The Immortal's Witness: A Testimony from Within

This is a record of an interview with the Immortal Huaiyan, who sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life approximately 2,000 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Hai Yuan, on February 28, 2026.

Immortal Huaiyan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am the Immortal Huaiyan. Being invited out from the face of Practitioner Su and now receiving this interview here in the Western Land of Dharma Nature—it is truly a most extraordinary experience.

Because Practitioner Su has been covering the land of China with the Twelve Lights and countless manifestations, he has been delivering a vast number of demons and beings trapped in the spaces between realms. Consequently, he has suffered relentless attacks from the demon crowds of China. His body has been wounded in many places—his face, his eyes, his neck, his chest. In truth, his entire skeletal structure and his internal organs have been subjected to violent tremors. That was the situation I witnessed while I was still within his body. It was only after I was invited out by the sounding of the qing and entered the Western Land of Dharma Nature that I saw the swelling, the bruising, the blackened skin, and the bone pain on Practitioner Su’s face. I could not help but feel a profound sense of awe and respect. This is the compassion and endurance of one who manifests in this world to take on the suffering of others in order to save them."

A Connection Across Two Millennia

"I was one of the beings residing on his face. This time, because of the heavy strikes he endured, many of us who were dormant on his face were jolted awake; we were awakened from within the very blood vessels. This is not something we wished to see. After all, Practitioner Su and I were both practitioners once, long ago. The difference is that in this lifetime, he has attained a human body, and not only is he able to practise and realise his true nature and attain Buddhahood, but he has also followed Namo Amituofo to save so many beings in mainland China. When you think about it, it is truly worthy of our deepest admiration.

Speaking of my karmic affinity with Practitioner Su, it dates back about two thousand years. We were both practitioners on Changbai Mountain in China. I was known as the Taoist Huaiyan, and he was a Buddhist monk. In those days, a Taoist and a monk were like two parallel lines that never met; each had their own methods of practice. But Practitioner Su was incredibly gentle and a monk of great virtue, so our meeting was a matter of karmic affinity. He was the abbot of a temple, and I, as a Taoist, was able to sit in meditation, enter samadhi, and have my spirit leave my body. I would often go to his temple to listen to the abbot teach the Dharma."

The Sacred Sanctuary of Namo Amituofo

"It is just like the scene here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Queensland, Australia—the place where Namo Amituofo currently abides. Every time Practitioner Su gives a Dharma talk, the space around us, and the realms invisible to the physical eyes of humans, are filled with countless beings who have come to draw near and listen to the Dharma. And do not forget, there are many celestial immortals from the heavenly realms among them as well. Back then, I was that Taoist Huaiyan, capable of leaving my body to go to that temple and listen to Practitioner Su’s teachings.

At that time, the abbot’s teachings were incredibly profound and exquisite. They often made us, the invisible beings of the spirit realm, clap our hands in applause. However, the people—the monastics and the lay practitioners—seemed to understand only what they were capable of understanding, while the rest remained oblivious. It is exactly the same as the scene we see today."

The Choice to Protect

"In any case, we have known each other since those ancient times. I recognise Practitioner Su, though he may not recognise me. When my worldly affinity ended and my spirit left my body to enter the heavenly realms, I became known as the Immortal Huaiyan. I saw that the abbot was still in the human world, still teaching the Dharma at an advanced age. I remained one of those who listened to his Dharma voice, only I was now a spirit without a physical body in the heavenly realms.

Life in the heavenly realms is different from the human world. I do not know how much time has passed, but I know it has been over two thousand years! When I saw the abbot in this lifetime, he had appeared in the world again in a human body—this time as a woman. I found this identity quite special. Appearing in the world as a woman is different from his past manifestations as a monk to teach the Dharma and save beings.

So, I made a vow: since we once had a karmic connection, why not enter his body and see what I can do? If there is any way I can help, I will contribute my strength. It is a way to express my gratitude to Practitioner Su for his Dharma talks, which have allowed the celestial beings to understand the mysteries of the Dharma Realm and hear the supreme Buddha-teachings that we had never encountered before.

Especially now that Namo Amituofo is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, many celestial beings have come to know of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Many celestial immortals and beings have had the opportunity to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to seek Spiritual Deliverance and escape the heavenly realms. Everyone knows they must chant the Buddha’s name, make vows, and ask the Buddha to send them to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Many have thus entered the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; the Buddha’s grace is truly impossible to repay. I knew of this, but I thought: since I have entered his body to act as a Dharma protector, I am in no rush to seek Spiritual Deliverance for myself, so I will continue to stay."

