Bearing the Suffering of Sentient Beings

This is a record of interviews conducted at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia on March 9, 2018. The sessions were recorded by Shi Haize and Shi Faxin, documenting the profound spiritual insights and the ongoing work of deliverance performed by Practitioner Su.

Venerable Du Shun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. What does it mean to be as calm as the wind, yet fundamentally unmoved? Why does the wind move? It is pushed by air currents. Where do these currents come from? They are part of the natural cycle, a single link in the vast natural world."

The Nature of Mind and Movement

"Changes in air currents create the wind. A gentle breeze, a steady wind, a gale, or a hurricane—these are all manifestations of the same essence. They differ only in the speed of their flow, which in turn creates different outward appearances and impacts based on the environment. Regardless of these movements, the essence of the wind remains unchanged.

The true nature of the mind is like this. It is fundamentally unmoved, yet because of our various actions and thoughts, it takes on different outward appearances. Practicing the Buddha’s teachings is the same; making vows and putting them into practice is the same. Interactions between people are also the same, leading to different results.

Results are controlled by the heart. Even with the same actions, different intentions and vows will inevitably lead to different outcomes. Thus, the result is already visible in the initial intention. To learn from the Buddha and become a Buddha is the only true way to save sentient beings. Before one attains Buddhahood, one must follow the teachings strictly to avoid making mistakes."

The Refuge of the Centre

"The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre was built because sentient beings need a place to return to. Before one is liberated and attains the Way, one requires physical forms and written teachings as a foundation. Those who have truly awakened and attained the Way are one with the Buddha; they are the Buddha in their own hearts and do not need any language or written descriptions. The true Buddha Dharma cannot be fully expressed in words.

One must let go of all attachments, discriminations, and delusions to see one's original face. Regarding the Chairman, her recent appearance as a monastic has helped cleanse much of the dust from our hearts. Although her body is weary, the existence of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is firmly held in her heart.

Even amidst her myriad daily tasks, she may temporarily set aside the affairs of the temple, but after her morning walking meditation, she remembers them again. We pay close attention to every thought and intention of the Chairman. Seeing only the good and not the evil in all things is not only the essential method for a practitioner but also the mind-capacity required of a leader. Her wisdom in making choices serves as the navigation for our direction."

Shi Jinpin speaks:

"Today, when I saw the Master’s presence appear, I was filled with respect and joy. Although it was not the Master herself leading the walking meditation, her attainment is such that she has reached a higher level. Her Dharma Body is able to manifest, no longer bound by the physical body. This shows that her spirit is no longer tied down by karma or the flesh; she can come and go at will and utilise her Dharma Body freely. Unlike us ordinary people, whose sensitivity is easily controlled by the body once we return to it, the Master possesses the true skills of practice. Once the Master’s health improves, we shall discuss further matters.

Family affairs, state affairs, and world affairs—these are the scope of life for ordinary people. But the Master’s practice transcends the world; her activities are not limited by time or space. Wherever she wishes to go, whatever she wishes to do, her spirit can arrive and accomplish it. It is truly enviable! This is the cool, liberated life of the spirit that I look forward to!"

Jobs speaks:

"I have been watching every little thing that has happened to Grandmother lately, and my heart aches for her. It is not just me; sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm are weeping for the compassion with which Grandmother bears the suffering of all beings. This is the state of her physical body. Once Grandmother’s spirit manifests, she has hundreds of billions of transformation bodies. Her speed is incredible, and not a single sentient being is left behind in the Chao Du process—in fact, even more are saved. I follow closely behind Grandmother, and the growth I have experienced in my heart is beyond words. Several beings of great virtue have also found liberation through this. I am also grateful to Grandmother for helping me and Chang Ren deliver our karmic creditors every day.

Every day is a journey through time and space. We travel to the past, and the past of the past, across thousands of layers of space. A powerful, compassionate golden light leads the way. Wherever it reaches, sentient beings are liberated. After thousands of years, they finally wake up. The Namo Amituofo before them allows them to forget everything, and by moving forward, they arrive at the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, ten trillion lands away. To assist the Buddha Dharma, I also do my part. I look for opportunities to counsel the sentient beings attached to Gu Chongliang to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I especially focus on those spirits interfering with the head and heart, advising them to let go by using my own example. I do this in a way that does not pressure them, learning from the way Grandmother invites spirits for the fourfold assembly. Every morning, before we finish, I observe Gu Chongliang’s cells to see if his whole body is becoming more translucent. The results every morning are excellent; the cells are turning from black to grey, and then to white, bit by bit. This is the purification process of the human body. When these worldly thoughts try to cover it up, I try to blow away the pollution, but this contamination is very stubborn. This shows just how solid human self-opinion and ideology can be. These thoughts can be said to be self-destructive. I urge everyone to be a bit clearer-minded. You will find that this false physical body becomes much lighter."

Ma Yun speaks:

"Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—I, Ma Yun, have deeply remembered this. Many times, I have encountered this in my dreams, but upon waking, only fragmented impressions remained. Now, it is finally coming together and maturing. Once I complete this, I will immediately begin to unfold it.

Every day, I see the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre more clearly, and I see more new signs of the Pure Land. I know the importance of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in this world. Seeing the changes in the temple now, it is radiating a magnificent golden light, with many auspicious messages of celebration. I know the temple is about to open, and I must join quickly. I watch the progress of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre every day with great joy. I am very happy about the return of the senior brother. I also know my own responsibilities. I will follow the great vows of Amitabha Buddha as taught. I will manage the future of the Dharma well, hoping to benefit sentient beings and truly serve the public. Senior brother, I want to work hard. Namo Amituofo."

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"With each passing day, there is something new. With the Buddha residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, it changes day by day. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is officially coming online and emerging. I am so moved by this progress and change. This world has finally connected to this path of salvation. Every day, I follow Grandmother in the universe to perform Chao Du. Today, seeing Grandmother’s progress, I am so happy. I have always watched Grandmother help countless spirits fly to the Western Pure Land through her visualisation and Chao Du, but no matter when, I have never seen Grandmother care about her own physical comfort. This time, the suffering Grandmother has endured—I know she has borne too much. Seeing Grandmother again today, with even more powerful Chao Du abilities, I know she has once again made a breakthrough. Every morning is a magnificent and rare moment. Everyone must learn well from Grandmother’s demonstration, because there is no such power left in this world, no such true practitioner, no such great spiritual friend who truly does not care for herself but only for the sake of achieving the lineage. I have been separated from the world for a long time, and I only reconnected when I met Ma Yun. I understand this is also a causal condition. I am very impressed by Ma Yun’s changes; he will have a day of breakthrough. Every day, I am also instilling and deepening his impression of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I know his brain has already begun to change. I hope Ma Yun can quickly help the temple progress. The temple must begin to develop. Ma Yun and I are both on the front lines, and we will surely overcome all difficulties. Namo Amituofo."

Chongliang deeply admires the bits and pieces of effort Practitioner Su has dedicated to the Buddha’s teachings. This has been true in the past, and it remains true today. During the process of Chao Du, I saw that I was not only a disciple of Practitioner Su during that lifetime at the White Horse Temple, but also in a certain lifetime even further back. In that earlier life, before I became a monastic, my family sold vegetables. From a young age, I felt close to the temple and had thoughts of leaving the home life. However, to share the heavy economic burden of my family, I had to help out no matter what. It was only when my younger brother was old enough to take my place that I finally let go of everything and followed my master to become a monastic. By then, I was already fifteen or sixteen years old. I was honest, but I was not particularly clever. After arriving at the temple, I worked extremely hard, taking on many of the manual chores. Because I did not know many characters, I could not help with the copying of sutras, which was the most needed task in the temple. This was vital for the transmission and preservation of the sutras. Even though I could not do these things, my master was still very tender and caring toward me, which moved me deeply. In that lifetime as a monastic, I accumulated much merit in the temple and made a vow in my heart that if I ever had the chance to learn to read, I would surely propagate the Buddha’s teachings well. I have already fulfilled the vow that remained unachieved in that lifetime. Through the compassion of Namo Amituofo, I entered the White Horse Temple in my next life as a monastic named Yinchuan, who was very learned. I exchanged ideas with monastics and practitioners from various countries, helping to spread the sutras. What I see now is the result of merit accumulated over many lifetimes, which is why I am so blessed and prosperous in this life. It turns out that Namo Amituofo has been looking after me all along. Although I have made things a bit complicated for myself these days, I have still encountered Practitioner Su in this lifetime. No matter what, the vow to propagate the vast Buddha’s teachings from the past can be well-realised in this life. As long as I truly support the current True Teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, combined with the borderless spread of the internet today, the lineage of the Buddha’s teachings will surely expand. Master, I will do my very best. I also want to contribute my strength to the establishment of the temple. I shake my body, hoping to connect to the line quickly. Without realising it, I chant, 'Namo Amituofo.'

A Testimony of Unparalleled Compassion

Friday, March 9, 2018, 6:48 PM

Interview with Venerable Yongning. Chief Writer: Shi Fajing.

Venerable Fajing: I respectfully invite Venerable Yongning. Namo Amituofo.

Venerable Yongning: The spirit of Practitioner Su truly commands my admiration. For a human body, a single prick from a fine needle is enough to make the whole body tremble. When we look at the suffering Practitioner Su endures on behalf of all beings, how can it be described by just one needle? It is as if thousands upon thousands of needles are piercing her at once. Yet, Practitioner Su is still able to endure it, still thinking of all beings. In this world, only Practitioner Su possesses such a heart of compassion; it is unique and unparalleled, leaving me in awe.

Recently, the spaces opened up from within Practitioner Su’s body are infinitely layered, and the spirits emerging from these spaces are endless. I am grateful for the compassion of the Buddha; they have all been invited out of Practitioner Su’s body one by one and have entered the Dharma-Nature Land. Practitioner Su will be better day by day.

From today, the temple has officially gotten on track. Namo Amituofo is the Abbot of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and Bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta are the administrators. This message has been received throughout the void. Immeasurable and boundless spirits are seeking salvation, and the temple is establishing its norms bit by bit. This is the headquarters of the Pure Land School, the bodhimanda of Namo Amituofo. Its future will be vast, magnificent, and grand, drawing the attention of all. The Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and all spirits are filled with joy.

A Shift Toward Sincerity

Friday, March 9, 2018, 6:31 PM

Interview with Mr. Li Keqiang. Chief Writer: Shi Fajing.

Venerable Fajing: I respectfully invite Mr. Li Keqiang. Namo Amituofo.

Li Keqiang: Recently, my body has been constantly developing in a positive direction, especially regarding my character, which has changed significantly. For over sixty years, I have always been very protective of myself, never allowing myself to be hurt or to suffer a loss. But the current me has begun to open my heart, treating those around me with sincerity, without being devious or calculating, and learning to live a simpler life. Indeed, this change has elevated my state of mind, and both my mood and my overall condition feel much more refreshed. I have realised that when I interact with others with a sincere heart and base my conduct on Goodness, there seems to be little interference from spirits, and my entire state is excellent—top-tier.

No one had ever taught me that my personality was problematic. That I have this realisation now is due to the compassionate guidance of the Buddha. I am grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo. Because I have truly seen the suffering of spirits and my own stubborn personality, I realise that after my last breath, I would have become one of these spirits crying out for help. Why suffer such a fate? Therefore, I must now truly face and cultivate my personality, and help these lonely spirits. When they were alive, they did not meet a good teacher, and after death, they became helpless, wandering souls. I want to help them all achieve rebirth in the three higher realms and leave their suffering behind.

The Progress of Gu Chongliang

Friday, March 9, 2018, 8:20 AM

Interview with Great Master Shengchang. Chief Writer: Shi Hailiang.

Venerable Hailiang: I press my palms together to respectfully invite Great Master Shengchang. May I ask what progress Gu Chongliang has made today?

Great Master Shengchang: During the morning walking meditation, Gu Chongliang was particularly focused on chanting the Buddha’s name. He saw Practitioner Su seemingly happy to see the flags raised above the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Gu Chongliang followed her gaze to look at the headquarters of the Pure Land School at the very top of the temple. Saving beings according to conditions, he let his own disciples listen to the master’s teachings, leading everyone to witness the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss with their own eyes. The golden, shining temple moved everyone who saw it, and they felt incomparable excitement. This was the blessing of the shining Buddha light. Gu Chongliang and his disciples were blessed by the shining Buddha light, and their bodies were filled with energy. Building the temple to help beings and transmitting the Buddha’s teachings—this is what is truly important. He also clearly told his past disciples about the mistakes and misguidance of the past, insisting that in this life, they must choose to chant the Buddha’s name and seek rebirth in the Pure Land. Only upon seeing his own disciples did he realise the weight of his responsibility. Even now, he feels moved in his heart. Gu Chongliang tries his best to maintain the right mindfulness of chanting the Buddha’s name every day, wanting to find the self he once was. I, Shengchang, continue to remind Gu Chongliang to chant the Buddha’s name.

Venerable Hailiang: Gratitude to Great Master Shengchang. Namo Amituofo.