The Sage from the Buddha Realm: The Journey of Hu Mao

This is a record of an interview with Hu Mao Zhenren, a sage from the Buddha Realm of the Four Sacred Realms, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 3,500 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on October 6, 2020.

Hu Mao Zhenren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Hu Mao Zhenren. 'Hu' is my surname, 'Mao' is my given name, and 'Zhenren' is my title. 'Zhenren' is a respectful term used in Taoism for an elder. Hu Mao Zhenren is the identity I held when I entered the Buddha Realm. In the spiritual realms, every spirit has had countless identities. Those with a clear and bright spirit can see clearly what they have experienced and what identities they have held.

For aeons, I searched everywhere for a place of true, pure Goodness, but I could never find it and eventually gave up. Yet, through persistent effort, I cultivated myself to the Buddha Realm of the Four Sacred Realms. It was not until now, while I was with the celestial beings during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, that I was delivered by the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Finally, the wish I held for aeons has come true! The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is the place of true, pure Goodness that I had been searching for all along. I am so grateful for the compassion of the Buddha!"

A Strange Beginning

"I was born three thousand five hundred years ago. When I was born, I looked absolutely hideous. That is why my father gave me the name 'Mao'. At that time, people believed that if you gave a child a name representing the appearance you hoped for, it might actually come true. My father hoped that my face might one day transform and improve—that is how I became 'Hu Mao'. I was the third child in the family, with older siblings above me and younger ones below. When I was born, I had small eyes, a small nose, and a small mouth, but my ears were enormous. My appearance was truly bizarre and comical.

As I grew up, I developed a keen sense of smell; I could distinguish the unique scent of every person. My hearing was just as sensitive as my large ears. Before someone even walked toward me, I could hear their breathing and know exactly who they were. Naturally, the breathing sounds of my family of nine were the most familiar to me. Once I could see a person's face, I would link that face to their specific breathing pattern. My parents were unaware of these abilities. By the time I was over a year old, I had learned to make simple sounds like 'Father' and 'Mother'. Before they even appeared before me, I would hear them coming and call out. After this happened many times, my mother was the first to discover that I knew who was coming before they had even arrived. When I was finally able to express myself, I told her that everyone’s breathing sounded different—like the wind blowing from different directions, carrying different sounds. My mother nodded, half-understanding, and smiled at me, saying, 'You really are different from other children.'"

Seeing the Shadows of the Soul

"Many children mocked my appearance from a young age. They didn't know I possessed another ability: I could tell whether the person speaking was truly themselves! If it was their own spirit, their body, face, expressions, and movements would appear very clear. If it was not them, a blurry shadow would appear. In truth, this blurry shadow was also quite distinct—it had eyes, a mouth, and a nose. Sometimes, I would see many of these blurry yet clear shadows appearing on parts of a person's body. Later, I discovered that if this occurred on a specific part of someone's body, dark energy would often manifest there later. If this blurry condition and the dark energy were not cleared, that person would inevitably fall ill.

I eventually learned that the kinder and more gentle a person was, the less frequently this occurred. If someone was prone to anger, loved to scold others, or lacked compassion, this phenomenon appeared constantly. Thus, I knew to stay close to kind and gentle people and to keep my distance from those who were angry, abusive, or heartless. People said that although I was not good-looking, my mind was very clear because I knew how to 'read' people. Once my companions learned of this ability, they no longer dared to mock me. Some would even ask, 'Is there something wrong with me?' I would tell them bluntly. If they didn't believe me, some would make faces at me, stick out their tongues, and run away as if I were a freak, though they dared not bully me. If they believed me, they would thank me! If someone asked, 'What should I do?' I would tell them, 'Don't overthink it. Just learn to be kind and happy, and they won't be able to get to you.' Some listened, while others did not. I often had to deal with these matters, forgetting that I was still a child and acting like an adult. When I kept my mouth shut, I didn't look like a seven-year-old at all; I looked like a little adult. No matter how they treated me, I never felt angry or resentful toward them. There was no reason for it; it was just my natural state."

The Sage's Protection

"At that time, there were several Taoist temples in the village where people sought spiritual guidance and answers to their problems. If they had unresolved issues or difficult situations, they would go to the temples to consult the Taoist priests or priestesses. Some were trusted by the villagers, while others had fewer followers. The master my father consulted was a priest in one of these temples. My father said he was a respected elder who had helped the village overcome many crises; he was a man of great attainment. When I was born, my father was very worried about my future because of my strange appearance, so he carried me to see the priest. As soon as the priest saw me, he calculated and told my father, 'The birth of this child will bring you good fortune. He will help many people in the future. His current appearance is because, while in the womb, his presence helped his mother block the interference of many external ghost deities. This is the backlash left behind by those dissatisfied ghost deities.' These 'ghost deities' include what the Buddha’s teachings currently refer to as karmic creditors. Thus, even while in the womb, I possessed the ability to protect and mediate. When my siblings had disagreements, they would come to me, knowing I had this ability. In my heart, I understood that this was the reason I had come into this world."

