Observations from Skanda Bodhisattva

A Gathering of Infinite Beings

Over these many years, I, Skanda Bodhisattva, have witnessed the evolution of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony at this temple. We have progressed from holding the ceremony once a week, to twice, and now to three times weekly. As the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has grown, we have reached the stage where both monks and nuns are fully established. Every single ceremony I witness fills me with deep admiration and praise.

There are three primary reasons why these ceremonies are so extraordinary:

• The Presence of the Holy Ones: Never before have I seen a Thrice Yearning Ceremony where, in addition to the Western Three Saints and the vast ocean of pure beings, we are graced by the presence of the Pure Land thirteen generations of patriarchs, as well as numerous ancestral masters from the Avatamsaka tradition and beyond, spanning from ancient times to the present day.
• The Presence of Namo Amituofo: This ceremony is uniquely blessed because Namo Amituofo truly abides here and personally leads the ceremony.
• The Diversity of Beings: One can witness sentient beings from different eras, dimensions, and realms—including those from the six realms of existence, the four holy states, and even from outer space—all arriving to participate in the ceremony. Their singular goal is to receive Chao Du and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The scale of this gathering is immense, and these beings come of their own accord, seeking salvation.

The Grandeur of the Dharma Assembly

During the ceremony, the entire space is transformed into a realm of golden, radiant brilliance. The members of the salvation team occupy almost every corner of the scene, and even the Ten Kings of Hell and their attendants participate. The entire event feels like a grand assembly of all beings in the Dharma realm. It is incredibly lively and magnificent, yet everything proceeds in perfect, orderly harmony.

When we reach the verses of praising the Buddha, the scene becomes even more spectacular. Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body performs the work of Chao Du, sending countless manifestations alongside the salvation team. They depart from the temple to travel to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond, before returning to the temple. From the morning offerings until the third session of the ceremony, the stream of beings arriving to seek help is endless. All of this is made possible by the profound vow and dedication of Practitioner Su, and the fact that Namo Amituofo is truly residing here. This makes everything so rare and precious; even those who are physically present in the midst of this experience find their hearts stirred by a multitude of emotions that are difficult to fully express in words.

The Challenges of the Path

In such a setting, the physical eyes of human beings can only perceive the participants who possess a physical form. It is truly a pity that the conditions of the invisible dimensions remain hidden from the physical eye. Among all the people present, only Practitioner Su can perceive the changes occurring across all dimensions. The fourfold assembly of disciples strives to participate in the ceremony with their utmost effort. While it is sometimes inevitable that they experience drowsiness or distraction, their struggles are understandable.

There are two main reasons for this: first, the number of spirits present is truly immeasurable; second, the daily schedule begins at two o'clock in the morning, which requires a tremendous amount of energy. Although the Buddha-light shines brightly throughout the ceremony, protecting everyone, it is still difficult to avoid moments of fatigue. This is an area that the disciples must continue to overcome. Whenever Practitioner Su begins a new session by reciting and explaining the teachings from Namo Amituofo and Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, not only do the participants in the hall listen with respectful and quiet hearts, but the ancestral masters and the immeasurable, boundless beings in the Western Land of Dharma Nature and the hell realms can also hear these teachings, allowing everyone to receive profound benefits from the Dharma.

Cultivating the True Nature

At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the schedule for both the monastics and the volunteers is extremely rigorous. The monks have opened their spiritual dimensions, and their ability to receive messages is truly remarkable. This is not something obtained from nothing; it is the result of down-to-earth practice under the careful guidance and teaching of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su. If they continue on this path, their inherent abilities will continue to be developed, and their future potential is limitless.

For many years, Practitioner Su has laboured with great hardship, all for the sake of inheriting and propagating the Pure Land teachings, and for the purpose of rescuing and benefiting all beings. Although the results of such work cannot be seen overnight, one can witness the growth of everyone through the accumulation of daily efforts. I am certain that the day of achieving Awakening will come for them. This is my unwavering confidence in this temple.

The Compassion of Deliverance

Previously, Practitioner Su performed Chao Du for the karmic creditors and attached spirits of everyone present, inviting them into his own physical body. This process of inviting them out is still ongoing. Even these spirits, who have been attached to Practitioner Su, have remarked that the environment within his body is pure, peaceful, and safe. By listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma while residing within him, their inner wounds have been soothed. This has not caused any damage to Practitioner Su’s physical body, which is a truly rare and unheard-of occurrence. We are currently continuing the work of inviting these beings out.

All of these events are but a small part of what occurs within the temple. I, along with others, will continue to guard Practitioner Su and all of you, never leaving your side.

Namo Amituofo.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.