A Sage from Sixty Million Years Ago

This is a record of an interview with Li Zhengquan, a sage from the Dharma-Nature Realm who lived approximately sixty million years ago on the planet Lubiya. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in an interstellar world far beyond the Earth. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on July 26, 2020.

Li Zhengquan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Li Zhengquan. I grew up sixty million years ago in an interstellar world far beyond the Earth. My birth helped a star continue to shine brightly in the heavens. The planet I was born on was called 'Lubiya.' It was a world of pure simplicity, a place where there was no conflict. Everyone lived in harmony and treated one another with the utmost respect. We possessed a very high level of intelligence; we did not need to think or use our brains to know what others needed or desired.

A World Without Words

In such a world, there was no need for spoken language. We did not need to communicate to avoid misunderstandings or unpleasantness because we could see through one another clearly at a glance. Consequently, the entire planet existed in a state of profound silence. If you heard any sound, it was not the speech of the Lubiya people, but the chirping of insects, the calls of birds, and the various sounds of animals. Because these creatures had not yet evolved to the level of telepathy that we possessed, they had to emit sounds to convey their meanings, using vocalisation to communicate and express their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. These sounds were part of the natural symphony of the world—the wind, the rain, the blooming of flowers, and the falling of leaves all had their own distinct voices, and the animals' sounds were particularly diverse and lively.

If you were to look at our planet through the eyes of a modern human from Earth, entering our world would feel like stepping into the wild landscapes of Africa. There were animals of all sizes—those that crawled on the ground, those that ran, and those that flew in the sky. The flora was equally abundant, with a vast array of flowers. Some, like the 'longevity flowers,' could bloom for a hundred years without fading, while others, the 'short-lived flowers,' would bloom and wither in an instant. Why was there such a vast difference? It is because the universal principle on our planet is that every form of life—animal, plant, and inhabitant—undergoes the cycle of reincarnation, yet there are also sages who have transcended this cycle. Our spaces differ, our lifespans vary, and our appearances are unique; all these differences constitute a natural, harmonious life cycle and planetary history. We, too, had our ancestors, and our lineage was passed down through the ages.

The Harmony of Life and Reincarnation

By the time I was born, our planet was already ancient in the context of the universe. According to our historical records, it had existed for six trillion and seven hundred million years. From the perspective of Earthlings, one could say our planet had passed through many great calamities. We followed a process of evolution until we reached the era of my birth. Life on this planet was also caught in the cycle of reincarnation, including all animals, plants, and various spiritual beings. It seemed as though we had all known and lived with one another in past lives. We respected each other and would never cause harm, for to harm another was to harm oneself. When another was happy, one felt happy as well. This 'oneness' was the natural principle of survival on our planet. We did not need to learn, be taught, or inherit this knowledge; we treated others as we treated ourselves, directly and naturally. This is the reason why our planet was able to exist in peace for such a long time.

As highly evolved beings, if we wanted to go somewhere, we simply moved our thoughts, and in a flash, our bodies would instantly appear at that destination. We did not need transportation; there were no aeroplanes, jets, or cars. In a split second, we could arrive wherever we wished. Our bodies appeared semi-transparent. A healthy person could achieve a state of total transparency, whereas those who were lost in deep thought, prone to change, or suffering from illness would appear dim. The degree of dimness varied according to the complexity of one's thoughts and the severity of one's illness, with the most noticeable changes occurring in the head and chest areas. For those in high positions, even if their thoughts were complex, if their starting point was selfless and they constantly considered the welfare of the people, their bodies would become transparent to the point of radiance. This brightness would increase in direct proportion to the depth and breadth of the positive impact their thoughts had on others. The greater the benefit to the people, the brighter the transparency and light of their bodies. Conversely, if the impact of their thoughts was less profound, the light would be less intense. Thus, people could see the state of one's mind and body simply by observing the transparency and brightness of their physical form. Everything was so natural and clear; we could not hide anything from one another, so we remained honest and open. This was the unique benefit of our planet.

