The Burden of a Legacy: A Reflection on Chung Tai Chan Monastery

Grand Master Wei Chueh, the founder of the renowned Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan, reflects on his life's work, the immense challenges of establishing a global Buddhist institution, and his ultimate realisation regarding the true path to rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Having sought spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia after his passing, he now resides in the Dharma-Nature Land. This interview was recorded on February 7, 2021.

Grand Master Wei Chueh speaks:

The Vision of a World-Class Monastery

"What kind of vow creates a 'Chung Tai World'? What kind of power drives these practitioners along the Bodhi path? It was the Buddha's vow—a heart mirroring Shakyamuni Buddha’s 'flower-twirling smile'—that created the world's largest Buddhist temple, Chung Tai Chan Monastery. It became a landmark in Taiwan, attracting tourists from every corner of the globe. Many have asked with confusion: 'Why spend so much money to build this temple?' Our vision was to leave a legacy for ten thousand generations, to draw people in to visit. Those outside the faith judge by the exterior: 'What a magnificent, solemn Buddha statue!' The pure environment brings peace to those who enter. But the 'insiders'—architects, artists, scientists, educators, and fellow practitioners—each find their own profound experiences within."

"Architects look at the design and wonder how such a structure could even exist. During construction, standard machinery could not easily handle the uppermost lotus pedestal; it was a monumental engineering feat. The materials used were built to last for centuries, and the massive 'Emperor Stone' tiles even won architectural design awards. Artists are left in awe of the relief carvings on the ceiling, which were hand-painted by artists who had to work while suspended upside down. One can only imagine the immense hardship they endured to create such beauty."

From Lingquan to Chung Tai

"From the Shifang Jue Temple in Keelung to the Lingquan Temple in Wanli, and finally the construction of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Puli, we held intensive Chan retreats for university students. I often taught: 'When the frantic mind suddenly ceases, that cessation is Bodhi.' This allowed busy people to calm their minds and apply themselves to practice. After these retreats, participants were filled with Dharma joy, gained insights, and vowed to save sentient beings. Many even took the precepts and were ordained together. Some were well-known figures whose sudden renunciation of the mundane world caused quite a stir in society. At the time, I was involved in politics—during the first direct presidential election, I stood up to support Lien Chan, which led to attacks and egg-throwing from the Democratic Progressive Party. All of this occurred under my leadership."

The Truth Behind the Grandeur

"Namo Amituofo's discourse: 'A lifetime of practice, early realisation of one's true nature. Yet, unable to truly let go of worldly attachments. This brought about a body full of illness and suffering. Why did one not see the true path of Goodness?'

"From Keelung to Wanli and finally Puli, following the Dharma lineage of Chan Master Hsu Yun, I built the most spectacular monastery in the world. This was all due to the support of lay practitioners. In the beginning at Lingquan Temple, we held forty-nine-day intensive Chan retreats, discussing everything from the basics to the heart-mind teachings of Bodhidharma. Some participants gained insight and chose to ordain. Then, dedicated lay practitioners began fundraising. Everyone worked tirelessly to introduce the Buddha's teachings for the sake of the temple. Back at Lingquan Temple, many did not know that Wei Chueh was a master who had realised his true nature. For the sake of convenience, when lay practitioners came to ask for advice—especially regarding business—I would offer guidance. They would then make a fortune, and word spread. Soon, everyone claimed they wanted to learn Chan, but in reality, they only wanted to get rich. A Bodhisattva saves beings according to their conditions; we did not expose their motives but used 'skillful means' to remind them of the importance of practice."

The Weight of Karma

"Lay practitioners often arranged dinners for me to fundraise in wealthy homes. Some monastics raised funds in the name of temple construction—for example, sponsoring one of the five hundred Arhat statues for one million dollars. At the time, we didn't even calculate the total cost; we just raised as much as possible. Because the economy was booming and the stock market was soaring, we caught the financial tailwind and raised an unbelievable amount of money. Rumours circulated that I had realised my true nature; I neither confirmed nor denied it, leaving it for the lay practitioners to judge. I continued to meditate daily, stabilising my heart and working even harder for the temple's construction."

"Indeed, few in the Buddhist community possessed such deep meditative concentration. In the north, there was Venerable Sheng Yen of Nung Chan Monastery; in the south, Master Hsing Yun; and in the central region, I, Wei Chueh, represented the Chan school. We were the representative figures of Buddhism. At the time, Venerable Master Chin Kung was also travelling everywhere giving lectures, as was Master Hui Li. We all worked to teach the Dharma and save beings, each with our own followers on the path of practice."

The Red Light of the Physical Body

"Once we had sufficient funds, we began construction based on the designs of the famous architect C.Y. Lee. For years, I ran back and forth day and night. I told myself that for the sake of saving beings, no amount of busyness was too much. Yet, unknowingly, my physical body began to suffer from illness, and I had no time to attend to it. During my retreats in Hualien and at the Techi Reservoir, the excessive cold caused me great physical discomfort. It wasn't until the entire temple was completed—a masterpiece of academic, educational, artistic, scientific, and lifestyle integration—that I realised my body had turned on a red light. The physical body is but a false shell; I chose to ignore it."

"When the temple officially opened, it drained the last of my energy. We then built surrounding facilities, including restaurants and hotels, to accommodate visitors. But no matter how much money was spent on equipment or museums, the ultimate goal of building a temple must be to see if those seeking the Dharma can truly learn the Buddha's teachings. At Lingquan Temple, the lay practitioners who participated in intensive Chan retreats gained great insight, which helped spread the Dharma. To build Chung Tai, we established Buddhist colleges for both men and women, allowing more talent to focus on Chan practice."

The Reality of Donations and Departures

"Because we recruited so many disciples, we needed comprehensive facilities, all requiring financial support. I am grateful to the donors. I remember a lay practitioner from a famous electrical appliance company who donated two hundred million to build a private elementary school. Another lay practitioner, to fund the school's gymnasium, lived frugally in an attic while donating over one hundred million. I can only say that everyone understands: you cannot take your wealth with you when your last breath leaves you. If you donate to do good, it transforms into merit and Dharma wealth. Entrepreneurs also donated annually to the temple because it was a non-profit corporation, which provided tax benefits. This was why I encouraged giving during my Dharma talks."

"As the days passed, my physical discomfort grew. I mistakenly thought it was caused by the dampness and cold from my retreats. This torment lasted for over twenty years. Finally, I passed away due to complications from bone marrow degeneration at the age of ninety."

A Realisation in the Dharma-Nature Land

"Namo Amituofo's discourse: 'Dedicated to building a Buddha-bodhimanda. Though one sees the Dharma spread far and wide, one has not truly understood the ultimate meaning. In the end, one cannot leave the dust of the world behind.'

"After Chung Tai Chan Monastery was completed, I travelled everywhere teaching, hoping many would learn Chan. In truth, when I ordained at twenty-one, I practiced the Pure Land Dharma Gate. I studied Chan under Elder Master Ling Yuan at the Shifang Dajue Chan Temple in Keelung and practiced diligently for years. I never expected that physical illness would lead to my departure from the human world. My passing left many followers heartbroken. It was only after I arrived here, through the causal conditions of Lay Practitioner Jiang, that I began to learn the Buddha's teachings from Practitioner Su. Lay Practitioner Jiang knew I had passed, and Practitioner Su, with great compassion, saved my spirit and allowed me to listen to the sutras in the Dharma-Nature Land."

"At that moment, I saw the sins I had created. The larger the temple, the greater the sins I had committed. I speak of this now as a warning to the world. My sin was the 'heart-gouging hell.' I used the wealth of the ten directions to build temples and schools. My original motive was to promote Buddhist education and socialise the Dharma so that everyone could learn. Yet, in the end, not a single person attained rebirth in the Pure Land, and no one had truly realised their true nature."