"There was once a time when the main deity of a local temple was celebrating its birthday. The devotees and the temple staff had made all the necessary preparations, but on the day before the grand celebration, my Master observed the celestial phenomena and predicted that a torrential downpour would occur. He suggested that the event be rescheduled. After consulting with the main deity, who agreed to cooperate, the entire celebration was postponed by three days. Sure enough, on the day originally planned for the ceremony, it began to rain from early morning until the following dawn. It was fortunate that we had postponed it; otherwise, the celebration would have been impossible to hold. This ability to communicate with nature was something I possessed inherently. After undergoing purification and development, I used it to assist living creatures. It was not achieved through the aid of external conditions, external forces, or external spirits; this is the true Dharma of the Tao. Even when using certain tools to achieve a purpose, because these tools are used by humans, the user's mindset must be in accordance with the Truth, right mindfulness, and the righteous path, rather than being used to satisfy one's own selfish desires. Only in this way can one avoid creating negative karma and truly achieve the goal of helping beings overcome their difficulties."

The Descent from the Mountain

"From the age of seven, when my Master brought me up the mountain to enter the Taoist temple, until I was twenty, when he allowed me to leave, I had always used my original name, 'Hu Mao.' My Master said it was a good name. Thus, I left the temple as the Taoist Hu Mao, putting into practice in the human world all the experiences and knowledge I had gained during those years on the mountain. I had a junior fellow practitioner accompanying me, and we looked after each other. I had also promised my Master that I would return to the temple in five years at the latest. With a heart that viewed saving people as urgent as putting out a fire, I headed straight down the mountain without a moment's hesitation.

The Master of the village temple knew how to observe celestial phenomena to remind everyone of the various solar terms: geothermal shifts, the spring equinox, the summer solstice, the autumn equinox, and the winter solstice. If the sun, moon, climate, and celestial phenomena followed the solar terms, it indicated that people's lives and actions were in harmony with the laws of heaven, and there was no great discrepancy. If strange celestial phenomena appeared, it meant that people's hearts and actions were amiss, and they needed to reflect and adjust; otherwise, they would suffer calamities. In ancient times, people had simple temperaments, and their daily routines were mostly in accordance with the will of heaven—working at sunrise and resting at sunset. Although the methods of making a living varied across different trades, their daily schedules were much the same. Their conversations with one another were mostly about everyday matters, never straying far from village farming, their homes, their neighbors, or their relatives. As for the affairs of the imperial court, the government offices usually notified everyone through posted notices. Since most people lived by farming, birth, aging, sickness, and death were problems every household faced. No family could avoid them, so people accepted them as the norm, living life after life, passing it down from generation to generation."

The Sanctuary of the Taoist Temple

"As for the Taoist temples, which were places for quiet retreats, the affairs of the red dust would disturb one's practice. Therefore, most Taoist temples were built at the foot of the mountain or halfway up, making it convenient for people to visit and purify their hearts. If they were built on the mountain peaks, there were fewer visitors, as these were mostly inhabited by 'True Men' or high masters who practiced there. Their spirits and bodies had already merged with heaven and earth. Many were capable of soul travel, and it was common for them to be in a state of trance for days or months. If a master went into seclusion for several years with disciples guarding the retreat, that master certainly possessed extraordinary attainments and was often the object of study and visitation for those who sincerely sought the Tao.

'Immortal wind and Taoist bones' describes the aura of 'non-action' radiated by such a Taoist. They were unconstrained by trifles, naturally exuding a demeanor that calmed and captivated others. A true practitioner does not need many words. Even in the moment of meeting, or even in the 'non-meeting' where they do not see each other at all, they can discern the other person's problems, whether their energy and blood circulation are blocked or obstructed, and they can know their past and clarify their future, thereby resolving the person's problems."

The Essence of Taoist Practice

"Taoism is a natural education native to China. It was developed by predecessors with high intelligence and realization who observed the changes in heaven, earth, and nature to seek liberation from the suffering of life and death. It is a set of methods to counteract birth, aging, sickness, and death. It also requires adherence to the Truth; otherwise, it would be eliminated and submerged for being ineffective. Alchemy, the search for elixirs of immortality, the life of a 'leisurely cloud and wild crane,' and the chivalrous spirit of standing high against the wind—these are all descriptions of the attainments of our predecessors in the Taoist Dharma. In fact, Chinese Confucianism contains Taoist thought, and within Taoism, many Taoists possess profound Confucian scholarship. Thus, the main lineage of China—Taoism—was developed. When a Taoist who has achieved success in their practice walks in the world, they are often able to resolve the suffering of the people and heal difficult illnesses. Therefore, after they pass away, people often build temples and offer incense, vegetables, and fruits to express their respect and gratitude, and also to pray for their wishes to be fulfilled.

By this stage, various mediums of communication between the supplicant and the spirit being worshipped have emerged, such as drawing spirit lots, divination, and spirit mediums. These external forces were used to achieve the purpose of asking questions and healing illnesses. The starting point was originally well-intentioned, but because of the intervention of human selfishness, such as the pursuit of fame and profit, the originally pure and 'non-action' spirit of the worshipped being became polluted. These are also within the realm of Causal Conditions and the laws of karma and cause and effect."