The Radiance of the Soul

I understand that humans are deeply interested in the light emitted by practitioners, so I will briefly describe the body light on our planet. Of course, it was not just the inhabitants who shone; even the flowers, trees, and animals possessed light, which varied according to their growth and temperament. Those with gentle temperaments had soft light, while those who were irritable had light that was dim and opaque. As for my name, 'Li Zhengquan,' you might wonder if I was male or female. On Earth, there are only two genders, but on other planets, there are often more—some have non-binary genders or multiple forms. Regardless, the male and female duality is the most fundamental. I was male, and I lived for twelve million years before my spirit finally separated from my body at death. At that time on our planet, the majority of beings passed away through this separation of spirit and body at such an age, though some lived shorter or longer lives. This age can be considered an average, calculated using the time units familiar to Earthlings. Looking back now, sixty million years ago, when our planet existed, the Earth also existed, though it occupied a different level of space.

Whether it is sixty million years or six trillion and seven hundred million years, these are merely numbers used to describe the circumstances of that time. These are the figures that naturally surfaced, and I speak them as they come. This is the ability possessed by a sage of the Dharma-Nature Realm of the Four Sacred Realms—a title given to us by Earthlings after we have been purified to this stage. We can express what we need to in a very short time using the language, characters, and numbers familiar to everyone. The content of this interview is rare, perhaps even unprecedented, in the human world. It is not that we are special, but rather that the space of the sages of the Four Sacred Realms has been opened, and after being sent to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, we are able to record these messages. That this sage is not from Earth, but from an outer planet, makes the content all the more unique and precious.

The Sanctuary of the Four Sacred Realms

The Four Sacred Realms are a space within the void of the universe. It is not only human practitioners who can enter; rather, spiritual lives within the cosmic void are naturally attracted to this place when their spiritual state aligns with this realm. They move here to enter this space and enjoy its peace, harmony, and stability, free from any external interference. You can think of this space as an incredibly safe sanctuary, protected by a brilliant ring of light. Any spiritual life that does not possess the ability to break through this light cannot enter. Once inside, the natural magnetic field of this space anchors the spiritual life, preventing it from drifting into other realms. This is the world people call the Four Sacred Realms. On our planet, this was known as the Land of Sages. Do you know how vast this space is? How many sages reside here? When did this space begin? The answer is that this space is infinitely vast. The number of sages within it is immeasurable and boundless. The space of the Four Sacred Realms began in the beginningless past and has no end; as long as spiritual life exists, the Four Sacred Realms will exist.

From this, one can see that the conditions and abilities of a sage are formed naturally. It is not that an external force pushes a spirit into this place; if that were the case, the spirit would not be able to survive here. This world was not created by the vow of any single sage, but is a world generated by the natural magnetic fields and capabilities of the universe. This makes the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss all the more precious! This land was built by the power of the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo. It is filled with all the compassion, wisdom, and beauty of the universe—a world where every wish is fulfilled. This place is incomparably precious because it relies on the vows of Namo Amituofo, which are eternal. That is the supreme spiritual power and energy. This indestructible energy allows those who are reborn in the Western Pure Land to possess immeasurable lifespan and boundless light—it is truly inconceivable! Even those in the Land of Sages and Ordinary Beings dwelling together can possess the same full, gentle appearance and abilities as Namo Amituofo. This selfless, universal vow and power truly command my utmost respect. Names, identities, and status are of no use here, for this, too, is a world of natural laws. If one wishes to receive the blessing of the Buddha's power, one must first manifest one's own strength; only then can the Buddha's power be applied. Your practice, your level of attainment, and your sincerity are things others can remind you of, but the practitioner and the beneficiary must absolutely be yourself.

The name 'Zhengquan' is of no use in the Western Pure Land, for here we communicate heart to heart, clearly and directly. There is no need for names; one knows everything at a glance. Whatever is needed, appears. As soon as a thought arises—an inner fluctuation—that vibration leads you to the appropriate level among the four lands and three grades, and it is never wrong. Because everything is natural and requires no deliberation, names are unimportant, and outward appearances are unimportant; only the heart matters. When I was on my planet, I had never heard of Namo Amituofo or the Western Pure Land. Yet, forty-eight million years after my spirit left my body, I was fortunate enough to be delivered to the Western Pure Land through the Dharma power of Practitioner Su of Earth. My heart is filled with immense gratitude! This truly is a land of no aging, no sickness, and no death. Since the ten kalpas, an uncountable number of sages from the universe have entered this land, and I, Zhengquan, am fortunate to be one of them."

Namo Amituofo.

