The Sincerity That Moves Mountains

This is a record of an interview with the Venerable Canaan, who sought Spiritual Deliverance 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 2,100 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on December 29, 2018.

Venerable Canaan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Canaan. In the region where I lived, many monastics would often pass through. I knew that deep within the dense, ancient forests to the west, there was a temple—a sanctuary of profound peace where these practitioners dedicated their entire lives to the study and embodiment of the Dharma.

These monastics did not travel through our lands merely for leisure or to see the world; they came to beg for alms and to propagate the Buddha’s teachings to all who were ready to listen. I would stand at a distance, watching them with wide, curious eyes. Their dignified bearing, their slow and deliberate movements, and the serene expressions on their faces were so profound that they naturally inspired a sense of deep, unshakeable reverence in every passerby. Even the villagers, who were often hardened by the struggles of daily life, would kneel in the dust to pay their respects. Whenever a monk saw a villager kneeling before him, he would immediately bend down with gentle grace to help them up, pressing his palms together and chanting 'Namo Amituofo' to deliver them from their suffering."

The Test of the Heart

"One day, I specifically asked my mother for some food, intending to offer it to these monastics as a gesture of my budding devotion. I stood on the road early, waiting for their arrival, my heart fluttering with anticipation. For some reason, they did not appear as expected. Many other devotees were also waiting with offerings, but as the hours passed, the monks remained absent. Nearby, a group of beggars saw the food in our hands and held out their bowls, pleading for a morsel to stave off their hunger. The other devotees were furious at this interruption. They struck the beggars' bowls away, shouting, 'You ungrateful wretches! This food is for the monastics, not for you filthy beggars!' They turned away in a rage, their faces twisted with disdain.

The beggars picked up their broken bowls, too terrified to ask again. I walked over to them and quietly divided my own portion of food equally among them, feeling a deep ache in my heart for their plight. Just as I turned to leave, I heard one of them call out, 'Little Bodhisattva.' I turned back, and to my utter astonishment, the beggars had transformed into the very monastics I had been waiting for! They looked at me with immense kindness and said, 'Though you are young, you possess a heart of equality and perform good deeds in silence. It is truly admirable!' I bowed respectfully and chanted, 'Namo Amituofo.'"

A Vow to Serve

"My mother was always overwhelmed with the burdens of our household, caring for my many siblings. I took the initiative to help her with the vegetable garden and the children, hoping to lighten her load. I told her, 'Mother, once my siblings are a little older, I wish to go to the temple to practice.' She nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. 'I know you have a compassionate heart, Canaan. You have always been the easiest to care for, never crying even when hungry, and always picking yourself up when you fell. If you wish to walk the path of a monk, I support you. Do not worry about your siblings. Go, and practice well!'

At sixteen, I knelt three times before my parents to bid them farewell, deeply grateful for their years of nurturing. With nothing but a simple set of clothes, I left home and set my face toward the temple. Looking back from the high ground, I saw the endless sea of sentient beings waiting for salvation. My resolve hardened; I knew that in this life, I must become like those monastics and dedicate myself to helping all beings."

The Path of Trials

"The journey to the temple was long, taking nearly two months. Along the way, I encountered many challenges. I found a woman lying by the roadside, her feet injured and weeping. There was no one else around. I approached her, and she sobbed, 'I have fallen and injured my feet. Can you please help me and carry me home?' She pointed to a house in the distance. I knelt down, let her climb onto my back, and carried her all the way. Throughout that journey, I did not speak a single word, keeping my heart focused on chanting 'Namo Amituofo.' When we arrived, her brother appeared and, seeing me, flew into a rage. 'A fine practitioner you are! Lusting after my sister!' I replied calmly, 'I was merely carrying a suffering being. I made no distinction between man or woman; whenever a being is in need, I will offer my help.' I left them and continued my journey.

Later, I had to traverse a vast thicket. I used a wooden staff to clear the path. Suddenly, a massive beast appeared, its jaws wide, ready to devour me. I felt no fear. I told the creature, 'I am willing to offer my body to satisfy your hunger, but I have taken a vow to become a monk to save sentient beings. If you are willing to forgo this meal, you could become a great benefactor by allowing me to live and save more beings.' The beast paused, then turned and left. I performed a refuge ceremony for it and taught it to chant the Buddha’s name, hoping it might escape the suffering of the animal realm."

Sincerity Moves Mountains

"The path grew narrower until it vanished entirely, blocked by a massive boulder. I was desperate to reach the temple to save beings. I poured my entire heart into chanting, and suddenly, thunder struck. The boulder split in two—truly, sincerity can move mountains. Beyond it lay a wide, clear road. Seven-coloured clouds filled the sky, and auspicious omens appeared. In the distance, the great temple stood. I walked forward, finally stepping onto the path of true practice.

An elder approached me and said, 'Your unwavering heart is truly for the sake of all beings. You have overcome every obstacle on this rugged, thorny path. Such a firm and courageous heart will surely attain Enlightenment.' I thanked him and continued.

At the temple, which sat atop a cliff, my master tested me daily. On the first day, he sent me down the mountain to fetch water—a full day's journey. As I returned, I saw a lame old man who begged for a drink. I gave him my water without hesitation and went back down to fetch more. By the time I returned, it was dark. I chanted 'Namo Amituofo' for guidance, protecting the water with every step. Even when thorns pierced my feet, I did not pull them out, fearing I might spill a drop. When I reached the temple, my clothes were torn and my feet were bleeding, but the water was enough for the community. My master finally accepted me, and I joined the morning service, wiping the blood from my feet and ignoring the pain to chant with the others."

A Legacy of Deliverance

"For years, I practised diligently. After two years, I was ordained. Even then, I continued to fetch water, using the time to save the spirits along the path and the people by the river. I saw how much the world was suffering, and I knew I had to achieve greater skills to save them. I became the first to ask my master for permission to leave the temple to deliver beings. Every three months, I would go out for a year, returning only to refine my practice. Eventually, I inherited my master's mantle, teaching disciples and continuing the work of salvation.

At the age of 105, I sat on a cliffside rock and told the world, 'My time has come. I have passed on my life's work to my successors to continue the mission of saving the world. In the future, I will return to the human world to save those who remain.' With that, I sat in meditation, and my spirit left my body to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Golden light suddenly erupted, illuminating the universe. Practitioner Su brought this light, and immeasurable beings came seeking Chao Du. Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body moved with such speed that time itself could not measure it. He opened my space, allowing me to save spirits within my own realm. At that same moment, countless sages and Bodhisattvas were also delivering their connected beings. The universe was alive with golden light, and immeasurable beings were saved. This is a magnificent event, unprecedented in the history of the Dharma, appearing in this age of the Dharma’s decline. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for his great compassionate vow, which made this grand deliverance possible, saving beings who have suffered since time immemorial. Thank you, Practitioner Su, for your compassion. Namo Amituofo."

"Namo Amituofo."