The Poet's Journey: From the Ghost Realm to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Su Dongpo, who sought Chao Du 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 and his long journey through the realms of existence. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on August 25, 2018.

Su Dongpo speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Su Dongpo, and I come to you from the Western Pure Land.

A Reflection on the Nature of Reality

Let me offer these words to you:

Once drifting through the ghost realm, I shared stories with Li Bai.
Whether East, West, North, or South, what distance truly exists between you, me, and others?
Within the Buddha’s gate, all are one body; the ancient Buddha has turned, and Practitioner Su has arrived.
How could awakening one's true nature be contrary to practice? I smile as I watch the clouds rise and the sun set.
With compassion, I see the suffering of sentient beings in the dark realms; my heart is set on the Western Pure Land, firm as stone.
Bathed in light, I come to visit; within the name of Namo Amituofo, I behold Namo Amituofo himself.
Having been a monk in many past lives, I now see those lives clearly.
It turns out my journey to the West was not yet fulfilled, until I saw Practitioner Su complete my vow to reach the West.

The Life of a Poet and the Truth of the Dharma

During my time in the human world, I excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as in poetry and prose. My calligraphy, in particular, formed its own unique style—the 'Su style'—which flowed freely from my brush. It was during my travels through mountains and rivers that I realised I had been a monk in a past life. My heart was vast, encompassing heaven and earth, and I did not concern myself with trivialities in my conversations.

The dialogues I shared with Zen Master Foyin, such as the famous exchange about seeing the Buddha in everything versus seeing only dung, have been passed down through the ages. The beauty of the Western Pure Land is beyond words; if you wish to know it, you must come and visit for yourself.

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body reaches into the infinite, which is the only way she can save an uncountable number of sentient beings. Whether one was famous or destitute in the human world, once you enter the Western Pure Land, the past dissipates without a trace. I urge all people to recognise this treasure and come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia.

Chant Namo Amituofo to attain eternal life. Though your body may be in the world, Practitioner Su is there. When your spirit returns to the Western Land, we shall welcome you. The Western sacred land is truly magnificent—a sight never before seen in the human world. I, Su Dongpo, bow in gratitude for the grace of Practitioner Su.

The Long Road to Deliverance

Several years ago, when the causal conditions matured, the Buddha’s compassion reached out to me. After all, I was once a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha. Through the light of Namo Amituofo and the assistance of the Buddha-light in the ghost realm, I was able to enter the Hsiang Kuang room where Practitioner Su was conducting her practice in Australia. I met Practitioner Su and the other virtuous ones. I remember we had a conversation, and after receiving her teachings and chanting the Buddha’s name together, I was guided by the light of Namo Amituofo to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, finally bidding farewell to my long years in the ghost realm. Counting the time, it had been nearly a thousand years. It was not in vain that I was once a person of the Buddha’s gate.

Reflections on the Ghost Realm

The Zen dialogues between myself and Zen Master Foyin, which have survived to this day, are a testament to the Dharma affinity between us and the people of today. It is a beautiful thing. At that time, Practitioner Su was leading everyone in diligent practice at the Hsiang Kuang room. Beyond the virtuous practitioners in the human world, many spirits from the ghost realm and other dimensions would regularly listen to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks. Naturally, Li Bai and I were among them.

You must surely wonder why I ended up in the ghost realm after I passed away. Although it is difficult to speak of, since I have already reached the Western Pure Land, what harm is there in discussing the smoke and clouds of the past? If it can serve as a warning to the world, then it is a good thing.

When I was alive, I was a man of talent. I wrote poetry, drank wine, ate meat, and lived in beauty. Naturally, I had beautiful companions by my side. But I could not be too overt, so I often kept these feelings in my heart, not daring to speak of them. I had confidantes outside of my marriage. Consequently, after I passed away, I spent my days in the ghost realm with these confidantes. Now, we have each gone our separate ways; it was all like a dream, leaving nothing behind.

A Final Counsel to the World

Those who practise must not waste their time. A human life is hard to obtain, the Buddha’s teachings are hard to hear, and the Pure Land is hard to encounter. To meet Namo Amituofo is the hardest of all. This is a magnificent Dharma affinity—you must be reborn in the Western Pure Land. Do not be attached to anything in this world; it is all empty, just a play. You must practise to realise your true nature.

Awakening your true nature is the only truth. Life is an illusion; do not take it as real. In this life, the only path is to be reborn in the Western Pure Land.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is now preparing to build the Amituofo Village. When we in the Western Pure Land heard this news, we all applauded. Because as long as Practitioner Su steps forward, sentient beings can be saved; everyone has the opportunity to be guided by her to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. People of today, no matter what, must overcome all obstacles to help Practitioner Su complete the Amituofo Village. Let us purify the human heart, chant the holy name of Namo Amituofo together, and journey to the West. Namo Amituofo."