The Price of Saving Beings

"This time, because Practitioner Su has delivered so many beings and demons from China, it triggered a backlash from the demon realms of China. They used their 'magic' against him, causing physical injury and shaking many of the beings within his body, causing them to wake up. At the time, I actually saw Practitioner Su’s immense efforts in delivering beings, and I had a premonition from within his body that the demons would strike back. Although I had this premonition, I could not change anything because I was inside, and the demons were outside. I could only try to protect the cells on his face and body, hoping they would not be shaken too violently. But I never expected the demons to be so vicious this time; they actually dealt such a poisonous blow! Alas, these demons truly struck hard. We inside were all dizzy and overwhelmed, let alone Practitioner Su himself. This is not something we wished to see.

But looking at it from a positive perspective, because of this opportunity to be jolted awake, many beings were sent into the Western Land of Dharma Nature, and even more magnificent beings were able to enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. For the celestial beings and immortals, being able to encounter the opportunity to attain Buddhahood is not just a small improvement; it is a leap in spiritual quality. It is truly something difficult to encounter in millions of years. Moreover, it is only because Namo Amituofo is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre that it is possible to deliver celestial beings to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a truly extraordinary matter."

A Warning to the Fourfold Assembly

"Namo Amituofo is the Universal Buddha, effectively the highest leader of the Dharma Realm. With the Universal Buddha residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the fourfold assembly of disciples here is truly blessed to have the opportunity to follow Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su, and to have the chance to be saved and enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. However, even with this, if one’s heart is not pure enough, or if one still clings to worldly views, methods, or speech, or even knows of their faults yet continues to commit them—we, residing within Practitioner Su’s body, can sensitively perceive these things, and we know that these are all detrimental to one’s practice.

The role of an immortal is quite unique. Since I am currently within this body, I have a responsibility to maintain the purity of his body, mind, and spirit. If the body, mind, and spirit are pure, our spiritual quality also improves, which naturally allows our own spirits to ascend to higher levels. If the body, mind, and spirit are impure and contaminated—regardless of the source of that contamination—it means one is practising with an impure heart and an impure body. Our spiritual quality cannot progress, and the spirit itself may even become polluted. This also indicates that the person lacks the drive to progress and cannot advance in their practice.

In truth, throughout the vast history and expansive territory of China, there are truly many ghosts and spirit-realm beings that human eyes cannot see and ears cannot hear, existing in overlapping spaces. This is the world of humans as we see it from the heavenly realms. Those who can truly 'see through' and 'let go' are not simple people at all.

From the various manifestations of Practitioner Su, if one has 'clear eyes,' one should be able to see that he is a great practitioner. Otherwise, how could he possess such boldness and such firm faith and vows to deliver sentient beings? If an ordinary person were attacked by such demons and suffered such great physical injury, they would often shrink back out of fear. If one were to retreat from their original vows, how many beings would be left to fall into the sea of suffering? But Practitioner Su does not retreat, nor is he afraid; he faces it and bears it immediately. Such heart and action have actually transformed many demons, causing them to come forward and surrender on their own."

The Truth of the Darkened Skin

"We immortals look at the beings of the world, and we see that human hearts tend to favour what is beneficial to themselves—they only want to hear what they want to hear and do what they want to do. Only then do they feel that the other person is on their side, and they feel happy. If Practitioner Su were such a person, his body would have long ago ceased to be his own. How could he still lead the holy assembly of the Dharma assembly and the fourfold assembly in practice? This alone is enough to show that Practitioner Su is not an ordinary being reincarnating within the six realms.

Especially after suffering such severe injuries this time, his heart remains 'unmoved.' This has moved not only the heavenly realms but also the holy beings of the Four Sacred Realms and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to enter his body to protect him. This is already common knowledge. From this, it is clear that there are even higher spiritual beings within his body.

Why did Namo Amituofo choose the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre at this time? It should be said that Namo Amituofo knows that Practitioner Su’s heart is one with the Buddha and that he can exert great power to save sentient beings. Only then did the original Fragrant Light Room have the opportunity to transform into the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. How many people throughout history have been able to encounter such an opportunity? Based on my two thousand years of experience as an immortal, there has been no one before him, and whether there will be anyone after him is hard to say. What is happening here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is absolutely not something that the ordinary heart, ordinary eyes, or physical eyes of a mortal can comprehend or imagine.

Practitioner Su has warned the fourfold assembly many times never to give rise to anger. This is also extremely important in our view. Many of the fourfold assembly have already been expelled because of this. The so-called 'expulsion' at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre refers not only to the beings within their bodies but also to the Dragon and Heaven Dharma Protectors of this place driving them away from the Buddha-land. The Buddha-land is a magnificent place; how can one act, speak, or think based on personal preferences? Where does this place the Buddha? There are currently many among the fourfold assembly who exhibit this phenomenon, and I, as an immortal, take this opportunity of the interview to remind everyone.

