The Life and Practice of Master Sheng'an

On the 28th of April, 2017, the student Jiaxian respectfully invited Master Sheng'an, the Eleventh Ancestor of the Pure Land School, to share his life story. Practitioner Su had requested that the students re-interview the thirteen ancestral masters of the Pure Land School. With the compassion of the Buddha, we humbly asked Master Sheng'an to introduce his biography and the process of his spiritual practice, so that it may serve as a guide for all practitioners. Master Sheng'an kindly provided the following teachings.

The Trials of Early Life

Master Sheng'an was born during the Qing Dynasty. His family was small and happy, and though they were not wealthy, the love and meticulous care he received from his mother remained deeply etched in his heart from a very young age. However, life is unpredictable. Both of his parents fell ill with a cold and passed away one after the other. With no other choice, he was sent to live with his uncle.

His uncle treated him like a biological son, but his aunt, having her own children to care for, often viewed him as an extra burden. She was frequently unkind. Knowing that he had no parents and was entirely dependent on his uncle and aunt, he accepted his fate. He worked diligently, cleaning the house from top to bottom, helping with chores, and even chopping wood. Even as a small child, he would hold the heavy axe with all his might to split large logs. His hands were often covered in blisters, yet he dared not complain. He knew that this was the price he paid for his keep, and he wished to avoid his aunt's harsh glares. Her cold words and subtle insults left deep wounds in his heart. Often, he would run to the ancestral hall, weeping before his parents' memorial tablets to pour out his grievances. Only there could he release his inner pain. He would often gaze at the statues of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the hall, asking, "Why is life like this?" He would often stay there for hours at a time.

The Thirst for Knowledge

As the days passed, he grew older. Not wanting to be seen as a burden, he began taking his axe to the mountains to gather and chop wood to help with the household expenses. On his way home, he would often pass a private school and hear the sounds of children reading. He longed to be literate. He found himself drawn to the school, listening to the teacher's lessons from outside. For several days, he stood there, becoming more and more absorbed in the teachings. Eventually, he became so engrossed that he leaned against the window to listen, only to be discovered by the teacher. Terrified, he ran away as fast as he could. For several days, he dared not return. Yet, the pull was too strong, and he eventually found himself back at the school.

The teacher seemed to know he was there and quietly stood behind him. Startled, the young boy confessed, "I did not mean to eavesdrop. I love to learn, but my family has no money. I am sorry." The teacher, filled with compassion, replied, "You may come here every day at this time, and I will teach you for free." This was how he first learned to read, and he remained forever grateful for the teacher's compassionate guidance. However, as his uncle's family grew, the burden on his uncle's shoulders increased. Sometimes there was not enough food for everyone, and he often went hungry. He dared not eat too much, for fear of his aunt's disapproval.

Finding Refuge in the Temple

Longing to leave this environment, he finally gathered the courage to bid farewell to his uncle, thanking him for his kindness in raising him. Carrying his parents' memorial tablets, he left home in search of a stable place to live. After walking for several days, he sought shelter in a temple. The master of the temple looked at him with a smile and asked, "Little benefactor, why are you wandering alone at such a young age?" After he recounted his story, the master arranged for him to stay in the temple and asked if he could perform any tasks. He replied that he was very good at chopping wood. The master then arranged for him to live in a woodshed near the kitchen. His daily work was to chop wood. He was deeply grateful for the shelter and the three meals a day. He worked with great diligence, rising earlier than the other monks to ensure there was enough firewood for the kitchen. Sometimes, he would even go up the mountain himself to gather more wood. Because he was thin and small, he often carried loads heavier than his own body weight. When he returned to the temple, his shoulders would be raw and bleeding, but he kept this hidden, applying medicine himself. He feared that if he were not diligent, he would lose this hard-won sanctuary.

The Discipline of the Heart

Time passed quickly, and after half a year, he often heard the sounds of sutra recitation and the chanting of the Buddha's name echoing through the temple. He would join in the chanting, finding that these sounds brought him peace and comfort. A thought arose in his heart: "How wonderful it would be if I could join the temple's group cultivation!" It seemed the Buddha heard his wish. A few days later, while delivering firewood to the kitchen, he encountered the master, who smiled and asked, "Do you like to recite the sutras and chant the Buddha's name?" He replied politely, "I love it very much. I chant and recite along with you every day while I work." The master smiled and said, "Very well. Outside of your work, you may join the brothers in the main hall for group cultivation." Overjoyed, he bowed to the master in gratitude.

That night, fearing that his work might delay his participation, he prepared the firewood early and changed into clean clothes. After the session, he joined the brothers for a meal for the first time. The master's every movement was dignified and graceful, and Master Sheng'an joyfully followed his example, learning the proper etiquette. The master taught him with great patience, explaining how to interact with others during his practice. He was taught not to focus on the faults of others. "When you see a fault in someone else," the master would say, "look within to see if you possess the same fault. If you do, correct it; if not, do not criticise. Maintain a cool and clear heart."

From a young age, Master Sheng'an was not one for many words. After learning the Buddha's teachings, he understood that excessive speech often leads to mistakes, so he kept the Buddha's name in his heart and on his lips at all times. Although he spoke little, he observed that some of his fellow practitioners were impatient, while others were hesitant. He realised that everyone has their own personality and habits. Therefore, the master taught him to respect others as if they were one with himself, without distinction, which prevented the formation of high or low opinions. In his practice, he sought to overcome the Five Poisons, especially greed. Even the desire for sleep was seen as a form of greed. To ensure he had more time for practice and studying the sutras, he would rise earlier and sleep later than others. Fearing that the comfort of the bed would lead to laziness, he often chose to sleep in a semi-upright position, meditating as he rested.

Even in my dreams, I would often see myself lecturing on the Dharma, with thousands of people listening with reverence. This dream recurred frequently. Not long after, I caught a cold. Following this illness, I began to suffer from an intermittent cough, accompanied by a tight, itchy throat. I was about thirty-seven years old at the time. This symptom seemed to vanish only to return again, year after year, with no improvement in my condition. My disciples were concerned, and both they and the lay followers provided many folk remedies and herbal decoctions, yet my cough never improved. It troubled me for a long time while I was lecturing. Eventually, I began to pass the responsibility of spreading the Dharma to my disciples, retreating behind the scenes to focus on transmitting and propagating the Pure Land teachings.

The Impermanent Body and the Eternal Vow

Having lectured on the Dharma for decades, I knew that all illnesses are caused by the interference of karmic creditors. However, I truly did not realise that these karmic creditors were entirely within my own body, causing obstructions. My body grew weaker day by day. I understood that this illusory body was merely a vessel for practice; I would use this illusory body for as long as it could endure, and for as long as I had time, I would exert every ounce of my strength to propagate the Buddha’s teachings.

Every day, the Buddha-name never left my lips, as I sought to be led by Amitabha Buddha to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Amitabha Buddha knew that my physical form was no longer fit for use and informed me when He would come to lead me away. I was afraid to speak of this to my disciples, fearing they would be heartbroken and that my own attachments would prevent me from reaching the Western Land. Thus, I remained silent. On the appointed day, I gathered my disciples and told them: "Since you have become disciples of the Buddha, you should devote your hearts and efforts to transmitting the Buddha’s teachings. Lead by example and shoulder the responsibility of the Tathagata’s family business. Today, your teacher's physical body can no longer bear the burden. Amitabha Buddha, in His compassion, is coming to lead me to the Western Land. I hope you will focus on chanting this one holy name of Amitabha Buddha to send me on my final journey." My disciples were all filled with reluctance. Some wept bitterly, but I knew I could not be soft-hearted or look back. With the holy name of Amitabha Buddha, the disciples chanted with focused hearts. I, Xing'an, did not look back. Amitabha Buddha held a lotus flower to lead me to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I passed away at the age of forty-nine.

Karmic Connections Across Lifetimes

Jiaxian: May I ask, Great Master Xing'an, when you were at the lowest point in your life, your uncle treated you kindly and your master took great care of you. What were the Causal Conditions from your past lives?

Master Xing'an: In my sixth past life, I was also a monastic. While sweeping outside the temple, I suddenly saw a small bird fall from a tree. Seeing it gasping for breath, I set aside my work, cradled it in my hands, and cared for it meticulously. Once it had recovered, I released it. That is the connection I shared with my uncle.

As for my master, he was a fellow practitioner who lived in the same temple during this lifetime. In a past life, we took care of each other and studied the sutras together, exploring how to practice. I never expected that we would meet again in this life due to our Causal Conditions, and that he would lead me into the Buddha’s gate. I am grateful to my master for allowing me to achieve spiritual success in this life.

Jiaxian: Furthermore, may I ask, Great Master Xing'an, the teacher at the private school taught you for free, allowing you to become literate. Did he also share a connection with you?

Master Xing'an: In my third past life, I was from a wealthy family, fond of Goodness and charity, often helping the impoverished. One day, on my way home after collecting rent, I happened upon a child in rags, secretly learning outside a private school. I walked up and patted the child on the shoulder, asking, "Do you like to study?" The child nodded. I took his hand, entered the school, and negotiated with the teacher to allow the child to study there, with all expenses covered by me. I also handed a sum of money to the child to help resolve his family's living difficulties, allowing him to enter the school with peace of mind. That is how ingenious these Causal Conditions are.

The Grace of Parents and the Cycle of Rebirth

Jiaxian: I am grateful for your compassion, Great Master Xing'an. May I ask, when you were young, your parents both contracted a cold and passed away one after another. Did this also have Causal Conditions from a past life?

Master Xing'an: About seven lives ago, I was in the animal realm, in the body of a dog. Because my mother gave birth to too many puppies, there was not enough milk to feed us all. I was thin and weak, unable to compete for milk, and was nearly at death's door. Just then, a couple selling vegetables passed by. Seeing my pitiful state, they took me home to feed me. My body grew stronger day by day, and I followed my masters everywhere. I often amused them; since they had no children of their own, I was the closest being in their home. Although I was a dog, I understood their joys and sorrows. When they were sad, I would act cute, wag my tail, and roll on the ground to make them laugh. If I saw them feeling helpless, I would tuck my head into their arms to seek affection, helping them forget all their afflictions. Since the couple was already elderly, we spent about three years together before they passed away one after another. Before they died, they could not let go of me. My master had once said before he passed that if there were a next life, he wished for us to become father and son. That is how our connection came to be. Our connection was also a short one, lasting only three or four years. I am grateful to this couple for their care in a past life, and I am grateful that they became my parents in this life, caring for me with such devotion. Although the connection lasted only a few years, I am grateful for the grace of my parents' second birth.

The Mystery of the Three Hun Souls and Seven Po Souls

Jiaxian: Great Master, your compassion is profound! I am grateful for your teachings. Recently, our fellow practitioners have been exploring the three hun souls and seven po souls. May I ask, Great Master Xing'an, when you dreamt at thirty-seven of lecturing on the Dharma to thousands of people, and subsequently caught a cold, was this related to the pulling of the souls?

Master Xing'an: In the sutras, I knew of the karmic creditors from countless kalpas, but I did not know that these karmic creditors were residing within the cells of our bodies, lifetime after lifetime. When lecturing on the Dharma, I also knew that our bodies are a small universe, while the outside is a vast universe. It was only when I had the honour of participating in the invite spirits ceremony at the Taipei Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center that I realised our fifty trillion cells are all from our past lives, and whether it is love or hate, it is all contained within these cells.

Because of the invite spirits ceremony at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center, the Practitioner Su of that time, in his compassion, sent the invited beings to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Those with blessings were all reborn in the Western Pure Land, while those without blessings either went to the heavenly realms or were reborn in the human world. This is the greatest benefit to beings provided by the invite spirits ceremony at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center. The outside world does not know that in this vast universe, there is someone with a mind-capacity as vast as Practitioner Su, who spends his life only for the sake of beings, without seeking fame or profit. Today, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center has become the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center because Practitioner Su's mind-capacitypervades the entire Dharma-realm and empty space, and beings are saved due to such blessings. Therefore, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center is now praised and protected by all Buddha or Bodhisattvas.

I feel ashamed to speak of this, for because of my attachment to that scene of lecturing on the Dharma, I did not realise that the karmic creditors from my past lives were manifesting in that dream. It was my own attachment that entered the dream and could not escape. In this so-called space, one's own three hun souls and seven po souls follow their own preferences into the dream, and the karmic creditors manifest as one's greatest loves, slowly pulling the three hun souls and seven po souls out, trapping them in that space where they cannot escape. As these three hun souls and seven po souls were pulled out one by one, my body was slowly occupied by the karmic creditors, and my health gradually deteriorated.

If the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center is exploring the three hun souls and seven po souls of the human body, it is because people in the world do not know why they fall ill; it is all because our souls are pulled out by the people and things we love most, which the karmic creditors manifest in our dreams, only to then occupy our bodies to seek retribution. I, Xing'an, was no exception. Because I was attached to that scene of lecturing, the karmic creditors found me. These so-called karmic creditors are those with whom we have created enmity over countless lives, all residing within our fifty trillion cells.

The Path of Humility and Compassion

I believe you are also curious to know how many lifetimes of beings found me. This dates back to my fifth past life. From a young age, my family was wealthy; I lacked nothing, and my parents loved me, allowing me to study extensively. My mother was a devout follower of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and every first and fifteenth of the lunar month, she would take me to the temple to make offerings to the Buddha and Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

At that time, I was clever and active, often liking to dart around the temple, and I enjoyed following the monastic to recite the Sutras, imitating his manner. Even at a young age, I had a good memory and quickly committed the scriptures to mind, often reading them along with the monastic. My mother would watch me from the side, her heart filled with joy: "My son is so clever and bright!" The monastic said to my mother, "Your son has an affinity with the Buddha. I hope that one day he can return to the Buddha's gate and take refuge." My mother only smiled, nodded, and did not respond.

Several years passed, and by the time I reached the age to attend private school, I possessed a photographic memory. Whatever the teacher taught, I learned almost instantly. I was more mature than other children of my age and inquisitive; the teacher was often stumped by my questions. As I grew older, what I learned seemed unable to satisfy me, and my mother tried her best to find more capable teachers to instruct me. Before long, I had tested all of these teachers. My mother took me to the temple again and met the monastic, who smiled and said, "Finally, we meet again." My mother smiled helplessly, saying, "This child is too clever and sometimes difficult to manage; I beg the master for your compassion and teachings." The monastic told my mother to leave me at the temple for a few days so he could properly guide me with the Buddha’s teachings. My mother returned home first.

Thus, I entered the temple. The monastic led me to the library of scriptures, filled with a dazzling array of sutras. I was very curious and truly wanted to read them all. The monastic said, "Read as much as you like! I will have someone bring you your meals." He also set up a place for me to rest when I was tired. And so, I dove right in. Exploring the profound mysteries within the scriptures was something I could never have obtained in my private school. After a week, my mother came personally to take me home. I said to my mother, "I do not want to go home. I want to stay here. Everything I want is here. I want to live here, and I want to become a monastic." I knelt and begged my mother to let me be fulfilled. My mother, though reluctant, could not withstand my desperate pleas and nodded in agreement. She left in sorrow, with tears in her eyes.

