This is a record of an interview with the late Venerable Master Wei Chueh, who sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account of his reflections on his life and his path to repentance was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on July 2, 2017.
Venerable Master Wei Chueh speaks:
". I am Venerable Master Wei Chueh. I come to you today to speak from the depths of my heart, to offer words that have been long suppressed by the weight of my own karmic burdens. Throughout history, the world has been plagued by war and chaos, and the hearts of the people have never known true peace. It has always been this way. Yet, the of the Buddha is boundless. I look upon the fourfold assembly of the Chung Tai Chan Monastery and the state of the world today—it is a time of great peril. This is not a time to remain behind closed doors, observing from afar. I, Venerable Master Wei Chueh, led my followers in the wrong direction. I am here now to open the door and speak the truth."
The Burden of a Master's Error
"My writing may not be elegant, and my wisdom may not be the highest Prajna, but I have poured my entire being into this message. I have done everything within my power to serve. The grace of the Buddha is vast, and I, Venerable Master Wei Chueh, must repay it. There is no falsehood in these words; this is a sincere vow, one that I will carry through every lifetime without wavering. I am now in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, though my form has not yet fully recovered. There was a time, long, long ago, when I was a dignified Venerable among the five hundred Arhats, moving with ease and grace. But in this recent lifetime, because of my own greed and desires, my countenance was entirely transformed. I have repented, but it requires time and the diligent practice of repenting for my sins. I have truly made a vow: I will no longer concern myself with my own status. My only purpose now is to save the world—absolutely, to save the world."
Reflections on the Path and the Truth
"Venerable Master Sheng Yen and I were of the same lineage. Though our personalities differed, we both walked the path of the Buddha and served as monastics. I had my own thoughts and my own insights. When I established the Chung Tai world, it was originally intended for pure, self-cultivated practice. However, because of the unfolding of certain , the emergence of Chung Tai became something I did not grasp correctly. I steered the ship in the wrong direction. As long as one continues to operate upon a foundation of error, one's only increases; it does not diminish. This is a fact that I, Venerable Master Sheng Yen, and many other great masters who have passed on now clearly understand.
If it were not for the magnificent Dharma affinity of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, we would have simply vanished into the memories of our followers upon our passing. At best, we would have remained as objects of eternal worship in the hearts of our disciples, but the truth would have remained forever obscured. Because of this sudden revelation and the impact of the truth, I am well aware that the vast majority of people cannot accept it. Some may even prefer to believe that this is slander, and their hearts may still burn with anger. But I ask you: with all these emotions, can you truly be certain of your own achievement in your practice? Do not fear the negative voices. This reality is the only true Truth."
A Final Plea to the Fourfold Assembly
"I am Venerable Master Wei Chueh, speaking these words with my own mouth. Jian Deng, if you still do not understand, then even your teacher finds it difficult to save you. I have already spoken clearly enough. I spent so much time with you by my side; I know you well. I hope you are willing to believe in this truth, even though it is difficult to accept. I am now a member of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and all these words come from there. I hope the fourfold assembly understands that it is not impossible for the Buddha to come to save the world. It is happening right now, right before your eyes, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I hope everyone will take the time to visit this place. Namo Amituofo."
