The Power of the Thousand-Fold Step

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Hayeda, a being who resides within the left leg of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He reflects upon his ancient origins and his current role in assisting with the morning Chao Du. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Haize, on May 27, 2018.

Venerable Haize speaks:

"May I ask, among the Venerables residing in the left leg of Practitioner Su, who would be willing to accept an interview today? We are grateful for the compassion of the Buddha and the compassion of the Venerables."

Venerable Hayeda speaks:

"Let me speak! Although I have not been written about before, the other Venerables are very compassionate. When Practitioner Su mentioned this morning that one of us should be interviewed, those of us residing in her left leg pointed to me. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su and the other Venerables for giving this junior such an opportunity."

A Journey from Ancient India

"I am Venerable Hayeda, the four-hundred-and-first Venerable. I was born in India and passed away around 1112 BC—that is approximately two thousand one hundred and thirty years ago, around the time of the Western Han Dynasty in China. Since entering the left leg of Practitioner Su a month ago alongside other elders, I have benefited immensely. These are lessons that would be impossible to learn in the human world or even in the Western Pure Land. The words of the sages cannot be measured by any worldly standard.

In these days, I have witnessed the sorrow and suffering of beings in this age of the Dharma’s decline. They are trapped, unable to escape, and their pain has become so constant that they are numb to it. Although we exist in a spiritual state within Practitioner Su’s left leg, it is difficult for anyone without cultivation and virtue to perceive us."

The Infinite Power of the Dharma Body

"Practitioner Su’s morning Chao Du is extraordinary. While her physical body remains at the temple, her Dharma Body—the spiritual state of her fifty trillion cells—is a perfect replica of Practitioner Su herself. These are her emanations, capable of carrying out the work of Chao Du according to her will and actions. This ability far surpasses what is known as the 'three hun souls and seven po souls.' Every single cell possesses the same power and vow as Practitioner Su. One can only imagine the immeasurable energy these emanations carry when they go forth to save beings.

Usually, we remain at the temple with Practitioner Su’s physical body. However, we have a general understanding of the Chao Du process. Today, when Practitioner Su invited us to join the ranks of Chao Du, it truly broadened my horizons. Distance is not an issue; whether near or far, the weight in the heart is the same. This is the elevation of the 'foot power' we provide to assist Practitioner Su. Every step she takes is the combined step of all one thousand one hundred and sixty-two of us. You can see how much the power of each step has been enhanced compared to when Practitioner Su acted alone!"

The Preciousness of the Physical Body

"In the physical realm, this is difficult to achieve because of the many karmic conditions Practitioner Su has with the human world—including her interactions with the Venerables and lay practitioners at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, as well as spirit realm beings. We cannot interfere with or change these conditions, which is why the recovery of her left leg must proceed step by step. But in the spiritual state, it is different. Without the constraints of the physical body, we can stretch and expand without limit, all based on the power of vows and compassion. Yet, the physical body is precious; without its actions, the spirit would find it difficult to elevate, to break through the cycle of reincarnated in the six realms of existence, and even more difficult to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

In the Western Pure Land, one can travel across all Buddha-lands in a single instant. However, the magnetic field and gravitational space of the Saha world, combined with its turbid energy, make our movements much slower. Even so, under Practitioner Su’s leadership today, we were cautious and attentive. After all, such an opportunity for Chao Du is unique—there is no other place like this."

Witnessing the Suffering of the Hells

"We went everywhere, from the vastness of the Dharma Realm to the most agonizing hells. Following the external Bodhisattvas from the cosmos, one can see from their tacit understanding that Venerable Chang Ren provides excellent leadership. The suffering of the beings in the hells seems to have awakened our long-buried memories. It is truly a tragedy of suffering! I could hardly bear to look at it for a moment longer. I only hope that all who have the karmic affinity can receive the compassion of the Buddha and the grace of Practitioner Su, to be saved soon and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."