The Purgatory of Insincere Practice

This is a record of a message from the spirit of Venerable Master Sheng Yen, the founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This message serves as a compassionate warning to his disciples regarding the consequences of insincere practice and the reality of the hell realms. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 4, 2017.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:

"My children, do not suffer in the hells..."

The Reality of Purgatory

"Do you truly understand the meaning of purgatory? Think about the raging, unquenchable flames within the hells. How many of you—my children, my dear students—are crying out for your Master to save you? You may not realise whether you are currently suffering the punishments of hell. Let me tell you, it is incredibly difficult to perceive. As long as your practice is not genuine, you are already suffering in the hells. Even if I, your Master, wish to save you, I am powerless to do so. If you do not personally resolve to change your ways and dedicate yourself to saving beings, there is simply no way to escape the hells. If you allow this state of affairs to continue until the very end of your life, you will not merely have a portion of your soul sent to suffer punishment; you will be completely cast into the hells, and it will be nearly impossible to find a way out.

The Weight of Karmic Retribution

I do not wish to see such a scene. My Dharma children, the disciples of Dharma Drum Mountain, whether monastic or lay practitioners—you are all my children. I am the founder, the leader, and the eternal mentor of Dharma Drum Mountain. I repent with the utmost sincerity; I kneel before the Buddha and beg for mercy. However, I still cannot change the laws of karma and cause and effect. They tell me that this is the karma that everyone has created for themselves—it is individual karmic retribution. Furthermore, the reason you fall into the hells is that your practice was not genuine, not sincere, and lacked true faith. Some of you even indulged in worldly enjoyments while claiming to practice, and there was a subtle, lingering arrogant air. These are the things I failed to guide you through properly; I did not teach you well enough. It is your Master who has failed you.

A Call to Repentance

(Venerable Master Sheng Yen is weeping bitterly.) You must believe my words. You must change your ways immediately! You do not even know where you have gone wrong, but I am waiting for you here. My children, do not suffer in the hells. The gates of hell are crowded with monks and practitioners—it is truly a terrifying sight. Many of the children from Dharma Drum Mountain are holding signs of accusation, standing in line, waiting for their turn. Let us not even discuss the practitioners from other bodhimandas; let us look at our own house. Everyone is in line, all heading toward the hells. How can there be anyone attaining rebirth in the Western Pure Land? If a bodhimanda has reached this state, it is not in accordance with the Dharma. What do you all intend to do about this?

The Truth About the Dharma Drum Mountain Disciples

Everyone now has their own ideas and their own views, and you are all quite stubbornly attached to them. Even if I were to point you out by name, I am certain you would have your own arguments to make. Your Master hopes that you will recognise your faults while you still have the chance. Practice is not something that should lead to illness. You are all very clear about my own illness; it was severe, and it lasted for a long time. I was able to endure it, and at the time, I thought I was sacrificing my body for the sake of the Dharma. I thought that suffering did not matter. But now, I realise that I was actually walking through the hells, one hall after another, suffering the punishments of each level. I have seen that the spirits of several of my disciples are no longer here; some have already been suppressed and are undergoing punishment. I will not name them, but those with clear eyes can look into your own eyes and understand the truth. Come and find me quickly! Right now, only I am willing to step forward to save you. It is also through the compassion of Namo Amituofo that I have been permitted to send out these messages. There is not much time left. You must seize the moment to find me. To save yourselves and to lead future generations well, you must grasp this time. Namo Amituofo."