Saving Spirits Trapped in the Echoes of Disaster

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Gao, who reflects upon the ongoing work of spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on April 17, 2023.

Venerable Chang Gao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. As Practitioner Su continues the daily work of Chao Du, one can see from the perspective of the entire Earth that human selfishness has created an immense burden of sins. A vast number of trapped spirits are suffering precisely because of this selfishness.

The Lingering Echoes of History

Since the dawn of humanity on this planet, if one observes the various dimensions of space, it becomes clear that the Earth has endured countless disasters. Within these calamities—both great and small—a staggering number of spirits have been detained. They remain trapped within these spaces, unable to find a way out. The formation of these disasters is inextricably linked to the human heart. Those who remain detained are connected to the causes of these disasters; perhaps they shared a common mental note, or perhaps this group of people once collectively created similar sins, or they all shared a similar karmic retribution, leading them to suffer together under these specific Causal Conditions.

Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body performs Chao Du by entering into these many disaster-stricken spaces. Whether on land, at sea, or in the air, these spaces are filled with trapped sentient beings. Su Fo's countless billions of manifestations enter these realms, one by one, to rescue and deliver the suffering spirits from their confinement.

A Cry from the Rubble

I have witnessed this with my own eyes. I saw a woman, her entire body covered in blood, reaching out with a single hand. She was calling for help in a voice so faint it was barely audible. Her body was crushed beneath the ruins of a collapsed building—the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake. She was but one of many victims who remain trapped in that specific moment of time, even though, in our physical reality, she departed the human world many years ago.

When Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body and Su Fo's countless billions of manifestations perform Chao Du across the Earth’s dimensions, the Buddha-light shines into these dark spaces. This woman had cried out for help countless times, suffering endlessly in that frozen moment. But this time, she finally saw the golden light. She was overjoyed. With her weak voice, she kept crying out, 'Help me! Save me!' The Buddha-light illuminated the entire disaster scene. Eventually, she clearly heard the sound of the Buddha-name. She had chanted Buddha’s name in the past, so she recognised the sacred name of Namo Amituofo. With her remaining strength, she began to chant along, one phrase after another. Finally, she was liberated from that space of disaster and followed the Buddha-light into the radiance.

The Boundless Reach of Compassion

When Su Fo's countless billions of manifestations perform Chao Du in one space, they are simultaneously working in many others. Disasters are not limited to a single location; the same site may have suffered multiple catastrophes at different points in time. Therefore, when Su Fo's countless billions of manifestations arrive at a location, no matter how many layers of space exist there, Practitioner Su is able to enter them all with his countless billions of manifestations and rescue everyone at once.

I watch as these spirits are continuously saved from these spaces. Without Practitioner Su’s compassionate Chao Du, these spaces would remain as they are, and it would be nearly impossible for these spirits to ever find their way out. I cannot help but lament how human selfishness sows the seeds of such calamity. So many spaces across the Earth have been created by this selfishness. All disasters are ultimately caused by the human heart. If only the human heart could be transformed, there would be no need for such suffering.

Namo Amituofo."

Venerable Chang Gao