The Power of a Child's Vow

This is a record of an interview with the Venerable He Guang, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 1,620 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on December 16, 2018.

Venerable He Guang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am He Guang. My mother was in the kitchen preparing a meal when she realised we were running low on salt. She asked me to go to the market to purchase a packet. Before I stepped out the door, she gave me a special instruction: 'Remember, keep the Buddha-name in your heart at all times.' I replied to her, 'Yes! Namo Amituofo!'"

The Hidden Merit of Compassion

"The streets were exceptionally crowded that day. As I followed the flow of people, I noticed rubbish scattered across the ground, being trampled underfoot by the passing crowd. A child even kicked a piece of debris far into the distance. Without thinking, I bent down and began to pick up the rubbish, piece by piece. I gathered it into the folds of my tunic and carried it until I reached a designated disposal area. I did not realise that a monk was walking behind me. He approached my side and said, 'Little Bodhisattva, do you know that your heart of compassion has already saved the spirits lingering within this rubbish? Because you have the Buddha in your heart and you acted with such kindness, they have all been delivered through the power of the Namo Amituofo Buddha-name you hold. This is truly a great merit. Namo Amituofo!' I had never imagined that a simple, unintentional act of cleaning could deliver sentient beings. The power of the Namo Amituofo Buddha-name is truly inconceivable."

A Mother’s Wisdom and the Buddha’s Grace

"Although I was five years old, my speech was not very fluent. The only phrase I could articulate clearly was 'Namo Amituofo.' This was because my mother had constantly recited the Buddha-name while I was still in her womb. From the moment I was born, the sound felt intimately familiar, and it flowed naturally from my lips. Because of my speech difficulties, I often felt discouraged and was frequently mocked by the children my age. Whenever I played with them, they would intentionally choose games that required verbal expression—games I struggled with. When my pronunciation fell too far from the standard, they would laugh loudly at me. I never told my mother about this, but one day, she passed by the open field and saw all the children surrounding me, laughing. She listened closely and finally understood how I was being treated."

"When I returned home, my mother brought me to her side and asked, 'He Guang, speaking clearly is not the most important thing, but chanting the Buddha-name is. Do you believe in the Buddha?' I replied, 'I believe! My life was saved by the Buddha! When you were in difficult labour, it was by chanting the Buddha-name that you brought me into this world. I am so grateful to Namo Amituofo, and I chant His name often. Without Namo Amituofo, there would be no He Guang!' My mother stroked my head and said, 'If the Buddha could save your life, how could He not help you speak more clearly? As long as you believe that Namo Amituofo can help you and you chant with sincerity every day, I believe you will soon be able to speak perfectly.' Hearing this, my heavy heart instantly became bright and joyful. I tapped my own head and laughed, 'How could I have forgotten that Namo Amituofo is right here beside me?'"

Two Years of Diligent Practice

"I made a firm resolution to study the Buddha’s teachings earnestly. Every day, I knelt before the Buddha and recited the Infinite Life Sutra, chanting each word aloud with all my heart. Though my pronunciation was initially unclear, I remained sincere, kneeling and reciting from dawn until dusk, never once slacking. Even my mother was deeply moved by my perseverance. Two years passed, and I never missed a single day of recitation. By the end of those two years, not only had my speech recovered, but I had also gained a deep Awakening through the scriptures. I did not merely recite; I honestly applied the Buddha’s teachings to my daily life, transforming my conduct, refining my personality, and nurturing a heart dedicated to helping others."

"I knelt before the compassionate Namo Amituofo and made a vow: 'I pray for the Buddha’s compassion to help me speak clearly. This is not for my own sake, but so that I may lecture on the Dharma and deliver sentient beings. I have realised that helping others escape the six realms of rebirth is the only life truly worth living. I vow to follow Namo Amituofo in this lifetime to save others, and I shall follow Him throughout all my future lives.' My vow was sincere, and it moved the Buddha to compassion. A few days later, my speech became as clear as any other child’s—perhaps even clearer, with a softness and compassion imbued in every tone. Both my mother and I felt this miracle was inconceivable. Namo Amituofo is truly the Supreme Physician!"

A Life Dedicated to Deliverance

"For those two years, I never left my home, keeping the scriptures close and chanting before the Buddha. Now, at seven years old, I stepped out of my house again. This time, I was not looking for playmates in the field; I was walking toward the temple, preparing to dedicate my life to practice. Children love to run, jump, and play hide-and-seek, but I could no longer bear to waste a single moment on play. If that time could be used for practice to help sentient beings, then more spirits would have the opportunity to obtain deliverance. I brought my mother with me to the temple. I knew that only through diligent practice could I truly help others, so I never allowed myself to be lax. If my master asked me to do a task once, I would do it two or three times until I had mastered it. I did not fear hardship; I strove constantly for the sake of all beings."

"By the time I stood before the faithful to lecture on the Dharma, I had become a great Bhikshu. My voice could penetrate through space, teaching the Dharma and delivering spirits across countless dimensions. My eyes could clearly foresee all things, and I used compassion and wisdom to save those in need. My efforts were never for the sake of my own skills, but solely to save sentient beings. This sincerity, combined with my persistent and diligent practice, led me to achieve Awakening fifteen years later. I used all my strength to alleviate the suffering of others. For decades, I used this physical body until the very last moment, only then setting aside my work to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

Reunion in the Universe

"I now follow Practitioner Su into the universe, where there are many spirits I delivered in the past who have yet to leave their respective spaces. For some time now, I have been performing Chao Du for these beings with whom I have karmic affinity. The universe contains many different spaces, some so wondrous that people in the world could hardly imagine them. I continue to move forward, performing deliverance, wishing that every single being may seize this opportunity to leave their confined space."

"Today, I unexpectedly encountered my father from one of my past lives. He was still sitting in meditation within his space. The Buddha-name echoed through the void, and when he opened his eyes, he saw a field of golden light. He saw me, and he was so surprised—so incredibly surprised! Only in that moment did he realise he had been trapped in that space for a thousand years. For a millennium, he had felt only a sense of quietude, never thinking to chant the Buddha-name to leave and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I helped my father leave his thousand-year confinement, and then I continued my work. Every day, immeasurable and boundless numbers of spirits seek to be reborn in the light. I am so grateful for the compassion of the Buddha, and I am so grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."