The Path Beyond Birth, Aging, Sickness, and Death

This is a record of an interview with the late Venerable Wei Chueh, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account captures his reflections and guidance for the fourfold assembly. It was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on June 29, 2017.

Venerable Wei Chueh speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Wei Chueh. As I reflect upon the journey of a monk, I find myself asking: How should one continue this path? Does it lead only to the inevitable end of birth, aging, sickness, and death, or is it possible to achieve the deathless state? The answer lies deep within one's own heart; the choice, ultimately, is one's own to make."

The Reality of the Western Pure Land

"What is the achievement that a practitioner truly seeks? What should it look like? Is it enough to simply drift through a lifetime in a state of confusion? The path to Bodhi is vast and boundless, but where is the true destination? Now that I have arrived in the Western Pure Land and have truly beheld the Buddha, I have come to understand the reality of the Buddha's existence. Only upon meeting the Buddha face-to-face have I truly begun to learn the depth of His compassion, the vastness of His mercy, and the infinite nature of His wisdom.

I feel a profound sense of shame. Why, in my previous life, did I not practise more diligently? To the fourfold assembly of the Chung Tai community, I ask you to reflect: throughout a lifetime of practice, what kind of result are you truly seeking? How much distance remains between you and that goal? Are you truly content to finish this life in such a state? I tell you now: do not be complacent. If you have doubts or misunderstandings, come here. Here, you can see the Truth, resolve the confusion in your heart, and clearly perceive how far you still have to go in your practice. It is like looking through a lens—everything becomes crystal clear."

A Call to the Fourfold Assembly

"Practice must never be kept hidden or private. To the fourfold assembly, I say: the purity of practice is paramount. Even the slightest trace of sorrow or attachment is unacceptable. Your heart must be empty, containing nothing. As long as there is sickness, as long as there is birth, aging, sickness, and death, you are not truly practising. You must remember these words of mine, for I have walked this path myself. I have experienced it all. There is only room for shame and repentance.

I hope that the fourfold assembly is still willing to listen to the words of this old monk. I did not practise well enough; a lifetime of illness and the frailty of old age—this was not right. While birth, aging, sickness, and death may seem like a normal part of life, for a true practitioner, these things should not exist. They truly should not be there. Venerable Jiandeng, if you cannot believe this, the loss you will suffer is a great tragedy. To miss the opportunity of the Great Buddha is a profound regret. Think about it carefully."

The Choice of the Deathless

"A monk, how should he continue his path? Does he walk toward old age and death, sickness and death, or does he walk toward the achievement of the deathless? The answer lies within your own heart, and the choice is yours alone. I am here, and while I remain, I am still able to let you ask your questions.

Namo Amituofo."