Of course, after entering the mundane world, one can do as one pleases and take what one needs, but the result is often that after leaving this place, they must face immense tests in their body, mind, and spirit. That is to say, having experienced the immersion in the teachings of the Buddha-land, to then re-enter the contamination of the world—not only is it difficult to escape the six realms of rebirth, but even if Practitioner Su were to save them, they might not necessarily be able to be saved themselves. The fourfold assembly must pay attention to this point.

My focus today is not on this, but I mention it in passing. What is important is that the so-called black spots and dark skin on Practitioner Su’s body are actually not a bad thing. Because throughout his many lives, Practitioner Su has had many ways of forming karmic affinities with people—sometimes as an Emperor, sometimes as a monastic, a wealthy person, or an elder lay practitioner. In this lifetime, he has come again by the power of his vows, and naturally, many karmic affinities are currently manifesting. There are many beings whom Practitioner Su is saving and leading back to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss with his vows; this is the manifestation of another kind of karmic affinity. Now, the beings who were shaken on his body must manifest, which also means they can escape the body of an ordinary person early and enter the Western Land of Dharma Nature or the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a tremendous blessing that Practitioner Su gives to his connected beings, so this is not a bad thing. However, if an ordinary person were to encounter such a disaster and severe injury, they might not be able to bear it and would 'kick the bucket.' This is the truth.

Why can Practitioner Su experience such severe injuries once, twice, and again? It is precisely because he has a strong will to save sentient beings. Moreover, the beings saved each time are different, and this time, he finally fulfilled his wish to save the beings of China. To be honest, every member of the fourfold assembly comes from this vast territory of China—that is, you have all reincarnated and flowed through China countless times, which is why you have the opportunity to participate in the Dharma assembly led by Practitioner Su. In every chant of the Buddha’s name, there is the heart and vow of the fourfold assembly to save beings. Practitioner Su is the initiator; your chanting of the Buddha’s name can follow Practitioner Su into China, into the mainland, to save those with karmic affinity.

Do not forget, many of them have karmic affinities with you. Your eyes cannot see, and your hearts cannot feel, but from the perspective of the spirit realm, the beings in China and the fourfold assembly are actually connected like a spider web. In the three lifetimes—past and present—it has already been this way. How the days ahead will proceed, that is a variable. However, if you continue to follow your current personality and habits, then there is no variable to speak of. We in the spirit realm look and know how your future will develop. If you are like the few disciples of the fourfold assembly before, entering the state of aging, sickness, and death, that would be a great pity.

Well, I have said too much. Actually, the reason I was invited out this time is that I was following many of the beings who were in the deep, dark skin. They were afraid and did not dare to leave his body. Under my persuasion, they realised that outside there is the guidance of Namo Amituofo’s Buddha-light, and that not being afraid and following the light is the wise choice. So they said, 'Then I will go out with them,' so they could believe. Very well, since that is the case, perhaps my affinity with Practitioner Su’s body ends here. This can also be considered as protecting the beings within the body so they could leave.

So, I followed these beings, and under the sounding of the qing by Practitioner Su, we were sent into the Western Land of Dharma Nature. Thus, as an immortal, I sat on a lotus seat with everyone, enjoying a peace and stability of heart that I had never encountered before. This is truly a Buddha-land, a Pure Land! The lotus seat brings not just the outer appearance or image of a lotus; its power of stability comes from Practitioner Su’s meditative concentration, because this Western Land of Dharma Nature is formed by Practitioner Su’s vows. Every lotus flower is formed by Practitioner Su’s vows, so we are very much at ease in the Land of Dharma Nature. And there is an endless stream of beings being sent in, because Practitioner Su’s heart to save beings has no boundaries. This is the Buddha-heart.

I am quite ashamed, after all, I still have the heart of an immortal, which is still limited. Even if other immortals have a compassionate and great heart, compared to Practitioner Su, they are indeed much more ashamed.

Now that I am in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I have been named by Namo Amituofo to receive this interview and speak some words from my heart. These are all realities, true things. The Buddha is one who speaks the truth, one who speaks the reality. Of course, if an immortal wants to further elevate their own spirituality, they must also speak the truth. No one wants to speak untruths and cause their own spirituality to fall; that is unwise. Being 'unwise' means knowing one is wrong yet still doing it; that is quite unwise. We would not do such a thing; that would lead to suffering and retribution.

What I have said today seems to be a bit much, but because I have many feelings in my heart, I take this opportunity to bring them up. I will stop here. I bid farewell to Practitioner Su and am grateful to him. Within your body, I have learned a great deal, especially that to compassionately save sentient beings, one must be diligent and apply effort to truly put it into practice. I also believe my spirituality has improved significantly because of this.

Thank you, Namo Amituofo. Thank you, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju. And thank you to the fourfold assembly of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

Namo Amituofo.

Immortal Huaiyan"