This interview was recorded on October 20, 2020. The Dragon King of the East Sea was invited to share his reflections following two recent . During these ceremonies, Practitioner Su, residing at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, utilised his to visualise and pray for rain. Accompanied by Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, he placed three sticks of incense into a celestial furnace in the sky, offering his vows to the heavens and earth to alleviate the suffering of all beings caused by the drought. By leading the creatures of Goombungee and Toowoomba in chanting , he successfully brought forth rain on both occasions.
The Dragon King of the East Sea speaks:
"I am the Dragon King of the East Sea. We are well aware of the recent events where Practitioner Su placed incense in the celestial furnace during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony to pray for rain, and led the earthly creatures in chanting Namo Amituofo to seek relief. I am here to congratulate Practitioner Su on the success of these prayers. The rain gods were ordered to provide widespread rainfall, which was like sweet dew descending from the heavens, alleviating the suffering of countless beings. I, too, feel a deep sense of relief for them.
A That Transcends Realms
Practitioner Su treats all beings with a heart of equality and compassion. His skill in using his Body to perform and guide beings to rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is already known throughout the vastness of the Dharma Realm and the underworld. Now, with the success of these recent prayers for rain, everyone is not only overjoyed for the sake of the earthly creatures and the people, but we are also filled with even greater admiration for Practitioner Su’s profound compassion and his ability to resolve suffering. It truly makes us feel quite ashamed of our own limitations.
Alleviating the suffering of sentient beings is a responsibility we all share. We are all sentient beings ourselves; by resolving the suffering of others, we are, in effect, resolving our own karmic debts. I, too, am merely an ordinary being caught in the cycle of reincarnation. It is only because I had some residual from the past that I was able to attain a dragon body in this lifetime and ascend to the position of a Dragon King. Because I hold this position, I bear the responsibility of protecting the seas and all the beings within them. Even praying for rain is part of my fundamental duty, yet I have always merely acted in accordance with the will of heaven.
The Power of Active Compassion
Take the previous instance of Practitioner Su’s prayer for rain, for example. Due to the collective of the local beings and insufficient Causal Conditions and blessings, the Jade Emperor had not issued instructions for rain. At that time, I was simply following orders; I did not, as Practitioner Su did, conceive of an active strategy to help the beings chant Namo Amituofo to transform their karma. It was only through the assistance of the ancestral masters, who helped accumulate merit and blessings, that the wish for rain was finally granted.
And now, look at this recent event. Practitioner Su once again used his compassion and Wisdom to visualise the celestial furnace in the sky with his awakened Dharma Body. He invited the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre’s presiding Bodhisattvas—Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva—to offer incense, and even moved the Ancient Buddha of Burning Lamp to manifest and join in the offering to pray for rain. This act shook the heavenly court, prompting the Jade Emperor to immediately order the rain gods to execute the rainfall.
A Rare Opportunity for Deliverance
News of these events has reached all of us—the gods and spirits involved in the rain, the immortals of the heavenly realms, and indeed, all beings throughout the Dharma Realm. We all praise Practitioner Su’s great power of compassion, his great Ultimate Vow, and his great deeds. It is truly something worthy of our study and deep respect!
Practitioner Su once mentioned that when he returns to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, he will also lead the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas and their retinues to enter together. This is truly an opportunity that is difficult to encounter in millions of years. Here, in a state of humility and gratitude, I, the Dragon King of the East Sea, offer my apologies and my deepest thanks to Practitioner Su.
