Seeing the Truth of Samsara

This is a record of an interview with Ye Tian, a spirit who lived approximately 870 years ago. He sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded on March 5, 2019, by the chief writer, Shi Fajing.

Ye Tian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Ye Tian. The poet Su Dongpo once wrote: 'Looking at the mountain from the side, it forms a peak; from afar, near, high, or low, it appears different. One cannot recognise the true face of Mount Lu, simply because one is within the mountain.' These profound words perfectly capture the state of my heart during that lifetime. For thirty-six years, I drifted aimlessly through the vast, confusing maze of human existence, completely unable to see the truth of the cycle of rebirth. I did not understand the preciousness of life, nor did I realise how incredibly difficult it is to obtain a human body. It was only after I finally stepped out of that metaphorical mountain that I truly saw its real face and understood the nature of my own existence."

A Childhood of Simple Joys and Hardship

"My mother endured a long, painful night of labour before bringing me into the light of a new morning. Ours was a very simple, humble, and honest family. My grandmother prepared nourishing tonics for my mother during her confinement, and as she watched me grow, she was filled with immense joy, knowing the Ye family finally had an heir. To provide a better life for us, my father worked tirelessly, often labouring day and night without rest. My mother, pained by his exhaustion, kept our home immaculate so he would have a comfortable, peaceful environment to rest upon his return. My grandparents, wanting to see me smile, would often bring home small toys or new clothes whenever they went out. Though we had very little money, the whole family was willing to live frugally just so I could be a happy child who never went hungry or cold.

Our quiet, predictable life became vibrant and full of energy after I was born. The house was constantly filled with the sounds of play, the cries of a child, and the laughter of family. As I grew older, I began to hear the voices of my parents guiding me and the sounds of my own playful antics. Before long, the cries of a newborn filled our home again—my younger brother, Ye Chang, had arrived, making our household even livelier. To ease my father's burden, my mother began sewing at home to earn extra income. Whenever she worked, my grandparents took care of us. I was a mischievous child; I would climb trees, and my younger brother, too small to follow, would cry out from below, demanding to join me. I would make faces at him, refusing to let him up. One day, my foot slipped, and I tumbled to the ground. I cried out in agony, and my family rushed out to find me sprawled on the earth. That fall injured my leg, and the doctor ordered me to stay in bed. Being young, I eventually healed, but I was always covered in scrapes and bruises. My family was torn between pity and frustration, wondering when I would finally become an obedient child."

The Weight of Expectations

"Hearing that business could bring more wealth, my father discussed with the family whether he should change his trade. My grandparents gave him all their savings, and with what they could scrape together, we opened a noodle shop. Everyone praised my mother's cooking, so she became the head chef, while my father greeted customers, kept the accounts, and ran errands. My brother and I were left in the care of our grandparents. My parents would return home late at night, and often, my brother and I would already be fast asleep. My mother would open the door, see us sleeping soundly with our blankets kicked aside, and gently tuck us in. Seeing us growing healthily, all her fatigue would vanish in an instant.

As my brother and I grew, our parents saved every penny to send us to school. This was their greatest wish, for they had never had the opportunity to learn to read or write and had lived a life of hardship. We became their hope. Seeing their toil, I grew more sensible with each passing year, determined to take care of myself so they would not worry. Since they spent their hard-earned money on our education, I was determined to study well."

A Chance Encounter with the Truth

"After several years of study, I became literate and memorised various classics and ancient texts. I was a clever student, but I had no interest in becoming an official; I only wanted to find simple work to earn money. Just as I began my search, my father fell ill, and I had to take over the noodle shop. People mocked me, saying, 'What is the use of reading books? You should have taken over your father's work sooner, and he would not have fallen ill from exhaustion.' I was a filial son, and hearing this, I felt deep remorse, believing I was the cause of his illness. To help him recover, I worked even harder at the shop and bought the finest medicine for him. My father told me, 'The business is stable now, and we no longer need to worry about our livelihood. Why not take this chance to marry and give me a grandchild to hold?' My father had never had personal desires; he had spent his life working to support us. Since this was his rare wish, I was determined to fulfil it.

There was a female customer who frequented our shop. The elders said she had an interest in me. Although I felt no spark, I decided to pursue a relationship with her to satisfy my father's wish. We married within three months, and half a year later, she was pregnant. When I told my father, he smiled brilliantly—a sight I rarely saw. He said, 'After twenty years, I finally have a grandchild to look forward to.'"