The True Energy of the Self

"In fact, the original Taoism is the manifestation of the pure and unpolluted ability of the true self-nature, which can be called 'True Energy.' The energy generated by True Energy circulating throughout the body can maintain the purification of the body, making it difficult for external or foul energy to invade. True Energy can also be infused into another person's body to supplement their lack of vital energy, thereby achieving the purpose of refreshing the mind and healing illnesses. The profoundness of Taoism, as it reached later generations, was gradually lost in some cases due to selfishness or insufficient Causal Conditions. Others later developed different Taoist lineages distinct from those of the ancestral Taoists, resulting in various famous mountain schools and different sects of Taoist Dharma. Regardless, its highest realm is to merge with heaven and earth, to practice the Tao to seek liberation from the shackles of the fate of life and death, and to achieve 'non-action'—where one can be free in life and death.

A true practitioner of the Tao does not discuss marriage, does not stir up emotions between men and women, and does not climb the ladder of romantic relationships. This is because if one breaks their chastity, the True Energy of the body becomes chaotic, making it difficult to circulate throughout the body and return to the Truth. The body will become blocked and illness will arise, and one's practice may even be completely abandoned. This is a body Precept and a heart Precept that true practitioners must uphold."

The Weight of Attainment

"At twenty, I looked much more mature than my actual age. Age is merely the number of years a body exists in the human world, but for a practitioner entering the world to save beings, one's own cultivation, attainment, and virtue are far more important than age. During the more than ten years I spent by my Master's side, I benefited greatly from his teaching by example and his verbal instructions, and these were imperceptibly internalized as a part of myself. Coupled with the foundation from my past lives, and through the influence of the external environment and internal cultivation, I did not dare to have the slightest侥幸 (fluke) or 'let's try it' attitude toward the Precepts. Because no matter how subtle, even a tiny thread cannot escape the negative karma of cause and effect. The core principles of cause and effect operate within impermanence and space; this natural phenomenon will not change. Many practitioners fail to make a breakthrough in their practice because they ignore the existence of this tiny gap. If one is by the Master's side, the Master can point out the existence of this tiny gap at any time, allowing one to adjust and change, avoiding mistakes or situations where one commits a transgression without knowing it, which helps in the spiritual elevation of one's spirit. This is the benefit of being by the Master's side.

As long as one does things that are helpful to humanity and spiritual life, it can have the effect of spiritual elevation. Spiritual life fills all space; everything the Six Roots and the body come into contact with is spiritual life. Being able to do things that help and change them according to conditions and ability is always good. In the process of practice, the purification of the Body-Mind-Spirit can make the abilities one originally possessed, or those that have already manifested, even more sensitive."

The Village of Sorrow

"After I brought my junior fellow practitioner down the mountain, we first entered a village. I immediately felt that the energy field of this village was filled with sorrow. People were doing their own things, appearing listless, and I did not see the usual warm and lively vocal interactions. I saw an old woman selling cold drinks. When she saw me, she said, 'Greetings, Master! It seems you have come from afar. This is our ancestral cold drink; please have a cup to quench your thirst.' After taking it and drinking it, it was incomparably cool and sweet. After thanking the old woman, I asked her, 'Why is this village filled with an aura of sorrow? Has something happened?'

The old woman sighed and said, 'This village used to be very lively, but recently, gusts of wind have often come from the forest, making people feel sorrowful and uneasy after hearing them. We cannot figure out why, and gradually, people have spoken less and less.' The old woman also mentioned, 'The lake in the forest has existed for nearly a thousand years, even before this village began. There have been many supernatural stories passed down, which our ancestors had suppressed. Recently, some things have happened again, and it seems to be related to that lake water, but everyone is powerless to resolve it. It has been about three or four months now. I wonder if you, Master, could help us?' I nodded. With my junior fellow practitioner, we entered that forest. The forest was dense with large trees, and gusts of wind blew through, from which one could hear that sense of sorrow and unease. Walking further, we saw a pool of lake water, clear but deep."

Namo Amituofo.

I looked down from the surface of the lake and saw the story of this place. I witnessed the interactions between the lake spirit and the villagers. When this lake was still small, many villagers would gather around it to sing and dance, while the lake spirit watched the simple, honest people with a gentle smile. They were happy to have passed the year in peace and safety, so the village chief would gather everyone to sing and dance by the water, expressing their gratitude for the lake spirit's protection. In truth, the lake spirit knew that this peace was only possible because the villagers possessed kind hearts, filled with a spirit of harmony, and were free from the arrival of external evil conditions. Later, water continued to bubble up from the depths of the earth, and the lake expanded, shimmering under the sunlight and emitting a golden glow. Consequently, rumors began to spread that there was gold and treasure at the bottom of the lake. Although the villagers had enough to eat and wear, the human heart began to succumb to greed, and some started to seek treasure at the bottom of the lake.

