The Twenty-Second Letter of Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Do Not Cling to Bodily Sensations
Interview with Gu Fangzhou (Chinese Virologist)
No Longer Distinguishing Right from Wrong
Interview with Li Yining (The Theoretical Founder of China's Shareholding System Reform)
Interview with Li Wenrui (Expert in Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Master of National Medicine)
This is the twenty-second letter from Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who now resides in the of Ultimate Bliss. In this profound message, the Master reflects on the immense rarity of obtaining a human body and the critical importance of encountering the Buddha’s teachings. This testimony was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on July 7, 2017, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:
". I am Sheng Yen. You must follow the teachings and the principles, uphold the and its core tenets, and strictly adhere to the you have learned. Always walk the path of the true Dharma with sincerity. If you find that your daily actions do not align with these sacred principles, you must have the courage to change your ways immediately.
The Buddha’s teachings are vast, magnificent, and auspicious. There are many signs of grace that appear to those who seek, yet many remain lost, wandering in confusion. The true meaning of these teachings is often ignored by those who are distracted by the mundane world. How does one pass through a lifetime? It is a difficult and arduous journey. Everyone has heard the saying: 'The human body is hard to obtain, and the Buddha’s teachings are hard to encounter.' The meaning is clear and visible; it requires no further explanation. Everyone understands the words, but how many can truly put them into practice? It seems that talking about the path is always easier than walking it.
You must realise that being born with a human body and having the rare opportunity to practise the Buddha’s teachings is truly magnificent and not a simple matter. You must cherish this existence and seize the opportunity while you still have the breath to do so. Once a lifetime passes, it is very difficult to return; there is no chance to turn back. You can only move forward. If you do not, it is unlikely you will see the light again. This signifies that the darkness of karmic reincarnation will play out once more. You must be deeply careful of this terrifying outcome, for it is a cycle that traps the soul in endless suffering.
Only by changing can you possibly avoid this fate. What must you change? It is your complex, attachment-filled heart. Change it back to a pure, innocent, and empty heart—a purified heart that reflects the clarity of the Dharma. You must clearly understand these principles. The decline of the Buddha’s teachings and the decline of your own spiritual progress depend entirely on the present moment. How do you wish to proceed right now? Do not cling to your attachments, for they are but shadows. You should be single-minded and focus on the ultimate practice of the Buddha’s teachings.
Do not forget these words spoken at this moment. I hope all beings will return their hearts to the truth, beat the Dharma drum together, and I look forward to seeing you in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."
A candid reflection from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen on his life, his journey through the afterlife, and his urgent plea for his followers to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen reflects on his life, the weight of his karmic debts, and his profound gratitude for the opportunity to deliver sentient beings through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen reflects on his past life, the weight of his karmic debts, and his profound gratitude for the deliverance offered at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
Master Sheng Yen reflects on his past teachings, the limitations of self-power practice in the Dharma-Ending Age, and the urgent necessity of the Pure Land Dharma Gate for true liberation from the six realms of rebirth.
A candid reflection from the spirit of Elizabeth Taylor, who shares her journey from the blinding lights of Hollywood to the serene, transformative teachings of the Buddha in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Michael Jackson shares his journey from the pressures of global fame to the peace of the Western Pure Land, revealing the truth behind his life and his ultimate deliverance.
Helen Keller, the renowned deaf-blind philanthropist, shares her journey from the darkness of the ghost realm to the light of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, guided by the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.
Albert Einstein, once considered the most brilliant mind in human history, reflects on his life, the nature of 'science' versus the Truth of the Dharma, and his existence in the Western Pure Land.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, reflects on his life, his political career, and his profound journey from the depths of hell to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.
This is a record of an interview with Kim Il Sung, the founder and former leader of North Korea, who sought deliverance 32 years ago. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library