The Journey of Practitioner Su: A Witness to Unwavering Devotion

Navigating the Turbid Waters of the World

In this age, the moral fabric of society has frayed, and genuine, sincere hearts are rare. To encounter one is a stroke of immense fortune. We live in a world defined by the Five Turbidities, a vast dyeing vat where we are born and raised, often unaware of the impurities that surround us. For a practitioner who wishes to emerge from this vat and attain purity, the task is daunting. Because our bodies are already stained, the process of cleansing is not easy. The longer one remains in this environment, the deeper the stains penetrate. To regain one's true nature under such conditions is an extraordinary challenge, which explains why those who have realised their true nature are so rarely encountered in this age of the Dharma's decline. Yet, amidst the darkness of this world and the realms of the spirits, a luminous pearl of awakening shines forth. The Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and celestial beings look upon this world and marvel to find such a being: Practitioner Su.

This practitioner’s heart and mind are focused, every second of every day, solely on chanting the name of Namo Amituofo. Their vows and actions are rooted entirely in the Infinite Life Sutra. By following these teachings with absolute devotion, Practitioner Su has achieved awakening, taking upon themselves the suffering of all beings without a single complaint or regret.

The Radiant Presence of Namo Amituofo

How could Namo Amituofo not know of such a person? How could the Buddha allow such a dedicated soul to suffer alone in this human world? After enduring countless trials and the coldness of human affairs, Practitioner Su’s faith in the Buddha remained unshakable. Their heart, actions, and vows have never strayed from the Buddha. Because of this, they finally moved Namo Amituofo to descend and truly abide at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Practitioner Su has unfolded the vast wind of Amitabha’s teachings. Since the conditions in the human world were thin and difficult to manifest, they turned their vow to save beings toward the spirits of the underworld, the creatures of the earth, and further, to the entire planet, the Dharma realm of emptiness, and the Milky Way. Operating in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, they have already helped immeasurable and boundless suffering beings attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Steadfast Journey of Unwavering Faith

Throughout this journey, the compassion of the Buddha has been ever-present. With the support and protection of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and guardians such as myself, Skanda Bodhisattva, the Buddha’s blessings have been constant. The fact that Namo Amituofo truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, with Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva serving as the presiding guardians, is no empty title. Many miraculous events have occurred during this time, which would be difficult for those who have not personally witnessed them to believe. Some people remain unaware because there is no channel to inform them; others, even when they know, may choose not to believe or may even slander the work. Everything is a matter of conditions and fortune.

Worldly affairs are inherently marked by impermanence, and the work of the Buddha is no different. Things shift from good to bad and back again; connections deepen and then fade. Is this not the nature of impermanence? Practitioner Su entered the gate of the Pure Land as a lay practitioner and has followed their teacher in studying these doctrines from the very beginning. Their heart—to believe in the Buddha, to learn from the Buddha, and to remain loyal to their teacher—has never changed. Even when encountering twists and turns, and seeing friends depart one by one, their heart remained steadfast. They have remained loyal to Namo Amituofo and, looking up to their teacher, Venerable Master Chin Kung, they have walked the path of saving suffering beings and leading them to the West entirely on their own.

The Sacred Burden of Saving Sentient Beings

"A teacher for one day is a father for a lifetime" is a phrase Practitioner Su frequently repeats. No matter what happens or what voices are raised regarding their actions, this remains the truth in Practitioner Su’s heart. It is not swayed by external opinions. Their teaching through both conduct and words has remained consistent, from the days of the Hsiang Kuang room to the present day, where the fourfold assembly at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre reverently addresses them as Practitioner Su. Because Namo Amituofo truly abides here, they feel the weight of the responsibility to spread the Pure Land teachings and save the world even more deeply. Even though they are already a being who can freely travel back and forth to the Western Pure Land, they remain cautious and diligent, never stopping their efforts to save beings from morning until night.

Manifesting the Vow: The Amitabha Village

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, Practitioner Su delivers lectures, hoping that those who listen can practise diligently, let go of the self, and reach awakening. "To save even one person is a success" is the hope in their heart. Furthermore, keeping the vow of their teacher in mind, they set out to build the Amitabha Village. After receiving the blessing of Namo Amituofo, and without any external support, they built it step by step—one brick, one tile, one bowl, one chopstick, one table, one chair, one blade of grass, and one tree at a time. Although it is only the beginning, it is small yet firm, built through the collective efforts of Namo Amituofo, the Bodhisattvas, guardians like myself, and the fourfold assembly of the temple. To have achieved this amidst such adversity is truly remarkable. To this day, they have successfully prayed for rain in Goombungee, Toowoomba, and continue to work with the salvation team and beings of the West to pray for the mitigation of the pandemic and the resumption of air travel.

The Compassionate Sacrifice of the Practitioner

In the beginning, in order to lead the beings of the earth in Goombungee and Toowoomba to chant for rain, Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body allowed these beings to enter their own body, enduring great suffering. Even now, they continue to invite these beings out. It was only then discovered that, going back over twenty years, Practitioner Su has been taking on the suffering of beings, helping everyone resolve their karmic debts. This includes many karmic creditors of past friends and guardians who had not yet reached the Western Pure Land. The number of these beings is staggering. Yet, on the path of leading beings to the West, Practitioner Su has never wavered in their resolve.

Throughout this journey, I, Skanda, and the other Dharma protectors have followed closely by their side. Seeing Practitioner Su continue to move forward with courage, even when faced with slander, thorns, and pits, has filled us with genuine admiration. I dare not slacken in my duty and shall continue to protect them by their side.

Namo Amituofo.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.