The Realisation of Emptiness

This is a record of an interview with Erdong, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 350 years ago. Recorded by the disciple Shi Fajing on March 17, 2019.

Erdong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Erdong. When I was a child of ten, I spent my days playing in the courtyard, covering myself from head to toe in mud. My mother would emerge from the kitchen, and seeing me in such a state, she would bring out a basin of water for me to wash my hands and body. Once I was clean, she would take that basin and splash the water onto the ground. In an instant, the water vanished! It was gone! In that moment, a sudden realisation struck me: things can simply disappear. Later, as I sat inside eating my meal, I watched as each grain of rice I consumed vanished. Then, a potato—gone. As I continued to eat, the bowl that was once full became empty, and the plates were cleared. I understood! Everything is fundamentally empty. The true nature of all things is emptiness. Is it the chicken that lays the egg, or the egg that produces the chicken? Neither. Both are empty."

The Illusion of Form and Attachment

"After grasping this truth, I shared my insight with my mother. She smiled and said, 'It is indeed empty. Both birth and death are empty. If you cling to them, it becomes attachment, because the root of all things is a state of emptiness.' After finishing my meal, I rushed out to the main street to observe the people. One person, one face; ten people, ten faces. Every single person looked different. I realised then that it was their different hearts and different attachments that created their unique appearances.

I watched the vendors at the market. The vegetable sellers competed with one another, and the shoemakers did the same. They were all trapped in their own little spaces of competition. When a vegetable seller met a shoemaker, they could converse amicably, but if two vegetable sellers met, their words were laced with schemes and the scent of rivalry. If a vegetable seller suddenly decided to sell clothes instead, their relationship with the neighbouring vegetable seller would shift instantly; the competitive edge would vanish, and they could return to a peaceful, friendly state. I saw that everyone carries their own attachments and calculations. They compete and cling within their specific roles, but once the root of that competition is pulled out—when the vegetable seller stops selling vegetables and the shoemaker stops selling shoes—the competition disappears, and everything returns to emptiness."

The Futility of Worldly Pursuits

"I began to apply this understanding of emptiness to my daily life, using the various states of the human world to see through the illusion. My father hoped that I would marry, have children, and earn a fortune to live a life of luxury. He told me, 'When you grow up, marry a good wife, have obedient children, and live in a grand house; then your life will not have been in vain.' At seven, I might have believed him, but by ten, it was as if I had suddenly awakened. I did not want it. I did not want to marry or have children, because I saw that family and career were both empty.

I witnessed a family that everyone envied—a sweet, loving couple with filial children and immense wealth. Yet, in a single night, the husband suffered a heart attack and passed away. His wife held his body and wept bitterly; the loving scenes of their past were gone forever. Where were those moments now? They were nothing but a dream. And this grieving wife—a year later, I saw her smiling broadly while holding her grandchild. Where had the tears she shed for her husband gone? They, too, were a form of emptiness."

A Path Out of the Darkness

"I calmed my heart, but a question arose: 'How, then, should one live life?' I asked my father, and I asked my mother, but neither could answer. I asked the neighbours and relatives, and they only replied, 'Don't think so much.' No one could provide an answer. One day, I saw a stranger who stood out from the crowd. It was not his clothes or his appearance, but the aura and the light radiating from his face that made him truly unique. I could not help but approach him to ask how he lived his life.

He told me, 'I began learning the Buddha's teachings when I was young. It taught me to help others and myself. I was once a failed businessman and a son who did not know how to be filial. When my business collapsed, my parents fell gravely ill. I felt as though my life had reached its end. I could not find anyone to help me, as no one would lend money to a man drowning in debt. In my despair, I was fortunate enough to meet a monk who pointed the way, helping me break through my delusions. I finally found my direction. From that day on, I changed. Although I still had debts to repay, my state of mind was different. I worked hard, practised the Buddha's teachings, and served my parents with sincerity. People saw my change and were joyful. My heart had transformed through the Dharma, and I felt a profound inner peace. I realised that life was not as complex as I had imagined; it was my own greed that had ruined it. I had never learned the joy of having few desires and knowing contentment until I studied the Buddha's teachings.' Hearing this, it was as if I had seen a brilliant light. I knew I had found the one who could resolve my doubts."

The Clarity of the Pure Heart

"I stepped into the temple for the first time. I loved the purity of the environment; it naturally brought about a pure heart. The monk emerged, full of dignity. I bowed respectfully, but before I could even ask my question, he said, 'To practise is to cultivate a pure heart. A pure heart does not give rise to sorrow or afflictions; it is always joyful, free from worry, and liberated. Life exists within the state of emptiness; leave suffering behind and gain happiness.' After hearing his words, I no longer knew what to ask, for my problem was already solved. I realised that cultivation leads to purity, and only through purity can one find true happiness. To wander through life within that state of emptiness is the highest realm.

I returned home, overjoyed, and told my parents, 'I have found it!' My mother did not understand, but I told her, 'I have found the direction for my life!' Although she did not know the Dharma, she trusted my wisdom. She had watched me search for four years, and she knew I had found a path I was satisfied with. She immediately agreed to let me go to the temple to study."

A Life Dedicated to Deliverance

"I bade farewell to my parents and entered the temple to practise. For over a decade, I focused entirely on cultivating a pure heart. Delusions and afflictions no longer disturbed me; no stray thoughts interfered with my mind. I maintained a state of clarity, diligently cultivating the Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom to gain the skills needed to save others. I asked my master for permission to go out into the world to teach. With his blessing, I left the temple and spent my life travelling, teaching the Dharma, and using my boundless wisdom to save sentient beings.

Now, at over ninety years of age, my own disciples have begun to teach and save others. I have not lived this life in vain; I have allowed the Buddha's teachings to continue to spread in this world. By letting go of a lifetime of attachments to attain the Buddha's path and helping countless beings break through their delusions, I know this life was worth living. Upon returning to the Western Pure Land, I hoped to come back to the human world, for there are still immeasurable beings trapped in their attachments, unable to escape. I wish to return to save them."

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

"Now that I have returned, the world has changed greatly. Practitioner Su is actively working to save beings, but their attachments are deep and heavy, making them difficult to transform. It requires immense compassion and patience to lift these beings who find it so hard to break their ego-attachment. Every day, I learn from Practitioner Su how to teach beings. He truly observes the capacity of each individual, seeing the unique nature and root of every person, and applies different methods of teaching so that everyone can be subdued, realise the importance of learning the Buddha's teachings, and change themselves.

Practitioner Su's Dharma Body delivers countless beings; he is known throughout the spiritual realms as a deeply respected and compassionate Buddha. Practitioner Su often says, 'I was born of my mother, and you were born of yours,' using this to encourage everyone to practise diligently together, to resolve to save beings, and to attain the same skills as he has, learning the Buddha's ability to rescue all spirits. I also encourage everyone to work together with a single heart and be reborn in the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo!"

Interview recorded by the disciple Shi Fajing.