The Hidden Retribution of a Renowned Master

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Venerable Guanghua, 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, his journey through the realms of retribution, and his eventual salvation. Recorded by the chief writer, Li Jiaxian, on June 13, 2017.

Li Jiaxian speaks:

"With ten bows of respect, I invite the spirit of Venerable Guanghua to speak. Namo Amituofo, in His great compassion, created the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Practitioner Su, through her boundless compassion, has delivered Venerable Guanghua to this Pure Land. Could you please explain the Causal Conditions that brought you to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and describe the process of your rebirth? Namo Amituofo."

Venerable Guanghua speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. In my life, I always considered myself to be exceptionally clever and capable. I possessed great self-confidence; whether in my studies or in any task I set my mind to, I believed nothing could defeat me. This arrogance forged a rigid personality. I was determined to succeed in everything I touched. During the Sino-Japanese War, I suspended my studies, driven by a deep sense of patriotism and loyalty to my country. I joined a special training programme for officers, which launched my military career. I led troops into battle, planning strategies to eliminate the enemy to protect the nation. Because of my competitive and strong-willed nature, the soldiers I trained were the elite. I was responsible for countless deaths on the battlefield, a heavy burden that would later manifest in my own suffering.

The Iron-Faced Commander

After the retreat from the mainland, I moved to Taiwan with the Nationalist government. My discipline was strict, and the soldiers I trained remained the best of the best. I was impartial in my rewards and punishments; if a soldier made a mistake, I punished them severely, and if they performed well, I rewarded them. In the eyes of my men, I was known as 'iron-faced and selfless.' In the military, it was inevitable that we would feast on meat. We sacrificed chickens, ducks, and geese to satisfy our hunger. One day, I ordered a large quantity of these animals to be purchased to reward my soldiers, treating their lives as mere commodities for our consumption. That night, I had a terrifying dream: a massive flock of chickens, ducks, and geese came to me, begging for mercy. They were all crying out, 'Please, do not kill us!' Each one was wailing—'Ah! Ah! Ah!' I woke up in a cold sweat, deeply shaken. I realised that even though these animals were considered mere livestock, they possessed life. Since they had appeared so clearly in my dream to plead for their lives, I dared not kill them again.

A Turn Toward the Dharma

Decades passed in my military career, and I eventually retired early. During a period of hospitalisation, I had the opportunity to encounter the Pure Land Dharma Gate. I read the Infinite Life Sutra and began to understand the profound nature of the scriptures. I realised that if I did not resolve the cycle of reincarnation in this lifetime, I would have to repay every single debt I had incurred. After middle age, I took refuge under Venerable Lühang and followed him to propagate the Buddha’s teachings everywhere. I knew I had created significant karma during my time in the military. I wanted to help the retired soldiers who had come to Taiwan and were left without support. I chose to lecture on the Infinite Life Sutra at the Donglin Jingse, hoping to help these veterans understand the Pure Land Dharma Gate and Namo Amituofo. I taught them that if they could chant 'Namo Amituofo' with their final thought at the moment of death, they could all be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Trap of Arrogance and Esoteric Practice

I travelled extensively to propagate the Pure Land teachings, even serving as the abbot of several temples. To ensure the Dharma would be passed down for generations, I worked tirelessly, visiting temple after temple. Eventually, I collapsed from exhaustion. Although Buddha’s blessings helped my condition gradually improve, I encountered criticism from the outside world for certain reasons. This caused my heart to waver, and I turned to study Esoteric practices and chanting mantras. After I began these practices, I attracted many ghost deities that I was unable to drive away. I felt a deep sense of fear. Later, I returned to the Pure Land Dharma Gate, continuing my practice and working even harder to propagate the Buddha’s teachings. I strictly observed the precepts, setting an example for others. I dedicated my life to promoting monastic education, training monks and nuns across Taiwan. However, despite my strict adherence to the precepts, I never truly delved into the profound mysteries of the Infinite Life Sutra. I did not understand the true essence of the text.