Zhengquan is only using a name that Earthlings can easily understand and pronounce for the sake of this interview. Since I am neither a monastic nor a Taoist practitioner, but rather a spirit from an extraterrestrial world, it is more appropriate for me to refer to myself as a lay practitioner, hence the name Lay Practitioner Li Zhengquan. In reality, on our planet, my name translates to "Lijeni." I never imagined that there would come a day when I could receive the grace of the Buddha and be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; this is truly extraordinary. People have often said that one should not cling to the appearance of names, and those who say so are truly wise. Whether it was Lijeni on the planet Rubia and in the Four Holy Dharma Realms, or Li Zhengquan now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, it is the same spirit; the only difference is whether or not I possess a physical body. Therefore, one must not cling to it. Once you cling, you lock your spirit, preventing it from being liberated and progressing. The purpose of a name is to confirm identity, which is only necessary because there are discriminations and purposes. If everyone is equal—like in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, where everyone can appear as dignified as Amitabha Buddha, or manifest in any form they prefer—then regardless of the outer appearance, they are all the same spiritual beings.

The Cycle of Transparency and Darkness

Zhengquan comes from the ancient planet Rubia, born as the third child to my father, Joseph, and my mother, Yamei. I had an older brother and an older sister. Every child is born as a transparent body, but as we grow, the transparency gradually becomes tinged with darkness. By middle age, the darkness slowly begins to turn back into transparency, and by old age, we return to the transparency of our birth. This is how we know that our siblings have come from a good place. However, my younger brother's body grew darker as he aged, which worried me deeply. I could not help but warn him: "Your body is turning dark; be careful of your next life!" I went to look and saw my brother's spirit being melted in fire, wailing in agony. I told him, "You must change; your heart must change. As long as you are still in a body, there is still time!" My brother replied, "My heart has been split in two; how can I change it?" I asked, "Why is your heart split in two?" He said, "My partner has passed away; my heart is in such sorrow that I cannot go on living alone." I counseled him, "Since you have already parted, each must walk their own path. You must be brave enough to walk the path ahead." Finally, my brother pulled himself together, ceased his sorrow, and his body light began to return to clarity. The darkness faded, transparency emerged, and eventually, the darkness lessened while the transparency grew, showing great improvement.

The Persistence of Memory

If I were to refer to myself as "Jeni," it would seem closer to my original state, carrying a sense of familiarity. Even after awakening in the Four Holy Dharma Realms, my past memories and consciousness remained. Even after forty-eight million years spent in a deep meditative state, I can still retrospectively describe the circumstances and experiences of that time. A purified spirit retains memory and the ability to reflect; thus, the spirit is neither born nor destroyed, which is also a universal principle.

The Appearance of My People

When Jeni was born, I was also a transparent body with a head, face, facial features, and limbs—actually, we look quite similar to humans. The outermost layer of the body is covered by a skin that has a faint white hue, which is why white is our skin colour. We have parents, brothers, and sisters, and one can tell from our appearance and attitude that we are a family; we look very much alike, as if cast from the same mould. Sometimes outsiders cannot distinguish who is the mother, who is the daughter, who is the father, or who is the son, but in our hearts, we know very clearly, or those from the same family can recognise each other. This situation is the same as our current situation in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; even though everyone can look exactly like Amitabha Buddha, we can still distinguish the differences between one another.

The Laws of Cause and Effect

Our diet is very simple: a large flatbread that provides energy for the day. We eat once a day and drink energy water. This energy comes from the kindness and good thoughts of all the citizens on the planet. The people are taught to always maintain a heart of Goodness, good thoughts, and good energy, as this is the energy that sustains our survival. If one harbours evil thoughts, it emits evil energy, which diminishes the good energy of survival; this is the natural law of cause and effect. Therefore, the entire planet is an energy body where good and evil energies check and balance each other to maintain a state of survival. On our planet, one can see poverty, wealth, or ordinary citizens, and whether what each person eats or uses is sufficient varies. This is because of the differences in their hearts and actions, which produce different karmic fruits; this is the fairness of the laws of karma and cause and effect. At the same time, we are taught not to complain, not to have an uneven heart, and to accept all our encounters with a calm heart. This is also the reason why our planet has been able to remain stable for such a long time.

