The Journey from the Stone to the Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Pagier, who sought spiritual deliverance 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 long journey through the realms of spirit and his eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on July 28, 2024.

Pagier speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for all the Causal Conditions that have been arranged, which finally granted me this precious opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land. I am truly thankful for this magnificent opportunity, and I will continue to strive forward. I offer my gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

From Stone to Sentient Being

"I was once a spirit dwelling within a rocky cavern. I endured countless trials, eventually maturing into a spirit capable of manifesting a human form. It was an incredibly long process, spanning over hundreds of millions of years. During that time, I continuously absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, integrating the power of the mountains and rivers. I constantly adjusted my own energy until I finally reached a state where I could traverse time and space.

Throughout those countless eons, I witnessed the changes of the world. From the primitive ages to the rise of civilization, every shift was etched into my memory. I watched the stars rotate, the sun and moon alternate, and observed life on earth evolve from simple forms to complex ones. These sights gave me a profound understanding of the impermanence and greatness of the universe, which made my faith in practice even more steadfast."

The Harmony of the Spirit Realm

"We spirits come from different cycles of rebirth, but in our essence, we are all inherently good. We do not need spoken language to communicate; instead, we connect through the resonance of our spirits. All spirits can coexist harmoniously without barriers. We can feel each other's presence, sharing in each other's joys and sorrows. This wordless communication forms a tight-knit community. We could foresee the changes about to occur in the universe, but as spirits within that space, we were unable to interfere or change anything. As time passed, we simply learned to view it all with equanimity.

In this spiritual space, we existed in a state of purity. There was no passage of time, only eternal peace. We did not require material support, nor did we need food or water, because we ourselves were a flow of energy. We illuminated one another with our spiritual light, sharing Wisdom and experience. This exchange was not through language, but through a deep level of spiritual resonance where we could directly perceive each other's thoughts and states."

The Cycles of Growth and Decay

"Over those countless years, I witnessed the birth and death of innumerable spirits. Each spirit had its own story and experiences. They practiced in this space, searching for their own paths. Some spirits reached extremely high levels, capable of freely traversing time and space to explore the mysteries of the universe. Others were still searching for their direction, striving to elevate their own energy and Wisdom.

This spiritual space was not a static state; it was filled with energy and change. We could move, change our shapes, and those with stronger energy could even shift to different locations. Every spirit was constantly growing and changing, and their light became more dazzling as a result. Together, we formed a peaceful universe. Every spirit was a small point of light within this cosmos, yet every point was indispensable. It was these countless points of light that constituted this space filled with spiritual energy."

The Spirit Valley and the Ancient Souls

"In this infinite spiritual space, there is a place known as the Spirit Valley. This is where spirits are most concentrated, and it is where I first appeared. Every spirit in the Spirit Valley contains profound spiritual power, and in the past, they were all high masters of practice from various places.

Within the rocks where I existed, every stone was a sleeping spirit. Some of these spirit stones had already awakened, while others remained in a long, deep slumber, waiting for their moment of awakening. The scenery of the Spirit Valley is magnificent and extraordinary. The space there glitters with various lights—some are a soft blue, some a warm gold, and others a mysterious purple. These lights intertwine to form a brilliant sea of radiance.

At the center of the Spirit Valley are several massive spirit stones known as the Ancient Souls. They are spirits that have existed for a very long time, possessing infinite Wisdom and power. The Ancient Souls are surrounded by countless smaller spirits, together forming a harmonious spiritual home. During my days in the Spirit Valley, I lived with other spirits. We did not need language, for our hearts were already connected. We studied and practiced there, elevating our spirituality. The entire Spirit Valley was exceptionally tranquil. We would sit quietly, feeling the rhythm of the universe and sharing our Wisdom and experiences. This life allowed our spirits to grow continuously and gave us more energy."

