The Gift of Time and the Vow to Save

This is a record of an interview with the Venerable Fan Xian, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 2,200 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on January 18, 2019.

Venerable Fan Xian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Fan Xian. In a past life, I was a merchant consumed by the fires of greed. I systematically bought off officials and manipulated the complex systems of the time to amass great wealth, firmly believing I could live a life of luxury and ease forever. But the laws of karma and cause and effect are swift; I choked to death on a simple draught of water while drinking. In an instant, my wealth vanished into nothingness. My soul, unable to take a single coin with me, descended into the hells to face the consequences of my actions. I vividly remember the sound of my own wailing—it was a cry of profound, soul-shattering regret that echoed through the dark, cold corridors of the hells. After cycling through the cycle of rebirth for many lifetimes, I finally encountered the Buddha’s teachings in this life."

A Heart Transformed by Repentance

"I entered this current life devoid of any material wealth, carrying only the heavy, yet transformative, burden of a heart of repentance. Influenced by the lessons of my past, I lived with a commitment to absolute honesty, never daring to engage in the deceitful or petty acts that once defined my existence. I learned through deep reflection that no karmic cause, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is too small to ignore under the laws of karma and cause and effect. Although I did not consciously remember the specific details of my past lives, a natural sense of remorse blossomed within me. I treated everyone and everything with sincerity, never calculating or plotting. Even when I suffered a loss, I did not complain; I was willing to let others take advantage of me, sacrificing my own comfort for their happiness, finding joy in their well-being."

"I was born into a destitute family. To care for my ailing father, I worked odd jobs for a pittance, spending every cent on herbal medicine to nourish him. My mother had passed away when I was only four, leaving us to depend on each other. My father was too frail to work, so I became the sole provider at a very young age. Despite my small stature and the meager earnings, I worked diligently, doing whatever I could to keep us alive and to provide for his needs."

The Weight of a Shortened Life

"Though I brewed medicine for my father every day, his condition did not improve. By the time I was sixteen, he was too weak to speak. Knowing his time was near, I dedicated myself entirely to his care. I only ventured out to sell vegetables from a cart while he slept, spending every other moment by his bedside.

One day, while selling vegetables, I met a master who could see into the past and future of others. Upon seeing me, he remarked, 'Many people return from the hells to be reborn as humans, yet they continue to cause trouble, having forgotten their vows of repentance. You, however, have maintained a heart of true remorse. It is truly admirable!' I did not fully understand his words then, but I knew that even without a mother’s guidance and with a bedridden father, I naturally felt the urge to consider others. Perhaps that was what he meant."

Finding Value in the Remaining Years

"Shortly after, a fortune teller told me, 'Your life is short; you will not live past forty.' At sixteen, I calculated that I had only twenty-four years left. It felt so brief. If I were to marry and have children, I would only face the pain of separation, leaving a wife to struggle alone. I shook my head—I could not do that.

When I returned home and looked at my sleeping father, I wondered: if I spent these twenty-four years solely caring for him, what would be left of my life once he passed? My existence would end having achieved nothing. I pondered this for a week, searching for a way to make these years truly valuable. When I visited a temple to pay respects to the Buddha, a monk offered me guidance. He said, 'If you live these twenty-four years for yourself, everything returns to zero when you die. But if you live for others, for all sentient beings, then after twenty-four years, countless lives will have been saved because of you. Your twenty-four years will have infinite value. Is that not better than keeping them for yourself?'"

The Path of the Bodhisattva

"I had never considered dedicating my life to others. The monk’s words struck a chord. I asked, 'How can I help others?' He replied, 'Start by learning the Buddha’s teachings.' From that day on, I went to the temple daily to listen to sutras and hear the Dharma, praying for the Buddha’s compassion to help my father find relief from his suffering.

With my heart set on helping beings, I received the Buddha’s blessings, and my father passed away peacefully within a month. I was alone, yet I felt a new purpose. Countless beings were waiting to be saved. Suddenly, those remaining twenty-four years felt vibrant and full of meaning."

Diligent Practice and the Extension of Life

"I lived as if one day of mine was ten days for others. My diligence was unmatched in the temple, for no one else had such a limited time. To help others sooner, I constantly refined myself. I slept only once every three days, yet my energy surpassed everyone else’s. This was not due to physical strength, but the energy of a sincere heart dedicated to saving beings and propagating the Dharma. My heart could transform everything. By chanting Namo Amituofo constantly, I was continuously purified and blessed by the Buddha’s power.

Within a few years, I began travelling to save beings, giving my life to their service. As the twenty-fourth year approached, I lived with extreme caution, fearing that any wasted moment meant one less being saved. The more I cherished time, the faster it seemed to pass. When the twenty-third year arrived, I did not look back at how many I had saved, for life is inherently empty. I only looked forward. Knowing my end was near, I knelt before my master and asked, 'I have only one year left. How should I spend it?' He asked, 'How much is your heart for sentient beings?' I replied, 'It has never changed. For them, I would sacrifice my life without hesitation.' He asked, 'How long a life would it take to save all beings?' I shook my head, 'No matter how long, I could never save the infinite beings before me! I only wish to live to a hundred, so I can save a few more.' My master clapped his hands and said, 'Excellent! Then you shall live to a hundred!' I looked at him in surprise, and he smiled, 'This is no empty promise!'"

A Legacy of Compassion

"True to his word, I remained strong and healthy in my twenty-fourth year, continuing to propagate the Dharma. My master passed away and attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss when I was sixty, leaving me only three words: 'Work hard!' I understood those words perfectly. My life was a gift from him, and he wanted me to use every remaining moment for the sake of sentient beings. I am deeply grateful for his compassion, and I have dedicated my life to propagating the Dharma and teaching disciples so that the Buddha’s teachings may remain in this world forever.

In this life, I lived to be one hundred and twenty. Those extra years were the result of my constant vow to serve others. I am filled with gratitude for the Buddha’s compassion. I am also grateful that my life was originally destined to end at forty, as it taught me to cherish my remaining time, walk the path of practice, and ultimately attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss at the end of my life."

The Call of the Modern Age

"In this age of the Dharma’s decline, the suffering of beings is unbearable. Practitioner Su has made the vow to return to this world to save those trapped in the fires of suffering. The greatest difficulty lies in the stubborn habits of beings; even when they are in pain, they are unwilling to leave. Even when the Buddha comes to help, they remain deluded.

Practitioner Su’s patience in teaching and explaining the Dharma is driven by the hope that beings will break through delusion and attain enlightenment, forever leaving the ocean of suffering. Saving a single being today requires immense time, skillful means, and constant adaptation. Practitioner Su’s tireless efforts are now extended through his Dharma Body, performing Chao Du throughout the universe. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for allowing me to join this mission. I continue to push forward with doubled strength, hoping to seize this precious time to save more suffering beings. I am grateful to the Buddha, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su."

"Namo Amituofo."