Awakening to the Reality of Samsara

"The thought of his grandchild brought my father joy, and his health gradually improved. Ten months passed, and a healthy baby boy was born. With another mouth to feed, I worked even harder, just as my father had done in his youth. I accepted this life as natural, believing every family lived this way. One day, while working at the shop, I saw a monk approaching. His face seemed familiar, but I could not place it. I was so distracted that I overcooked the noodles. As I started a new batch, it hit me: 'That is Meng Chang, who sat next to me in school!' I was shocked to see him as a monk. He walked toward me with such dignity and grace. I bowed respectfully, and he said, 'It has been years, and you do not even recognise me? You were so lost in thought that you ruined your noodles.' I scratched my head in embarrassment, saying, 'I did not expect my memory to degenerate so quickly. I used to be the top student in our class!' He replied, 'The years of this world make one old, its afflictions bring worry, and its sorrows are endless. Year after year, our physical strength fades.' I could hardly believe this was my classmate, who had once been the slowest student in class. Now, he was radiant, his Dharma appearance youthful and dignified. He spent some time introducing me to the Buddha's teachings, and I finally understood the value of practising the Dharma.

I felt as if I had awakened from a great dream. Through his guidance, I finally saw the true face of Mount Lu. This world is nothing more than this: people marry, have children, toil endlessly, and eventually follow the path of sickness, old age, and death. Where do we go after death? I did not know, but no matter which realm we enter, we continue to suffer in the cycle of rebirth."

A Final Path to Liberation

"Back home, looking at my wife cooking and my son waiting to be fed, I sighed, 'All these years of worry were because this was not the life I truly wanted. Meeting my old classmate was a Causal Condition. I yearn for a life of practice; if I could, I would become a monk.' I knew I could not leave home in this life, but I could still choose to practise. From that day on, outside of work, I kept the holy name of Namo Amituofo in my heart. I changed myself through practice and led my wife and son to learn the Buddha's teachings. To my surprise, after hearing the Dharma, my wife regretted our marriage even more. The purity she felt while chanting Namo Amituofo was something she had never experienced before. Learning the Dharma changed her personality, making her heart more peaceful. My son’s temperament also changed significantly through the teachings. My elderly parents, introduced to the practice by me, also began chanting and learning, and their spirits improved immensely. This change gave our whole family complete faith in the Buddha's teachings, knowing this was the path we all should take.

When my son was in his teens, my wife fulfilled my wish, allowing me to enter the temple to become a monk. I had experienced everything in life except holding a grandchild. At thirty-six, I cherished the precious Dharma more than anyone else and practised with diligent practice in the temple. My physical strength was not what it used to be, and my memory was fading, but I used every method to train my body. To save beings, I was willing to break through any hardship with a firm heart."

Gratitude to Practitioner Su

"Although I did not become a monk until I was thirty-six, I do not complain. I am grateful for that life, for it allowed me to realise so much more. Many people in this world are still 'in the mountain looking at the mountain,' unable to see its true form from any direction. I have brought people out of the mountain to see the truth. This world is not a playground; once life is over, there is no starting again. If one misses the Causal Conditions to learn the Buddha's teachings, one must re-enter the cycle of rebirth. I am grateful that in this ordinary life, I had the chance to encounter the magnificent Buddha's teachings, allowing my spirit to find liberation and return to the Western Pure Land.

This magnificent Dharma is rare and difficult to hear. Sentient beings in the universe have finally heard this great Dharma. Some weep after hearing Practitioner Su speak on a single sutra; others awaken from the space they were trapped in upon hearing the holy name of Namo Amituofo. All spirits know the preciousness of the Buddha's teachings. They cherish this Causal Condition, which has not existed for millions of years, and urgently seek Chao Du from Practitioner Su.

The Milky Way contains all kinds of planets. What humans see with scientific instruments is but a tiny speck in the immeasurable and boundless universe. The true universe cannot be seen with technology. In terms of dimensions, there are countless layers of space. Yet, Practitioner Su can easily penetrate these spaces to perform Chao Du in the Milky Way. This skill is possessed by Practitioner Su alone in this world. It is not that Practitioner Su possesses a supernatural body, but that he has truly made the Ultimate Vow like Namo Amituofo, with true faith, true vows, and true practice. I am filled with gratitude and admiration for Practitioner Su's compassion. Namo Amituofo."

Recorded by the disciple of the Buddha, Shi Fajing.

Namo Amituofo.