The Ninth Letter: Compassion and Mind-Capacity
The Ninth Letter from Lay Practitioner Zhao Liangyu to Venerable Ding Hong
August 2, 2017
My dear son, Venerable Ding Hong, last Sunday, the venerable and respected Venerable Master Chin Kung visited the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre to participate in the . As I stood there, I felt compelled to speak from the depths of my heart and share with the Master the thoughts that have been weighing upon me for quite some time. I truly hope that you will soon receive instructions from the Master and find the opportunity to visit us here. Life at the centre is incredibly fulfilling and passes by with remarkable speed. Today is already the weekend, and in just a few days, we will hold another assembly. While I dare not hope that you will be able to attend this first assembly of August, there are important matters I wish to share with you now.
The True Essence of
You have met Practitioner Su before and have formed a positive impression of him. Beyond his extraordinary abilities in performing for beings in the spirit realms and his profound skills in visualization, there is a much more vital aspect that I hope you will learn from him: his compassion and his vast mind-capacity. I have observed this clearly during my time here. When Practitioner Su leads the fourfold assembly of future Buddhas, his mindset is always one of profound care. He thinks to himself: if these members of the fourfold assembly can attain Buddhahood, they will be able to save and help countless more beings in the future. Even if a student treats me poorly because they are currently suffering from a spiritual attachment, their original nature remains inherently good. My response to them should not be mere endurance; it must be true compassion. I must use this compassion to tolerate and embrace everything they go through. Beyond this, he is always contemplating how to help his students awaken and understand the reality of their own spiritual attachments. As an abbot, if you do not possess a vast mind-capacity and boundless compassion, you will not be able to nurture true teachers and future Buddhas.
The Responsibility of an Abbot
As long as one is alive and interacting with others in this world, it is impossible for everything to be perfectly smooth. Even in the face of adversity, one must maintain the intention to plant good roots in every thought. Only then can one successfully cultivate the fruit of for the fourfold assembly. A truly excellent abbot is not merely concerned with his own ability to achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. The most important task is to ensure that every single person he leads and practises with is also able to achieve rebirth. This is a goal of the utmost importance, one that must be pursued with the greatest diligence and a sense of profound responsibility.
The Natural Flow of the Dharma
In the practice of the Buddha’s gate, many things occur as a natural manifestation of conditions. They cannot be strictly planned or over-analysed. I am not a full-time monastic, so I can only share with you the small portion of wisdom I have gathered from listening to the sutras here. I look forward to your arrival with great anticipation. Practitioner Su has thirty years of great cultivation, and there is so much to learn from him, especially regarding the role of a monastic and the responsibilities of an abbot. You have always been a person who approaches every task with sincerity and accountability. I encourage you to set aside a period of time to come here, live among us, and learn these true skills. When you return home, I believe you will possess a completely different perspective, and you will be able to contribute far more effectively to the transmission of the Buddha’s teachings. I am here, waiting for your arrival.
With love, your mother, Zhao Liangyu.
Recorded by Lay Practitioner Cao Rudi.
Namo Amituofo
More from Lay Practitioners
The Truth Behind Auspicious Signs: An Interview with Lay Practitioner Zhong Canzeng
Many have asked why a practitioner who displayed auspicious signs during chanting still fell into the hells. Lay Practitioner Zhong Canzeng, father of Venerable Ding Hong, shares his personal testimony on the reality of karmic debt and the saving grace of Namo Amituofo.
A Message from the Western Pure Land: Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu
Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu speaks from the Western Pure Land, offering profound insights on the mission of Practitioner Su, the presence of Namo Amituofo at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and a heartfelt call for practitioners to seize this rare opportunity for Awakening.
Transforming the Mind: An Interview with Lay Practitioner Li Bingnan
In this profound interview, Lay Practitioner Li Bingnan explores the deep connection between our mental state, the laws of karma, and the path to true healing. By understanding the role of karmic creditors and the compassionate guidance of Namo Amituofo, we can learn to transform our minds and find liberation from suffering.
The Crucial Choice: To Change or Not to Change
In this profound dialogue, Lay Practitioner Li Bingnan explores the vital necessity of repentance and the courage required to change one's ways. He addresses the heartbreaking reality of those who refuse to listen to guidance, the cycle of karmic retribution, and the urgent call for practitioners to act with compassion to save suffering beings.
More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang
A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi
This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to the Pure Land.
A Reflection from the Western Pure Land
This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.
The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing
Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Burden of a Historical Name
This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.
The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land
A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.
About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library