The Soul Within the Broccoli

This is a record of an interview with Billy, a spirit who manifested as a broccoli, seeking Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life as an indigenous Australian and his subsequent transformation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Hailiang, on October 5, 2017.

Shi Hailiang speaks:

"In order to be thorough, I made a special trip to the large refrigerator to select a representative for this interview. Before I even reached the fridge, I set a firm intention to find a representative who could speak for the others. My eyes fell upon the broccoli. I heard a voice calling out, 'Pick me! Pick me!' It turned out the broccoli was nestled inside a polystyrene box. I felt a surge of excitement and carefully placed the chosen representative into a glass container to prepare for the interview."

A Small Voice with a Big Presence

"Billy the Broccoli: 'Hurry! Hurry! Please, open the lid!'

Shi Hailiang: I used some force to lift the lid and picked up the first piece. I muttered to myself, 'It is so small,' though I did not say it out loud.

Billy: 'Now you understand why I was so anxious for you to pick me. Out of all the broccoli in the box, I am the smallest. If I hadn't urged you, you surely would have chosen someone else. Do not judge me by my size; please, first take a moment to smell my natural fragrance.'

Shi Hailiang: I leaned in. 'Hmm! It really does have a fresh, subtle, and clean scent.'

Billy: 'My name is Billy. If you pay close attention to the scent, you will recognise the essence I carry. Humans call me the best broccoli, as I am the most capable of providing the essential nutrients the human body requires.'"

The Life of a Broccoli

"Shi Hailiang: 'Welcome, Billy. May I ask where you come from?'

Billy: 'We are locally grown right here in Australia. Look at my body; it is like a landscape of many trees and flowers, some plump, some thin, some tall, some short. Yet, we all wear these tiny green florets. During our growth, we must hide beneath large leaves. As we grow, more trees and flowers cluster around us, pressing close together, which gives us that layered, textured look—what you might call the look of deliciousness. There is another thing that makes us proud: restaurant chefs love us! They often praise our appearance, saying we look delicious and are easy to pair with other ingredients. However, we do have one particular quirk: we love the cold. We absolutely adore ice. If the ice runs out, we become terrified of the heat. The green florets on our heads will begin to turn yellow, one by one. When we turn yellow, it means our life has come to an end, and we are off on another journey. So, I must remind you again: please remember that we love to eat ice!'"

From Indigenous Roots to a New Journey

"Shi Hailiang: 'Thank you for sharing your needs with us. May I ask, how did you come to be a broccoli?'

Billy: 'I was an indigenous Australian, born and raised on this land. I was quite accustomed to a life in harmony with nature. Ever since the arrival of modern humans, my peers and I began to try to move away from hunting. We learned to travel like the civilised people, but our dietary habits were incredibly difficult to change. One day, while I was out searching for wild fruits and vegetables, I discovered broccoli. These green flowers were so unique. I picked some and brought them home, and my mother cooked them for everyone. We all agreed they were delicious. The next day, I returned to the same spot, feeling overjoyed, and picked a large handful. Just then, a young woman in a small floral dress stood nearby, watching me with a friendly smile. She said, 'These were planted by our family; they are not wild.' I hurriedly put down the broccoli I had picked, not knowing what to say. The girl was very kind; she smiled again and handed the broccoli back to me. I thanked her, and after returning home, I often thought of her smile and would silently smile to myself. That time, I left one piece of broccoli to sleep beside me, sprinkling it with water every day and talking to it. A few days later, I fell ill and never woke up. I became a broccoli. Through the clever workings of Causal Conditions, I found that girl again, but she could not hear me calling her. She would only pick me up and look at me. I was still a broccoli, still searching for her. But coming here to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has made my whole body feel so much more comfortable. In the large refrigerator, I heard many stories and made many friends. They told me not to dwell on the past or worry about the future, but simply to chant Namo Amituofo. They said that once I reach that world of shimmering golden light, I will be able to find the person I am looking for.'"

A Collective Request for Deliverance

"Shi Hailiang: 'Indeed! Namo Amituofo. Billy, can you tell me how many of you wish to go to the Western Pure Land?'

Billy: 'Please, help us all by registering thirty-five broccoli spirits to seek Spiritual Deliverance. For the gourmets who know how to appreciate us, we will provide the best energy to everyone!'

Shi Hailiang: 'Thank you, Billy, for accepting this interview.'"