The King Who Chose the Path of Namo Amituofo

This is a record of an interview with Ativans, who lived approximately 3,200 years ago and served as the ninth king of the Yunjianan Kingdom. He sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on July 21, 2018.

Ativans speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Ativans. Three thousand two hundred years ago, I served as the ninth king of the Yunjianan Kingdom. Our lineage was blessed with profound roots of virtue, a karmic inheritance that allowed our family to guide the kingdom for generations. It was a life of great responsibility, yet one that was deeply connected to the spiritual fabric of our land.

The Kingdom of the Sacred Stone

In our kingdom, we followed a unique and sacred tradition. Our leaders were not chosen by the people, nor was the throne passed down through simple hereditary succession. Instead, we possessed a sacred stone—a living, breathing entity that could speak and change its colour. It was not a stone that everyone could communicate with; only those who possessed true virtue and a pure heart could receive the messages it conveyed.

This stone was truly remarkable. Whenever someone approached it, its colour would shift in perfect harmony with the person's character. If a malevolent or cruel individual stood before it, the stone would instantly turn a deep, ominous black. Conversely, if a person of pure and kind heart approached, the stone might glow with a soft, bright hue. In the presence of someone with exceptional virtue, it would even emit a clear, radiant, and crystalline light.

The Failure of Deception

Many individuals with ulterior motives once attempted to converse with the stone. They believed that communicating with it was a simple task, so they would deliberately perform acts of kindness in its presence, offering flowery praise for its divine power. The stone, however, was never fooled. It would ignore their empty words entirely, and instead of glowing, it would shift from its pristine white state into a shade of absolute, abyssal black. Those watching nearby would immediately understand that these individuals were not of good character and were harbouring hidden agendas.

Furthermore, those who sought to seize the throne by performing calculated acts of charity—where every good deed was merely a step in a larger, selfish plan—found no favour with the stone. Their actions were never recorded as genuine; instead, the stone marked them as insincere. They were, of course, never able to engage in dialogue with it.

There were even those with wicked intentions who attempted to steal the stone in the dead of night, hoping to sell it to other nations for a fortune. No matter how large the machinery they employed or how many men they gathered, they could never move it. The stone would begin to vibrate violently, shaking the entire Yunjianan Kingdom until every citizen was awakened. These thieves were caught red-handed every single time. After several such failed attempts, the lesson was learned, and no one dared to steal the stone again.

A Prince's Search for Meaning

Our kingdom held a firm, collective belief: anyone who could converse with the stone and be validated by it was recognised as a person of benevolence, purity, and virtue. Such a person was deemed fully capable of leading the Yunjianan Kingdom. This had been the tradition for generations, and the kings selected by the stone consistently performed with excellence, leading our people toward a bright and virtuous future.

My father was the eighth king of Yunjianan. From my earliest childhood, he taught me the importance of maintaining a kind heart and upright thoughts. Although I was a prince, I felt a natural affinity for the common people. I shared everything I possessed with them, and I travelled far and wide to perform acts of charity and build good connections. Every action I took was born from a place of selflessness, a state of no-self, and a sincere desire to serve.

Under my father's guidance, my heart remained very simple. Even as a child, I could communicate with the sacred stone, but I kept this a secret. To be honest, I had absolutely no interest in the throne.

The Call of the Western Pure Land

Life in the imperial palace was monotonous. To a ten-year-old boy like me, the world outside the palace walls was far more interesting, so I would sneak out every single day. I had never known the suffering of life, yet when I walked among the common people, I saw it clearly. I saw that to live in this world is to face the suffering of illness, the pain of love and hatred, and the struggles of poverty and wealth. As long as one has worries, one is suffering. I realised that no one was truly living a life free from pain and full of satisfaction.

When I was twelve, I encountered a group of sages who had descended from the Western Pure Land to visit our kingdom. I possessed an innate supernatural power that allowed me to perceive their origins. These sages radiated a brilliant light, and their spirits were incredibly vibrant. After I questioned them, I finally understood that the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss truly existed. They taught me that as long as one could propagate the holy name of Namo Amituofo, teach the people to maintain an upright heart and right mind, and sincerely chant 'Namo Amituofo,' one would certainly be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and be liberated from all suffering.

From the Throne to the Hermitage

I felt as though I had discovered a priceless treasure; I was filled with immense joy. Upon returning to the palace, I told my father about my meeting with the sages. My father, a man of deep good roots, not only believed everything I said but also told me, 'If you can truly practise with a pure heart, you will be able to see the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and lead all beings to rebirth there.'

Hearing his words, a virtuous thought arose in my heart: if I could achieve success in my practice, I could save all beings from their suffering. I asked my father to allow me to go into the deep mountains to practise. He did not stop me; he respected my decision and supported my choice.

After bidding farewell to my father, I moved into a simple thatched hut he had arranged for me. I had specifically requested that it be humble, as I knew it would help me focus on my diligent practice. In that small room, I chanted the Buddha-name with a pure heart, never ceasing in my efforts. After three years of listening to the celestial music of the Buddha, I personally witnessed the manifestation of Namo Amituofo.

A Journey to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

I descended from the mountain and returned to the sacred stone in the Yunjianan Kingdom. The people watched in awe as the stone transformed from its original pristine white into a crystal-clear, translucent brilliance. I was able to converse with the stone with complete ease. That year, I accepted the throne as the king of Yunjianan, and I spread the magnificent Dharma of Namo Amituofo throughout the land, ensuring that every citizen knew the power of this holy name.

Now, following the deliverance by Practitioner Su, I have followed her to a relatively joyful planet. The beings on this planet live as if they are in a land without worry or suffering; they are all free and at ease. However, the conditions on this planet are not as magnificent as the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and they cannot have everything they wish for. Looking closer, I see that their living environment is ordinary, their food is simple, and their clothing is modest. They are beings who are truly content and happy. Even without a luxurious environment, their lack of desire and their contentment allow them to naturally experience joy.

Today, the holy name of 'Namo Amituofo' has been transmitted to this joyful planet. These beings possess deep good roots; they have absolute faith in the divine power of this Buddha-name. They follow along in the chanting, each word clear and sincere, and because of this, they are now being reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. They are but one of the hundreds of billions of planets that Practitioner Su has delivered. Today, we all take refuge in Namo Amituofo and migrate together to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo."