Practice for the Sake of All Beings

This interview features Venerable Xianyi, a practitioner who lived fourteen centuries ago. After spending a millennium in deep meditation within a space beyond the universe, he was awakened by his Master’s call to serve sentient beings. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, having been guided by Practitioner Su to share his testimony. This session was recorded on February 4, 2019.

Venerable Xianyi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Xianyi. For over a thousand years, I sat in meditative concentration within a space beyond this universe. It was a state of profound ease—the comfort of that realm and the lightness of my spirit during meditation are beyond the reach of human language. Had I been allowed to remain there, I would have been content to sit for a thousand, ten thousand, or even an eon.

The Master's Call

One day, a thunderous sound erupted in that silent space—a sound unlike anything I had heard in a millennium. This was not a place accessible to ordinary people; even for a practitioner, one must reach a specific, elevated state of attainment to even enter this space outside the universe. I heard the message clearly: 'My disciple, you must know the suffering of sentient beings.' The voice was not unfamiliar; it was my Master. His words pierced through my long slumber. When I was alive in the world, he had once told me, 'Practice can be for oneself, or it can be for all beings. The difference between the two is vast.' Hearing him say this, I knew that choosing to practice for the sake of all beings was the only path a true practitioner could take.

Yet, once I began my meditation, I became obsessed with challenging the boundaries of my own attainment. Each time my spirit left my body, I ventured into higher and more profound realms, staying longer and reaching further. I had long since forgotten the beings waiting for my deliverance. A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. Now, hearing my Master’s voice, the memories of my past flooded back. I felt a deep sense of shame. I had practised for a millennium, yet I had not saved a single being. How could I even call myself a practitioner?

A Destined Beginning

I remember the cries of a newborn echoing through a house. 'My wife has given birth! She has given birth!' my father shouted with joy, and the whole family rushed to see the child. I was born into that wealthy household. My father held me, beaming, and said, 'The child I have longed for has finally arrived!' He immediately took me to the temple to see the old monk. The monk looked at me, nodded with satisfaction, and said, 'He has finally come!' My father was puzzled, but the monk only added, 'This child has a noble appearance. If he is allowed to study the Dharma, he will surely achieve great success.' My father agreed wholeheartedly. In those days, for a family to have a child who could study the Dharma was considered the greatest of blessings. It was decided: I would become a monk, not only to help sentient beings but to bring honour to our ancestors.

When the villagers heard that my father intended to send me to the temple, they all exclaimed, 'What a blessed child!' In our village, few had the opportunity to practise, as most families required their children to carry on the family line. Yet, the villagers understood the value of this path. They knew that if a family was willing to let their child leave home to cultivate in a temple, it was the greatest choice they could make for that child's future.

The Wisdom of a Father

Although I was his only child, my father understood the importance of monastic life and the salvation of beings. He had spent his life performing Goodness, and he often lamented that he was already old and married. If he could live his life over, he would certainly have chosen the path of a monk. Now that I was his son, he was determined to make the best choice for my life. He had been planning this even before I was born, which is why he took me to the old monk immediately. This monk was a close friend of my father; whenever my father faced life's dilemmas, he would seek the monk's guidance, and the monk would always point him toward the most virtuous path.

My family cherished the five years I spent with them. During those years, I accompanied my father on his business travels, witnessing the many facets of life and the depth of human suffering. My father was amazed by my insights; after decades of business, he had never perceived life as I did. It was only through my observations that he truly understood how much suffering exists in the world. While it seemed he was taking me along to learn the trade, in reality, I was the one guiding him to see through the illusions of life.

Entering the Path

At the age of five, my father decided it was time for me to enter the temple. He knew I had come into this world with a mission. He believed that every day spent in the secular world was a day wasted; the sooner I began my cultivation, the sooner I could achieve the success needed to help others. Though my family was heartbroken to see me go, they were also filled with joy that a monk had emerged from their lineage to save the world.

Upon meeting the old monk at the temple, I immediately recognised him as my Master from a past life. He praised me, saying, 'Your practice in the past was truly profound. To be reborn in a human body and still remember me as your Master from a thousand years ago—that is remarkable.' I felt a sense of wonder; the moment I saw him, a familiar feeling arose naturally. The Master explained, 'This is the sensitivity of your past practice, still preserved within you.' Hearing this, I understood.

The Diligence of a Child

Though I was only five, I was incredibly earnest in my work. The Master told the other monastics, 'Do not look at his age; his Wisdom surpasses you all.' The senior monks were astonished: 'Who would have thought that five-year-old Xianyi would possess such high Wisdom!'

After one year of practice, I had made great progress. The Master addressed the assembly: 'This year, some have progressed, some have regressed, and some are still circling in place. Listen to how Xianyi has practised.' I shared my routine with humility: 'Every morning, before the others rose, I would carry two bundles of firewood back to the temple. The mountain air was freezing, but I wore only thin clothes. I ran up the mountain at full speed and walked down with the most steady pace, all to train my physical endurance. During the morning service, while the assembly stood to recite the sutras, I would place two sharp, pointed stones inside my shoes to keep myself from becoming drowsy, ensuring I remained in a state of perfect clarity. During meals, I sat upright, and with every bite, I never let go of the Buddha-name. I was practising in every moment, never daring to slacken. When listening to the sutras, my Six Roots were completely absorbed in every word. In my spare time, I focused on sitting and chanting. If I felt drowsy, I would immediately stand up to work—carrying water or sweeping—never wasting a moment that could be used for diligent practice. My heart was always tethered to the suffering of beings. To help them leave suffering behind, I had to constantly temper this karmic body so it could exert its greatest strength.' The senior monks were moved by my sincerity. The Master then taught the assembly: 'The value of practice lies in the initial resolve. Is your heart for yourself, or for all beings? A heart for oneself is narrow, for there is only one of you. A heart for all beings is infinitely vast, for the beings waiting for your salvation are immeasurable.'

A Life of Deliverance

By the age of twenty-five, I had recovered all the abilities from my past lives. My appearance was so dignified that people naturally felt a sense of reverence. When my father saw me, he wept with joy, knowing I had achieved success in my practice. When I stood before the crowd, they would naturally kneel, but I would ask them to rise. I told them, 'I do not practise for my own sake; there is no need to bow to me. I have come today only to deliver you, hoping that all of you may leave suffering behind and find liberation.'

I spent my life saving beings from the ten directions, never pausing for a moment. It was not in vain that I had been reborn in a human body. My Master told me, 'My disciple, you have performed well this lifetime. Hold fast to this body and continue to save beings.' I sent my Master to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, while I continued to travel everywhere to save all spirits. At the end of my life, I too was reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Gratitude to Practitioner Su

The beings suffering in the sea of karma are endless. Practitioner Su’s physical body has long endured the suffering of these beings, all to help them find liberation. This fills me with immense respect. Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body advances daily, and every step taken is for the sake of all beings. Even when enduring pain, he does not see it as suffering, for his heart is filled only with the beings. He remains in this world for them, having long ago let go of his own self and his own family.

Practitioner Su has compassionately opened his space to me, allowing me to learn his spirit and perform Chao Du for spirits throughout the universe. I cherish every second, hoping to help more beings escape their karmic suffering as soon as possible. That I have this rare opportunity for deliverance is entirely due to the compassionate Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su. I am deeply grateful for his compassion. Namo Amituofo."

Recorded by the disciple Shi Fajing.