Spreading the Seeds of Goodness

On July 5, 2019, Venerable Yongning, a dedicated monastic who has sought deliverance through the teachings of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, shared his reflections on the recent Dharma assembly in Yilan. Currently residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Venerable Yongning provides a firsthand account of the transformative power of the Buddha-light and the compassionate efforts of Practitioner Su in guiding sentient beings toward the Western Pure Land.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Over the past week of Dharma talks, we have witnessed the transformation of countless spirits throughout the Yilan region. The spirits of the grass, the trees, the flowers, and even the rice stalks—all who listened felt a profound joy in their hearts. In the early mornings, they were illuminated by the Buddha-light of Practitioner Su and sought rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Most of these beings were local residents of Yilan in their past lives. Because they held such a deep affection for the scenery of their hometown and the simple, honest life of Yilan, they manifested as the very land itself, remaining here to protect it. They are all simple, honest folk. When they saw the arrival of the Buddha-light, they whispered to one another in the local Yilan dialect, discussing what they were witnessing. Seeing the very deities they had worshipped in life also arriving to follow the light, they all trailed behind those deities, rushing toward the radiance."

The Spirits of the Snow Mountain Tunnel

"As we were travelling through the Snow Mountain Tunnel from Pinglin into Yilan, the tunnel was filled with all manner of beings—crawling creatures, the spirits of stones, the spirits of the earth, tree spirits, birds, and beasts. There were also many spirits dwelling beneath the ground and those who had met with accidental deaths within the tunnel itself. The tunnel spans across many mountain ranges, which meant that all the spirits attached to those mountains were injured when the tunnel was carved out. They have remained trapped in the space of the tunnel ever since. Although Dharma assemblies for Chao Du had been held there previously, while a few were able to leave, the vast majority remained, with no place to go. Practitioner Su has been performing Chao Du here for several days now, and the magnetic field within the tunnel has gradually become much clearer and more serene."

A Celebration of Hope

"Beyond the tunnel, we traversed many mountain forests. The spirits of the stones, in particular, joyfully welcomed the arrival of the Buddha-light. Their spiritual energy was dancing with such delight that it was beyond description. Adults and children alike gathered around; the process of Chao Du felt like a joyous, grand celebration, bringing hope and aspiration to countless spirits. Everywhere Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body travels, it brings about such a magnificent era. Namo Amituofo resonates throughout the earth, and countless creatures dance with joy to welcome it. The Buddha’s teachings are the only hope for the six realms and the ten directions of the Dharma Realm. A single, ordinary practitioner of the Buddha’s teachings could never imagine that the Dharma could be manifested to such a vast extent."

The Sacrifice of the Practitioner

"The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has truly unlocked the Buddha’s teachings for the human world. Practitioner Su is able to reach the Western Pure Land; beyond using his Dharma Body to escort those who have passed away to the West, he can even enter the halls of the Yama Kings in the hells to negotiate. He does this solely to ensure that talented beings can remain within the Buddha’s teachings to develop their potential. This selfless, world-saving action often comes at a cost to Practitioner Su’s physical body. Many beings who do not yet understand the truth of reality may feel dissatisfied, thinking they are being interfered with, when in fact, he is trying to help them. This is why, for so many years, Practitioner Su’s physical body has had to bear such a heavy burden, working tirelessly in this worldly realm to help beings achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land."

Planting Seeds for the Future

"Because he sees that people in this dusty world suffer without knowing they are suffering, or know they are suffering but do not know how to find liberation, he uses these Dharma talks to help everyone untangle their knots. Every sentence of Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks is essential. Those who possess good roots and blessings can open their hearts and minds upon hearing them, immediately understanding how to walk the path toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land and how to help other beings. For those who hear but do not fully absorb the message, a seed of goodness is still planted within their Storehouse Consciousness. When the Causal Conditions are ripe in the future, these will certainly bear good fruit."

"The Causal Conditions of this Yilan Dharma Assembly have allowed the seeds of goodness of the Buddha’s teachings to be spread far and wide. When the conditions mature, everyone will come to understand the magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings—just like a harvest of rice, fragrant and sweet. We are currently in the sowing season, which is a time for following conditions, aligning with conditions, and fulfilling conditions. I am grateful for the Buddha’s compassion, and I hope that those who have already heard these teachings will cherish this connection even more, as the True Teachings take root and flourish here. Namo Amituofo. The magnificent Dharma is transmitted."

"Namo Amituofo. Yongning."

This interview message was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin.