The Crisis of the Soul
An Interview with the Spirit of Zhang Rongfa
Recorded on October 15, 2019
This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Zhang Rongfa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his insights into the nature of the soul and the dangers of worldly attachment. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 15, 2019.
Zhang Rongfa speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Zhang Rongfa. In the world of the living, people often ask: who is truly intelligent? They look at academic credentials, professional experience, or the ability to amass great wealth. But I tell you, those are not the marks of true intelligence. The truly intelligent person is one who is genuinely willing to let go of this world. This is not the cleverness of the mundane, but the profound Wisdom of one who has awakened to the truth of existence.
The Illusion of Worldly Intelligence
People in the world are perpetually trapped by their own nostalgia. They love to hold onto the past. If you open their cabinets, you will find them overflowing with old photographs, diaries, notebooks, and souvenirs from every tourist destination they have ever visited. When they look at these images, every scene and every frozen moment triggers a flood of memories. To the average person, this is considered normal—a way to maintain relationships and cherish shared history. But they do not realise that these seemingly innocent memories are actually gateways.
Every time you revisit these memories, you are opening a door. You are unaware that countless sentient beings are waiting in the shadows, lurking within those very thoughts. They are waiting for that precise moment when the door is opened so they can latch onto your and launch an attack on the soul residing within your body. It is a terrifying reality that most people go their entire lives without ever suspecting.
The Hidden Trap of Nostalgia
When I was still alive, especially after I turned sixty, I found myself constantly dwelling on my childhood. I would think about my early life, the struggles of my youth, and the relentless effort I poured into building my career and supporting my family. I used to believe that reflecting on these things gave me the strength to push forward. I had experienced such poverty in my youth, and I had built the Evergreen empire with my own two hands. The journey was incredibly difficult, and whenever I thought of those hardships, I felt a surge of renewed determination. I thought these memories were the fuel that kept my business stable. I never imagined that they were actually the very forces slowly dragging my soul down, piece by piece.
The more memories and past events you store in your mind, the more vulnerable your soul becomes to invasion. You can even become trapped in a dark, spiritual space from which you cannot escape. If it were not for Practitioner Su, who has unveiled the mysteries of the universe for us, we would never have understood the true nature of these attachments.
A Warning for the Living
Even now, when I look at the consciousness of my son, I see it filled with images of the past. He has not forgotten a single detail of our family life together. Sometimes, these memories even manifest in his dreams. When I look closely at those dreams, I realise that many of the figures appearing to him are not who they seem. They are sentient beings manifesting in various forms, appearing in his dreams to lure him into traps, eventually leading him into a dark, suffocating space. If one does not study the Buddha’s teachings, who could possibly understand such things?
If people in this world do not have the Buddha’s teachings, there is truly no one who can protect their own soul. Without the guidance of the , no one knows how to let go of worldly desires and greed. Learning the Buddha’s teachings is as precious as discovering a hidden treasure. If you are reading this, I urge you to cherish this opportunity. You must rely on this lifetime to return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Do not continue to linger in this world! The more clearly you see the truth, the more you will realise that this is not a game. Do not mistake this false play for reality any longer! Namo Amituofo."
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library