The Healing Power of the Buddha-Name

This is a record of an interview with Feng An, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately five hundred years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing, on February 25, 2019.

Feng An speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Feng An. From a very young age, I learned the art of medicine from my mother. Even as a small child, I would accompany her everywhere, travelling from village to village to treat the sick. At first, I was merely her assistant, but as time passed, I became capable of diagnosing and treating patients on my own. Every patient I treated would praise my skills, marvelling that such a young child could possess such profound medical knowledge."

The Trap of Arrogance

"Because I received so much praise from such a young age, I began to grow arrogant. I truly believed I was extraordinary. While other children my age were still playing in the dirt, I was already healing the sick. Whenever someone complimented me, I would secretly swell with pride in my heart. My mother, however, was observant. She understood clearly that if she allowed me to remain prideful, it would eventually be my downfall. She devised a plan to teach me a lesson. Beyond our daily medical rounds, she began taking me to observe other children who were equally skilled in their own ways.

"My mother would tell me, 'Every child has their own strengths, Feng An. You know how to heal, but you cannot chop wood. You know how to heal, but you cannot cook. You know how to heal, but you cannot farm.' She took me to watch these children working. Even at such a young age, they performed their tasks better than many adults, yet they were not the least bit proud. Instead, they were even more respectful and humble toward others—an attitude I completely lacked. My mother warned me, 'No matter how capable a person is, once arrogance takes root, even if they achieve a perfect score, that pride will cause them to drop to twenty percent, ten percent, or even zero. You must realise that this arrogance is a poison that must be avoided at all costs!'

"Hearing my mother's words and seeing so many other talented children, I realised that I was only skilled in medicine and lacked knowledge in everything else. What was there to be proud of? Under my mother's guidance, I gradually ground away my arrogance. Now, whenever someone praises me, I keep firmly in mind that humility is the foundation of all virtue; one must never become haughty or self-important."

The Medicine of the Dharma

"Seeing my transformation, my mother was overjoyed. She knew I was a child who could be taught, and that I possessed the sharp roots of wisdom. She believed that if I could learn the Buddha’s teachings, I would surely achieve success. Although she was a healer, she was also a devout Buddhist. Beyond her medical work, she travelled everywhere to introduce the Dharma to others. She began using the Buddha’s teachings to educate me. Every time we finished treating a patient, she would ask me what I had learned. At first, I had no deep insights, but under her guidance and by attending Dharma talks at the temple every month, I began to understand the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

"My mindset while treating patients began to change. I developed a deeper compassion for the suffering of sentient beings. I began to infuse my medical practice with love and mercy, and I started introducing the Buddha’s teachings to every patient I treated."

The Root of All Illness

"Soon, villagers from many regions heard of my compassion. Whenever someone fell ill, they would travel thousands of miles to seek my help. Every day, as I treated patients, I was also enlightening myself. Beyond understanding the physical ailments of the human body, I began to grasp how the human heart influences disease. I gradually discovered that the key to curing illness lies within the heart. If the heart does not change, even the best medical skills and the finest medicines cannot eradicate the disease; there is always a risk of recurrence. Therefore, I began to use the Buddha’s teachings to transform people's hearts, hoping that by combining medicine with the Dharma, I could treat their illnesses more effectively.

"My method proved effective. Many patients followed the prescriptions I gave them, which involved changing their habits and correcting their faults bit by bit. Those who followed these instructions saw significant changes in their health. They finally understood that a wicked heart does not just harm others—it harms oneself. It subjects one to the torment of illness; it is a loss that far outweighs any gain!"

The Power of Namo Amituofo

"By the time I was fifteen, I deeply realised that the power of the Buddha’s teachings far surpassed that of folk medicine. If a patient could cooperate, a single recitation of the holy name of Namo Amituofo could cure ten thousand illnesses. At sixteen, I entered a temple to focus on my practice. Once my heart became still, I realised how magnificent the Dharma truly was. Previously, I had only touched the surface. Now, fully immersed in the Dharma, I finally grasped its profound mysteries.

"Through my practice, I discovered the habits I needed to correct. Under the guidance of my master, I followed the sutras and teachings, shedding my faults bit by bit—something I could never have learned while studying medicine alone. I practiced for twenty full years. During this time, I shaved my head and became a monk, truly determined to see through the illusions of the red dust and dedicate my life to saving sentient beings. When I finally left the temple to propagate the Dharma, I discovered that even though I had not been treating patients or reading medical books, my medical skills had naturally improved. It was undoubtedly the power of the Dharma. When the body and mind are completely pure, the body can exert a much greater function. I was truly borrowing the power of Namo Amituofo to heal others. The efficacy of this healing far surpassed my abilities before I began my practice. I marvelled at how truly inconceivable the Buddha’s teachings are.

"Throughout my life, I combined the Dharma with medicine to save many critically ill patients. These patients and their families, saved by my efforts, came to deeply believe in the vast, majestic power of Namo Amituofo. They kept this Buddha-name in their hearts at all times, grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo, and hoping to rely on this holy name to attain peace of body and mind."

A Life Dedicated to Deliverance

"Wherever I went, I propagated the holy name of Namo Amituofo. I travelled everywhere, especially to remote areas lacking medical care. I made it a point to visit these places, not only to treat the civilians but also to introduce them to the Dharma. These neglected villages had never known the Buddha’s teachings, and no one had ever spoken the Dharma to them. I felt deep compassion for the suffering of the beings in these places, so even when the roads were treacherous, I still walked to these remote areas to spread the Dharma. This was my life for over seventy years. When I reached the final town, after giving a Dharma talk, I manifested the act of chanting Namo Amituofo and attained rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I left behind a fragrance of virtue and elegance, allowing everyone to believe that Namo Amituofo is truly inconceivable!

"Practitioner Su has unveiled the mysteries of the human body, revealing that many doctors today suffer from serious illnesses because they are being attacked by sentient beings. In the past, when I was treating patients, I often felt physically unwell, but I did not know it was due to spiritual attachment. I endured the discomfort and continued to treat beings. Now that Practitioner Su has revealed the truth of the universe, the mystery is solved for everyone. We now know that the number of sentient beings attached to the human body is immeasurable and boundless, and that only the Buddha’s teachings can truly eradicate all diseases.

"Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body is renowned throughout the universe for his Chao Du. Countless beings are seeking deliverance, and I am actively participating in this work. This is my great blessing—to be able to return to the human world after my rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to assist Practitioner Su, and even to work together in the universe to save sentient beings. This is truly a rare encounter in millions of years. I am deeply grateful for Practitioner Su’s compassion. Namo Amituofo."

Namo Amituofo.