The Spirits Within the Spaces

The Voices of the Unseen

On March 19, 2019, Master Xuanzang addressed the assembly regarding the spirits that dwell within the various spaces of our world. As soon as the beings heard that Master Xuanzang was about to speak of the spirits within the spaces, they began to reveal their origins and gathered to listen to the teachings. This gathering serves as a profound testament to the fact that the Buddha-light at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre shines everywhere, and that space and time are unobstructed. In this sacred environment, the barriers between humans and spirits, and between different beings, dissolve, allowing for the free exchange of messages and understanding.

Master Xuanzang asked the spirits to identify themselves. Their responses were diverse and poignant: some said, "I am a ghost; I have lived here for a very long time." Others whispered, "I am a soul, light as a feather, drifting through the air." Some identified themselves as karmic creditors, stating, "I am still attached to the person I once harmed, and I am here to listen to the Dharma." Others confessed, "I am an attached spirit. Practitioner Su has taught that one should not engage in spiritual attachment, so I have come out to listen." Many others simply said, "I have been dead for over a hundred years. I heard that Namo Amituofo is here, so I followed the others to find salvation." The spirits were eager to speak, their voices echoing the deep longing for liberation that resides within all sentient beings.

The Architecture of Thought

According to the Buddha’s teachings, all beings are formed through the convergence of various conditions. The spirits present here, regardless of their origin or the time from which they came, were drawn by the compassionate work of Practitioner Su. Each day, after the morning and afternoon lectures, Practitioner Su plays the six-syllable Buddha-name for five minutes. This practice serves to purify the spirits and guide them toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Simultaneously, it opens the infinitely layered spaces where these spirits have been trapped.

Many of these beings have been trapped in their respective spaces for centuries, or even millennia. Some are spirits from the ancient seabed, while others are creatures from the waters surrounding the island of Taiwan. The formation of these spaces is entirely dependent on the attachments and thoughts of the beings themselves. Wherever there is thought, there is a space; as long as there is continuous, repetitive thinking, new spaces are formed. Within these spaces, one finds karmic creditors and souls that have not yet returned to their true nature. Because these spaces have been opened, many spirits have come forward to seek Chao Du, or have been bathed in the Buddha-name and the Buddha-light, gaining the precious opportunity to be saved and reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss or the human and heavenly realms.

The Hidden Layers of History

If Practitioner Su had not opened these spaces, these spirits would have remained trapped within their own worlds, unable to ever find a way out. Furthermore, these spaces are nested within one another, creating distinct magnetic fields. A place that was once a battlefield may appear as nothing more than ash to the physical eye, but within the space of that location, the scenes of the conflict remain. The clash of armies and the suffering of the soldiers are still present, invisible to the physical eyes of ordinary people. However, those who have attained a degree of spiritual awakening can see these scenes clearly. Depending on the depth and breadth of their vision, they can perceive spaces from the distant past.

Consider a place that was once an imperial palace. Regardless of how it looks today, the scenes of emperors and officials attending court remain imprinted there. Deep within the palace grounds, one can still see the activities of consorts, palace maids, and eunuchs. While the physical eyes of the world cannot see these things, those with awakened vision can. These intangible magnetic fields often cause interference in our present lives. While people may not understand the cause, they often attempt to explain these phenomena through scientific research. For instance, the dust storms in Beijing are not merely meteorological events; to those with awakened sight, the interior of these storms reveals the scenes of ancient battlefields.

The Path to True Awakening

Our lives are but a continuation of the many lives we have lived before. Throughout our accumulated lifetimes, we have encountered countless parents, teachers, and karmic creditors. We are connected to everyone we meet. The Buddha’s teachings provide us with the divine sight and hearing to understand the view of equality and oneness. The saying that all men are our fathers and all women are our mothers is not without reason. In the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra, the practice of respect for all Buddhas and offering praise to the Tathagata teaches us that every single being is a Buddha. We should treat them with respect and offer them sincere praise. This sincerity is the essence of our practice and a wonderful method for resolving our attachments.

The Purest Realm

To be without mind, without thought, and without self is the purest state of existence. In the world of one’s true self and self-nature, there is no suffering or space; there is only transparency and clarity. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a realm of absolute purity and Goodness. It is a world where the most virtuous beings gather, and every inhabitant is a practitioner who chants the name of Namo Amituofo. The existence of the four lands, the three grades, and the nine levels is a natural manifestation of the great compassion and vows of Namo Amituofo. Each being attains a level of rebirth that corresponds to their own vows and the strength of their practice. In that realm, the spirit of every being is constantly being purified, and their state of existence naturally ascends, step by step. This is entirely different from the world of attachment, thought, and suffering that we know.

A Call to Deliverance

As Practitioner Su continues to chant the Buddha-name daily, more profound layers of space are being opened. During the upcoming Thrice Yearning Ceremonies, with Namo Amituofo as the lead and Practitioner Su guiding the way, these spirits will have the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss or in the heavenly and human realms. This is truly a great blessing for all spirits. We hope that all who attend will participate with a sincere heart, so that both the living and the departed may share in the benefits of the Dharma.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo