The Song of the Green Leaf

This is a record of an interview with a spirit who currently resides within a leaf at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This spirit, who once lived as a young woman named Maria, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on October 19, 2020.

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Could you please tell me where you are currently staying?"

The Green Leaf speaks:

"I only know that I often see all of you walking in and out of the temple grounds."

Venerable HaiZe:

"How long have you been here?"

The Green Leaf:

"For quite a while now. The environment here is truly wonderful—it is so different from anywhere else, and we all love it dearly. Please, do not underestimate me just because I am merely a leaf. To become what I am, I had to absorb the water from the earth and the warmth of the sunlight. I sprouted as a tender bud, slowly growing larger and stronger. I developed a full leaf body, and as I grew, I was fortunate enough not to be damaged by insects. That is how I achieved this clean, vibrant green appearance you see today. I look quite healthy, don't I?"

A Life Remembered

Venerable HaiZe:

"Indeed, you look wonderful. We shall take a photograph of you in a moment."

The Green Leaf:

"(Speaking with great joy) Thank you! It has been such a long time since I was last photographed; that was back when I was still a human being. I was a young girl named Maria, eighteen years old, living right here in Australia. My parents took us to the seaside to play in the water, and I was having such a marvelous time. Suddenly, a massive wave crashed over us, and I was completely submerged! I could not catch my breath. In that moment of panic, my mind suddenly drifted to the small tree I had planted in our family courtyard. I had not yet had the chance to care for it properly. As I thought of that tree, I lost consciousness. I do not know how much time passed, but when I awoke, I discovered that I had become a leaf on that very tree."

The Resonance of the Buddha-Name

"That was a very, very long time ago. Now, I have returned to the leaves and have been brought here to this place. This is truly a special sanctuary. The music that plays here is unlike any other music I have ever heard. I now know that it is the chanting of the 'Namo Amituofo' Buddha-name. The Buddha-name plays all day long without rest; it continues for twenty-four hours without a single interruption. Listening to it brings such a profound sense of peace to my heart."

Venerable HaiZe:

"Are you aware of the rain-seeking ceremony that Practitioner Su conducted during the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies yesterday?"

The Green Leaf:

"Of course I am aware! It was such a monumental event. It was not just us leaves who knew; the soil, the grains of sand, and even the tiny molecules in the air were all aware of it. For the past few days, the sky above this temple has been filled with the most beautiful celestial beings. The grounds are overflowing with spirits of all kinds—adults, children, beings from ancient times and modern times. There are many dressed in magnificent, solemn robes, looking just like you—the monastics—and they emit a brilliant golden light from their bodies. We are all familiar with Practitioner Su, as everyone calls him by that name, and he often walks by to look at us. Yesterday, he became so vast—he was not his usual self. Normally, he has a physical body and must walk to get close to us, but yesterday, he had no physical form and could move freely through the heavens and across the earth."

A Chorus of Chanting

"Practitioner Su led us and instructed us to chant the Buddha-name together with everyone else. We followed the rhythm of Practitioner Su's chanting, and we sang with such joy. This was not unfamiliar to us, as we hear the Buddha-name echoing from the temple constantly. Even in the early morning, before the sun has risen, Practitioner Su leads us in chanting, 'Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo.' My singing voice is actually quite good, and it rings out clearly. When we all chant together, it is like a grand choir. We even sway our bodies back and forth, singing with such happiness. Then, a voice told us that we must chant with great sincerity, for Practitioner Su needed us to chant to bring the rain. Hearing this, we chanted even harder."

The Blessing of the Rain

"When we saw dark clouds beginning to gather in the sky, we all let out cheers of joy. After nightfall, sudden gusts of strong wind blew through, tossing us about. At first, some were a little frightened, but a voice within the wind told us that they were merely messengers coming to notify everyone that rain was coming, so we should not be afraid. By the time the Dharma assembly concluded, the earth was perfectly still, and we had drifted into a deep sleep. Suddenly, a light drizzle began to fall, waking us up, and we all cheered again. The rain grew heavier and heavier, accompanied by gusts of wind. It rained for such a long, long time. We were all so happy to receive the falling rain, and even the mud on the ground was as joyful as we were. It had rained a short while ago, and that, too, was brought about by us chanting the Buddha-name with Practitioner Su. This time was the same, but with even more rain—we are all so delighted!"

"Practitioner Su, we love chanting the Buddha-name and seeking the rain with you. This rainwater tastes especially sweet, and we feel so incredibly blessed. On behalf of all the spirits here, I wish to say thank you!"

Namo Amituofo.