The Call of Namo Amituofo

"One day, I felt a special energy fluctuation. This energy was different from what we were accustomed to. It carried a power of summoning, as if calling us to fulfill an important mission. I began to perceive this energy carefully; it seemed to come from a distant place, yet I could feel it clearly. I decided to follow the guidance of this energy and head toward its source. When I arrived, I felt a powerful spiritual energy radiating out—it was warm and compassionate. It was the light of Namo Amituofo.

Just then, I heard a warm voice, clearly resonating within my heart, telling me an important message: 'Child, you have grown into a mature spirit. Now is the time to fulfill your mission. Leave this closed space, go and help those lost souls, and let them find the path to liberation.' I was very surprised at the time, because no one had ever come to find us before. Later, I realized that I had once been human, and it was only because of a moment of delusion that I had entered this illusory space between the mountains and rivers.

I looked at the compassionate appearance of Namo Amituofo, and my heart was filled with gratitude. I knew that my brand-new journey was about to begin. I was to leave this tranquil spiritual space, explore new worlds, and complete my mission."

A Path of Compassion and Wisdom

"Following the guidance of that voice, I stepped out of the Spirit Valley and followed the source of the sound. It was a direction filled with golden light, brimming with compassion and warmth. It was the compassionate call of Namo Amituofo. As I followed this golden light, I felt incomparable peace and harmony. This feeling was different from the tranquility I had felt in the Spirit Valley; it was a deeper and more expansive compassion. I felt as if I were enveloped in an endless sea of light, and every step was filled with strength and hope.

As I moved forward, the surrounding scenery began to change. The environment that had once been familiar gradually faded away, replaced by a world filled with light and Wisdom. This world was full of infinite possibilities, and every corner shone with the light of Namo Amituofo. In this magnificent space, I felt an unprecedented peace and harmony. Everything here told me that spiritual elevation is not a closed, individual act, but is closely connected to the entire void.

In this magnificent space, my spirituality was greatly elevated, and I felt an inner awakening. I began to understand that true liberation is not a closed, self-centered thought, but rather facing reality and transcending all difficulties and challenges through Wisdom and compassion. The light of Namo Amituofo allowed me to see the true meaning of life and helped me understand my own mission."

The Mission of a Prison Guard

"As time passed, I learned much from this life experience. I not only elevated my own spirituality but also learned how to use compassion and Wisdom to help other souls. The light of Namo Amituofo made me understand that every soul is precious and that every soul has its own path and mission. In this magnificent space, I rediscovered myself and found the direction to move forward. I knew that no matter how many difficulties and challenges I encountered, as long as I persisted in my faith, I would eventually be able to complete my mission. Every soul is an important part; we are all connected, experiencing things together, and eventually reaching perfection.

In this magnificent space, I felt an unprecedented power and hope. I knew that my journey had only just begun and that the road ahead was still full of challenges. But I no longer felt lonely, because I knew that the light of Namo Amituofo would always guide me and accompany me through every stage of my journey. Being able to connect with this place was a magnificent event. I had not known of this place originally; it was only when the space suddenly opened that day that I heard a warm voice. At first, I could not hear clearly what the voice was saying, but when I finally understood, I realized it was telling us to leave that closed space.

It was only later, after the space was broken through, that I realized it was the sound of chanting Namo Amituofo—such a cool, refreshing sound, filled with power. This made me understand that this was the direction I had to follow and learn from. When I was led before the Yama King, I knew this was also a necessary path for liberation from samsara. Arriving here, I saw many different kinds of spirits; I realized then how vast the space truly is. When the Yama King assigned me service work, I knew this was an opportunity for me to learn. I was very happy and grateful, and I worked hard to learn and grow from it. I knew that all of this was preparation for liberation.

When I first heard Practitioner Su giving a Dharma talk here, I was so surprised. I realized that spirituality could be broken through and liberated in this way. I began to listen attentively, and then I made a firm resolution that I, too, must be liberated and depart. I am very grateful for all these Causal Conditions. I will continue to work hard, grow myself, and help more people. I hope more people will know that they must seek liberation and not continue to suffer. I am grateful for the opportunity today to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. On behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha's grace and to Practitioner Su's grace.

Namo Amituofo.

Pagier, with palms joined."