Reflections on the Path of Practice: The Seventeenth Letter of Master Wei Chueh

This is a record of the seventeenth letter from the late Master Wei Chueh, who sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his insights into the nature of practice and the path to liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xi, on July 3, 2017.

Master Wei Chueh speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Master Wei Chueh. In this world of Jambudvipa, all sentient beings in the ten Dharma realms are essentially spirits. Many people are aware of this truth, yet they treat it as a mere passing thought—a triviality. They adopt an attitude of 'I am powerless to do anything about it,' or 'There is simply no way.' When everyone is so quick to claim that their heart is willing but their strength is insufficient, I must ask: who then is left to save this world? If you are not willing to take responsibility, who will?"

The Illusion of Power and the Reality of the Self

"How many layers of truth must be revealed before you finally offer a single moment of genuine recognition? We all know that the Dharma is vast and meant to be propagated, yet we also know that the personalities of sentient beings are volatile, fickle, and incredibly difficult to tame or subdue. If you find it so difficult to manage the temperaments of others, have you ever stopped to consider whether your own personality is easy to subdue? If they are sentient beings, then who are you? Do you truly know yourself?

The deficiencies and the gaps in your character—are these not the very reasons why you have come to practice the Dharma in the first place? When you feel that something is missing, that is the call to begin your journey of cultivation. When I was in seclusion, practising entirely on my own, I understood this principle deeply. I worked with every ounce of my being to break through all the obstacles that stood in my way. During that time, I was incredibly diligent in my practice. I did not tell a single soul where I was or what I was doing. Because of the purification that comes from true practice, I opened up a great deal of Wisdom. Those were the most refreshing, clear, and peaceful moments of my entire life."

The Great Obstacle of Worldly Attachment

"As for what happened later, I believe everyone is already quite clear. Every single person possesses the potential for perfection, for the 'ten-out-of-ten' completeness. Whether or not you achieve this depends entirely on the preciousness of your practice. Whether you choose to truly practise or merely go through the motions depends on your own vow and your own perseverance. Under the weight of excessive power, status, and material interests, it is far too easy to become lax, to lose one's way, and to fall into deep delusion. That is the greatest obstacle to the path of enlightenment.

It is only now, from this vantage point, that I truly understand: if you can live without these worldly burdens, then by all means, do not have them. Keep your body and mind clean and refreshed. When you open your eyes, let your only purpose be to save the world and serve the world. If you can live in such a way, you will certainly be at ease. The Wei Chueh you see now is different from the one you knew before. I have been tempered by profound experiences, by the discipline of the hells, and by the vastness of the void. I have finally awakened, though I admit, it is somewhat late, for I have already departed from the human world."

A Final Warning to the Living

"Everyone who is able to read these words today is still very fortunate; you still have a great opportunity. I sincerely hope that you will take this time to examine your own practice. Look closely—are there obstacles hidden within you? You must find them, drag them out into the light, and resolve them. This is what I wanted to tell you today. Namo Amituofo."