The Simple Path to Ultimate Freedom

This is a record of an interview with Yunfan, 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 1,700 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 31, 2019.

Yunfan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Yunfan. Every morning, I would head into the mountains to chop wood, immersing myself in the natural symphony of birdsong and the fragrance of flowers. Along the path, every wild flower bloomed with its most captivating beauty; every tree stretched toward the sky in its most majestic form; every grain of dust gathered its strength to provide nourishment for the plants growing in the soil; and every drop of dew worked to purify the entire world. Beyond my daily task of gathering firewood, I spent my time observing the wonders of the universe.

A Simple Life of Solitude

Each day, I would bundle the wood I had gathered and carry it home on my back. By the time I returned, the hearth would be lit, and the morning meal would be simmering. Seeing that the kitchen was empty, I would go to the backyard to find my sister. She would be busy in the vegetable garden. Every vegetable there was planted by our own hands—enough to sustain the two of us, with plenty left over to share with our neighbours.

Though our wooden hut was small, it was enough for the two of us. It was once a home shared with our parents, but they left for another town five years ago and never returned. My sister was eleven, and I was nine. Since they left, we have relied entirely on each other. Our days were simple and ordinary, and we solved every challenge of life ourselves. I felt that life was quite straightforward: as long as one has basic food, proper digestion, and sleep, one can exist in this world. Nothing else is truly needed.

The Wisdom of the Wind and River

I loved to sit alone under a great tree, watching the wind stir the branches and leaves. When the wind blew from the east, the leaves swayed to the west; when it blew from the west, they danced to the east. I let the wind move them as it pleased, watching the tree in its joy, as if it loved playing with the breeze. I also enjoyed walking to the riverbank, watching the sunlight dance upon the water. It would shimmer with such brilliance that it looked like a river of gold—truly a magnificent sight.

I wandered freely, admiring the scenery of different lands. Whenever I felt hungry, I would simply pick wild fruits or chew on leaves to satisfy my hunger. I never discriminated between the flavours of food; as long as it stilled the hunger in my belly, I would eat it. Such a life was free from constraints and attachments—a simple, liberated existence without worries or burdens.

The Complexity of Human Suffering

As I travelled, I observed the customs, habits, diets, and lives of different people. I could not understand why everyone insisted on making such a simple life so complex. Complexity breeds afflictions, and afflictions breed sorrow. Everyone wore a mask of suffering; even the most affectionate couples, enjoying their family time, hid a trace of sorrow on their faces.

I also did not understand why people were so averse to living alone. One person is simple, but two people bring more burdens. If there are three, four, or more, life becomes increasingly tangled. Yet, people seem to dislike the simplicity of a solitary life. They seek partners, enter into marriage, and have children, building a family. A life that starts as a single, straight line becomes entangled with others. Two lines easily knot, and ten lines become a chaotic mess. I could not understand why people chose to live in such chaos, causing themselves such misery and wearing such mournful expressions.

The Turning Point: Hearing the Dharma

One day, I wandered into an orphanage and saw children of my own age. Although I had parents, they were no longer by my side, leaving me to live alone with my sister. Had I not had a home and a sister, I would have been living that same life in the orphanage. Just as I was about to leave, a monk entered. The teachers bowed respectfully, welcoming him to teach the children. I stood outside the door, listening for as long as he spoke. His words moved me deeply; I had never imagined that in this simple, ordinary life, I could encounter such extraordinary teachings. I kept chanting 'Namo Amituofo' as he instructed, and suddenly, my heart felt stable and grounded.

When I returned home, I immediately asked my sister if she had ever heard of the scriptures. She did not understand what they were, nor had she ever learned the Buddha’s teachings. I recounted everything the monk had said, and my sister was filled with Dharma joy. Her heart had always been heavy; she often complained that our parents had abandoned us. She had even considered marrying a wealthy man just to escape the hardship. Many neighbours would ask us, 'Why is it that you both grow up in the same home, yet the sister is so miserable while Yunfan is so happy?' I worked just as hard as she did and ate the same food—sometimes even giving my portion to her—yet I lived in peace and freedom.

Transforming the Heart

Through the monk’s guidance, I finally understood: the heart creates all phenomena. The heart can transform the environment, and the environment naturally follows the heart. I began to treat my hardships as a form of enjoyment. I stopped involving myself in worldly entanglements and kept my physical needs simple. I did not waste time trying to satisfy the body's excessive desires, nor did I let the body consume my precious time. By reducing the burden of the body, I reduced my cravings and anxieties. I no longer needed to worry about the body or toil for vast sums of money, and thus, I lived freely and happily.

However, I did not want to spend my whole life just living for myself. Having seen so many people living in pain, I wanted to do my part to help them. After hearing the Dharma, I understood the choices I could make.

Propagating the Dharma

I began serving at the temple daily and volunteering in the community, offering my labour wherever it was needed. Sometimes, I would share the teachings I had heard, allowing those who were suffering to hear the Dharma and understand the importance of chanting Buddha's name.

After five years, I decided to become a monastic. Through my years of service, I realised that without the Dharma, people are utterly helpless. Because the spirit has no refuge, the heart becomes empty and insecure. Only the Buddha’s teachings can guide the spirit back to its true home, providing a place of rest.

I introduced people to the path the Buddha walked, helping them return to the path of purity. No matter how complex a life may be, learning the Dharma can return it to simplicity. A chaotic heart can be purified by the influence of the Dharma. I travelled everywhere to propagate the Buddha’s teachings, dedicating this physical body to saving others. I demonstrated to the world that life can be lived with total freedom, without the need for suffering. As long as the heart constantly chants Namo Amituofo, and the Buddha is always in the heart, flowers will bloom everywhere, and the world will be filled with brilliant light!

Returning to the Western Pure Land

Alone I was born, alone I die; alone I come, alone I go. I lived with freedom and joy, finding happiness in the Buddha’s path. In this life, I left behind no worldly ties. I transformed this body into emptiness and stepped upon the lotus to return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I follow the spirit of Practitioner Su in saving the world, dedicating my strength to delivering connected spirits throughout the universe. The Dharma voice of Practitioner Su traverses layers of space, teaching the truth of the universe every day, allowing all spirits to understand the suffering of reincarnation and to willingly chant Namo Amituofo to seek rebirth in the West.

The stars in the universe, from ancient times to the present, from birth to destruction, from nothingness to existence—even through the evolution of time, they remain within space. If not for Practitioner Su, who sought out the Dharma Body and made the Ultimate Vow to save them, even the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas could not rescue these suffering spirits. The power of a human heart’s vow surpasses all else, overcoming the obstacles of the physical body to save beings of the nine Dharma realms. Practitioner Su is the perfect example for us all. I am filled with admiration and gratitude for her compassion. Namo Amituofo."