The Lake of Death

No one knew how deep the lake was. At first, people only tried it out of curiosity. Those who went down were excellent swimmers, and everyone expected them to bring back gold and wealth for the village. However, those who went down never returned. Fear took root in everyone's hearts, and rumors began to circulate that demons and monsters were guarding the gold at the bottom. Still, some people, unafraid of death, continued to search the lake, and no one knows how many villagers lost their lives in those depths! Gradually, the once peaceful lake turned into a lake of death. The golden light on the surface vanished, replaced by a persistent white mist and gusts of chilling, ghostly wind. One year, many villagers died of mysterious illnesses. During that time, the same chilling winds that blew from the lake often swept through the village. People believed it was the spirits of those who had drowned in the lake coming to claim lives. Consequently, the village shaman performed rituals, casting spells to lock those spirits away and prevent them from causing further harm to the villagers. However, this magic could only hold them for a thousand years; after that, the spell would automatically break, and the fate of the place would depend on its own karma. Now, exactly one thousand years have passed, and the story left behind by our ancestors has reached that very moment—the thousand-year mark. Originally, the villagers thought it was just a legend, but unexpectedly, in recent days, the same events from the old stories began to unfold again. Chilling winds blew from the lake, and villagers began to die of mysterious illnesses. Everyone was gripped by panic, not knowing what to do. This was the story I saw upon the surface of the lake.

The Vortex of Souls

I let out a long sigh. I saw a deep vortex in the centre of the lake, though the surface appeared calm. Those who entered the water were drawn by this vortex and pulled into it; this was the cause of everyone's death. Yet, from ancient times until now, no one had discovered this, leading to countless deaths. The sounds of unease and resentment carried by those chilling winds were indeed the inner voices of these spirits. Now, using my spiritual vision, I saw the entire process. I communicated with the vortex at the centre of the lake and the spirits within it using my mental note, hoping to bring them peace so that the lake could return to its original tranquility and the people could return to their peaceful lives. At that moment, a gust of chilling wind blew. I drew an invisible protective talisman on the ground to shield my disciple and myself, preventing the cold wind from entering our bodies. From within the wind, voices emerged: "Our spirits are restless; we need to find someone to take our place before we can leave." I replied, "If that were the case, how many people would be enough to serve as substitutes?" The wind replied, "Even if the entire village sacrificed their lives, it would not be enough to replace us." I said, "Karmic retribution follows the law of cause and effect; the villagers did not cause your deaths, and making them pay with their lives does not align with the Truth." The wind retorted, "Just as we were pinned down by the spells, unable to move, we have waited until now for the spells to break automatically so we could emerge. Is this something we deserved?" I asked the wind, "There must be a better way to resolve this." The wind shook, saying, "There is no other way."

The Sorrow of the Lake Spirit

I heard a different kind of breathing nearby; it was the lake spirit. The lake spirit had guarded this lake for a thousand years, its face filled with sorrow. Long ago, it had manifested spiritually to tell the villagers not to use spells, as it would only deepen the resentment; but the villagers did not believe it and insisted on doing so, leading to today's consequences. I asked the lake spirit, "Could we build a monument here to state that they lost their lives while searching for treasure, and invite the current villagers to offer incense and prayers together?" The lake spirit said, "At the beginning, I told the villagers the same thing, but because of their panic, they chose a more aggressive way to suppress these spirits, which is why we have this backlash today." At that moment, gusts of chilling wind blew again. With my heavenly eye, I saw the wind transform into the forms of fierce ghosts, their faces filled with anger and resentment. I asked the fierce ghosts to calm their anger and counseled them: "The cycle of revenge never ends. I hope you spirits will give the villagers a chance to change their ways and repent, and temporarily cease taking their lives. Would you agree to the building of a monument and the offering of incense and prayers?" The wind blew again and roared, indicating their refusal: "This should have been done long ago. Now, after a thousand years, the villagers must pay back the principal with interest." I added, "Could you give the villagers some time to discuss how to proceed?" The fierce ghosts reluctantly agreed.

A Path to Repentance

The villagers called the pool of water in the forest the 'Jade Lake'. Leaving the lake, I returned directly to the village and told the village chief what I had discovered. The chief was greatly astonished! Previously, a Taoist from the village had gone to the Jade Lake, but he had discovered nothing and returned empty-handed, only to fall ill and remain bedridden. Yet, I, a passing Taoist, was able to unravel this mystery. The village chief hoped I could contact the fierce ghosts again; as long as this disaster could be averted, they were willing to cooperate fully. Thus, I returned to the Jade Lake. Before I even reached it, the chilling wind began to blow. I knew in my heart that the fierce ghosts had arrived. I communicated the village chief's intentions through my mental note, but the ghosts still insisted that they needed the villagers' lives as compensation to resolve this disaster. I reasoned with them, saying, "In the six realms of existence, mutual harm inevitably carries its own laws of karma and cause and effect. Often, when the thought of harming others arises, if it is not stopped in time, it spreads into a great catastrophe, resulting in loss of property and life. Although you may vent your anger, you cannot escape the laws of karma. One day, the fierce ghosts will also suffer, perhaps even facing the same retribution." After I finished speaking, the chilling wind receded without making any further indication.

The Power of the Dharma

After returning, I entered samadhi and saw myself sitting by the Jade Lake, teaching the Dharma to the spirits. I spoke of how the heavens and the earth have compassion for all beings, unable to bear their suffering, and how they use celestial phenomena and environmental changes to warn beings of impending disasters and the truth of the cycle of rebirth. Standing around me were many vengeful spirits, all soaking wet and with incomplete bodies. They listened to the teaching in silence—all of them were men—before forming into a chilling wind and departing. For seven days and seven nights, whether day or night, my disciple and I spent our time by the lake, teaching during the day and resting simply under the trees at night. The lake spirit stayed by our side, guarding us throughout these days. During the teachings, the chilling wind once tried to rush toward me, but it was repelled by the invisible protective talisman and the light emanating from my body. This happened more than once, and eventually, they gave up. After the seventh day of teaching, the anger on the faces of these vengeful spirits vanished. Their soaking wet appearance, after listening to the Dharma and being bathed in the light from my body, also dried. The resentment, unease, and anger originally carried by the chilling wind transformed into a sense of peace, and their intent to harm faded significantly. During these days, the chilling wind did not cause any harm to the villagers, and the casualties among them eased significantly. I again proposed the method of building a monument and offering incense and prayers of repentance to avert the disaster. This time, the chilling wind remained silent in agreement. Thus, the village chief and the villagers chose an auspicious day, bringing incense, flowers, and vegetarian offerings to the Jade Lake to express their apologies and sincerity to the victims who had suffered from the spells, and announced that they would build a monument by the lake. With the villagers working at full capacity, after half a month, they successfully erected a monument by the lake, stating this history and expressing the villagers' repentance.

A New Beginning

During these days, I continued to teach by the lake every day. Gradually, the Jade Lake, which had been shrouded in white mist all day, saw the mist dissipate. Sunlight began to shine in, and the surface of the lake slowly regained its original golden glow. With my heavenly eye, I observed that these victims, through the teachings, understood the laws of karma and cause and effect and the cycle of rebirth. Their mental notes changed, and they no longer sought to collect debts. The victims were bestowed a position by the Jade Emperor, becoming the guardian spirits of the village. Each of them regained their original appearance, protecting the villagers and the tranquility of the Jade Lake. My disciple and I left the village amidst the deep gratitude of the people.

The Need for the Righteous Path

We continued our journey. After this experience, I knew that the spiritual life of earthly creatures needs the irrigation and guidance of the Truth and the righteous path. Therefore, wherever I passed—be it graveyards, riverbanks, forests, mountains, rivers, villages, cities, or plains—I left my footprints of teaching the Dharma according to Causal Conditions. The physical eyes of ordinary people only see the tangible objects in the surrounding environment, but what my eyes saw were countless spirits without bodies, animal spirits, plant spirits, tree spirits, flower spirits, grass spirits, spirits of the land, and various heavenly beings listening to the Dharma. I taught according to the time, the place, and the Causal Conditions, even answering the questions they raised. When their inner doubts were resolved, one could see the originally grey light on their bodies gradually brighten. From this, it is clear that all spiritual life, including humans, needs to live a life free of doubt, in accordance with the Truth, in harmony without worries, and with mutual respect. Namo Amituofo.

Teaching the Dharma along the way became my primary method of saving beings during this journey. In my deep meditative state, I realised that the myriad spirits who listened to my lectures, as well as the people, events, and objects I encountered on the road, had all shared various Causal Conditions with me throughout my accumulated lifetimes of practice. Although we have all transformed in this current life, the profound nature of these connections continues to unfold through the act of teaching, listening, and our various interactions. This further confirms the Truth that heaven, earth, yin and yang, and all things are one—a reality of co-existence, mutual support, and harmony. For all creatures of the day and night, the two realms of masculine yang and feminine yin must coexist in harmony; this is the essential key to the long-term peace and survival of humanity. This understanding has greatly expanded my Wisdom. I have come to realise that teaching the Dharma is a vital form of education for all spirits, so I never interrupted my lectures for a single day. In my teachings, I recounted many of the things I had seen and heard along the way, allowing these spirits to grow alongside me.

The Power of Natural Laws

I discovered that every time I finished a lecture, the righteous energy within me increased significantly. My need for sleep diminished, and I could spend the long nights in a state of calm breathing—free from wandering thoughts, yet fully aware and clear-headed. This remained true even when I spent the night outdoors. The skills possessed by a Taoist practitioner are not merely for use when performing rituals; in daily life, the act of teaching the Dharma reveals the importance of following the natural flow of the Tao. Natural laws operate within the coordination of heaven, earth, the sun, the moon, and the balance of yin and yang. This is an unchanging Truth that we all must abide by. When a practitioner possesses inner virtue and walks the path of Truth, they develop the ability to channel natural energy rather than relying on external spirits for attachment. This ability can be manifested according to the needs of sentient beings and the strength of the situation. The more one is purified and Good, the more fully this ability can be expressed, allowing one to roam freely within the oneness of heaven, earth, and all things.

A Return to the Mountain

After this journey, the five-year period of training had roughly come to an end. As my junior Dharma brother and I made our way back to the mountain, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for my existence, which had allowed me to experience everything along the way. I believed that since my Master had granted me these five years, I would have many more five-year periods to serve all spirits, offering everything I had come to know, learn, and achieve. As we drew closer to the Taoist temple, the scenery and the land remained the same, and my heart remained the same—yet beyond that, my desire to save sentient beings had become even more earnest. I had seen the suffering of beings and their helplessness in the face of that suffering. Now that I knew I could use my inherent abilities to help them, the path I was to follow became even clearer. I was grateful to my Master for giving me these five years to face all these people, events, and things independently, providing me with the opportunity to grow.

