The Arrogant Monastic and the Mayfly's Plea
An Interview with a Spirit Seeking Deliverance through Practitioner Su
Recorded on February 20, 2018
This is a record of an interview with a spirit currently manifesting as a mayfly, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. The spirit reflects upon a past life as a monastic and the karmic consequences that led to its current state. This testimony was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on February 20, 2018.
The Spirit of the Mayfly speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. We are here because we felt the presence of Practitioner Su. For sentient beings like us, it is much like the mayflies that gather before a great rain—when we see the light, we are drawn to it, clustering together in our desperation. We are deeply grateful that Practitioner Su acknowledged our existence. It is only because of this that we were permitted to approach her ears, allowing her to sense us, and thus granting us the opportunity to be saved through Chao Du.
Though our lives seem so insignificant—our wings fall off at the slightest touch, and we die only days after we are born—this brief, fleeting existence is what we call a lifetime. Within our swarm, many of us have endured this cycle for hundreds, even thousands of lifetimes. It is only because Practitioner Su mentioned us and opened up our space that we could come here. Only now do we have the chance to escape the retribution of being a mayfly and finally have the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Perhaps some are surprised that a mere mayfly can speak such words. The reason is simple: before I became a mayfly, I was a monastic."
The Fall from Grace
"I had many followers and disciples under my master. Yet, while I was surrounded by the , my heart was not pure. I spent my time flattering those in power, looking only at those who were influential, wealthy, or held high status. I only looked upward, never downward. I sought out those who could advance my career or bring me prestige, while completely ignoring the humble lay practitioners and the less-known monastics. I did not even spare them a glance.
My arrogance was profound. I treated those I deemed 'noble people' with the same reverence one should reserve for the Buddha, while treating others with utter contempt. Because of this hypocrisy, after I passed away, I was judged and sentenced to be reborn as a mayfly. For us, seeing light is like seeing a lifeline—it is our only hope for survival. My conduct was not merely a failure of a monastic's basic etiquette; it was a failure of basic human decency. That is why I received such a heavy retribution."
A Decade of Endless Cycles
"I have been a mayfly for nearly ten years now. I have died and been reborn countless times; I have lost count of how many lifetimes have passed in this state. Today, being able to be released from this cycle and to tell my story is a blessing beyond measure. I must express my deepest gratitude to Practitioner Su and to the great of Namo Amituofo.
Let my story serve as a warning to all monastics and laypeople in the world. Please, do not look down upon any small insect, any ant, or any mayfly. Every one of them is a life that has been reborn, and every one of them has a story and a reason for the that led them to become these crawling, flying, and creeping creatures. There are so many of us waiting for Practitioner Su to save us. We are eternally grateful to the Buddha!"
Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library