The Call to Learn the True Skills
The Forty-Third Letter from Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Recorded on August 1, 2017
This article presents the forty-third letter from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who now resides in the of Ultimate Bliss. This message was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 1, 2017, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, where the Master sought to convey his urgent guidance to his disciples.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Sheng Yen. I am reaching out from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to address my disciples, specifically the twelve heirs of Dharma Drum Mountain. To save everyone's wisdom-life, and to honour the Causal Conditions of this human world, you must have faith in this place. You must make the journey here at least once. It is absolutely essential."
The Hidden Reality of
"Everyone in the world knows that the hells exist, yet almost everyone believes that the hells have nothing to do with them personally. This is a grave error. From where I stand now, I can see the truth clearly. Every single person is surrounded by beings from the hells who have come to seek revenge. Each of your karmic creditors carries a token issued by the King of Hell. These tokens are not mere symbols; they are inscribed with precise, effective time. Your karmic creditors are waiting, watching the clock, and when that time arrives, they will come to collect their due. When they begin their retribution, you will fall ill. I have witnessed countless examples of this among lay practitioners and Bodhisattvas. My children, do you not fear that your own karmic creditors are waiting in the shadows? Do you truly believe you have no part in the hells?"
A Sanctuary of
"The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, located in the magnificent, sacred grounds of Australia, is a place of profound significance. The reason such a place exists is due to the boundless compassion of the Buddha. Namo Amituofo has come to this world in person, residing here to establish the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Everything here is conducted in strict accordance with the Buddha's will. I have seen this with my own eyes, and I see it very clearly. My first hope is that my twelve Dharma heirs will come here to witness it for themselves."
A Final Plea to My Disciples
"The more clearly I see the situation, the more my heart aches. I am deeply worried for all of you, my children. I have looked at each of you, and I can see that your complexions are not well. There are secrets hidden within your spirits—secrets that can only be unravelled by coming here. As the leaders of the Dharma Drum Mountain lineage, you must not falter. You must not collapse under the weight of these unseen burdens.
The skills practised here are something you must investigate; you must participate. You must believe my words. I have said before that I will always be the mentor of Dharma Drum Mountain. From what I see now, this place offers a truly magnificent Dharma affinity. I am urging you to come and learn. Once you have mastered these skills, you will first save your own wisdom-life, and then you will be able to save Dharma Drum Mountain and the masses in the wider world. I am pleading with you again and again: only by coming here can you achieve a breakthrough. I will be waiting for all of you."
Namo Amituofo.
More from Master Sheng Yen
The Truth Beyond the Dharma Drum
A candid reflection from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen on his life, his journey through the afterlife, and his urgent plea for his followers to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Breaking Through the Karmic Conditions of the Past
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The Burden of a Master's Legacy
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The Cycle of Reincarnation: A Final Warning
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library