Suzuki Toyoko’s Journey: Escaping the Chanting Space

The Illusion of Concentration

It was only after my transition that I realised the truth of my situation. Because of my deep attachment to the practice of chanting and my fixation on the Buddha-name, I had inadvertently fallen into a trap. When I was alive and chanting with such intense focus, I mistakenly believed that I had achieved the state of meditative concentration where the Buddha-name becomes one with the mind. In reality, I had not reached that state at all. Instead, I had entered a specific 'chanting space.' This space is a state of profound isolation where time seems to lose its meaning. One might remain there for a long or short duration, entirely unaware of the reality of the human world, simply repeating the same action over and over again in a loop of my own making.

I am an elderly woman with hair as white as snow. I offer my deepest, most sincere gratitude to Namo Amituofo, to all of you, to Lay Practitioner Yu Aiping, to Practitioner Su, and to every single practitioner at the Taihe Pure Land Society. Without your collective support, encouragement, and guidance, I would not be where I am today. I am Suzuki Toyoko, and I am now residing in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—the very place I held in my heart and mind throughout my entire life. I must also express my profound gratitude to my foundational teacher, the Venerable Master Chin Kung.

The Grace of Spiritual Guidance

It was through the teachings and transmissions of the Venerable Master Chin Kung that I became a practitioner who chants the name of Namo Amituofo. It was through the presence of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia that I was finally able to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It was through the Taihe Pure Land Society that I was able to engage in diligent group cultivation. When Lay Practitioner Yu conveyed the news of my passing to Practitioner Su, he immediately sought guidance from Namo Amituofo to determine if I had indeed reached the Western Pure Land. The Buddha provided the message that I was trapped in a 'space.' Because of our karmic affinity, I could be rescued and sent to the West. It is truly miraculous; I was delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in such an extraordinary way. I share this experience with all of you today so that you may learn from my journey.

Whenever Lay Practitioner Yu mentions my name, I seem to sense it from the Western Pure Land. It turns out he has been speaking of me at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. He was curious: since I had chanted the Buddha-name so well while at Taihe, why did I enter this 'chanting space' instead of going directly to the Western Pure Land upon my passing? I wish to offer this as a warning to all fellow practitioners. Had I not encountered Practitioner Su, I might still be in that space, chanting endlessly without reaching my true destination.

Defining True Attainment

I was extremely diligent in my practice because I feared that if my mind wandered or if I forgot the Buddha-name, I would miss my chance to reach the Western Pure Land should impermanence strike. I was so cautious that I rarely had time for idle conversation. At times, I would chant until I forgot myself entirely. I could not hear the voices of those around me; there was only the Buddha-name and my own existence, fused into one. I could chant while standing, sitting, or lying down. The Buddha-name was always in my heart. Now, I understand that my intense focus was actually an attachment—an attachment to the act of chanting itself. I mistook this deep immersion for the true state of meditative concentration, but it was merely a self-created space.

True meditative concentration is not like this. True attainment allows one to chant while moving and while still. It is a state where one is perfectly clear and aware. The Buddha-name is distinct, and the external environment is also clearly perceived. That is what we call true meditative concentration. Many thought that I had predicted the time of my passing and was received by the Buddha, but in truth, I had simply been chanting so intensely that I entered this 'chanting space.' In that state, I continued to chant, waiting for the Buddha to come and receive me. In reality, my physical body had already passed away, yet I remained in that space, waiting. I am so fortunate that my wait was not in vain.

The Rescue from the Void

I heard a voice echoing through that space: 'Suzuki Toyoko, Suzuki Toyoko, you are in a space. I am taking you directly to the West!' It was an unfamiliar voice, yet it was filled with such compassion that I did not hesitate. I knew that chanting was the most important thing. Suddenly, brilliant Buddha-light appeared all around me. I saw Namo Amituofo standing before me, and a powerful force guided me into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I saw the vast, golden earth, and I was filled with such joy. I had truly become a resident of the Western Pure Land.

It was the voice of Practitioner Su that opened my space and brought me into the Western Pure Land. Practitioner Su must be a manifestation of Namo Amituofo to possess such power. I am truly fortunate to have encountered Practitioner Su. We had never met in person, yet because Lay Practitioner Yu happened to be at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and mentioned my name, Practitioner Su was able to resonate with Namo Amituofo and discover my predicament. This entire sequence of events is difficult to believe; it is truly inconceivable and a rare encounter in millions of years. As the Infinite Life Sutra states, one cannot reach that land with only a small amount of Goodness, Blessings, and Causal Conditions. Had Lay Practitioner Yu not been at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre at that exact moment, I would still be trapped in that space.

A Final Warning to All Practitioners

I hope you all understand what true chanting is. You must be clear and aware, but you must not enter such a space. You must know exactly what you are doing. When your practice reaches a point of maturity, you must let go of the thought that 'I am chanting.' At that point, you cannot be attached to the Buddha-name; it will emerge naturally. You will chant without interruption, yet you will remain fully aware of your surroundings and your duties. That is the true state of meditative concentration. I hope my personal experience serves as a guide so that you may avoid following in my footsteps. I offer my deepest gratitude to everyone. (I bow deeply in respect.) Namo Amituofo.

This testimony was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.