The Reality of Hellish Retribution

I believed that by practising the Pure Land path, I would be free from illness and able to pass away with ease. Yet, in the end, I required brain surgery, suffered from physical disabilities, and was confined to a wheelchair. When I finally passed away, my disciples chanted for me, believing I had attained rebirth. In reality, after death, I fell into the brain-gouging hell. Because I had served as an officer under Chiang Ching-kuo and planned military strategies, I had to bear the karmic consequences and fell into the brain-gouging hell. Because of my military strategies and schemes, I fell into the limb-amputation hell. Because I failed to change my habits and frequently gave rise to anger, I fell into the heart-gouging hell. I was suffering the intense retribution of hell when, suddenly, I heard a voice calling out, 'Venerable Shi Guanghua, where are you?'

Deliverance by Practitioner Su

Following a beam of Buddha-light, I arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and saw the compassionate Practitioner Su. She asked me, 'Are you Shi Guanghua?' I replied that I was. Practitioner Su invited me to listen to the Dharma on the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Only after listening to the teachings did I understand the truth of the universe—that everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect, down to the smallest detail. The karma I created in the military led to the fruit of hell. Although I had propagated the Pure Land teachings, trained monastics, and helped many farmers, I had assumed that my lifelong efforts to spread the Dharma would be enough. I never expected that at the end of my life, I would fall into hell. After listening to the teachings, I realised that no matter how much merit I had accumulated or how many people I had helped, my internal habits—which I had not changed—were the very obstacles to my rebirth.

The True Meaning of Pure Land Practice

My internal personality was far too strong and unyielding. When I encountered obstacles, I briefly turned to Esoteric practices, which attracted many ghost deities to attach themselves to me. I knew my thinking had become skewed. At that time, my body and head were already possessed by the spirits I had attracted through mantra chanting. Furthermore, because of issues with a newspaper publication, I harboured resentment in my heart. Even though I practised repentance during my retreat, the subtle fluctuations and anger within me had not been pacified. During my retreat, I faced many obstacles and broke my thigh—this, too, was caused by my own anger. As for the 'three hun souls and seven po souls,' during my retreat, my karmic creditors from countless lifetimes took away one hun soul and three po souls. My health continued to decline.

I knew my time was short, and I wanted to pass on everything I had learned to my disciples, hoping each of them would contribute to the Dharma. Yet, deep down, my personality and habits remained unchanged. Whenever things did not go my way, I would ignite a fire of ignorance. I knew it, but I could not extinguish it. That was how my karmic creditors found me; they controlled my head, causing the cerebral oedema that required surgery. Afterwards, my physical movements were impaired, and I was confined to a wheelchair. By the end of my practice, I had become a poor example for others. After hearing Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks, I realised that to truly practise the Pure Land path, one must truly change one's habits. Pure Land practice is an internal journey; it is not about empty external appearances. It is entirely about the heart. If one can achieve a state of no-mind, no-self, and no-defilement, that is true purity. Although I was propagating the Buddha’s teachings, I had a defiled heart. In the end, I became ill and required surgery, and my physical and verbal faculties were controlled. My disciples thought my death from illness was natural, but how could I have achieved rebirth while chanting like that? I damaged the image of the Buddha, and for this, I offer my deepest repentance.

A Call to Truth

Many famous monastics like me have fallen ill. Even though their disciples chanted for them at the end, they actually went to hell to suffer retribution. Practitioner Su has been rescuing us, one by one, from hell. The bhikshunis at the Centre all possess clairvoyance and can communicate with us in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We were guided by Practitioner Su from the Hsiang Kuang Buddha-land to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We are making these facts public on the internet so that the world may know that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre truly exists, and that those who truly practise can indeed guide sentient beings to rebirth in the Western Land. If everyone truly practises and changes their habits, everyone can connect with the Western Land. Everyone possesses this innate ability. However, the fame, profit, and Five Desires of the monastic and lay worlds have covered us, preventing us from finding our true self-nature.

Here, after listening to the teachings, I was guided by Practitioner Su to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss during a Thrice Yearning Ceremony. I know now that the one who truly has the attainment to guide spirits to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is Practitioner Su. I am filled with infinite gratitude. If not for Practitioner Su, I would still be suffering retribution in hell. I hope this article, published on the internet, will serve as proof that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre exists, that the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss exists, and that there is a true practitioner in Practitioner Su, along with the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Centre. Gratitude upon gratitude. I bow in thanks. Namo Amituofo."

Li Jiaxian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am grateful to Venerable Guanghua for accepting this interview."