The Hidden Truths of a Large Organisation

"In reality, when facing monastics and lay practitioners, one must use 'skillful means' to address their private, so-called 'special needs.' For example, a major donor wants to be respected; if their child makes a mistake at school, they expect special treatment. Some monastics who enter with large sums of money expect higher status or advantages. I almost always forbade this, but behind the scenes, privileges and secret operations did exist. As the number of disciples and followers grew, the karma I carried was beyond what an ordinary person could understand. Coupled with my own karmic creditors and the constant need to maintain 'Right Thought,' even the slightest partiality resulted in karmic retribution. Ultimately, I could not attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. I could not master my own fate when illness struck, and I was controlled by the demon crowds. As the saying goes, 'a tall tree catches the wind.' Chung Tai now has 108 meditation centres worldwide. If one walks the correct path, one will save countless beings; if one deviates from the righteous path, one will bring disaster upon them, a debt difficult to repay."

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

"Since my spirit was lifted and I listened to Practitioner Su's lectures in the Dharma-Nature Land, I finally understood what true practice is—a heart that is empty, clean, and pure. Looking back, my heart was not pure enough, which is why I could not escape illness and death. Even though my disciples packaged me as 'walking freely through the red dust,' I could not attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land because the suffering of my physical body was real. Only by not violating the Universal Principles can one attain rebirth. Seeing Practitioner Su's Dharma-Body Visualisation Deliverance, I realised that my practice had deviated from the righteous path."

"Every time I witness the reality of the Dharma Assembly's deliverance, I am moved to tears. Practitioner Su's Dharma-Body Deliverance, his willingness to bear the suffering of sentient beings—the scope of this deliverance is beyond words. Beyond the six realms and the nine Dharma realms, whether it be space, Universal Bodhisattvas, outer space, the physical world, plants, trees, animals, or the spirits of the twenty-eight heavens—all are delivered by his Dharma-Body Visualisation, following the light to depart. This is the mark of a truly cultivated and virtuous being. Bearing the suffering of others is something no ordinary person could achieve."

A Global Mission of Deliverance

"The ancestral masters, Universal Bodhisattvas, Milky Way Bodhisattvas, and the New Buddha-Name Chanting Team are all chanting together, circling the Earth, chanting every second to return to the path. The karmic creditors cannot let go of their hatred, and the one who resolves these conflicts is Practitioner Su. The suffering Practitioner Su endures can only be described by the word 'compassion.' Only with the Buddha's mind-capacity and tolerance can one help beings leave suffering and gain happiness. This is the unchanging truth of the universe. The uniqueness of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre lies in the fact that Namo Amituofo abides here, and Practitioner Su manifests as a 'flesh-body Buddha.' He brings rain when requested; he is the cradle for those who truly wish to realise their true nature, the source of the responsibility to pass on the Buddha's teachings, and a true Pure Land chanting bodhimanda."

"Seeing that the disciples and followers who once followed me could not attain rebirth is truly tragic! Fortunately, I now follow Practitioner Su in chanting and deliverance, which helps some of my disciples and followers attain rebirth. Compassionate Practitioner Su invited me from the hells to the Dharma-Nature Land to listen to the sutras. I see every Dharma assembly and the application of Dharma-Body Deliverance; as his mind-capacity grows, the scope of deliverance expands. Like our current mission of chanting while circling the Earth—with the world affected by the pandemic and beings in a state of unrest, it is Practitioner Su who bears the suffering of beings, seeking to correct the path of the Earth."

Purifying the World

"In every province of mainland China, in the capitals of every dynasty—Beijing, Nanjing, Chang'an—there are countless billions of Practitioner Su's manifestations, chanting the Buddha's name. Bathed in Buddha-light, the spirits instantly hear the chanting and follow the light to depart. In Japan, the lonely souls, soldiers, and the spirits of deep-sea fish and shrimp—all are purified and bathed in Buddha-light by Practitioner Su's countless manifestations, allowing them to depart. In Singapore and Malaysia, places Practitioner Su has visited, spirits come to seek deliverance. Seeing his familiar figure, they follow him in chanting. Only then did I realise that these countless manifestations are his Dharma-Body Deliverance, purifying and guiding them to rebirth."

