The Boundless Magnificence of the Dharma Assembly
An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Reflections on the Power of Deliverance
This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who reflects on the profound nature of the assemblies held at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on July 15, 2019.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Yongning. The reach of Dharma affinity is truly boundless. During the magnificent Dharma assembly, every cell in of a participant can feel the power of the occasion. One can deeply sense the state of mind required for the ceremony—whether one is truly present or still distracted by delusions, messy thoughts, or concerns about one's own physical discomfort.
A Realm Crowded with Spirits
The site of the ceremony is filled with countless sentient beings, so crowded that it feels almost impenetrable. This is especially true during the chanting of the Buddha-name. At that moment, an infinite number of beings move together toward the golden light, following their to either the path of Goodness or the Western Pure Land. The sentient beings residing within one's own body are particularly sensitive to this; they feel the entire body being illuminated by the Buddha-light. Seeing such a grand and magnificent scene unfolding before them, these spirits are all desperate to be saved. They are filled with curiosity and a deep longing to follow the assembly and depart from their suffering. At such times, it is inevitable that the physical body may feel some discomfort. This is a test given by the beings themselves—they wish to bring their to a final conclusion, and they are also testing the perseverance and sincerity of the participant. Therefore, the best approach is to remain completely focused on the sutra text or the Buddha-name. When your eyes are fixed on the sacred text, it signifies that every cell in your body, along with your karmic creditors, can also feel the Dharma.
The Reach of the
When participating in this Dharma assembly, Practitioner Su opens the void, and his Dharma Body travels to various places to deliver sentient beings. At this very moment, the sound of the Buddha-name from those circumambulating the Buddha resonates throughout the Dharma Realm, following the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su. The power and virtue of a single Buddha-name allow countless spirits to turn their hearts and receive the Dharma. Every single recitation of the Buddha-name serves to save all the spirits throughout the infinite void. Naturally, the grand spectacle of these myriad spirits heading toward the Western Pure Land is something that one's own internal beings can also feel as they join in the circumambulation, moving together toward the Western Land.
The Call to Awaken
When the sound of the drums begins to echo through the Dharma assembly, the spirits have already taken their places. This vast multitude of beings listens intently to the Buddha’s words and the teachings of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju. With just a few words of guidance from Practitioner Su, many beings who were not yet clear-headed or who were hesitant to seek liberation come to understand the importance of departing. They realise the necessity of letting go of their attachments and the dust of the world, and they finally understand that it was their own greed and attachment that kept them trapped within the six realms of existence, unable to find a way out.
A Transformation of the Universe
With Namo Amituofo leading the ceremony, the towering golden light is boundless. All the Buddhas are gathered before our eyes, and the patriarchs and venerable masters take their positions at the start of the deliverance to lead the sentient beings. It is as if a great shift in space has occurred. The physical world—wishing to be as free as the wind, mountains & rivers—is blessed, and immeasurable historical spaces are unlocked. Wherever the Buddha-light and the Buddha-name reach, the beings are shaken to their core. Beings from the insect realms, the deep earth, the glaciers, the volcanoes, and the geothermal vents—an infinite number of beings—shed their outer garments, return to their original nature, and seek the light.
The Inconceivable Merit of Deliverance
The deliverance of the Dharma Realm is a magnificent and boundless era. After the dedication of merit, Practitioner Su’s words, 'The merit is immeasurable,' are truly accurate. The deliverance is boundless, and the Buddha-name chanted by every participant is a source of immeasurable merit. Namo Amituofo is truly inconceivable, leading the masses to transcend life and death. This is a real, authentic deliverance—boundless and magnificent. Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang
A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi
This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to the Pure Land.
A Reflection from the Western Pure Land
This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.
The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing
Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Burden of a Historical Name
This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.
The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land
A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.
About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library