This interview was recorded on September 23, 2018, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. Venerable Chuan Ben, the 856th Venerable, shares his profound journey of seeking deliverance and his return to the human world to fulfil his sacred vows. Having resided in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss for over a millennium, he offers guidance on the path of practice and the importance of saving sentient beings.
Venerable Chuan Ben speaks:
". Practicing Buddhism is not merely about debating the meanings within the sutras. It is about truly putting the principles taught in the scriptures into practice in our daily lives. We must find the point of within our living—in the act of eating, in the act of sleeping. The most simple and ordinary aspects of life can allow you to realise your true nature, helping both yourself and all sentient beings to break through delusion and attain enlightenment.
A Life of Purity and Vows
The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is paved with gold, adorned with various treasure trees, leaves, and beautiful fruits, all composed of precious jewels. The scenery before me is pure, stable, subtle, and joyful, manifesting instantly upon a single thought. We maintain a state of purity and at all times, manifesting whatever world we desire according to our hearts. Those who have accumulated Goodness gather here; there is no evil, no idle thoughts, and no distractions. Namo Amituofo, our Teaching Master, explains the 24/7. The sound of the Dharma resonates continuously, and the teachings we hear manifest according to the individual mental notes of each being, allowing us to hear the great sutras and treatises that suit our needs. These teachings are all based on Goodness, with the purpose of saving beings. I have enjoyed a very long time in the Western Pure Land. Here, life is long; everyone possesses infinite life. I constantly hear from the Dharma the importance of saving sentient beings. The worldly realm is filled with endless suffering, but as long as one generates a heart of , one can save immeasurable numbers of spirits.
I once saw the I had harmed over many lifetimes, all still waiting for my appearance in the space between realms. These spirits possessed intense of vengeance, binding themselves tightly within that space. They held onto hatred at every moment; revenge was the greatest motivation for their existence. Seeing this from the Western Pure Land, my heart was filled with sorrow. I knelt sincerely before the Buddha and made a vow, after which I descended into the human world.
The Tradition of the Chuan Family
I was born into a wealthy family. The authority of this household rested in the hands of my grandfather. Every decision made by the Chuan family had to be approved by him. Our family valued discipline; life could not be without rules. This was not a boring, rigid existence, but a way to restrain us from having too many selfish thoughts and to prevent us from creating unnecessary . When I was born, my grandfather was the first to stand outside the door, waiting to welcome this little life. The Chuan family had a tradition: whenever a child was born, the eldest elder of the family had to hold the infant and recite the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo' ten times, blessing the child with a life of peace, health, purity, and joy. My grandfather recited the Buddha-name ten times for me and told me: 'The Chuan family is merely a bridge for Chuan Ben to come into this world. The relationship between us is classified by worldly people as grandfather and grandson, but in truth, we are different individual spirits. In this lifetime, Chuan Ben has come to the Chuan family with a vow to save the world. This has been the Ultimate Vow of our family since ancient times. Although many ancestors have performed good deeds, none have truly let go of the shackles of the world to dedicate themselves entirely to sentient beings. Grandfather hopes that Chuan Ben will be the first descendant to fulfil this Ultimate Vow, not only helping our family but saving the entire world.' My grandmother tugged at my grandfather's sleeve and said, 'You have said so much, but Chuan Ben cannot understand a word of it. Quickly, let us hold him!' My grandmother immediately took me from my grandfather's arms, and my mother held me with joy. I was born with a dignified face, looking both adorable and approachable. The curve of a smile on my lips was innate; even when I was expressionless, I still appeared to be smiling.
Guided by the Heart
In this home, the person closest to me was not my mother, but my grandfather. I loved being with him most because he understood my heart best. Although I had a desire to transcend the secular world, I was still young and could not yet articulate my true thoughts. I felt that the desires pursued by everyone in the world were not things I wanted to chase. I had no intention of following the growth path laid out for worldly people. No matter how much money my mother spent on my training in swordsmanship, music, or painting, I had no interest whatsoever. My grandfather had long seen through my heart. He told my mother clearly: 'Let me take care of Chuan Ben. He is different from ordinary children; I know how to teach him.' My mother naturally listened to my grandfather. She stopped all the courses she had arranged for me and handed me over to him for guidance.