The Creation of New Life

In this life, during my twelve-million-year lifespan, I had the creative power for the first two-thirds of my life to create new life and new energy for the planet. This "new life" means that when another woman and I had mutual affection in our hearts, a seed of life would form within her body. This seed of life would grow within the woman, from embryo to a mature fetus, becoming a new life. It takes about one hundred years for it to be able to survive outside the body. Each new life is a transparent body covered in white skin. There must be a gap of one hundred years between each new life, a time for the woman to store enough energy to nurture the next. The woman and I created three new lives together, so she spent a total of five hundred years giving birth to three children; she and I are the father and mother of these three lives. Each new life brings new energy to the planet.

The Role of the Guardians

Generally speaking, because of the energy consumed by nurturing life and giving birth, a mother's lifespan is shorter than a father's; therefore, on our planet, women are highly valued. Because women are relatively rare and carry the responsibility of producing new life and new energy, a man who meets a woman with whom he has mutual affection, and who is willing to expend her energy for him to nurture the next generation, is a lucky man. My woman—what Earthlings call a wife—had a lifespan of eight million years, and her energy was exhausted four million years earlier than mine. Consequently, many men on the planet who do not meet a woman with mutual affection take on the mission of protecting the planet's safety; they are the "Guardians." These men can dedicate their lives and energy to the planet without any worries about offspring. This type of relationship and role between men and women has not changed much over the trillions and billions of years from ancient times to the present; the transmission of energy and generations continues in this way, passed down from generation to generation, with many predecessors shining brightly in such lives before their energy is exhausted and they pass away.

The Legend of the Energy Grass

There is an ancient legend circulating on our planet: before the planet's energy is exhausted, there will be a period of one thousand years where, due to insufficient energy, the energy bread everyone eats will be insufficient, and the energy water will be halved. This means everyone will be underfed and under-hydrated, appearing thin and weak, and the energy of the next generation will also decrease, with some even dying prematurely because the mother could not provide enough energy. At this time, if a savior appears who is willing to sacrifice the energy within their own body and travel to the peak of a high mountain on the planet, there is an energy grass that glows all over. This person must consume this energy grass, and within a very short time, the energy of the grass and the energy within the person will merge, emitting a tremendous amount of energy to save the planet. At the same time, the person's transparent body will burst, which is the only way to release this energy. This energy can allow the planet to recover, and the person's life will end, while a part of their burst body will become the next energy grass. Therefore, as long as the energy grass continues to survive on the mountain peak, and there is a person willing to sacrifice their life to save the planet, this planet will always exist in the universe.

A Legacy of Sacrifice

I heard this story from my father, who heard it from my grandfather. My father spoke earnestly to us children, because according to the planet's timeline, it was likely our generation's turn to face this major event of the planet's survival. From the time I was old enough to understand until I grew up, met my wife, and our three children were born, and until my father's energy was exhausted and he passed away, I would hear him tell this legendary story. Thus, I told my wife how important this legend was, and that we must also tell our children so that it can be passed down through the generations, allowing the planet to live forever.

A Vision of Rebirth

From a young age, my sensitivity was faster and more accurate than others of my age. When I heard my father mention the legend of the energy grass growing on the high mountain, I saw that although the grass did not grow tall, it shone all over, emitting a very dazzling and soft light. As it swayed left and right in the wind, it was a very moving scene. I also saw that when a person consumed this energy grass, their whole body emitted a brilliant light; that was the energy emitted by the combination of the light and energy of the grass with the person's pure and kind spirit. Through the bursting of the person's body, the light generated by this explosion spread to every corner of the planet, allowing the originally grey, dim, and energy-less planet to be reborn. The people of the planet also received new energy, causing the entire planet to be resurrected.

Every time my father spoke of these things, the scenes would manifest right before my eyes. Others could not see them; they only listened, but for me, they were vivid, living images unfolding in my sight. Before my father passed away, he called us children together to tell the story one last time. We could all hear the deep concern in his voice regarding the survival of our planet, and it seemed he had certain expectations of us. Yet, this time, as I listened to the legend, I suddenly saw a scene I had never witnessed before: the planet-dweller who merged with the Energy Grass. Previously, I had only seen a blurry image, but this time, it was clear how much that figure resembled me! The image became increasingly distinct, and it was undeniably clear: that planet-dweller was me! I could not help but let out a gasp. My father and everyone else heard it. My father reached his hand out toward me; his once strong and powerful hands had become dry and wrinkled—the state of his body before death. I reached out my hand as well, and he gripped mine tightly. In that instant, I heard him say, 'Jeni! It is up to you!' At that moment, I understood. My father had known all along that the planet-dweller who would merge with the Energy Grass was me. No wonder every time he told this legend, it felt as if he were speaking directly to me.

