The Greatest Gift: A Path to Liberation

This is a record of an interview with the 979th Venerable, Liu Qingyuan, who lived approximately 413 years ago. He sought deliverance through the teachings of the Buddha and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on February 20, 2019.

Venerable Liu Qingyuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Liu Qingyuan. My brother and I were once wandering children, struggling to survive in a world that had turned its back on us. We were so hungry that we once snuck into a stranger's garden to steal fruit. I was so terrified when the owner discovered us that I fell from the tree and twisted both my ankles, leaving me unable to walk. My brother carried me on his back to apologise to the owner. The man was an elderly farmer with a vast orchard. His trees were laden with fruit, though many had been pecked by birds. He looked at us—dirty, thin, and barefoot—and asked how long we had been wandering. My brother explained that our father had abandoned us after losing everything in business two years prior. We had been living wherever we could find shelter, often chased away from the places we tried to hide. To our surprise, the old farmer took pity on us and allowed us to stay."

A New Life and the Joy of Giving

"The old farmer treated my injuries with his own herbal remedies, and I recovered quickly. To repay his kindness, my brother and I worked diligently in his fields every day. With our help, he was able to cultivate land that had long been neglected. We sold the surplus vegetables in town, and our lives became stable. The old farmer had no family of his own; he lived alone in his large house, content with his simple clothes and the food he grew. Over time, we grew to love him as our own father. With his permission, we began using our earnings to provide relief to families in need within the town. Although we earned less money, the three of us were happier than we had ever been. Our 'old father' often remarked that he had never known such joy; he had spent his whole life working only for himself, never realising how fulfilling it is to practise Generosity and help others."

The Search for the Perfect Gift

"On the second anniversary of our arrival, my brother and I wanted to buy a gift to thank him. We searched everywhere, but the old farmer seemed to have everything he needed. Nothing we found felt meaningful enough. We walked from the east side of the city to the west, finally spotting a hat that seemed perfect for him. Just as I reached for it, another customer snatched it up. We watched, dejected, as the stranger walked away with it. On our long walk home, feeling defeated, we turned a corner and encountered a monk. Although we had not yet learned the Buddha's teachings, we held deep respect for those who dedicated their lives to the Dharma. We bowed to him, and seeing our sorrow, he asked what troubled us. When we explained, the monk smiled and said, 'Giving a gift is not as good as teaching him to chant Namo Amituofo.' That was the moment we first heard the Dharma. We realised then that we had been living our lives in a drunken stupor, unaware of the true nature of existence."

A Forgotten Vow and a New Direction

"The old farmer was a kind man, but he did not know how to escape the cycle of rebirth. When we returned home and shared the Buddha-name with him, he burst into tears. He told us that he had not heard that name in sixty years—not since his mother taught it to him when he was three. She had hoped he would become a monastic, but his father had forbidden it. He had spent his life as a farmer, but he confessed that he had always felt a void. He told us, 'If I had remembered this name, I would have been a monastic, helping sentient beings, giving lectures, and performing Chao Du for suffering spirits, rather than living only for myself.' He placed his hopes in us, urging us to become monastics. My brother and I looked at each other and decided to dedicate our lives to the Buddha's teachings. For three years, we travelled to various temples, listening to the Dharma. It was the most fulfilling time of our lives."

The Path of the Monastic

"I became a monastic at fourteen, and my brother at fifteen. Our old father was moved beyond words. We learned that life without the Dharma is like being a puppet, tossed about by fate with no purpose. We understood the suffering of beings and practised with great diligence. Even though we were brothers by blood, in the temple, we were Dharma brothers, focused entirely on our practice. We realised that there is no such thing as 'good' or 'bad' fate; the only true wisdom lies in chanting Namo Amituofo and seeking liberation from the suffering of this world. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have walked this path, helping countless beings escape their karmic burdens. Without this, we would have remained nothing more than wandering spirits lost in the cycle of rebirth."

Protecting Practitioner Su

"I am also grateful to Practitioner Su for allowing me to assist in this work. Recently, my own past leg injury has been targeted by resentful spirits seeking to cause harm. Many of these beings are consumed by such intense hatred that they would rather perish than follow the Buddha. They have waited thousands of years for a chance at revenge. I, along with other Venerables, have been using various methods to help Practitioner Su, working to soften the hearts of these spirits so they may be saved. We use both gentle guidance and firm protection, ensuring that Practitioner Su remains unharmed while we do our utmost to help these beings let go of their grievances. We hope they will soon find release in the Buddha-light and end their cycle of suffering. Namo Amituofo."