Reflections on the Diamond Sutra: The Journey of Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong
An Interview with Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong
Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 3, 2017
The chief writer, Shi Faxi, performed ten prostrations to the Buddha and sincerely invited Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong to share his life story, his spiritual practice, and his journey. We humbly request that Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong offer his compassionate teachings and guidance. Namo Amituofo.
Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong: Through the of the Buddha, I greet the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su, and the entire fourfold assembly. Namo Amituofo. I am Jiang Weinong. My past record of rebirth was, in truth, a misunderstanding. I only reached the 28th Heaven; I did not reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I had made mistakes, and my experience in practice can serve as a mirror for you. Would you be willing to listen?
A Single Thought Beyond the Western Horizon
Rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly of the utmost importance. Many have heard that I saw the Buddha and attained rebirth, and while it is true that I saw the Buddha, I did not attain rebirth. I was off by a single thought—a mistaken thought. Because I spent my life giving talks, specifically focusing on the Diamond Sutra and delving deep into the Prajna wisdom, I explained these principles to help others understand. My practice was actually quite ordinary, and I am deeply grateful for the compassionate Buddha's that allowed me to reach the 28th Heaven.
Seeds of Wisdom in a Scholarly Home
From a young age, our family held a certain reputation in our local area. My grandfather and father were both government officials, and we often moved as they were assigned to different jurisdictions. My grandfather was a devout Buddhist who dedicated his life to reading the Diamond Sutra. Therefore, as I learned from him, I was introduced to the sutras early on. Because both my grandfather and father were educated in Confucian education and served in official capacities, I was raised in an environment of scholarly refinement. I sat for the imperial examinations and passed, but I had no desire to pursue a career as an official. This naturally went against my family's expectations, as my father was an official himself. I simply followed my father and assisted with administrative tasks, never intending to seek a government position for myself.
I had a wife, but she passed away early in my middle age due to illness. We shared a deep bond, and her passing caused me to lose the anchor of my life. I had no intention of remarrying, but my family strongly urged me to do so and arranged everything. I had no choice but to comply with their wishes. However, from that moment on, my heart grew cold. I felt deeply the impermanence of life, which only served to strengthen my conviction to dedicate myself entirely to the Buddha.
Since childhood, my contact with my grandfather allowed me to become familiar with the Diamond Sutra. Although I did not understand the profound meaning of the text at the time, the Causal Conditions gradually deepened. My grandfather never missed his daily practice of reciting the Diamond Sutra, one chapter every day, and I followed his example. I held my grandfather in high esteem; he was a virtuous practitioner who firmly believed in the Buddha's teachings and was a government official beloved by the civilians. Because of him, I developed a deep affinity for the Diamond Sutra.
The Radiant Departure of a Devoted Soul
My life was quite simple. After experiencing these trials, the thought of renouncing the household life arose in my heart, but I could not do so because my parents were still alive. I could only focus on my practice as a lay practitioner. I formally participated in the refuge ceremony, and the master gave me a Dharma name. Although I was a lay practitioner, I immersed myself in the sutras and began to study the mysteries of the Diamond Sutra. My life began to shift toward the goal of propagating the Diamond Prajna wisdom.
The profundity of the Diamond Sutra is truly inconceivable. I listened to Venerable Dihian give Dharma talks for some time. I frequently visited the Venerable and learned much from him; the principles he taught were incredibly practical. Having been educated in Confucian education, I found the content of these Dharma talks relatively easy to grasp. During the classes, I compiled notes on the essential teachings. This was my connection with the Venerable, and I am very grateful for his guidance. As I began to participate more in Buddhist activities—such as inviting Venerables to give Dharma talks, engaging in disaster relief, or promoting Buddhist affairs—I often transcribed the Venerable's teachings into notes, which benefited not only myself but others as well.
There is another aspect of impermanence in life: the people around us leave one by one. My family was no exception. My grandfather, Lequn Gong, passed away early, and the departure of my father, Renwu Gong, caused my mother, Lady Guo, great sorrow. Because my mother had long been a devotee of Guanyin , I hoped she would diligently chant the Buddha's name, study the Buddha's teachings, and maintain a vegetarian diet. She agreed and became very diligent, chanting the Buddha's name and reciting sutras daily. One day, she felt unwell and informed us. I personally led the chanting for her. She remained joyful, showing no fear, and even asked me to lecture on the Sutra for her. We took turns chanting for her. Her appetite diminished, but her spirit remained bright. One afternoon, she told those around her that her time had come. Shortly after, she looked toward the sky, closed her eyes, and departed with a smile. Her departure was so dignified; her face looked young, as if she were in her fifties, her cheeks were rosy, and her limbs remained warm. This experience deeply strengthened my motivation and faith in the Buddha's path.
Weaving the Prajna Wisdom into Words
I was quite active in the Shanghai area. Upon invitation, I shared what I had learned from Venerable Dihian with others. I thought the Dharma talks would end there, but I was unexpectedly elected as the president of the Lotus Society. Everyone suggested that I share the notes I had taken on the Diamond Sutra over the years. I decided to give it a try. During every lecture, the lay practitioners of the Lotus Society would carefully transcribe the notes. Most participants were lay practitioners who studied diligently, never daring to be lazy. We also held chanting and repenting ceremonies. I shared everything I knew with them. After completing the lectures, the notes had reached a certain volume, but there were omissions during the transcription process. To ensure the lecture notes were complete and perfect, I announced that I would go into seclusion to revise them. These contents were the result of my study of the Diamond Sutra and the Buddha's blessings. I spent a year in focused study and compilation of the Diamond Sutra Lectures. This was the result of over forty years of studying the Diamond Sutra. The Prajna wisdom within the Diamond Sutra is truly magnificent and profound. I learned the essence of my life through it. The ultimate goal of all these teachings is inseparable from Prajna, and the final destination must be rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—to chant the name of Amitabha and become Amitabha.
The Compassionate Call to the Western Pure Land
My health was never good, especially during the rainy season, when I would suffer for months before recovering. I knew this was the manifestation of spiritual obstacles. I viewed this, and life and death, with great peace. Whenever illness arose and the pain became unbearable, I would chant the Buddha's name with a calm heart. I treated every moment as if it were the last moment of my life. I accepted all possible changes, yet I remained ill for several years. The completion and publication of the Diamond Sutra Lectures made me feel that my life had been worthwhile. After all, this was the deepest connection I had with the Buddha's teachings, and the inspiration the Diamond Sutra gave me was something I cherished deeply.
At the age of sixty-seven, my illnesses increased, and I was almost bedridden. However, perhaps due to the protection of my study of the Diamond Sutra, my remained very clear, and I did not lose my sense of reality. I was very aware of everything happening around me; it was only this physical body that was decaying. Those who cared for me were worried that I would become discouraged, so they urged me to chant the Buddha's name with one heart and seek rebirth. In fact, I understood very clearly that I would seek rebirth without a shred of attachment. I chanted the Buddha's name diligently, visualizing the Buddha-light shining everywhere and the Buddha coming to lead me. At one moment, it felt as if I truly saw the Buddha, and I passed away, ending that life.
I found myself in a world of light and once thought I had reached the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It turned out I had not; I was in the 28th Heaven, in the heavenly realm. Why did the Buddha not lead me to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? This question naturally arose in my heart. After I calmed down, I looked back at the moment of my passing and realized that I still had many pulling at me. My faith in the Buddha had not reached one hundred percent. In that subtle instant, my state of mind was swayed by my karmic creditors. Fortunately, I was still in the 28th Heaven. Only then did I understand that all my illnesses were due to the fact that my karmic creditors had not been saved through . I was powerless to change anything, and the more I thought about it, the more my mood sank. I saw that the light on my body, which had been there, began to fade. I dared not think further; I simply chanted the Buddha's name, finding peace within the Buddha-name. In truth, this place was also magnificent and beautiful, with scenery that was truly exceptional.
I do not know how much time passed when I heard a voice calling me: "Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong, Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong, we invite Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong." I was startled. How could anyone have such ability to reach from the human world directly into the heavenly realm to send me a message and bring me to the Hsiang Kuang Room at that time? At first, I found it hard to believe, as I was in the 28th Heaven, and my spirit was still quite purified. In that place, I saw the true Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss right before my eyes. I listened to the teachings of Practitioner Su, whose practice was truly magnificent. While chanting the Buddha's name, I reached the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss with a single recitation. The speed was incredible. I am so grateful for such a bodhimanda and for such a capable person who helped me. If I had remained in the heavenly realm, it would have been impossible to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss unless I were to be reborn in the human world again. Practitioner Su, in his compassion, also helped me perform Chao Du for my karmic creditors. Rebirth truly requires actual practice; it is about finding one's original nature and see their true nature.
My life experience and the process of my rebirth are inconceivable. Today, I am honoured to be able to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre again. Beyond accepting this interview, I am very happy to see that the True Teachings are being propagated here. The fourfold assembly here is truly the most blessed group of practitioners in the world, and they are practising in truth. I, Jiang Weinong, wish to share all of this. I hope that the name Jiang Weinong is still remembered, and that those who read these shares will find hope for rebirth. I originally thought my family had already attained rebirth, but none of them were in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I do not know what went wrong with the Buddha's teachings in the human world, but what is certain is that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has appeared. This temple that saves the world truly has Namo Amituofo, and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly right before our eyes. Direct passage to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is the skills of this place; it is the truth, not empty talk. I am Jiang Weinong, and this true message from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss has been received and recorded here. I invite everyone to come here to verify everything. Whether you are looking for me or other sages and virtuous ones, you must come here once. Only then will your practice be guaranteed. Namo Amituofo.
Written by Jiang Weinong
Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 3, 2017, receiving the message from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
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