The Essence of Spiritual Practice: An Interview with Skanda Bodhisattva

The Greatness of the Buddha's Teachings

The greatness of the Buddha’s teachings lies in their absolute impartiality. Under the lens of equality and the oneness of all existence, every single being—whether they originate from the six realms of existence, the four holy states, or are among the smallest crawling creatures—possesses the same inherent Buddha-nature. The differences we perceive in our lives, such as the varying degrees of suffering or happiness, arise solely from our individual actions and the resulting karma. This is the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Throughout history, those who have been nurtured by Buddhist education have come to share this same understanding. Yet, why do some become great patriarchs and venerable masters, while others fall into the hells or the demon realms? The answer lies entirely within the heart.

The Heart as the Source of All Things

Those who have a foundation in Buddhist studies and those who are sincere Buddhist practitioners understand the vital importance of the heart. One must put in the work at the level of the heart to truly reap the benefits of the Buddha’s teachings. Within this framework, we must face the various encounters in our daily lives that are governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. By adjusting our own minds and behaviours, we can truly put in the work to overcome the obstacles presented by our karma and the presence of other beings. Naturally, one can then stand out from the crowd, revealing the capabilities of one's true self and acting in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Those who possess the ability to save the world and rescue beings must undergo a specific process. During this journey, it is essential to encounter a true spiritual friend—a teacher who can observe one's capacity, provide guidance, and reveal the path. Only then can the student achieve success. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su was once a student, but today, he has become an awakened being who saves the world and rescues beings. He is a true spiritual friend who observes the capacity of others, provides guidance, and teaches those who follow. Practitioner Su earnestly hopes that the fourfold assembly of disciples will realise their true nature, become inheritors of the Pure Land teachings, and serve as true spiritual friends for those who come after them. This ensures that the Pure Land, the name of Namo Amituofo, and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss will continue to flourish for generations to come without interruption.

The Foundation of Daily Practice

Practitioner Su repeatedly emphasises that we must act according to the Infinite Life Sutra and ensure that our chanting of Namo Amituofo remains uninterrupted. Regarding the practice of continuous Buddha-recitation, some members of the fourfold assembly are not yet able to achieve this and must continue to strive. Furthermore, regarding the Infinite Life Sutra, besides reciting at least one chapter daily, one must also put the teachings within the sutra into practice. These two aspects are of paramount importance. I hope that everyone will remember these instructions and truly put them into action, as this will undoubtedly lead to immense benefits. To achieve spiritual success in learning Buddhism, one must listen to the guidance of a true spiritual friend. This is a significant advantage that the fourfold assembly of disciples at the temple has over ordinary practitioners. Skanda Bodhisattva believes that the painstaking efforts and every bit of dedication from Practitioner Su are like sowing and watering seeds; they will certainly allow these seeds to sprout and grow into great trees that provide shade for future students.

Transcending Time and Space

Practitioner Su delivers lectures three times a day. Every listener approaches these teachings with a heart of sincerity, respect, and a desire to seek the Dharma. Many listen while kneeling, and some are moved to tears of gratitude when they hear teachings that resolve their difficulties, often performing three prostrations on the spot. This is the reaction of those listening in person. Of course, beings in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Dharma-Nature Land are also able to hear Practitioner Su’s lectures. As for the Dharma Realm, and even beings in the hells, their reactions to hearing the Dharma are profound. It is rare to see any beings become drowsy or distracted. This is because, apart from the fourfold assembly and those watching the broadcast who possess a human body, the rest are spirits. In the world of spirits, only those with the great power and energy of a Buddha can deliver teachings that transcend the limitations of time and space. This includes beings connected by karmic affinity from the past, present, and future, all of whom are able to hear the teachings. This is similar to the great masters of the Buddhist world in the past who, through true, sincere practice, were able to transcend time and space to return to the scene where Shakyamuni Buddha was originally teaching.

Purifying the Body, Heart, and Spirit

About ten years ago, Practitioner Su helped the ancestors and family members of the fourfold assembly at the Shiding temple to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. At that time, many ancestors and family members of the fourfold assembly entered the Western Pure Land due to this causal condition. However, some of their karmic creditors entered the body of Practitioner Su as a result. Because of the causal condition of extracting these attached spirits from Practitioner Su’s body, these karmic creditors of the ancestors were finally invited out yesterday. In fact, this is just one example. Tracing back to the earliest days when Practitioner Su compassionately began to invite spirits to hear the Dharma, there have been instances of spiritual attachment. During subsequent Dharma assemblies, some spirits automatically left the body to be saved and reborn in the Western Pure Land. Those that remained have mostly been assimilated by the heart and the great environment of Practitioner Su’s body. They have become purified and quiet, thus not causing further harm to Practitioner Su’s body.

This situation also allows the fourfold assembly of disciples to learn that if one’s own practice can achieve the purification of the body, heart, and spirit, and if one’s meditative concentration is successful, one can similarly transform and purify the more than fifty trillion cells in one’s own body, as well as one’s karmic creditors and attached spirits. This can reduce the occurrence of aging and illness. One may even realise one's true nature and attain the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi, thereby achieving the ability to stop aging, prevent illness caused by karmic creditors, and ensure that the spirit never dies, allowing for a smooth and free rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo. This message was recorded by the Buddha’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.