Upon returning to the temple, I saw my fellow practitioners still diligently engaged in their practice. When they saw me, they seemed to react as if it were just an ordinary day. Their hearts remained unchanged, but my heart, while still the same, was now filled with a new sense of gratitude for my brothers. We were all striving to grow in our spiritual achievements according to our individual Causal Conditions. Finally, I saw my Master. I said to him, "I have returned!" All the wind, frost, rain, and snow, the bitterness and the sweetness of the past five years, all vanished the moment I saw my Master’s faint smile and heard him say, "You have returned." That year, I was twenty-five.

An Unexpected Visitor

Because the temple was located on a mountain, few people visited, though there were still seekers who came to pay their respects. My Master’s ability to enter samadhi meant he already had a plan for what would happen before and after, but he lived each day as usual, never revealing anything just because he knew a change was coming. One day, a person arrived—dishevelled, with messy hair, laughing and talking to himself. He entered the temple and sat cross-legged on the ground in the courtyard. My fellow practitioners did not recognise him, and seeing such strange behaviour, they tried to persuade him to move inside. The man acted as if he heard nothing, continuing to talk to the surrounding trees and laughing loudly. Several of my brothers tried to lift him to move him, but they could not budge him at all. My junior brother rushed to report to the Master: "A strange man has come, sitting in the courtyard and refusing to leave, talking to himself. Please, Master, go out and take a look." When the Master heard this, he observed the situation for a moment, then laughed and said to me, "Hurry, go out and welcome him!"

A Hidden Master

I watched as the Master approached the man, bowed, and said, "Brother, please forgive my junior brother for failing to welcome you properly." The man replied, "No offence taken, no offence taken. I arrived on a whim and saw that your disciples seemed puzzled by my appearance. It is fortunate you are here, otherwise I might have been carried away." The Master laughed and said, "My apologies! Please, brother, forgive them. My disciples do not understand that you possess deep, hidden skills—even I hold you in great awe." My fellow practitioners, standing nearby and hearing the Master speak this way, were breaking out in a sweat. The Master told everyone, "This man is my senior brother; you must address him as Uncle Master." The Uncle Master said, "The great tree in your courtyard says it hasn't rained lately and is very thirsty. You should be kind and give it some water to drink." The Master replied, "Certainly! Certainly! It was my oversight." He asked his disciples to water the tree immediately. I saw the Uncle Master say to the tree, "Brother! I have quenched your thirst; consider this my gift to you." I saw the great tree return a grateful smile to the Uncle Master. The Master asked, "Brother, you have spent years on the mountain and rarely come down. What brings you here today?" The Uncle Master replied, "I presume this young junior brother beside you is the one who returned after five years of travelling?" I quickly straightened up, smiled at the Uncle Master, and addressed him as "Uncle Master." The Master said, "Yes! His name is Hu Mao." The Uncle Master said, "This trip is related to Hu Mao. Let us go inside to talk." Thus, the Master led the way, and the Uncle Master and I followed into the temple. Along the way, the Uncle Master was chatting and laughing with the surrounding flowers, grass, tables, and chairs. The Master stopped and said to me, "The Uncle Master is communicating with the spirits of this space." I thought to myself: The Uncle Master is truly a high master. Just as I thought this, I saw the Master and the Uncle Master share a knowing smile; the two elders had used their mind-reading abilities to receive my mental note. The Master said to me, "You should learn more from your Uncle Master." From that moment, I felt a deep sense of respect for him. The Uncle Master suddenly said to me, "It is nothing! It is nothing!" The Master added, "You will understand later."

The Ominous Star

Once we were seated, the Uncle Master suddenly spoke to the Master with great seriousness: "Recently, there has been a mutation in the celestial phenomena. A strange star has appeared in the sky in your direction, carrying an ominous sign. I came as quickly as I could to see it. I had heard that one of your disciples had returned from a long journey, and the timing of the star's appearance coincides with Hu Mao’s return. The two must be related. After entering a deep meditative state, I observed that this phenomenon should have appeared much earlier, but it was blocked by an invisible force. It was only after Hu Mao returned that this force disappeared and returned to him. This force was the protector of Hu Mao’s primary soul, which knew this omen would bring harm to the people. Only Hu Mao could resolve it, so the protector temporarily blocked the star. Once Hu Mao returned to the temple, the protector left the star and returned to his side, allowing the star to manifest in the heavens. The fact that Hu Mao’s protector has such power indicates that his primary soul and he himself possess immense capabilities to resolve this disaster." Hearing this, I had an "Aha!" moment. Shortly after I began my journey, I had seen in a dream that the earth was suddenly covered in darkness. A golden light erupted from my body, shooting straight into the sky, blocking the darkness and temporarily halting the disaster, after which the earth returned to peace. It turned out that the golden light was my primary soul’s protector leaving my body, allowing me to complete my five-year Causal Condition with the world and develop my Wisdom so that I could fully manifest the ability to save the world later. I suddenly understood why the Master had arranged for me to travel for those five years; he had already foreseen this situation. The Master had once said I was here to save the world—this must be what he meant. As I thought this, I saw the Master looking at me, nodding; he knew what I was thinking.