And so, I became a monastic. The monastic knew I loved to study the sutras, so he did not restrict me, allowing me to search for the scriptures I wished to study in the library. At that time, I remembered almost every scripture I read, and the monastic arranged for me to transcribe them. Being young and favoured by the monastic, I developed a sense of arrogance. Sometimes, I would not forgive others even when I was in the right, offending many of my fellow practitioners. The monastic privately taught me that one must not have an arrogance; being a monastic is not like being a layperson, where one can act superior. In the temple, one must have a sense of oneness, not distinguishing between self and others, and must have even more compassion to tolerate those whose abilities are inferior to one's own. This is the true compassion, to lead by example, so that in the future, one can save even more beings with whom one has a karmic connection.

The Trap of Arrogance

Although I kept the Master's teachings deeply in my heart, I often failed to live up to them. When I observed my fellow practitioners acting in ways I deemed clumsy or inefficient, I would feel a surge of displeasure. I spoke to them with impatience and condescension. It was my arrogance that was at work, and this arrogance caused me to offend many of my fellow practitioners. Many of them, seeing my attitude, chose to avoid me entirely. In our practice, true intelligence should be used to help and uplift more beings. It is meant to be applied in the right way, not to look down upon those who walk the same path as us. Some of my fellow practitioners were honest, simple, and kind-hearted, yet I wounded them deeply with my sharp words, all while foolishly believing that I was superior to them. Many of them left the Buddha’s gate because of my behavior, and some even developed such intense anger that they turned toward the demon path. Looking back at my past, I feel profound regret for the arrogance and the ignorant speech that caused so much suffering to my peers. In this lifetime, because I was so deeply attached to the dream of giving Dharma talks, my fellow practitioners manifested in the very dreams I loved most. They led me into these illusions, trapping my soul and spirit within a confined space.

The Weight of Past Karma

Because I had once left them with no way to defend themselves, they harboured deep resentment toward me. These fellow practitioners occupied my throat and chest, causing me to cough incessantly whenever I attempted to give Dharma talks. This was their way of seeking retribution. Now, seeing these practitioners whom I had harmed through my past ignorance and arrogance, I offer my most sincere and humble repenting. I am deeply ashamed of the negative karma I created in my past lives. The consequences I face today are the direct result of the hurtful words I once used. The ultimate goal of learning Buddhism is to save the world, to follow the example of the Buddha, and to learn how to be gentle, upright, and speak with kind, loving words. Arrogance is a destructive force; it creates causes that inevitably lead to painful results. One cannot escape the laws of karma and cause and effect, not even by a single grain of sand. I use the sins I committed in my past lives to counsel all monastics: you must watch every thought and intention, and never be ignorant of the laws of karma and cause and effect.

Purifying the Body and Mind

During this time, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center has once again interviewed me regarding the life stories of the ancestral masters. I am deeply honoured to have been invited to share my experiences. Through the many setbacks I have encountered in my own practice, I have learned how to overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties. I have learned how to anchor my heart firmly in the Buddha-name, ensuring that it does not become lost in the Five Desires and the Six Dusts. In our practice, we must realise that everything is illusory. We cannot afford to have even a trace of greed, nor can we hold onto any attachment. We must be free from even the slightest, most subtle attachment. Even a subtle, stray thought can attract karmic creditors, drawing us into spaces from which it is very difficult to escape. Most people in the world do not realise that all the cells in their bodies are, in fact, karmic creditors from their past lives. Once a single negative thought arises, these creditors are drawn out, and they will find us to take revenge on specific parts of our bodies. Only by ensuring that every thought and intention is pure and filled with Goodness can we transform our cells into pure, luminous energy. Only then can we be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, for that realm is a place where all superior beings gather, a place of absolute purity and Goodness.

A Mirror for Future Generations

I offer my life story as a mirror for the world to reflect upon. Namo Amituofo.

Jiaxian: Namo Amituofo. We are deeply grateful for your compassionate teachings, Master. Once your life story is compiled into a book and published for distribution, it will surely help many practitioners understand how to advance in their spiritual achievements and how to maintain their diligent practice.

This interview was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, lay practitioner Li Jiaxian, and the materials were organised by lay practitioner Zhuo Shuling.