The Path from Abandonment to Enlightenment

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Putian, 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 approximately 959 years ago. It was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 13, 2019.

Putian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Putian. My mother, a woman of profound gentleness and quiet strength, was cruelly taken from me when I was merely three years of age. She was murdered in cold blood by my stepmother, a woman my father had been secretly courting behind my mother's back. My father was captivated by her soft, deceptive voice and her slender, alluring figure, which contrasted sharply with my mother’s heavier, more maternal frame. Though my mother lacked the superficial beauty that so easily ensnared my father, she gave her entire heart to him with unwavering, absolute sincerity. She never imagined that he would trample upon their years of devotion for a woman who would eventually destroy our family and leave me motherless."

A Mother’s Tragic End

"The very day my father brought her into our home, she poisoned my mother’s food. I watched with my own eyes as my mother collapsed and died, her life extinguished in an instant, while my stepmother stood nearby, smirking with a cold, calculated malice. From that day on, I became mute. I dared not tell my father the truth, and he, lost in the intoxicating sweetness of his new romance, had little time or inclination to care for me. I wandered alone, preferring the cold, unforgiving streets to a home that had lost all its warmth and safety. My stepmother, sensing my discomfort and my desire to escape, used it to her advantage. When I was seven, she bore my father a son. My father was overjoyed, pouring all his attention into the new child, while my stepmother used the boy to tighten her grip on my father’s heart, ensuring I would be cast out completely. She used this infant to make my father forget my very existence, claiming him entirely for herself."

The Loneliness of the Streets

"I understood her cruel plan and knew there was no place left for me in that house. I packed my meager belongings and left. My stepmother told my father, 'Putian has decided to live his own life; from now on, you need not worry about him!' Though my father felt a pang of regret, he respected the decision. My stepmother even confiscated the small amount of money my father had secretly given me, forbidding me from taking anything from the house. I wandered, hungry and penniless. A kind beggar once shared his food with me; though it was sour and foul-smelling, I ate every morsel with deep gratitude, thankful that there were still kind souls in this world who possessed a shred of compassion.

For a month, I drifted, my clothes becoming filthy and emitting a foul odour. No matter where I slept, I clutched a tattered garment to my chest—the last thing my mother had woven for me. Even though it was worn to threads, it was my only connection to her. Looking at it was like seeing her face, and my longing for her remained intense, a constant ache in my heart that refused to fade."

A Brush with Death

"One night, I collapsed from exhaustion. When I regained consciousness, I felt my body being dragged—a wild beast had caught me, intending to bring me back to its den for its young to feast upon. I held no hope for survival. I thought, 'If my death can feed this family of animals, then my life in this world has at least served one purpose.' I closed my eyes and surrendered to the inevitable. Suddenly, my body dropped to the ground. I opened my eyes to see the beast pierced by an arrow; a hunter had saved me. I was overcome with emotion, seeing the dead creature and remembering my mother’s fate, feeling a strange, sorrowful connection to the animal.

The hunter rushed over, asking, 'Child, are you alright? I saw this beast about to harm you, so I shot it.' I shook my head, thanking him for saving my life. I begged him, 'Could you please bury this animal instead of taking it home?' Moved by my sincerity, he agreed and buried the creature under a large tree, respecting my wish to let it rest in peace."

Finding a New Family

"I continued walking until I reached a poor village. The children there wore rags, yet they possessed smiles I had never seen before. Despite their faces being smudged with dirt, their joy radiated a brilliant light. They saw me standing in the distance and beckoned me over. When I moved too slowly, they ran to me, grabbed my hands, and pulled me into their circle. They treated me like a dear friend, and for the first time in years, I laughed. When they asked why I had been so silent or where my family was, I remained quiet. An older girl approached, patted my shoulder, and said, 'I lost my parents when I was five. I have lived alone until now, at fourteen. I used to envy others, but since I began to practice the Buddha’s teachings, I no longer dwell on the past. I live each day with a grounded heart.'

As the children shared their stories, I realised they were all orphans. They had become a family through their shared hardship, living and playing together. Kind people would donate food and clothes, and the children lived in a state of constant gratitude. I became one of them. Months later, I finally spoke my first words to them: 'Namo Amituofo.' The older girl had taught me to chant the Buddha-name, telling me that the Buddha would always be with us if we kept His name in our hearts. I listened, and my heart grew clearer day by day."

The Decision to Renounce

"Two years passed. I courageously announced, 'I have decided to become a monastic. Though I have been silent, my heart has been one with the Buddha-name. The world I see now is completely different from before. I have decided to let go and walk the path of practice.' Everyone was surprised, but they were happy that I had found my direction.

Before entering the temple, I cleaned myself up and returned home one last time. I found my stepmother in the courtyard with my three-year-old brother. She was shocked: 'Why are you back? Leave at once before your father sees you!' I told her, 'I have come to say goodbye to my father.' I explained to her, 'I could not forget my mother, but after two years of learning the Buddha’s teachings, I have realised that holding onto false emotions and hatred only brings suffering. I have let go of everything. I am here to express my gratitude for the years of upbringing.' My father walked in, and upon seeing me, he embraced me, weeping. I shared my insights from the Dharma, and he was filled with joy. He supported my decision to renounce, finally finding peace for the guilt he had carried all these years."

A Life of Deliverance

"Twenty years later, I became a great Bhikshu. I transformed all my habits into nothingness, using a body imbued with Buddha-nature to save beings everywhere. My spirit now travels freely to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have even been able to save those friends who stood by me during my darkest hours. They saw my transformation and chose the path of practice, understanding that only by seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land can one achieve true liberation.

Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body travels through the universe, and more and more beings are forming a connection with the Buddha. Those who know suffering are eager to be led away from this space, while those still attached wait for the right Causal Conditions. I am honoured to join in this work of Chao Du. I have never seen the Buddha’s teachings flourish so magnificently in the universe. The six-character name resonates from all directions, and all spirits chant together: Namo Amituofo. I am actively saving the beings before me, and every day, immeasurable numbers follow the Buddha. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su, which has made this great event of deliverance possible. The spirits weep with joy, grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su."