The Hard-Won Lesson of Humility

The late Venerable Master Wei Chueh, the founder of the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, sought deliverance following his passing. After experiencing the profound suffering of the hells due to his past arrogance and attachment to worldly fame, he was rescued by Practitioner Su and brought to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This testimony was recorded on June 11, 2017.

Venerable Master Wei Chueh speaks:

"Everything I write here is the absolute truth. When I founded the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, I built it on a grand scale, creating an independent space for the mountain, and gathering countless devotees, Dharma protectors, and lay practitioners. At the time, I never once stopped to consider whether I would be able to repay the karmic debts incurred by such a massive undertaking. It was only after I passed away and descended into the Uninterrupted Hell that I finally understood the gravity of my actions. It took the harsh lessons of hell to finally break through my arrogance and my deep-seated ignorance."

From the Depths of Hell to Repentance

"Because of a karmic connection from a past life, Practitioner Su called out my name on the very first day after my passing, leading me out of the hells and up to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. When I first arrived, I truly did not believe I had done anything wrong. I still carried the imposing, authoritative air of a Great Venerable Master. I refused to acknowledge my faults in the slightest. Because of this, I was cast back down into the hells. I was incredibly displeased at the time, and for a period, I suffered through the torments of hell once more. It was only then that I realised just how stubborn I had been. No matter how painful the suffering in hell was, I refused to yield. It was only after being invited up by Practitioner Su time and time again that I finally began to lower my pride.

Practitioner Su instructed me to look back at my past lives, but I found it incredibly difficult to face. How could I, the dignified Great Bhikkhu Wei Chueh, ever bring myself to surrender? Yet, after looking into it, I finally saw the truth. In my past lives, whether as a lay practitioner or a monastic, I had indeed performed great acts of charity. That is the only reason the Chung Tai Chan Monastery was able to reach such a scale in this lifetime. Such things do not happen by chance; they are the result of past causes and conditions."

The True Path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss

"This place, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, is truly magnificent and inconceivable. It is a place where one can practise purification and realise the connection to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Through a lifetime of practice, I have only recently come to understand that my entire life’s work crumbled at the very end because I became attached to fame and profit. Do you think I did not fall ill? Do you truly believe that I, Wei Chueh, achieved rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss on my own? I am here now. If you have the sensitivity to feel it, then come—whoever you are—come and meet the real me, the me who has come from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I ask you all: what is truly important? Is it your reputation, or is it the final result of your own spiritual achievement? Think about this carefully. In this life, every karmic connection is arranged perfectly. Sometimes, if you miss an opportunity, it is very difficult to encounter it again. To repay the compassionate grace of the Buddha, I now wish to help open the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and naturally, Chung Tai must be on that list of those setting sail!"

A Final Plea to the Future

"Venerable Jian Deng, are you still willing to listen to the words I, Wei Chueh, have to say? For the sake of a better future for Chung Tai, and indeed for the future of all Buddhism, please make the journey to Australia! The magnificent Buddha’s teachings and the magnificent achievements at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are the direct link to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I will continue to wait for you, Venerable Jian Deng. I hope that you will not ignore my message simply because I am no longer physically present. I am waiting for your response. Habitually suppressing news is not the behaviour of the righteous path. One should face things directly and honestly. I, Wei Chueh, have achieved rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and have returned to lead Chung Tai—could this possibly be a bad thing? I look forward to your reply, and I hope you will come to see me."

Written by Wei Chueh.

This message was recorded by the disciple of the Buddha, Shi Fa Xi.