Being by my grandfather's side, my heart found a stability I had never known before. He did not teach me profound knowledge; he only taught me to recite 'Namo Amituofo'. He taught me to recite it sincerely, to let it enter my heart, and to reach a state of one-pointed concentration. For three years, my grandfather took me travelling through various countries, observing different customs, lifestyles, and human hearts. After travelling for so long and interacting with different people, I realised that humans are only different in their living environments, cultures, and customs; everything else is the same. The heart suffers in the world, and ages with time. Wherever the Buddha’s teachings do not exist, no one's heart is at peace. Through those three years, I finally understood the importance of the Dharma.
to the Mission
By the age of fifteen, under the guidance of the Dharma, I was already different from other children of my age, both in appearance and character. I possessed a dignified demeanour, a face of perfect wisdom, and most importantly, a heart that sought liberation. I did not intend to stay in this world for long. Unless I had the ability to help the people of this world, the longer I stayed, the more I would lose my original nature. At seventeen, I saw my past. I saw that I had once been a monk in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and in order to save my connected sentient beings, I had reincarnated into the human world. I understood my mission. Whether I lived to be fifty, sixty, seventy, or eighty, I would grasp every moment tightly, because my sentient beings were waiting for this lifetime to be saved by me. Once time is lost, it never returns. By living in every 'now' and saving the connected beings around me in that moment, without thinking of the past or worrying about the future, I could truly master every moment of life.
At twenty, to become someone more capable of helping beings, I eventually had to leave my grandfather and family to seek the Dharma in a monastery. At twenty-three, I became a monk. I am grateful to my fellow practitioner—my grandfather—who found this path of Buddhism for me during my most confused childhood. I am grateful to my fellow practitioner for encouraging me when I was at my lowest and for supporting me when I sought to progress. Now that I am a monk, my goal in the world is to save sentient beings. After ten years of practice, I attained Awakening at the age of thirty. I followed the teachings of Namo Amituofo throughout my life, following the instructions, saving beings in every moment, and continuing to help them until the very last moment of my life.
A Final Return
At the moment my spirit left my body, I let go of everything in the world, sincerely and earnestly recited the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo', stepped onto a lotus flower, and was reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In this lifetime, following the vow I made, I not only saved my karmic creditors but also the spirits connected to me. This life was not lived in vain.
Practitioner Su is a great teacher for many. If people in this world can recognise Practitioner Su and follow her to practice, they will surely attain liberation in this lifetime, for Practitioner Su is one who has truly realised the Buddha-fruit. The wisdom and foresight possessed by Practitioner Su cannot be compared to that of ordinary people. What worldly people think about is always limited to worldly ideas, but Practitioner Su possesses the wisdom of both the world and beyond the world. She transcends all worldly people and can apply the Buddha’s teachings in the world, remaining unattached to the various enjoyments of the world while teaching the Dharma. Hearing one word from the Buddha is better than reading for ten years. If you can follow the footsteps of Practitioner Su and move forward with steadfast resolve, you will surely attain great achievement, advance bravely on the path to Bodhi, and eventually return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Practitioner Su performs using her . Since the appearance of Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body in the universe, there has been an endless stream of spirits returning to the Western Land. A single 'Namo Amituofo' can save countless spirits. Practice can be very simple; it lies only in the two words: 'letting go'. Learn from Practitioner Su’s simplicity, ease, compassion, and mind-capacity. Learn not to pursue complex academic theories, and you too will be able to be reborn in the Western Land with ease at the end of your life. You will have attained great achievement in this lifetime.
Recorded by the disciple of the Buddha, Shi Fajing."