A Heavy Responsibility

A sense of responsibility arose in my heart. Immediately, the Master and I entered a deep meditative state together. In that state, we observed that the energy field emitted by the strange star would cause chaos in the sunlight and moonlight, leading to a reversal of day and night and a total imbalance of yin and yang. This would cause the lives of humans and all creatures to fall into disarray, resulting in countless diseases and the death of countless people, lands, oceans, animals, and plants. Because the survival of all things on earth depends on the cycle of the sun and moon to maintain ecological balance, the consequences of a day-night reversal would be unimaginable. To prevent this disaster, we needed to change the energy field emitted by the strange star before the chaos occurred. To do this, we required an energy capable of neutralising the star’s field—or one even stronger—to stop the catastrophe. Even before the disaster had fully manifested, the climate had already begun to suffer from a prolonged drought. No rain had fallen, and in many places, animals and creatures were already dying of thirst. Fortunately, the groundwater here was sufficient to maintain our supply, but we did not know how long it would last.

Since Hu Mao’s primary soul protector could reach the strange star, it meant that his primary soul also possessed this capability. This required Hu Mao to be in a state of extreme purity and meditative concentration so that his primary soul could break through the limitations of the body and space to reach the star. Time was of the essence, as the situation could escalate at any moment. Knowing the weight of my responsibility, I cut off all external distractions and purified my heart. The next day, I entered a deep meditative state. Before doing so, I earnestly requested the Master to protect the temple and said to him, "If I meet with any misfortune, I hope there is a backup plan—another way to protect the people." The Master promised me, and only then did I feel at ease to enter samadhi.

Once my spirit left my body, my thoughts guided me directly toward the horizon. It was a vast, boundless space, and one must possess a clear and lucid spirit—knowing where one came from and where one is going—to avoid becoming lost in that expanse. As I soared toward the sky, I flew straight toward the center of that planet, surrounded by a deep, endless void. I carried golden light within me, and the awareness within my spirit led me to stand at the periphery of that world. Waves of energy began to pulse toward me; they were invasive, clashing with the magnetic field within my own being. I knew clearly where I originated—in today's terms, I came from Earth. The energy of the sun, moon, and stars that I could absorb in the mountains of the Taoist temple was in harmony with my body. Yet, this energy wave felt invasive to me now, which meant it was equally invasive to the environment and life on Earth. I felt my head grow dizzy, heavy, and uneasy. In my spiritual state, I saw this negative energy field approaching, projecting directly onto the vast forests, grounds, and buildings surrounding the Taoist temple on Earth. Looking at Earth from the starry sky, the scope of my vision far exceeded what I could see while standing on the ground. The area affected by this negative energy field was even greater than what I could perceive from the sky; one can imagine the scale of the impact was immense. My instinct immediately told me that I had to block this negative energy field directly to avert this catastrophe. However, to block such a force, one must possess a positive, virtuous energy greater than the negative field itself to neutralize the damage. How could I generate such power? After pondering this, I decided to return to my body first.

The Sacrifice of a Brother

Upon returning to my body, my Master was still guarding me and immediately sensed my return. I told him what I had seen, and he planned to contact my senior fellow practitioner to discuss a strategy, hoping to break through that negative energy field. To our shock, we lost contact with my senior fellow practitioner on his way to the temple. We could not find any trace of him, and my Master was deeply alarmed. My senior fellow practitioner often said that he came into this life to save beings and would never retreat. Given his skills, it was difficult for any external force to harm him, yet he had truly vanished without a trace. My Master then instructed me to let go of my body and mind, rest within the temple, and enter samadhi again in two days, while he continued to guard my body and prepare for any situation. I had long since disregarded my own life and death; I came to this world to save beings, and this body lived to save beings. Now that heaven and earth had entrusted me with this great mission, I would give my all, even if it meant losing my life. My Master understood my heart; I saw him nod with relief as he received this thought. In past lives, my Master and I were fellow disciples, and in this life, we renewed our master-disciple bond. Many things are understood between us without the need for words.

During those two days, I remained in total silence, centering my heart and calming my spirit. I let go of body and mind, allowing myself to enter a state of complete emptiness. I felt as though I had merged with the earth, becoming one with it. I remained perfectly still, and in this selfless state, I operated according to conditions. I felt as if I were outside of my own heart, watching everything. Suddenly, I saw that negative energy field rushing toward my spirit with lightning speed. My physical body was in the temple, and my spirit was settled within it. If the body were destroyed, the spirit might also suffer a shock. At that moment, I had to choose between the two, for moving the body is slow, while the spirit can exit quickly. Just as I decided to leave my body, at the very instant the negative energy field was about to strike me, another powerful force suddenly appeared, blocking the impact. The two forces collided and shattered, their power dissipating into the air before calm was restored. I woke up, opening my eyes with lingering fear, and saw my Master before me. He had witnessed the scene as well and let out a long sigh. I was wondering where that force that resisted the negative energy had come from, and my Master said, "It was your senior fellow practitioner who saved you!" We fell into a deep silence; my senior fellow practitioner's spirit had merged into the void at the moment of impact. I could not help but kneel and bow three times to the void to thank him for saving my life. At that moment, I felt as if I saw him smiling at me from the void. Later, his body was discovered, sitting peacefully in a hidden spot in the mountains, no longer breathing. His spirit had left his body to protect me all along.

