Overcoming the Agony of Illness: A Testimony by Lay Practitioner Yu Yuetao

I wish to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for their boundless compassion in saving my life. It is only through their intervention that I am here today to share my story.

The Weight of Karmic Debt

There were three distinct occasions when my karmic debt manifested so severely that my life was in immediate peril. My karmic creditors held the authority of the underworld, as if they possessed the very tokens of the Yama Kings themselves. It was Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su who intervened on my behalf. They spoke for me, mediated the deep-seated grievances I had accumulated, and resolved the conflicts between myself and my karmic creditors. Through their grace, these beings were guided to rebirth in the Western Pure Land. By leaving the six realms of existence, they were finally liberated from the cycle of suffering. To encounter such a chance is rare indeed—a blessing that is difficult to encounter in millions of years—allowing both them and me to leave suffering behind and find happiness.

I am profoundly grateful to my karmic creditors for accepting this resolution and for granting me the opportunity to change my ways and repent. I offer my sincerest apologies; it was entirely my fault, and the past is truly too painful to look back upon. Namo Amituofo.

A Malady Beyond Medicine

My illness was not merely a physical ailment. It manifested as sentient beings biting through the main artery in my leg, causing blood to flow uncontrollably. Practitioner Su saved me by resolving the conflict with these beings, even as my entire body was swollen and festering with toxins. This condition is one that has existed since ancient times and for which there is no medical cure. It is a form of blood cancer where the blood itself becomes corrupted by toxins. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, we understand this as the manifestation of karmic creditors coming to collect their debts for the harm I caused to sentient beings in my past lives. My Buddha, Namo Amituofo, and Practitioner Su helped me resolve these debts one by one, inviting these beings to leave and guiding them to rebirth in the Western Pure Land. There were several moments during this ordeal when I wanted to give up, to surrender to death. When one is undergoing such retribution, the human world truly feels like a living hell.

Finding Light in the Human Hell

I wish to thank Venerable Chang Ren for being a true friend who understands my heart. Having been through the wringer, the suffering was immense. I often struggled with feelings of inferiority, self-resentment, and self-pity, making every day a difficult burden to bear. Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered me teachings, reminding me that even if every day is hard to endure, one must continue to endure it. I had already survived many years in this state. I wanted to keep going, and the Teacher explained that because the karma I created in past lives was so deep, I was experiencing a heavy karmic debt as a lighter retribution. Thus, I lived through this human hell, day by day, for about four or five years.

The Practice of a Radiant Countenance

Recently, I developed a small wish: I wanted to join Practitioner Su in the work of saving beings. However, Practitioner Su told me that my face was too stern and that I would not be effective. I asked for the Buddha’s blessing, praying for a dignified and compassionate countenance so that I might better serve others. The Buddha told me to keep a smile on my face at all times. I have kept these five words—smile and reveal a peaceful countenance—in my heart every single day, never daring to forget them. The results have been truly remarkable; carrying a smile each day has brought me a genuine sense of joy and lightness.

A Call to All Suffering Beings

I appeal to all who are suffering from conditions that medicine cannot heal: if you have the karmic affinity, please come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Ask the Buddha for help. Invite the beings with whom you have formed grievances over countless lifetimes to come forward and be resolved. This is the ultimate expression of great compassion. By saving the immeasurable and boundless beings within us, we are also saving ourselves. I am the first to be saved from a condition that the medical world deemed incurable. Namo Amituofo is truly the Great Physician, waiting with great compassion for everyone to return to Him so that they may be saved. What the sutras describe as difficult to hear and difficult to see, I have now heard and seen for myself. Most importantly, I must add that Namo Amituofo has helped me completely renew the blood and cells throughout my entire body, which is the only reason I am alive today. I am eternally grateful to Namo Amituofo. I bow in reverence.

Recorded by Yu Yuetao, 9 November 2017

Namo Amituofo