This is a record of an interview with the ancient spirits residing on the land surrounding the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. These beings, including indigenous spirits from a millennium ago and water spirits from a century-old pond, were discovered and delivered through the compassionate practice of Practitioner Su. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on November 3, 2020.
The Spirits of the Land speak:
". We have always been here on this vast expanse of land. A thousand years ago, this place was a vibrant settlement for indigenous people, filled with homes and life. Now, those structures have returned to the dust of the earth, yet our spirits have remained, guarding this very ground. For centuries, no one knew we were here. We lived in our own space, continuing our lives as if time had stood still, until Practitioner Su arrived.
The sound of the Buddha-name emanating from the small white house pierced through the veil, opening our world. Suddenly, our space was filled with the resonance of 'Namo Amituofo'. Practitioner Su saw us, and we saw him. We came to know him, and he led us in chanting to pray for rain, uniting our spirits with the land itself. We chant: Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Now, we can chant the Buddha-name, and we can see you all arriving here. We can even speak with you! It is truly a miraculous world."
The Resonance of the Buddha-name
Venerable HaiZe: "It is indeed! With Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su here, everything becomes inconceivable! Tell me, would you all like to go to a place of brightness? You can go there to listen to Practitioner Su give talks. You can all go together! You may also choose to go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."
The Spirits: "We can hear Practitioner Su's Dharma talks right here, so we understand what you are saying! Can we all really go?"
Venerable HaiZe: "Yes, you can!"
The Spirits: "Wonderful! Then let us go and see!"
The Water Spirits' Song of Gratitude
The Spirits of the Pond speak: "On this same land, there exists another space. We are a group of water spirits. For a hundred years, there has been a pond here. On the surface of the water, there were often many geese, ducks, and aquatic plants, while kangaroos and rabbits would come to the water's edge to drink. We are the water spirits who have guarded this pond for generations. Even when the water on this land dried up, we remained here, keeping watch.
Because of the Buddha-name chanted by Practitioner Su, our space was opened. We are very clear about the small white house, Practitioner Su, and the light that shines upon this land day and night. We also joined Practitioner Su and the land in chanting 'Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo' to pray for rain. When the rain finally fell, we cheered and danced; we were so happy and so grateful. Thank you all."
A Gateway to the Western Land
Memorial Tablet Record: Within the four hundred acres of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and its surrounding areas, the space has been opened for countless beings. This includes the indigenous spirits from a millennium ago, the various creatures that once inhabited the houses, as well as the water spirits and all the beings that lived in and around the pond over the last century. All those who wish to go to the place of brightness and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss are invited to enter the memorial tablet. Represented by: The Chief, West-Aha (including all animals, plants, fish, insects, ants, and various other beings, having shed their physical forms and returned to their original state).
(Please enter the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.)