The Sword of Wisdom and the Final Clash

The negative energy field possessed a form of consciousness; it wanted to occupy Earth, so it kept observing my movements, pursuing me relentlessly. My existence made it difficult for them to succeed. However, they had not expected my senior fellow practitioner to appear suddenly, causing the negative energy field to consume much of its power in that massive collision. Striking while the iron was hot, I took the shortest time to unite my body and spirit, breathing and resting, and then my spirit exited again, intending to use the energy inherent in my spirit to neutralize and eliminate this field that sought to harm Earth. My Master handed me a spirit sword, which had been passed down by our ancestral masters and was not visible to the physical eye. This spirit sword was filled with spiritual energy; it was a force of righteousness and a sword of wisdom. Only those with a pure and virtuous heart could wield it, and if used in an emergency, it could turn danger into safety. I took the spirit sword and charged directly toward the alien star. After a short period of repair, it had formed an even stronger negative energy field, with black energy covering the entire starry sky. Without hesitation, I flew at extreme speed, carrying the spirit sword, straight into that negative energy field. It turned out to be the power of an evil demon, reaching out with demonic claws to meet me. I saw a pair of eyes in the center of the energy field, emitting a black force; all the negative energy radiated from this black field. I charged directly at those eyes with the spirit sword. The eyes could not dodge in time, and a massive sound erupted. At the same time, the righteous energy emitted by the spirit sword covered and protected my spirit. Then, the spirit sword and the energy field shattered simultaneously. A great burst of golden and black energy erupted in the void before both dissolved and vanished, and the void returned to peace. Although my spirit suffered a shock, it was covered and protected, entering directly into the Four Holy Dharma Realms of the Buddha—a land of golden earth. It all felt like a dream, a dream that was both clear and real. After my spirit entered this place, it was restored, recovering its original, complete nature, and I entered samadhi in this realm.

A Return to the Light

Suddenly, I heard the chanting of "Namo Amituofo" echoing through the air. It was so compassionate and steady, shaking my heart. That previous scene felt like it happened yesterday, yet three thousand five hundred years had passed. I followed the sound of the Buddha-name and saw a expanse of golden light and many spirits flying in the air. The source of this golden light came from the body of Practitioner Su. Looking further, I saw that Practitioner Su came from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. I looked toward Earth from there; its appearance was slightly different from what I remembered. I could see the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre as a prominent landmark. The aura and golden light emitted by the temple resonated with the golden light on Practitioner Su's body. Three thousand five hundred years had passed, and I could not help but marvel that there was someone in the human world who had practiced to such a state! The Buddha is compassionate; the Buddha-name awakened me from samadhi. I saw Practitioner Su using his Dharma Body every day to save immeasurable and boundless spirits in space, sending them to a place of ultimate light called the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. For three thousand five hundred years, I had not saved a single person from suffering while in samadhi, and I felt deeply ashamed. I gladly felt the desire to leave, joining the celestial beings amidst the auspicious clouds. I was delivered by Practitioner Su's Dharma Body during a Dharma assembly to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, fulfilling my wish.

The Truth of the Path

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name," as spoken by Laozi in the Tao Te Ching, is a truth recognized and followed by those seeking the Tao and the Truth. "My great trouble is that I have a body" is also a famous saying of Laozi, expressing the inner voice of those suffering from physical illness and harassment by spirits and demons. Many subsequent Taoist sutras record the righteous path, the laws of karma and cause and effect, and moral foundations, emphasizing unity with heaven and earth. By observing the changes in heaven and earth, they extended these into the theory and practice of the five elements within the body, achieving harmony between internal and external, yin and yang. At the same time, there are many written records and oral traditions passed down from master to disciple regarding the healing of the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death, as well as the three-life causality of past, present, and future. Our common goal has always been to leave suffering behind and improve the quality of our spirits. Many experiences or sutras have been lost or modified by various Taoist sects, no longer reflecting their original intent. It is now known that when Laozi's practice and worldly affinities ended, he left behind the Taoist tradition for future generations. Later, his spirit flew to the heavenly realms as a high-level Taoist spirit, and he was also delivered by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, entering the land of Infinite Life and Infinite Light.

When I, Hu Mao, was alive, there was no Buddha-dharma in China. Now I know that the Buddha-dharma accepts and integrates the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism, serving as the highest truth for creatures to be liberated from the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, death, and the cycle of reincarnation. By chanting the Buddha-name and being reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, one truly escapes reincarnation and sheds the pain brought by karma. It is like the great ocean that accommodates a hundred rivers, not rejecting even the smallest stream. After all, Dharma affinities differ. I am grateful to Practitioner Su for coming to the world to spread the great Dharma of the Pure Land, fulfilling the wishes of sentient beings and saving them from suffering. Only then did I, Hu Mao, have the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land and accept this interview. I have now returned from the Western Land to the temple, joining Practitioner Su's salvation team to save beings connected to me, having already saved many fellow disciples from the Taoist temple from that space. I am grateful for the compassionate grace of the Buddha! I will continue to follow Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su to save spirits in the world.

Namo Amituofo.

This interview message was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Venerable HaiZe.