The Fifteenth Letter: A Message to the Dharma Drum Community

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects his thoughts regarding his former community, Dharma Drum Mountain, and the state of modern Buddhism. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xi, on June 30, 2017.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. It is only through immeasurable magnificence and immeasurable virtue that such a sacred encounter can come to pass.

I am currently at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I understand well the principle that those who believe will always believe, and those who do not will remain in doubt. However, how could I, Sheng Yen, possibly let such a magnificent Dharma affinity slip through my fingers? I believe that one day, when the clouds part and the sun is revealed, everyone will see that the true light is right here. The daily morning Buddha’s words, and every word and sentence of the sutras, serve to purify and cleanse the human heart. Whether you are currently rejecting this place or doubting these events, it does not matter if your affinity is not yet fully ripe. But I truly hope that everyone will genuinely take these Words of Namo Amituofo to heart. Do not let such a magnificent Dharma affinity go to waste."

The Trap of Discrimination

"To all the members of Dharma Drum Mountain—Venerable Guo Dong, all the other Venerables, the Dharma-protecting lay practitioners, and all the people of the Dharma Drum community—how are you all? I have been waiting with an earnest heart for a response, but there has been total silence. I understand that it is difficult for many of you to accept that a newly emerged Buddhist organisation would challenge the scale and influence of Dharma Drum Mountain. But have you ever stopped to consider that the very moment such a mental note arises, you have already ceased to be a true practitioner of the Buddha’s teachings? Because you have allowed discriminations to take root. With discriminations, one cannot reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss! The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a place of absolute purity. This place here is, in fact, very pure.

In a world where there are no hidden agendas, no personal stances, and where no one is willing to undertake the work of restoring the Buddha’s teachings, it is a fact that modern Buddhism has failed. This is the reality. The entire environment has fallen into this state. We cannot simply blame this outcome entirely on the era of the End of the Dharma; that would be incorrect and irresponsible. This situation has arisen solely due to the changes in the human heart. It also depends heavily on the direction, the mission, and the leadership of Buddhist organisations. The general public follows and venerates the Buddhist groups they believe in—whether it is Dharma Drum Mountain, Tzu Chi, Chung Tai, or Fo Guang Shan. These are all famous 'mountain heads' in Taiwan, and of course, there are many others, including Mount Jiuhua. Many of these are popular pilgrimage destinations. But has anyone truly stopped to think: what is the actual Buddha’s teachings? Or is it merely worldly law? How many people have actually pondered this?"

Reflections on the Path of a Monastic

"The magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings lies in the transformation of the heart and in the attainment of Buddhahood. Its core value is that everyone is a Buddha; therefore, everyone is equal, everyone is the same, and there is no difference. We must view all as one body. Between men and women, there are distinctions, and we should treat one another with the respect one would show a guest. We must distance ourselves from the affairs of emotion. Aside from the necessity of continuing the family line, the human world should maintain a pure and cool heart. These are the precepts—these are the important counseling of the Buddha. But how many people have truly and fully achieved this in practice?

The lack of non-discriminatory unity has already caused so many to lose their inherent purity. In particular, the natural arrogance of monastics is something that must be guarded against. A monastic makes a vow to leave the home life, to sacrifice the body and the self, to abandon family to save the world. Such a state of mind is truly worthy of respect. But how much is actually done? And is there a demand for recognition or feedback? This is terrifying. It will quietly gnaw away at your wisdom, causing you to unknowingly sow the seeds of karmic retribution, which you will then have to bear in your later years. What does it actually mean to teach someone to be a monastic? It means having no home, no heart, no feelings, no emotion, and no worldly dust. There is only a state of cool, empty clarity. There are no 'realms' to attain, and no 'skills' to show off. This is what a monastic is—a true monastic who can achieve liberation. How many have actually done this? I did not do it either, and that is why I became ill. Illness is the retributive fruit brought about by karma. I accepted it. Throughout my life, I could never escape the pursuit of my karma. In the end, I passed away due to the exhaustion caused by illness. Is this the kind of practice you wish for yourselves? Setting aside the question of how much I contributed to the Buddha’s teachings during my life, if I were truly an eminent monk of great virtue, why would I have passed away in a body ravaged by sickness? Many who believe in Dharma Drum Mountain would rather believe that I was 'demonstrating the Dharma' through my illness. But if you believe in the person rather than the Buddha, such superstition will prevent you from reaching the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I, Sheng Yen, cannot repay the devotion you have shown me."

The Reality of Karmic Debt

"Many folk rituals, customs, and temples have ways of communicating with the spiritual realms, but the difference lies in the level of faith. In the ten directions of the void, there are no layers of space; it all depends on which gate you are practicing and which level you are communicating with. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a place where the Buddhas reside. It reaches the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and transcends the ten directions. It can communicate with all beings in the ten directions and understand their existence. It was only after coming here that I truly understood these principles. It turns out that there are so many unresolved matters within us humans. We are all sentient beings, burdened by karmic creditors and a mountain of nameless illnesses, all of which stem from this very source. That is why it is often said in the world that life is a process of repaying debts. This is true! It is absolutely true!"

A Final Plea for the Dharma

"I hope that someone will be willing to stand up and face these words. This kind of Buddha-work is now only found here. If, after reading all the messages that have been sent out, you truly feel that they are false, then perhaps the Buddha’s teachings in this world are indeed destined to be this way. The reality of this chaos is clear; I hope someone is willing to come forward together to testify to the truth. Only then can the Buddha’s teachings in this world continue to endure forever.

Written by the hand of Sheng Yen.

This interview message was recorded by the disciple Shi Fa Xi."

Namo Amituofo.