The Path to Ultimate Awakening

This interview was recorded on November 4, 2018, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It features the Venerable Luganda, a practitioner from twelve centuries ago who sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su. Having resided in the void for ages, he now shares his journey of awakening and his mission to save sentient beings.

Venerable Luganda speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Luganda. This is a record of my journey, a path that began in a life twelve centuries ago. My father, Rudama, was a renowned master of archery. He was famous for his uncanny precision; whether on horseback, standing still, or even with his back turned, he could strike a target fifty metres away with ease. People travelled from far and wide to witness his skill, hoping to learn his techniques, but none could ever truly master his craft.

A Son's Silent Protest

I once harboured a deep desire to learn from him, but that changed the day I began to see the truth behind his 'talent.' I saw the spirits of the animals he had killed—they were everywhere, surrounding him, demanding retribution for their suffering. The sight was harrowing. I could not bring myself to touch a bow, let alone use it to inflict pain. I tried to describe these tormented spirits to my father, pleading with him to stop, to find a different path. Instead of listening, he mocked me, calling me a fool. I could not reach him, so I chose to wait, hoping for a moment when his heart might soften. But the opposite happened; his obsession only grew. He began teaching others, and soon, even my own brothers were following in his footsteps, hoping to use their archery skills to win the hearts of women.

We were a family of over twenty boys, and every single one of them mastered the bow—except for me. My father saw my refusal as a deep humiliation. He disowned me, casting me out of our home. Even then, though I rejected his cruel actions, I never stopped seeing him as my father. My heart remained tethered to him, regardless of his unreasonable behaviour.

The Call of the Dharma

At twelve years old, I found myself alone in the world. Having lost my mother at a young age, I was already accustomed to fending for myself, as my father and brothers had long ignored me. I walked out of that house with nothing but my resolve. Almost immediately, I encountered a monk who seemed to be waiting for me. He looked at me and said, 'I have heard of a child in this place who refuses to kill, who remains pure even in the midst of a muddy world.' He told me that if I went to the temple the next morning to listen to the scriptures and understand the essence of the Dharma, I would develop a heart of compassion and eventually possess the potential to save countless beings. I had nowhere else to go, so I agreed.

The journey to the temple was long. Along the way, I saw the struggles of the world. I saw labourers with hunched backs, forced to carry heavy stones to feed their families. I saw ants working in unison, travelling great distances just to move a single piece of fruit. I saw a wild cat hunting a mouse for its survival. Everywhere I looked—human, animal, insect—everyone was caught in the desperate struggle for life. I looked up at the sky, where clouds chased one another, appearing to compete or play, and I realised that life, in all its forms, is a constant, exhausting cycle.

The Decision to Save

Upon arriving at the temple, I listened intently to an old monk. He explained the nature of existence with such clarity that I finally understood: if one does not achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, one is doomed to continue spinning in the cycle of rebirth, potentially falling into the hells to suffer. I thought of the labourers I had seen on the road. If no one introduced them to the Buddha’s teachings, they would spend their entire lives in toil only to be reborn into further suffering, perhaps even as animals. I could not bear the thought of them continuing to suffer. I decided then and there that I would be the one to bring the Dharma to them—not just to explain it, but to help all beings on this earth hear the teachings and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Just as I made this vow, news reached me that my father had passed away. He had been killed by a stray arrow during an archery competition. It happened so quickly that even my brothers, who were standing right beside him, could not protect him. I was devastated. I had always honoured him, but now, even if I rushed home, I could not save his life. I chose to stay at the temple, determined to learn the skills of deliverance from my master. I would save not only my father’s spirit but also all those still suffering in this world.

A Life Without Self

I dedicated myself entirely to my practice. As my meditative concentration deepened, my vision expanded. I began to see the karmic creditors my father had accumulated—legions of spirits who had died from arrow wounds. I performed Chao Du for them, delivering these innocent souls. I travelled everywhere, teaching the Dharma and fulfilling the vow I made when I first became a monk. Every day, my only purpose was to save beings. I discovered that a life without the 'self' is filled with such immense Dharma joy. My life could be called ordinary, yet it was truly magnificent, for my singular goal was the salvation of others. When you let go of the self, life is no longer bitter; it becomes free and at ease.

Now, I follow Practitioner Su in the universe, performing Chao Du. Seeing so many spirits still wandering in space, I have only one goal: to seize every opportunity to send them to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. These beings have been wandering for so long. Without the compassion of Practitioner Su, no one in the human world would have the ability to save so many. Practitioner Su is my teacher. Every day, I learn from him, discovering different ways to lead more beings out of the void. I have realised that the power of the human world is truly vital. Practitioner Su’s great heart and Ultimate Vow save immeasurable and boundless beings every day, guiding them back to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If more people could join in this effort, the transformation of this worldly realm would accelerate. I am deeply grateful to the Buddha for his compassion, and I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for his compassion."

Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing.