At the commencement of each session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, the teachings delivered by , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and the explanations provided by Practitioner Su are of immense spiritual weight. It is a sight of profound devotion to witness not only the Venerables and lay practitioners present in the hall kneeling in respectful silence to receive these words, but also the many participants, the spirits of the Realm, and the beings represented by the memorial tablets. Even the spirits residing in the Western Land of Dharma Nature join in this act of reverence, with many kneeling, while others stand or sit in quiet contemplation. For all who are present, these teachings are exceptionally precious. It is a rare opportunity that would be difficult to encounter anywhere other than this sacred Buddha-land.
The Convergence of Sacred Wisdom
The existence of the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre is the result of the convergence of many auspicious Causal Conditions. To hear the direct teachings of Namo Amituofo, the wisdom of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and the twenty years of practical teaching experience of Practitioner Su, who has realised his true nature, is a rare blessing. The message transmitted by these three sources is invaluable. The sentient beings who attend these ceremonies have suffered greatly; they understand that the opportunity to hear the Dharma is not easily attained. Therefore, they kneel to listen, actively seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
However, one must ask: do the practitioners and Venerables present truly understand the value of this treasure? Is it possible that because we hear these teachings so frequently, we feel a temporary sense of benefit, yet fail to make any real, lasting changes in our lives? If this is the case, it is a great pity. I urge everyone to listen with the utmost care and to cherish every single word of these teachings. If you can gain even a single insight or a small piece of wisdom from these sessions, and subsequently apply it to correct your own shortcomings, your practice will surely undergo a significant transformation.
The Selfless Sacrifice of Practitioner Su
Practitioner Su continues the work of inviting spirits to be saved. The number of sentient beings is beyond imagination. During the process of inviting them, Practitioner Su sometimes encounters resistance, yet he persists in his duty. At such times, Practitioner Su’s physical body often suffers from noticeable redness, itching, and even pain. In most cases, however, the process of inviting these beings proceeds smoothly. The symptoms of redness and itching on Practitioner Su’s body tend to improve as batches of beings are successfully invited, only to reappear when the next group of beings manifests.
Fortunately, the recent work of inviting spirits from the head region has left Practitioner Su feeling much clearer and more refreshed. This is a positive feedback loop resulting from the physical suffering he endures. It is the infinite number of sentient beings who benefit from this, for Practitioner Su has attained a state of . His heart is filled only with concern for these beings; every thought and every action is dedicated to them. Consequently, his mind becomes even clearer, and everything he chants or does thereafter becomes deeper and more expansive, allowing more beings to receive greater benefits. The work of saving sentient beings is never-ending, and this is all part of the natural order of things. It is the result of Practitioner Su’s selfless dedication, his commitment to , and the transformation that follows the invitation of spirits.
Accelerating the Path to Purity
In recent days, Practitioner Su has been practising a new method during his morning Chao Du and during the ceremonies. He visualises the sentient beings residing within his own body receiving the benefits of the Chao Du and moving forward into the golden light. This method has proven to be highly effective. Because the beings are able to witness the golden light, their inner grievances and discontent are largely dissolved. When combined with Practitioner Su’s visualisation, which guides them into this radiant light, most of these beings are willing to depart from his body. This approach has significantly accelerated the process of inviting spirits, allowing Practitioner Su to move closer to the day when he can restore his body to a state of complete purity. Namo Amituofo.
This interview was recorded by the Buddha’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
