achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land in this very lifetime. If this is not accomplished, then all previous efforts will not have been in vain, but it would be a great pity to have encountered Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su in this life, yet fail to realise one’s true nature and return to the Western Pure Land. This is why, throughout these fifty-plus interviews, I have been constantly urging everyone to listen to my words, to come to the temple to request the Dharma, and to seek the Dharma, so that upon returning, you may elevate your practice to a higher level, realise your true nature, and be free to travel to and from the Western Land, successfully achieving rebirth.

Some people may study the Buddha’s teachings, make prostrations, chant the Buddha’s name, and recite the sutras throughout their lives, yet at the time of death, they do not enter the Western Pure Land, but instead fall into the cycle of rebirth or the realm of the deceased. If their families notify the temple, we can follow the instructions of Namo Amituofo to locate the spirit of the deceased. Practitioner Su can then use his Dharma Body to lead the spirit out of that space and bring them to the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the temple. In this way, the deceased has not come to this world in vain. Once they arrive at the Western Dharma-Nature Land, they can be at peace. Then, according to the wishes of the deceased, Practitioner Su will use the power of his Dharma Body to send them to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is how we help the deceased successfully enter the Western Buddha-Land. This is truly an immense blessing for all beings.

Unity and Cooperation in Propagating the Dharma

Lay Practitioner Huang, I believe that Namo Amituofo will bless you, and the Dragon and Heaven Dharma Protectors will watch over you. If everything proceeds smoothly, the expansion of Dharma affinity will continue. You must be proactive in your actions while remaining detached from the results; this is a healthy and proper attitude to adopt. I am also curious about the response to the Dharma-broadcasting machines in China, which could serve as a reference for us here, but this must never hinder the natural manifestation of Practitioner Su’s true nature or his freedom in teaching the Dharma.

As for the protection of the Dharma in China, I must ask you to put in more effort. Regarding the letters to Lay Practitioner Xia Fasheng of the Beijing Pure Land Society and Lay Practitioner Qi Suping of Tianmu Mountain, both are great figures in the propagation of the Pure Land school, and each has their own sphere of influence, followers, and students in China. Since I have written these letters, I hope they will receive them. The propagation of the Pure Land teachings cannot be accomplished by one or two people alone; it relies on our collective efforts. Those who share the same philosophy can cooperate with one another; those who do not should still treat each other with respect. Above all, do not slander one another, lest you create the three karmas of body, speech, and mind, and suffer the bitter fruits thereof.

Therefore, Lay Practitioner Huang, I trust that your dedication will assist in the propagation of the Pure Land teachings. If you have any questions, feel free to raise them at any time for discussion or decision. I believe that the vast number of beings and beneficiaries will feel a gratitude toward your dedication that goes without saying.

Lay Practitioner Huang, keep working hard! The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre still has great room for development and space for beings to learn. Very well, I shall say no more.

Namo Amituofo.

Venerable Master Chin Kung, with folded palms.

From the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Australia."