Since the day Practitioner Su gave the order to use a vacuum cleaner for the purpose of spiritual cleansing, Skanda and the various protectors have been working diligently. They have been using this method to extract the immeasurable and boundless number of beings residing within the physical body of Practitioner Su. These beings are diverse in nature, ranging from tiny insects and crawling creatures to the spirits of plants, trees, animals, and even layers of dust and earth. Most significantly, this process has also involved the removal of many demon crowds.
Demon crowds possess the unique ability to expand or contract their forms at will. Some of these beings shrink themselves to the size of common insects or ants, making them nearly impossible to distinguish without the keen insight of Skanda Bodhisattva and the other Dharma protectors. If one were not a protector, one might easily mistake them for ordinary insects. The extent of the harm they cause to Practitioner Su depends entirely on the mindset of the specific demon crowd. While a minority of these beings cause more severe damage to the skin than common insects, the majority have come seeking refuge and the opportunity for . Some had already departed from of Practitioner Su to enter the Dharma-Nature Land before this process began, while others were extracted by the vacuum cleaner and subsequently guided to the Dharma-Nature Land. We continue to observe whether any others remain within the body.
The Persistence of Karmic Habits
Before entering the body of Practitioner Su, many of these beings had been restored to human form. However, upon being extracted, it is evident that many still retain the postures and behaviors they held as animals or insects—such as jumping, biting, or clinging. This clearly demonstrates how difficult it is to transform the "self," personal ego, and selfishness. Some of these beings are not even aware that they have been restored to human form. When Practitioner Su issues a command that those who do not leave the body will be returned to the earth, the more sensitive beings are able to understand and listen, departing of their own accord.
Yet, there remain many beings who do not comprehend the instruction. Although they have regained human form, they remain in a state of confusion and ignorance. Some hear the words but do not understand their meaning, while others do not hear them at all. Instead, they rely on their past habits, reacting through their of smell and touch without knowing that they should depart. Others may hear the command but fail to grasp the significance of being returned to the earth. Because of the layers of accumulation over time, the effect of Practitioner Su’s repeated calls for them to leave has been limited. This is why the use of the vacuum cleaner has become a necessary method to assist these beings in leaving the body of Practitioner Su and reaching the Dharma-Nature Land. We are currently continuing this extraction process, with the sincere hope that Practitioner Su may soon return to his original, pure physical state.
The Universal Necessity of Practice
The differences among these beings—whether they were insects, ants, or animals—arise because the depth of their varies significantly. They may have spent such a long time in those lower forms that their original habits remain deeply ingrained. This situation is much like that of a human who is critically ill, has lost , or has passed away due to an accidental disaster. Many such deceased persons carry the remnants of their previous illnesses, appearing in a state of severe sickness or mental confusion. This illustrates that beings are truly immeasurable and boundless. Unless one engages in diligent practice, it is nearly impossible to break free from the control of the laws of karma and cause and effect. Otherwise, regardless of whether one was a high official, a noble person, or a common labourer during their lifetime, it is difficult to escape the dictates of fate and karma. From this, we can clearly see how vital and urgent the practice of the Dharma truly is.
A Precious Opportunity
To all the Venerables and virtuous practitioners, regardless of your age, your professional background, or your past achievements before arriving at the temple, please understand this: once you have entered this temple, you are all receiving the same teachings from the Buddha or Bodhisattva, the Teacher, and Practitioner Su. You are all being nurtured by the same pure environment and the same high-quality conditions for practice. However, the benefits of the Dharma that each practitioner receives and the level of they attain will differ based on their own efforts.
Although you may be assigned different duties, the karmic results you reap are determined by your own heart and are governed by the Truth of the laws of karma and cause and effect. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to face the challenges in your practice with a heart of Goodness, correctness, and positive, right-minded thoughts. As the saying goes, the master can lead you through the door, but the practice itself is a personal responsibility. I hope that every one of you can understand how precious and rare the environment you are currently in truly is. Please cherish it and seize this opportunity with all your heart.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe
