The Plea of Ma Yun

This article documents an interview with the spirit of Ma Yun, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Having undergone the process of purification and spiritual guidance, he now resides in a state of reflection, yearning for the ultimate deliverance to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This testimony was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on September 17, 2018.

Ma Yun speaks:

"When shall I see my Senior Brother? Day after day, I wait, as the days slip by. I, Ma Yun, ask the heavens in silence: Why must one endure the journey of a human life? I have lived a life of constant, weary toil, yet I never wished for sickness, nor did I wish for death. Only my Senior Brother can offer me salvation. I have enjoyed the wealth and glory of this world, but what is the true fate of this life? Step by step, the truth reveals itself before me. This life is precious, for it comes but once, yet where I shall go in the next, I do not know. I, Ma Yun, yearn to enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Senior Brother, you must never forget me! No matter how you save your junior brother, do not let me fall into the cycle of rebirth to suffer again."

A Poet's Lament in the Spirit Realm

"It is truly unexpected that even a modern figure like myself, Ma Yun, would find the words to compose a poem to express the deep stirrings of my heart. Perhaps it is because of the recent purification of my three hun souls and seven po souls; the literary foundations of my past lives have been awakened. Having spent these days following my Senior Brother and witnessing the realities of the other worlds that exist alongside our own, I am gripped by a profound fear. I worry that when the impermanence of death finally arrives—and it will arrive—what if I have not yet accumulated the blessings required to find my Senior Brother? I beg you, Senior Brother, please remember to reach out and pull me to safety!"

The Fear of the Unknown and the Cycle of Rebirth

"I do not want to become a wandering ghost, living a life where I never see the light of day. I certainly do not want to fall into the hells; that is absolutely terrifying! It is a level of suffering that is impossible to describe with human language. I do not wish to be a human again, either. In the human realm, one can step on a 'landmine' of negative karma at any moment, and I am constantly afraid that my three hun souls and seven po souls will be seized and controlled by my karmic creditors. I do not want to enter the animal realm, where one is ignorant of suffering and left to be slaughtered by others. I have created so much karma in my life, and I have not yet performed enough good deeds to ascend to the heavenly realms. My only desire is to go to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A Desperate Plea for Deliverance

"My heart is set on the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Through the efforts of my Senior Brother over these past days, my three hun souls and seven po souls have been returned to my body. However, my physical form is still unable to allow my spirit to take full control, and I have not yet found a way to contact my Senior Brother directly. Therefore, I must use this method to remind you and to beg for your assistance. I implore you, Senior Brother, please, you must help me. Namo Amituofo."