The Spirits Carried Upon the Wind

Venerable Yongning, a monastic residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, shares his observations regarding the spirits that arrive at the temple on the winds. This interview was recorded on November 16, 2022, by Shi Fajing, documenting the ongoing efforts to provide spiritual deliverance to these wandering beings.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Yongning. Today, I wish to share a reflection on the nature of the spirits that arrive at our temple carried upon the wind. When a great gust of wind blows, one must consider how many spirits are being swept along with it. Within the air, there is space, and within that space, there are countless sentient beings. As the wind blows incessantly, these spirits are constantly shifting, moving from place to place, searching for a destination that can offer them peace.

The Symphony of Suffering in the Wind

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, we often hear the most extraordinary sounds carried by the wind. Sometimes it is a piercing, mournful wail; at other times, it is a high-decibel roar or a low, guttural growl. Each of these distinct sounds represents a different sentient being. They know that Practitioner Su is here and that he possesses the ability to perform Chao Du. They understand that if they can only reach this sacred ground, they can finally be saved. Consequently, they arrive in massive, sweeping waves, following the Wind God to our doorstep, lingering here in the hope of being delivered. Through the monastics who write their memorial tablets, we help these beings find liberation and leave their suffering behind. This is a common occurrence within our temple walls.

Karmic Creditors and the Howling Gale

The spirits hidden within the sound of the wind also include the karmic creditors of the fourfold assembly. Through the vibrations carried on the breeze, they make their presence known, allowing those of us in the temple to hear the depth of the resentment they carry in their hearts. Yet, the power of the Buddha is profoundly compassionate; it transforms these spirits. No matter how hard the wind blows, or how fierce and violent the gale becomes, they are eventually brought by the compassion of Practitioner Su into the Western Land of Dharma Nature. There, they are no longer trapped in the cycle of rebirth, nor are they forced to endure further agony.

The Subjugation of Mara

Sometimes, the wind carries demon crowds. When these beings are present, the wind is never gentle; it becomes a powerful, raging storm capable of violently blowing objects away. Some of these demons come to demonstrate their power, while others arrive seeking deliverance. Regardless of the nature of the demon, once they arrive at this place, they are subdued by the power of the Buddha. Because of this, they too are granted the opportunity to cease their suffering.

A Plea for the Victims of War

Today, I speak of the Wind God and the spirits within the wind because a powerful gale has once again swept through, bringing with it a vast multitude of spirits seeking deliverance. We have taken this opportunity to write memorial tablets for them, specifically requesting that Practitioner Su compassionately deliver the spirits who were victims of the many wars currently ravaging Europe. It is our hope that they may find rest.

Yongning

Memorial Tablets

• The countless spirits carried upon the wind who arrived outside the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre seeking deliverance, specifically those who suffered in the various wars in Europe. They have now entered the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
• The Wind God, the subjects of the Wind God, and the countless spirits within the wind. They have now entered the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

Namo Amituofo."