The Pure Place of the Heart
An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Reflections on the Deliverance of the Thousand-Island Nation
This account was recorded on October 30, 2018. Venerable Yongning, who sought deliverance for the souls of the Thousand-Island Nation, shares these reflections on their karmic journey and ultimate liberation through the compassionate work of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"A great stone has been lifted from my heart. Let me tell you about the people of the Thousand-Island Nation. They were a remarkably kind and gentle folk, living on a small island chain off the coast of Japan, completely isolated from the outside world. Their lives were defined by the sea; they were master fishermen, yet their natural, pure Goodness meant they lived in perfect harmony with the earth, the vast ocean, the forests, and the schools of fish. Even when they fished for survival, they felt the pain and the struggle of the creatures they caught. Because of this, they used traditional, natural methods rather than harsh, modern techniques. To sustain their lives and fill their bellies, they would offer sincere prayers of repenting to the fish, thanking them for their sacrifice and for fulfilling the needs of the people. Once a year, during their New Year festival, they would hold special prayers for all the fish they had taken, hoping that the creatures could forget their suffering and reach a place of Goodness."
The Guardians of the Sea
"The elders of this nation faced various ends—some passed away peacefully, some suffered, and others simply vanished into the sea. The people held their elders in the highest respect, and their faith was anchored in the Sea God. With the most sincere hearts, they prayed for his protection. Several elders had actually witnessed the Sea God—a man of middle age, possessing a dignified and awe-inspiring presence. This powerful figure guarded the maritime situations of the entire region. There was a long-standing belief in the Thousand-Island Nation that, after hundreds or even thousands of years, all the people of the island would eventually return to the side of the Sea God. Even those who had left the island were believed to be under his watchful care."
The Great Wave and the Karmic Cycle
"Then, a century later, a massive, unprecedented wave struck. For the first time, the people of the Thousand-Island Nation felt true terror and unease. The villagers fell to their knees, begging for the Sea God’s protection. Many of them truly saw him appear, and in that final moment, their fear transformed into . As the island was submerged, the people held onto that final, peaceful . Because of their inherent nature, the people of the island were reborn as fish—gentle, kind-hearted fish. Yet, even such Goodness could not exempt them from the generated by the act of harming other living beings. The Collective Karma of the island nation was inescapable.
It was only after they had repaid their karma that they were able to experience a skilful at transformation today. They encountered the team—they were the schools of fish gathered in the depths of the ocean. Their numbers were not vast, matching exactly the population of the Thousand-Island Nation. Amidst the commotion and the swirling currents, they finally heard the chanting of Namo Amituofo. Through this sound, they were transformed back into human bodies. As the light of the Buddha shone upon them, these souls dispersed to different realms, each according to the sincerity of their heart while chanting. Some entered the human realm, some the heavenly realm, and others were guided to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is but one small corner of the Chao Du work taking place in the depths of the sea."
The Boundless of Practitioner Su
"The great work of Chao Du continues day after day. The manifestation of countless spaces and dimensions is only possible because of the exceptionally vast mind-capacity of Practitioner Su, which allows for such breakthroughs. He brings out the true self that is inherent in every being to its fullest potential. No realm can surpass the depth of this work. The places where time and space have been frozen are being unlocked one by one. One could say that the Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su is flawless; even we, who witness it from the side, are filled with praise. This immense compassion, which has reached the level of meditative concentration, resides in the pure place of the heart. Namo Amituofo."
Recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin.
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library