The Weight of a Final Promise

Before my father breathed his last, his hand remained tightly clasped in mine, as if he still could not let go. I knew what he meant, so I told him clearly, 'I understand! I will do it!' Only then did his hands relax, and he passed away. I shed two lines of tears for all that had transpired and for my father's departure. This also reminded me of what my mother once said: when I was born, golden light appeared all around, and within that light, a sage appeared and spoke some words to my father. It turns out it was related to the Energy Grass and the mission to save the planet. My father knew I was born with a task to fulfill, so throughout my upbringing, he was exceptionally strict with me, yet he also protected me, hoping I would become a planet-dweller with excellent conduct and a healthy body and mind, so that I could shoulder this heavy responsibility.

Nine hundred years before my spirit separated from my body—that is, before my death—our planet suffered immense damage. In truth, we had been living in a state of insufficient food and water for some time. Many of the elderly and the young had already begun to show dark patches on their bodies due to a lack of energy. First, it appeared as small dots, then as patches, gradually spreading until the entire body turned dark, signifying that their energy was completely exhausted. Afterward, the spirit would leave the body, and the body would become like a thin, paper-like skin. Usually, this skin was placed in an exquisite bottle and kept at home as a memento or for remembrance. If no one claimed the skin, the planet's administrators would place it in water or soil, marking the end of that life. Regardless of how long or short that life was—whether a short-lived one who died at birth leaving behind a tiny piece of skin, or a long-lived one who survived for twenty million years and left behind a thicker skin—where did these spirits go? On our planet, it was believed that those who contributed to the planet would have their spirits go to a sacred place after death, a place where the sages rested. For the average person, it was also believed in reincarnation, where a place of justice would judge the spirits of the deceased to determine their next destination.

A Planet in Mourning

After my father passed away, I saw the suffering of the planet-dwellers around me even more clearly. Pregnant women were thin and weak; because of the lack of energy, their fetuses could not receive nourishment and stopped growing, leading to miscarriages or the infants dying at birth. The elderly aged rapidly and died from weakness. Sick planet-dwellers lacked the energy to recover or fight off illnesses, causing their conditions to deteriorate rapidly. Groans were heard everywhere, and many died as a result. The number of deaths rose sharply, and the entire planet was draped in sorrow! During this period, the story of the Energy Grass spread. Some volunteered to be that planet-dweller, heading to the high mountain peak to merge with the Energy Grass. Everyone placed high hopes on these individuals, preparing mountain-climbing gear for them and having them issue their final declarations before leaving the world.

Eventually, news began to trickle back. Some of these volunteers were found dead before they even set out, or they perished in mountain accidents before reaching the summit. Many volunteers died without achieving their goal. Afterward, we heard of no more volunteers willing to go, and everyone fell into the depths of despair. It turned out that to become this volunteer, one had to pass the screening of the natural laws of heaven and earth. Those lacking virtue, those seeking fame or profit, those with improper mindsets, or those whose own energy was not pure—all were eliminated. My heart then understood: this planet-dweller must be truly selfless, not seeking fame or gain, possessing a pure body and mind, and sincerely willing to sacrifice their body and spirit for the survival of the planet. So, I secretly made up my mind that it was time for me to step forward. I left when my family was not paying attention, carrying only simple clothing and a few remaining energy biscuits from home, intending to last as long as I could. Normally, one could reach any desired destination just by a single thought, but this high mountain could not be reached that way; one had to walk step by step to reach the summit. This was a test for the planet-dweller who wished to save the world. From the starting point to the summit, at my pace, it would take about one to two years—and that was considered fast!

The Path of Selfless Sacrifice

Once my mind was set and I expressed this intention, I seemed unable to wait to reach the summit. I did not tell any of my family members, including my wife and children. At that moment, I did not think of myself; my heart was filled only with the desire for every planet-dweller to have enough energy to continue living. I deeply felt that I was one with every life on the planet, fused into one. Their suffering was the suffering in my heart, and I was a member of this planet, too. If my spirit dispersing and my body dying could allow everyone to live, it would be worth it! Even if I were not the planet-dweller permitted by the natural laws of heaven and earth and died in the attempt, although I would not have completed the mission, I would have fulfilled my promise to my father and repaid the grace of the planet that gave me the energy to survive until now. I would have no regrets in this life!

I quickened my pace, not daring to stop for even a moment. When I had no strength, when my energy was insufficient and I could not walk, I would eat a piece of energy biscuit to replenish some energy and then move forward. When I had no strength again, I would eat another piece, until only the last biscuit remained. I looked at the road ahead; I had only been out for a month, and there was still a long, long way to go. I dared not think any further. Even if I were to starve or die of thirst, I would not turn back toward home. I could only go forward, never backward. Even if I had to crawl, I would crawl forward. When those previous volunteers were found dead, they still had many energy biscuits with them because they were the hope of the planet-dwellers, and many people could not bear to eat their own and gave their biscuits to the volunteers. Therefore, those volunteers did not die from a lack of energy, but because they could not withstand the test of the external environment. But as for me, I did not want to think about anything else. Nothing that had happened in my past life remained in my heart; at this moment, my heart held only the Energy Grass that could save everyone's lives. When I ate the last piece of biscuit, I smiled. I did not know how much longer I could hold on, but I knew I would definitely hold on until the very last moment.

A Dream of Past Lives

While I was in a daze, I had a dream. In the dream, I saw myself as an ancient sage—what the Earth people call an Arhat. While in a deep meditative state, I was awakened by a scream; it was a woman with whom I had a deep causal connection who was about to meet with disaster. I came out of my meditative state to save her, but after much effort, I failed to save her, and she still perished. I left the group in disappointment and returned to the Arhat realm in a deep meditative state. Later, after remaining in that state for a long time, I entered a womb to take on a body and continue my practice, eventually returning to the sacred realm—what the Earth people call the Bodhisattva Dharma Realm. After coming out of that state again, I was born into this current body of a planet-dweller. The reason I appeared in this world was that I had seen the Energy Grass while in a deep meditative state, so this life manifested because of the Causal Conditions of the Energy Grass.

As the dream reached this point, I was suddenly awakened by a downpour of rain. It was energy rain! Energy rain is a very precious form of energy on our planet. A lucky person might only encounter one such heavy rain in their entire life. The rainwater was so precious. I thanked heaven for sending this rain, and I woke up! The pores on my body were soaked by the energy rain, allowing the energy to pour into my body, giving me the strength to move forward again. The dream I just had was so clear. I blinked, half-understanding. No matter who I was in the past, what I had done, or what role I had played, the important thing was who I am now. I dared not let any more thoughts arise, because thinking consumes energy. I only dared to breathe, using the precious energy solely for the act of inhaling and exhaling.

I do not know how long I walked; there seemed to be only one road ahead, and I walked straight forward. An old grandmother appeared before me, smiling and handing me a piece of candy. On our planet, candy is a special treat reserved only for children; one can only get one piece a year, and once you grow up, you get no more. So, seeing the candy, I was very happy, thinking of it as a memory of my childhood. The grandmother nodded at me and smiled again—what a kind and compassionate face! I reached out to take the candy, and without hesitation, I opened the wrapper and ate it in one bite. My body suddenly felt full of strength. A force urged me to rush forward, so I quickened my pace, breaking into a light jog. After running for a while, my pace gradually slowed down. I was so thirsty, so I took out my water bottle, drank the last drop of energy water, and continued to walk forward quickly.

I do not know how long I walked. I felt my entire body go limp and weak, and my feet were in such agony that I finally realised a large, jagged wound had been cut into my foot; the blood had already dried. When our blood flows within our bodies, the purer the spirit, the more transparent the colour—clear as water. The more cluttered and confused a spirit's thoughts are, the more the blood becomes a thick, murky liquid with sediment as it flows. Regardless of the type, once the skin is broken and the blood flows out, it reacts with the air and turns into red blood, just like the colour of human blood. The area around the wound had turned white and swollen; no wonder my foot hurt so much I could barely walk. I must have been cut by some sharp grass while passing through the thicket earlier, but I had not noticed it at the time. The wound must have been aggravated and widened until I could no longer move. I limped forward, but unexpectedly, I encountered a large hole ahead. Without paying attention, my entire body tumbled down and collapsed onto the ground.

