The Spirit Within the Soil

This is a record of an interview with Shada, a spirit who resides within the earth of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He shares his journey from a human settler to a witness of the Dharma at the centre. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on November 5, 2020.

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Please, who would like to be interviewed?"

The spirits respond:

"Me! I want to! I want to!"

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Please, send one representative."

Shada speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am the soil of the land that is currently listening to Practitioner Su deliver the Dharma talks. I am but a tiny, tiny grain of earth. My name is Shada. When I am dry, I am incredibly light, so light that I can drift away on the breeze. It is often windy here, and I have been blown from the front gate all the way to this spot. I am so incredibly fortunate! I am now resting on the vast expanse of land just outside where Practitioner Su gives his teachings.

A Tiny Particle of the Earth

We are always prepared to listen to the Dharma long before Practitioner Su even arrives. When he enters the room and everyone stands up, we also stand as straight as we can. We only relax once Practitioner Su has taken his seat. Some of us stand to listen to the lessons, while others sit. It is a profound honour to be here, to be part of this sacred ground that absorbs the vibrations of the Buddha's name.

Shada is an old man, or at least, that is how I remember myself. I have a head full of white hair, and I was one of the early Australians who came here to develop this land. Back then, although there were not many people living in this area, everyone was honest and hardworking. We lived simple, peaceful lives, far removed from the strife of the world. When we needed to travel to the inland settlements to purchase daily necessities or food, we would ride in horse-drawn carriages. We used carts made of wooden planks, travelling step by step, slowly making our way into the interior. I would sit on the carriage, often with my young son beside me. We would sing songs and hum tunes all the way there, load our supplies onto the wooden cart, and then sing our way back home again. It was a simple, happy life.

The Final Journey and the Transformation

When I was sixty-five years old, on the way home from one of those trips to the inland settlement, a sudden, heavy downpour began. Rain is such a precious commodity in this land; it is life itself. I used my whip to urge the horses on, wanting to get home quickly, but I did not sit securely. I fell from the carriage, and my head struck the ground with a terrible force. As I lay there, I could smell the earth—the scent of the soil was so rich, so deep, and it seemed to rush into my nostrils. I took one last look at the vast earth, at the soil beneath me, and my eyes slowly closed. I had passed away.

I felt a strange, powerful force pulling my spirit deep into the earth. From that moment on, I became the soil. It has been over a hundred years now, hasn't it? Within the earth, the space is vast; it is not crowded at all. It is a quiet, steady existence, waiting for the right conditions to arise.

The Miracle of the Rain

Ever since Practitioner Su arrived here, the little white house has often been filled with the sound of music. Recently, because it had not rained here for a very long time, Practitioner Su led us all in chanting the Buddha's name to pray for rain. That was when we finally learned that this beautiful music is called 'Namo Amituofo'. We chanted with such joy—truly, we chanted and chanted, and then, the rain actually began to fall! The power of everyone working together with one heart is immense. We received a great treasure, the treasure of praying for rain—'Namo Amituofo'. Recently, we have had several heavy downpours, which have finally soaked our soil bodies, which had been dry for so long, and made us feel so moist and refreshed.

It is so comfortable! Thank you, Practitioner Su, for bringing us this precious treasure. Namo Amituofo."