The Hidden Energy Within the Sound of Sutra Chanting
An Interview with the Spirit of Zeng Yuling, a Former Monastic
Recorded by Venerable HaiZe on May 22 and 24, 2017
This interview was recorded on May 22 and 24, 2017, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. Venerable HaiZe, a disciple of Practitioner Su, engaged in a dialogue with a spirit who identified himself as Zeng Yuling, a former monastic. The spirit, having become trapped in the intermediate state due to his attachment to his own chanting voice, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su and the Buddha-light of Namo Amituofo.
Venerable HaiZe speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I ask the Buddha: today, should I record the Buddha’s words, or should I invite spirits for the fourfold assembly? Please, Buddha, provide your compassionate guidance."
"Namo Amituofo: Venerable HaiZe, today you shall dialogue with the beings in the space. Proceed according to conditions."
"Venerable HaiZe: Understood! Gratitude to Namo Amituofo."
The Voice of the Chanting
"Venerable HaiZe: Is there any being in this space who is willing to accept an interview?"
"Spirit: May I?"
"Venerable HaiZe: Where do you come from?"
"Spirit: I come from the sound of the chanting that everyone here produces."
"Venerable HaiZe: The sound of chanting from everyone's mouths?"
"Spirit: Yes! It is quite a long introduction, but you may call me 'Chanting Sound'."
"Venerable HaiZe: Very well. Do you have a name?"
"Spirit: I do. My name is Zeng Yuling. I am the sound of the chanting, but I am also an organic entity. I possess and energy, so you could also call me 'Chanting Energy' or 'Chanting Power'."
"Venerable HaiZe: That means you, too, can be reborn in the Western Pure Land!"
"Zeng Yuling: Indeed! You never thought of that, did you? And the voice of every single person is different!"
The Composition of Spiritual Energy
"Venerable HaiZe: Oh! If every voice is different, does that mean the beings who are Bodhisattvas are also different?"
"Zeng Yuling: Exactly. It means that by the time a single Sutra is finished, one cannot even count how many beings have been invited out through the chanting, combining to form the sound and energy of that specific recitation."
"Venerable HaiZe: Could you explain this to us in detail?"
"Zeng Yuling: Sound is composed of frequencies, and every frequency carries a different energy. This energy originates from the one who produces the sound—the person chanting. Listen to the chanting of the group right now: it is listless, sleepy, and heavy. Naturally, the frequencies formed by these sounds appear weak. Conversely, if everyone is full of spirit, the sounds produced will naturally be rounded and vibrant. If the chanting is done with utmost sincerity and earnestness, even if the chanter is not familiar with the text, or if they chant slowly or mispronounce words, the frequency energy remains extremely powerful. This is because a heart of utmost sincerity is rare and precious. If one is merely going through the motions, the result is mediocre—there is no strength to speak of. It simply exists, maintaining a tiny bit of energy. Therefore, there are too many frequencies in between. For instance, when one chants while ill, the sound is filled with sickly frequencies; the usable energy is very low. But if it is the chanting of Practitioner Su, that is priceless. This is why the power of merit during dedication varies. It explains why some people find their prayers answered quickly, while others find it slow. It is entirely related to the sincerity of the heart, the merit of the chanter, and whether their mental state is Good."
The Accumulation of Power
"Venerable HaiZe: You mentioned that energy accumulates. Could you elaborate?"
"Zeng Yuling: You often make vows to dedicate a certain number of Sutra recitations to someone. At those moments, your mental power is immense because every second feels precious. The drive is strong, and the effect is excellent. You call it 'miraculous', but in reality, it is the energy of your own sincerity attached to the chanting sound, accumulating over time. Energy accumulates; once it reaches a certain threshold, it has the power to improve, transform, or achieve the goal you desire for the other person."
"Venerable HaiZe: Thank you for coming forward to tell us this. May I ask, from which practitioner did you originate?"
"Zeng Yuling: I came from the chanting sound during yesterday’s 'Great Praise to ', specifically the final line about returning to the West. The energy at that moment was very strong."
"Venerable HaiZe: I see! The universe is truly profound, filled with inconceivable things. If not for this place, we would never know. Do you wish to be reborn in the Western Pure Land?"
"Zeng Yuling: After telling you so much, it is my hope that Practitioner Su can help us reach the West."
The Trap of Attachment
"Venerable HaiZe: Why didn't you go yesterday?"
"Spirit: Because some of us said they wanted to go home and see what their old temples looked like. We have been in this space for a very long time, and they didn't know what had become of them. So, we waited for them."
"Venerable HaiZe: How did you become a 'chanting energy source'?"
"Zeng Yuling: I will not hide it from you: I was a monastic, a cantor. My voice was resonant, and everyone who heard it praised it. That was my greatest achievement in monastic life. Just before I passed away, scenes from my entire life flashed before my eyes. Shortly before my death, I led a assembly, and my voice was truly exceptional. I let my thoughts dwell on that moment. Soon, I felt a force pulling me toward that assembly. I felt as though I had merged with my own voice, lingering in that space. I do not know how much time passed, but a burst of Buddha-light and the sound of the Buddha-name transferred me here. Since then, I have remained in this space. Whenever there is a Dharma assembly, it is our best time. I can distinguish the energy level of every person's chanting, and I can participate, strengthening the energy of the assembly."
"Venerable HaiZe: The level of energy during chanting depends on the purity of the chanter. The purer the person, the stronger the energy, and the more effective the chanting. Whether the goal is to reduce suffering, accumulate provisions for rebirth in the West, attain meditative concentration, or purify the mind, the purpose varies. Ultimately, the more pure, empty, virtuous, and capable the chanter, the stronger the energy. The one leading the Dharma assembly is especially important; they influence the strength of the entire venue."
A Final Chance for Deliverance
"Venerable HaiZe: When you were passing away, did anyone chant for you or provide teachings on seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? Did you chant the Buddha's name? Otherwise, how did you become a 'chanting energy source'?"
"Zeng Yuling: Of course they did. I heard them, but it seemed as though it did not resonate with my consciousness. I was completely immersed in reviewing my life. I suppose that is what you call 'the space'. I entered my own space, and the chanting from the outside had no effect on me. I went where my attachments led me. Alas! It is a pity. However, I believe that if Practitioner Su were to chant for someone, it would be different. Practitioner Su's Buddha-name can open the space, allowing us to hear it, regain our , and return to the Buddha-name, giving us a chance for rebirth in the West."
"Venerable HaiZe: And that is exactly what is happening to you now! Under the Buddha-light of Namo Amituofo and the chanting of Practitioner Su, you have been brought here. You have the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. You must first go to the at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to listen to the Dharma, and then make the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."
"Zeng Yuling: This has been my greatest wish for a long time. I advise all monastics: do not be attached to any person, matter, or object. Do not have preferences, or you will end up like me, trapped in the space, unable to reach the West even with others chanting for you. Maintain an ordinary heart; do not have a heart of arrogance when treating others. Very well, I trouble you! Namo Amituofo."
"Venerable HaiZe: Namo Amituofo. Very well. How many of you are there?"
"Zeng Yuling: We are a group of chanting energy sources. We have accumulated much energy here over the past few days. There are approximately three 'great numbers' of us. I, Zeng Yuling, represent them."
"Venerable HaiZe: Understood. Thank you for telling us these things. I wish you all an early rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."
"Zeng Yuling: Thank you, Namo Amituofo. Thank you, Practitioner Su and everyone. Namo Amituofo."
This interview was recorded by the disciple Shi Haize.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library