"Hong Kong, once an international trade centre, now faces uncertainty. Through Practitioner Su's compassion and the illumination of Buddha-light, the old Hong Kongers are chanting to seek rebirth. Even the food they eat—seafood, squab, shark fin, abalone, monkey brains—is bathed in Buddha-light and purified. They chant to seek rebirth, finally understanding that all things have a spirit. The horror of 'you eat me, I eat you' creates karma; he urges everyone to eat vegetarian food to nurture the compassion of the heart-nature."

"In Taiwan, for the disasters that have occurred—the 921 earthquake, the August 8 floods—the spirits of the deceased, including those in space, are awakened by Practitioner Su's compassionate light and guided to rebirth. He also purifies the spirits of generals, soldiers, and officers from the wars that took place on the island. Practitioner Su's countless manifestations show incomparable compassion, delivering the mountains, streams, and even the insects, flowers, and trees of Taiwan, allowing them all to attain this auspicious connection to rebirth."

The Cradle of True Practice

"In Australia, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is currently flourishing. The salvation group led by Practitioner Su listens to the sutras daily, and the weekly Thrice Yearning Ceremonies deliver countless beings. This has turned the arid Australian land into green fields, made the beautiful flower city of Toowoomba bloom in all seasons, and allowed the plants, trees, and earth of Goombungee to attain this magnificent connection to follow the light and depart. The Buddha is here; Namo Amituofo abides here. Practitioner Su manifests to teach the Dharma and perform Dharma-Body Deliverance, saving all sentient beings according to the Universal Principles. Though he bears the suffering of beings, he remains tireless, doing his utmost to save them. For billions of years, beings in the universe have needed salvation, and for the first time, they have encountered a 'Westerner' with the same mind-capacity as the Buddha—Practitioner Su. He chants, bathes them in Buddha-light, purifies them, and guides them to listen to the sutras and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

"Practitioner Su uses Dharma-Body Deliverance, chanting, and Buddha-light illumination simultaneously, with countless billions of manifestations, delivering beings with incredible speed. I have never seen such a sight; it has truly broadened my horizons. If the monastics at Chung Tai Chan Monastery could hear this great Dharma and visit Australia, it would be of immense help. However, the very structure of Chung Tai—with its many disciples and lay patrons who are high-level entrepreneurs and intellectuals—has created a very complete system. Duties are clearly assigned, and every 'Chung Tai person' is trained in crisis management. If external news threatens the monastery's reputation, it is reported and handled immediately. Thus, Chung Tai members do not easily believe external information."

"Chung Tai's human resource management operates like a large corporation, protecting the monastery while ensuring the public believes in the Dharma. Why choose Chung Tai? We can see that the monastics possess a unique dignity and temperament. Chung Tai holds its own three-month ordination period, polishing a raw gem into a diamond. External ordinations only last one month, which is insufficient to change behaviour. Now, because several precept masters have passed away, monastics must attend external ordinations, which affects their thinking and habits. Upon returning, they undergo further training in deportment. Thus, Chung Tai's monastics are different; every movement, every action, is disciplined. By applying professional management, the monastery is always open for visitors, showing that the monastics maintain 'awareness'—this is called meditative concentration. But no matter how much concentration one has, if one cannot chant the Buddha's name at the moment of death, it is all in vain. Fortunately, my causal conditions allowed me to meet Practitioner Su here. I believe that one day, Chung Tai's lay practitioners or monastics will encounter the Pure Land Dharma Gate and visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Only then will they realise how magnificent the Pure Land path is and how vast the compassion of Dharma-Body Deliverance truly is. Most of Chung Tai's monastics have high potential; if they truly vow to save beings, they will surely realise their true nature, save immeasurable beings, and achieve Buddhahood themselves."

"Namo Amituofo."

Recorded by the disciple Shi Hai Liang.