The Lesson of My Missed Rebirth

Venerable Dixian, a distinguished master of the Tiantai school, shares his profound realization regarding his transition at the end of his life. In this interview, recorded on November 22, 2019, he recounts how he sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and reflects on the critical importance of resolving karmic obstacles to ensure rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Venerable Dixian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Dixian. In this life, I have been incredibly fortunate to receive the assistance of Practitioner Su, who helped me ascend from the twenty-seventh level of the Celestial Realm to successfully attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, just as I had always aspired to do through my chanting of the Buddha's name.

Many of my dear friends, fellow practitioners, students, and disciples in the human world likely assumed that once my worldly karmic ties were exhausted, I had naturally attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The reality, however, was quite different. At the moment of my passing, a thought arose while I was chanting. First, I thought that many who had already reached the Western Pure Land should be arriving with the Buddha to welcome me. Then, I heard a disciple calling out, 'Master!' My spirit turned to look back, and in that instant, my focus on the Buddha's name was broken. My concentration wavered, and I was pulled away into the Celestial Realm instead!"

A Terrifying Realisation

"It was absolutely terrifying! During my time in the human world, I knew the magnificence of chanting the Buddha's name. Beyond my own diligent practice, I also encouraged many with karmic affinity to chant and make vows to be reborn in the West. I never expected that at the critical juncture of life and death, I would drift far away from the West and enter the Celestial Realm, destined to re-enter the cycle of rebirth. This was certainly not my wish, but the regret was already set, and my repentance came too late. Fortunately, Practitioner Su, who has achieved great success in her Pure Land practice, was able to use the power of chanting to guide me into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, sparing me from the suffering of samsara. She is truly my benefactor.

Can you believe that the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is not ten trillion Buddha-lands away, but right before your eyes? When I was in the Celestial Realm and brought to the Hsiang Kuang Chamber, the moment the sound of the Buddha's name began, the Buddha-light manifested, and Namo Amituofo and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss appeared right before me! This phenomenon existed then in the Hsiang Kuang Chamber and continues to exist now at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It is always there, always manifesting, but because the ordinary physical eye cannot see it, it remains hidden. Yet, I, Venerable Dixian, saw it with my own eyes. This matter is truly magnificent and rare to hear; if one has not experienced it personally, it is indeed hard to believe. Although I speak of my own experience, I no longer possess a human body; I speak as a spirit who has departed the world. Those who knew me in life know that I rarely spoke of such spiritual matters. Therefore, even if it is hard to believe that these are my own words, they are the absolute truth."

The Sacred Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang

"Through the tireless efforts of Practitioner Su and her team, the Hsiang Kuang Chamber has evolved into the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where Namo Amituofo, the King of Buddhas, now abides. I am sending this message from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Receiving messages from the West and conducting these interviews at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a common occurrence. I urge those who hear this: do not slander it! You must understand that when the Causal Conditions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are ripe, they manifest in this world. In this turbid and evil age, if one does not possess great perseverance and perform great deeds, how could one possibly save the sentient beings of the six realms who are drowning in the waters of suffering? I am one of those beings. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of the Buddha in manifesting in this world. The eyes of worldly people are not yet clear, and it is difficult for them to believe in things they have not seen. However, if you believe in Venerable Dixian, then please believe that these are my words. To save yourselves, while Practitioner Su still resides in this world, you should follow her to learn the Pure Land teachings, seek to realise your true nature, and save both yourselves and others to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land."

The Danger of Unresolved Karma

"Why would I, Venerable Dixian, say these things? Beyond what I have already mentioned—that my spirit was guided to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss by Practitioner Su—it is also because, during my life, I studied the Tiantai teachings deeply and gained some insight. I was enamoured by the vast, boundless nature of the Buddha's teachings. In my search to recover my original nature and fulfil my vow to save the world, I became a monk in my middle years. Knowing the impermanence of this false body, I lived with great caution, dedicating myself to teaching and making the spreading of the Dharma my life's ambition. I knew that the West was my only true destination and that chanting the Buddha's name was the path to get there. I never expected that I would fail to fulfil my wish and end up in the heavens instead! Looking back at that great mistake, it was because my spiritual obstacles manifested, and my karmic creditors were pulling at me. I was careless; my focus on the Buddha's name was not solidified. Consequently, I was led astray by the sounds and scenes created by my karmic creditors. Even if one's chanting is interrupted for just a single moment, the continuity is lost, and the West drifts away. It is truly a pity! Let this account serve as a warning to all who read it."

The Importance of Chao Du

"Practitioner Su, with her thirty years of Pure Land practice, has attained a state of awakened spirit, yet she does not boast to the world. She simply works silently to save beings so they may be reborn in the Western Pure Land. She knows that while many people in the world chant the Buddha's name, very few actually attain rebirth in the West. Many virtuous people, despite their efforts, fail to reach the West and instead end up in the Celestial Realm, eventually coming to the Hsiang Kuang Chamber to seek deliverance. With her great wisdom, Practitioner Su clearly sees that even if a practitioner is diligent in chanting during their life, if they have not resolved their debts with their karmic creditors, they will find it difficult to resist the interference of these creditors at the moment of death. This is why she knows that Chao Du is a vital step before rebirth.

Therefore, Practitioner Su offers herself as a vessel for the Dharma. She values the substance of the Buddha's teachings over mere form. Beyond her own diligent practice, she uses the single Holy Name of 'Namo Amituofo' and the 'Infinite Life Sutra' to achieve purification and the realisation of her true nature. She has attained the fruit of being able to travel freely between the Western Pure Land and this world to save beings. She never interrupts her flexible, insight-driven Dharma teaching, and she leads the virtuous members of Hsiang Kuang to resolve the karmic disasters and obstacles between themselves and their karmic creditors. Every week, she conducts the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, presided over by Namo Amituofo, to deliver karmic creditors and all spirits of the Dharma Realm to the Western Pure Land. Many Dharma assemblies in the world are held by temples to deliver the deceased, but who among them has the virtue, the ability, and the power to actually deliver beings to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? How many are there? It is Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su."

A Final Plea

"The ability that Practitioner Su possesses today was not achieved in a single lifetime; it is the result of deep, accumulated Buddhist affinity and merit from past lives. In this life, she continues to accumulate merit without claiming credit, remaining humble and modest. Her awakened spirit and her Buddha-heart and Buddha-actions—which are rooted in faith, vows, and practice—are truly for the salvation of the world. During my time in the world, although I valued the cultivation of chanting, I did not place enough importance on the matter of deliverance. Consequently, I suffered the karmic retribution of having my creditors manifest and failing to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is all within the laws of karma and cause and effect. Every drink and every bite is predestined. Yes, these details, as I recount them now, feel as if they happened only yesterday, though several years have already passed.

I hope that these words of mine can help those who read or hear them understand the importance of Pure Land chanting, resolving karmic grievances, and performing Chao Du to ensure rebirth in the West. If you can rise up and act alongside Practitioner Su and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, then rebirth in the West is within your reach, and you will be able to attain the fruit of rebirth and Buddhahood. If you truly act in this way, it will be the greatest blessing for all beings."

This interview was recorded by the disciple of the Buddha, Venerable HaiZe.