This is a record of an interview with Liu Zongming, a Venerable who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the . This account reflects upon his life approximately 1,400 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing, on December 25, 2018.
Liu Zongming speaks:
". I am Liu Zongming. In the life I lived fourteen centuries ago, I learned early on that the state of one's heart dictates the reality of one's world. Let me tell you about a time when the heavens seemed to weep for weeks on end. The rain poured down relentlessly, and the hearts of my neighbours grew heavy with agitation. Some grumbled, 'With all this rain, we cannot work! We are losing our livelihood!' Others cried out, 'It is as if the entire world's rain has fallen upon our village alone! Can it not stop?' An elderly woman lamented that her son’s fruit orchard was completely submerged. Everyone was caught in a cycle of complaint, and yet, the rain continued to fall, indifferent to our distress.
The Shift in Perspective
I stood before them and spoke, 'Because of this rain, our earth is being nourished. Though we cannot labour for a time, this is a chance for us to rest. When the earth awakens in spring, everything will be renewed. Everything will start afresh, and it will be better than before. I truly believe our village will transform into something extraordinary.' The heavy, suffocating atmosphere that had gripped us began to dissipate the moment I spoke. My words acted as a catalyst, shifting their focus from despair to hope. The dark clouds in their hearts began to part, allowing the sunlight of optimism to break through. And truly, not long after I spoke, the rain began to taper off. The sun emerged, bathing the earth in light, and the grass sparkled as if polished. Our village had been washed clean by the storm, and the landscape was indeed renewed, just as I had foreseen.
The Power of Goodness
The power of a single sentence can transform one's entire state of mind. My parents taught me from childhood to speak kind words and to let Goodness be the starting point for every action. If one thinks of the good first, the energy field—the magnetic field of one's life—naturally shifts. Even outcomes that seem unfavourable can be transformed into positive results through the power of right intention. It is truly an inconceivable phenomenon.
I was a lively and happy child. To me, there was no such thing as a sorrowful event; if one changes their heart, every situation becomes a good situation, and every moment becomes a good moment. Although my family was not wealthy, I practised Generosity every day by giving away my own happiness. I would take the heavy moods of others and turn them into light ones, transforming difficult circumstances into favourable ones. I had no special technique; I simply looked for the good, spoke of the good, and transmitted the power of Goodness.
The Shaman's Shadow
From a young age, my eyes could perceive energy. Many find it hard to believe that energy can be seen, but I could clearly distinguish between positive and negative energy. Once, someone tried to lead me to study shamanism. Given my innate abilities, I could have learned very quickly. However, before I even began, I saw a dark, distorted energy field operating behind the scenes, and I immediately refused. Shamanism can be used for good or ill, but the human heart determines the nature of the energy. If the heart is corrupt, the energy naturally turns foul. The shaman who wished to teach me was a famous practitioner who used his craft to control everything. Even that weeks-long deluge was a result of his manipulation. It was only through my own upright spirit and positive energy that his spell was broken, allowing the village to see a new dawn. Had I not intervened, his curse would have flooded the entire village, leaving everyone to perish in the disaster. When the villagers learned that I had saved them, they finally understood that an upright spirit and positive force are immense energies. They realised how vital it is to look for the good and think of the good; it possesses a miraculous efficacy.
The Discovery of the Buddha-Name
I became a model for the village, and the people began to emulate my way of speaking. The habit of focusing on the negative began to fade. Whether facing great challenges or small inconveniences, the villagers learned to view things from a positive perspective. One day, a monk passed through our village. He was merely travelling, but he was drawn in by the powerful positive energy radiating from our homes. He came to investigate what could possibly generate such a force. When he met me, I told him, 'It is because our villagers look for the good, think of the good, and keep a good heart in all things. This creates a positive magnetic field.' The monk praised this, noting that the suffering of life can only be changed by such a mindset. Furthermore, he told me that if people could learn the Buddha’s teachings and chant 'Namo Amituofo,' their lives would be transformed even more profoundly.
The monk introduced me to the Buddha’s teachings, and I became the first in our village to study them. The energy contained within the name 'Namo Amituofo' was unlike anything I had ever encountered—it was a massive, boundless power that transcended every energy field I had ever seen. I chanted 'Namo Amituofo' just once, and my entire body underwent a change. I felt black spots being vibrated out through my pores, and the energy began to circulate through my internal organs. This inconceivable power left me deeply shaken. I studied the Buddha’s teachings with a sincere heart, and within a week, the changes were evident. This was not only due to my innate sensitivity but also because I recognised the value of the and chanted with a single-minded, sincere heart.
The Path of Deliverance
Seeing my transformation, the villagers began to follow suit. It was the Buddha’s teachings that allowed me to see the suffering of others and understand the importance of saving them. After five years of study, I decided to lay down all worldly attachments and dedicate myself to practice within the temple. I transmitted the name 'Namo Amituofo' into various spaces, watching as the power of the Buddha-name traversed the dimensions, saving immeasurable and boundless sentient beings. I led people to witness the vastness of the Buddha’s teachings, encouraging more and more to believe, to learn, and to use the Dharma to refine themselves, change their lives, and ultimately, at the end of their lives, chant 'Namo Amituofo' to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Cosmic Deliverance
Now, I have entered the leg of Practitioner Su, where I witness the Buddha’s energy constantly working to heal his injuries. The universe itself is composed of energy; even the stars rely on energy to maintain their orbits. Once that energy is depleted, it must be replenished to maintain balance. The universe is a mixture of good and evil, and energy is constantly being consumed. Many stars have existed for immeasurable eons, and their energy has long been exhausted. If there are malignant factors present, the depletion happens even faster. Many extraterrestrial beings face a crisis of energy deficiency; they wander, seeking external energy to sustain their existence.
When Practitioner Su carries the powerful energy of the 'Namo Amituofo' Buddha-name into the universe, the beings of the cosmos are stunned. They have never seen such a powerful force! They observed for a long time, confirming that Practitioner Su is a truly virtuous person, possessing ultimate , and that he has come into the universe with a Buddha-heart to save them. Practitioner Su performs Chao Du daily, and the number of spirits seeking deliverance grows every day. Each day, immeasurable and boundless beings are saved, and the stars themselves begin to increase their energy because of this name, 'Namo Amituofo.' The power of Goodness in space is becoming stronger, and the energy fields of the universe are changing. A flow of goodness has begun to surge into the transmission of energy. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo for his ultimate compassion, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su for his compassionate heart in saving us. Namo Amituofo."