A Desperate Struggle for Survival

I discovered that my other leg had been broken in the fall. It was so painful! Both legs were immobile, and I knew I only had my hands left to move. Looking up at the opening of the hole and scanning my surroundings, I saw a small tree branch not far above that I could reach. I used my mental note to communicate with the branch: 'Please, little branch, I beg you to hold my weight and help me climb up.' I reached out and grabbed the branch, but to my shock, it snapped with a loud 'crack!' I fell back and struck my elbow; the pain was intense, and I was left with only one hand capable of exerting any strength. I looked up again and saw a small, protruding rock. I pleaded with the little rock: 'I beg you, little rock, help me. Let me hold onto you so I can pull my body up.' I reached out with my other hand and grabbed the stone. It felt as if it had grown hooks, allowing my hand to hold firm. With great difficulty, I lifted my body, but there was nowhere else to gain leverage. Just as I was about to fall again, I suddenly felt an invisible hand grab my injured arm and gently pull my body up. My immobile legs finally touched the ground, but because the pain made it impossible to use them, I collapsed again and began to crawl forward using my only functional hand. I crawled with all my might, terrified that in the next second, my body would run out of energy and become completely immobile, until I finally reached the point where I had no strength left and lay sprawled on the ground, unable to move.

The Energy Grass and the Sacrifice

In my drowsy state, I felt my body gradually growing cold—it was the sign of energy depletion, the precursor to death. I was shivering from the cold. A moment later, my body turned hot, burning with a fever, and I began to sweat profusely. My body fluctuated between extreme cold and heat. In my heart, there was only one thought: 'Energy Grass, Energy Grass!' Although the physical discomfort of the temperature swings was unbearable, my mental note never wavered. I kept calling out in my heart: 'Energy Grass, Energy Grass!' I do not know how much time passed before I felt a surge of energy approaching. I opened my eyes slightly and saw a child, as pure and adorable as a little angel, glowing and shining, sitting beside me! The leaves on his body looked like two pairs of wings, fluttering in the breeze. He bent down to look at me, and I looked back at him. He had a round face, large round eyes, and a few leaves sprouting from his head. He looked at me, smiling constantly, and sent a mental note to me: 'I am the Energy Grass. Were you the one calling for me?' My eyes had been half-closed, but the moment I heard he was the Energy Grass, my eyes lit up. I quickly sent a very weak mental note: 'Yes! Yes! It is me. I was calling you. Was it you who saved me and pulled me up earlier?' The Energy Grass nodded and said, 'May I ask, is your name Rigeni?' I nodded and replied, 'Yes, my name is Rigeni.' Just as I was wondering how the Energy Grass knew my name, he said, 'Rigeni is the one I have been waiting for. The ancient sage instructed me, "When a star-being named Rigeni arrives, he will be the next sage."' Then I understood: all the strange encounters I had experienced on my journey these past few days were because the guardian spirits of the planet had been helping me, allowing me to hold on until now.

The Energy Grass continued, 'The ancient sage wants me to merge with you. The energy produced this way can save our planet, which is on the verge of destruction and running out of energy. But I can only exert my effect while you are still alive and still have energy within you. Please, eat me quickly, otherwise your energy will soon be exhausted! If you die before we can merge, the planet will quickly run out of energy and enter a frozen period. Everyone's body will be frozen, and soon, the spirit will separate from the body and perish. This planet will become a dead, lifeless world.' I hesitated, thinking weakly: 'How could I possibly eat such a cute Energy Grass?' While I was hesitating, the Energy Grass opened my mouth, flew inside, and bumped against my teeth a few times. Because I no longer had the strength to move my jaw, the Energy Grass rubbed against my teeth himself, breaking himself into fragments. He then rolled down into my throat, and I used every ounce of my remaining strength to swallow—that was my final breath. At that very instant, the energy rapidly dispersed throughout my body. Every part of me was filled with power. A force expanded my body, like a balloon being inflated rapidly. The energy continued to push to the limit; every pore on my skin and every part of my body was filled with saturated energy, and then, it burst open.

A Planet Reborn

The air was filled with many bright, luminous rings of light. These rings scattered everywhere, and at the same time, they shattered into tiny, tiny rings of light. Each small ring carried immense energy, until finally, these small rings fell onto the surface of the planet and onto the people of the planet. Gradually, the flowers, trees, and land creatures that had been on their last breath all came back to life. The bodies that had been cold and low on energy began to warm up. In a very short time, the entire planet recovered its vitality. The people of the planet woke up, and energy suddenly flooded the entire world like a great tide. Light and brightness began to appear, and the earth awakened. One of the small rings of light landed where the Energy Grass had originally grown. Like a small seed falling onto the soil, the land emitted light and heat, beginning to nurture the next Energy Grass.

As my body burst, my spirit left it. There was no pain, no attachment; I departed with ease. My spirit was filled with golden light and heat, moving lightly and rapidly upward from the ground. At that moment, I was a form of energy that was extremely light and full of light. An invisible attraction pulled my spirit powerfully, traversing layer after layer of space. I could feel myself constantly glowing and shining. I did not have a single thought; I was completely empty. Afterwards, my spirit stopped in a place surrounded by golden light, in a state of absolute stillness. My spirit remained there; that was the highest realm of the sage, what the people of Earth call the Buddha Dharma Realm. There was not the slightest fluctuation there. My spirit was silent and motionless, extremely clear, yet I was in a deep meditative state.

Awakened by the Sound of the Qing

One day, I heard a series of sounds from a qing, coming from far to near, echoing in this space and by my ears. I could not help but take a deep breath and open my eyes. What time was it now? Before my eyes, the image of forty-eight million years later appeared. This number seemed to span a long period, yet my spirit had not changed at all, just as it was before. How could it be that only a short while had passed for me, yet forty-eight million years had already gone by? At this moment, another sound of the qing rang out. I looked around, wondering where the sounds were coming from. Following the sound of the qing, I saw the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It was a luminous body, and sitting within it was a person in white. He was the light within the light, and the words 'Su Fo' appeared before my eyes.

Who is Su Fo? As this thought arose, the bits and pieces of Su Fo's life appeared before me. I was astonished to realise that I had never discovered the planet called Earth, yet now, it was the sound of the qing struck by Su Fo on Earth that had awakened me. This Su Fo seemed somewhat familiar; there must be a Causal Condition for him to have awakened me from my deep meditative state. It then occurred to me that Su Fo had been a sage on our planet in the distant past! This filled me with deep respect. I emerged from my meditative state and respectfully listened to Su Fo giving Dharma talks. Only then did I learn the Buddha's teachings that Su Fo mentioned: Namo Amituofo, the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the compassion, mind-capacity, and oneness-view of realising one's true nature and attaining Buddhahood. I was deeply moved! It turns out that spiritual life is without beginning or end and can be further elevated.

My forty-eight million years in the Four Sacred Realms is not a short time for the people of Earth. During these days, I observed Su Fo's conduct, having travelled back and forth between Earth and other realms many times. Today, being able to develop the Pure Land of Buddha's teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia did not happen out of thin air; it was initiated by the arising of Causal Conditions. Yet, I had spent those forty-eight million years in a deep meditative state, seeking only my own liberation, without seeing the suffering of beings and working diligently to save them. I felt truly ashamed! Thus, the heart to seek the Buddha's path and realise my true nature arose. Now, only by going to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to continue my practice can I elevate my spiritual life.

I saw that during these forty-eight million years, the planet had undergone some changes. Although they exist in a different spatial layer than Earth, the vastness of the universe is such that no matter how much time passes in the natural world, space still exists, time continues to flow, and the beings are no longer the same beings as before. At that time, I had no affinity to hear of Namo Amituofo and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now, because of the manifestation of Amitabha Buddha and Su Fo, I was able to see auspicious signs appearing in the clouds across the twenty-eight heavens and the Four Sacred Realms. I was saved by Su Fo and entered the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a world of eternal spiritual life.

My heart is filled with immense gratitude! I am willing to join Su Fo's salvation team to help everyone learn about Namo Amituofo and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Moreover, Su Fo can open up space, giving many beings in the universe with karmic affinity the opportunity to learn about Namo Amituofo and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, just like everyone else, to receive deliverance, chant the Buddha's name, and be reborn in the Western Pure Land. I am grateful for the compassion of the Buddha.

Namo Amituofo.

Testimony by Lay Practitioner Li Zheng-quan (Rigeni)

Interview recorded by the chief writer, Buddhist disciple Shi HaiZe.