The Sorrow Behind the Glitz of Power and Wealth

The Radiance of the Pure Land

I, the disciple Shi Haiyuan, respectfully invite the presence of Namo Amituofo. This morning, Practitioner Su, with great compassion, channelled energy from the centre of her palms to the many political and business figures present. As they held hands, a boundless, golden, and brilliant Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss appeared before them. We humbly request the compassionate teachings of Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo speaks: The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a place where the light shines without end. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is manifesting right here in this very place. Its boundaries are immeasurable, and all are illuminated by the light of the Dharma. Many great political and business leaders, renowned figures from all walks of life, are gathered here.

They are adrift in the vast ocean of karma within this Saha world, lacking the strength to save themselves. The sins they have committed in the past are manifesting again in this life. Consider the life of a performer, whose name may be famous, yet whose existence is but a play—a life of drama and performance.

The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Life

Life is filled with the joys and sorrows of meeting and parting. All the connections we form and all the relationships we experience are governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. There is no permanent rule in this world. Life is full of suffering and sorrow, even if one appears brilliant on the stage.

Deep inside, there is only anxiety and sorrow. One walks this path alone. One is loyal only to oneself, while constantly harbouring suspicion and worry about others. These discriminations exist only in the Saha world. In the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, however, there is endless joy to follow.

• The View of Oneness: When you see that you and I are one, you will naturally wish for the well-being of others.
• True Mind: When the heart is truly empty of selfishness, a heart of Goodness will naturally turn away from evil.
• The Performance Ends: A lifetime of wealth and glory is like a play. When the curtain falls, where will you go?

The Compassion of the Pure Land

Consider the story of Xiaoyan, a clever woman who cultivated compassion, joy, and Goodness. Even though she encountered evil thieves, she resolved her karmic debts and now resides in the Western Pure Land. The bliss of that land is incomparable. Her heart remains tied to the hope that her mother might find peace, for the suffering of the human world is immense.

As one grows old and faces the end of life through illness, the daughter now resides in the Western Pure Land. Seeing her mother’s sorrow, the conditions for liberation have matured. It is rare to have such an opportunity. The true Western Pure Land is manifesting at this very moment, and the power to grasp it lies within your own hands.

The Poverty of the Heart

Political and business elites often carry deep sorrow in their hearts. Though they may be adorned with wealth and status, their hearts are often impoverished and weary. Conversely, those who are poor in material goods are often able to find joy and freedom. The Five Poisons—greed, anger, ignorance, and arrogance—along with the Five Desires and the Six Dusts, create the dust of suffering in the human world.

Why hold onto these things? They cannot follow you after death. Only the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss remains. The Infinite Life Sutra describes the seven layers of nets and the seven rows of treasure trees. It speaks of ground made of golden sand and all kinds of precious jewels scattered throughout. The wealth of the human world cannot even begin to compare to this.

The Power of Chanting

This morning, at the hour of the second period, before the sky had brightened, the sound of the bell rang out. The six-syllable Buddha-name was chanted, with Practitioner Su leading the way. She performed Chao Du for the spirits—for in common parlance, spirits are known as ghosts—to be saved and reborn in the Western Pure Land.

This work is not done for payment; it is done purely out of kindness and a heart of compassion. The goal is for all to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. The cycle of reincarnated suffering is only pain. To leave suffering behind and find happiness—this is the Ultimate Vow that one must form.

A Call to Awakening

The power of this vow covers the Western Pure Land. We are building this temple to reach out to the ten directions and welcome the fourfold assembly of disciples. We do not distinguish between rich and poor, nor do we see high or low status. There is no discrimination, and we will never abandon a single being.

Powerful political and business figures, what you see before you is not mundane. These are beings of the Western Pure Land who have momentarily forgotten how to return home. Practitioner Su, with her compassion, also wishes to save the world. She hopes that all these beings can become clear and bright. Remember the vows made in the past; let us join forces to propagate the truth throughout the world.

Do not waste this human body. It is often plagued by illness, and the heart is filled with sorrow, never finding true peace. Even if you possess great wealth, it is but a piece of white paper in the end. With such attachment, what is fortune and what is disaster? Practitioner Su manifests in this world with abundant energy, disregarding her own body and mind, let alone material wealth. Her children have flown away to live their own lives, and she wanders freely, body and mind unburdened.

The Path to Liberation

We all possess the same human body; why should our fates be different? Our destiny is created by the dust of this world, but liberation lies within the heart. It is not only through practice that one must find liberation. The ocean of karma in the Saha world causes people to suffer in confusion. These beings must awaken to their true nature. Let the light of the spirit awaken within the dust. Through the powerful energy channelled by Practitioner Su, the spirits are liberated, and the true nature is awakened.

The six-syllable Buddha-name is spread throughout the ten directions. Give this gift to those with karmic affinity, to those who are lost and poor, to those who are suffering, and to all. Give them everything you have. A single Buddha-name can reach the heavens and illuminate the dawn. From the ends of the earth to the furthest seas, the compassionate sound is spread everywhere. When the conditions are ripe, immeasurable beings will be saved.

Even a leader with a surname like Xi, despite his high authority, faces many situations that are not ideal. If he can awaken, he need only let go of greed, and his heart will naturally become clear. Within the exercise of power, let there only be compassionate hope. A life in the human world takes many forms, but all are merely confusion, ignorance, and arrogance. Just like the kings of old, a lifetime ends in a moment, and one may still be trapped in the cycle of desire and attachment.

Everything is self-created. In the red dust of the human world, time has no true value. It is better to chant the Buddha-name. One chant brings peace to the heart, one chant brings peace to the spirit, and one chant brings peace to the body. You will be free and without calamity. The morning meditation is magnificent and beyond description. All these figures—the politicians, the business leaders, the artists, and the virtuous ones from every field—are discussed according to their karmic affinity, and the temple is here to lead them.

When the time and conditions gather, and when the conditions and time are ripe, the final conclusion will be reached, and there will certainly be the Buddha.

Shi Haiyuan: I am deeply grateful for the compassionate teachings of the Buddha. With great compassion, Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo