The Steadfast Journey of Lu Changdong

This is a record of an interview with Lu Changdong, who lived approximately 470 years ago and sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his path to the Dharma. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on July 1, 2019.

Lu Changdong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lu Changdong. In the mysterious workings of the universe, karmic affinities are always at play, weaving threads that connect us across lifetimes. Before I was born into this world, I was a spirit waiting for my next incarnation. A powerful force drew me in, and I had no strength to resist; I was quickly pulled into my mother's womb, becoming a developing infant.

My entire family was filled with anticipation for my arrival. My mother had already given birth to nine children, and she was desperate for a son. When I arrived, the whole family was overjoyed. While I was still in the womb, my mother frequently took nourishing tonics, hoping to ensure I would grow strong and healthy. These tonics were indeed potent; my body grew rapidly, as if it were being inflated. In less than ten months, I was born into the world. The atmosphere in our home was one of pure celebration—my grandparents, my father, my mother, and my sisters were all waiting for me with bated breath."

A Shattered Expectation

"The moment the midwife delivered me, she let out a sharp, piercing scream. My mother, trembling with anxiety, asked, 'What happened?' The midwife hesitated, unable to speak. My mother asked again, 'What happened?' The midwife stammered, 'Your... your child is missing a leg.' Upon hearing this, my mother snatched me from the midwife's arms to confirm the truth. It was true—I was missing a leg. In that instant, my mother's heart plummeted into the depths of despair. She cried out in agony, 'I have been married for over ten years, desperately praying for a son, and now that I have finally given birth to one, he is a cripple!'

She did not know how to face my father and grandparents, who were waiting outside, eager to hold the child. My grandfather was already pounding on the door, demanding to see the baby. When he finally held me, my mother was terrified. She worried about how he would react when he discovered my disability. My grandfather was cooing at me happily, but suddenly, he felt one of my legs, then reached for the other, only to find nothing there. He pulled back the cloth in shock and saw that I was missing a leg. He looked at my mother with a face full of horror, then looked back at my leg. My father and grandmother, noticing his change in expression, rushed over to look. In that moment, the room, which had been filled with joy and noise, fell into a deathly, suffocating silence."

The Burden of Rejection

"My mother's tears fell continuously onto my face, while my father tried his best to comfort her. She sobbed to him, 'I finally gave the Lu family a grandson, fulfilling my duty to the ancestors, and yet this child is missing a leg. How can I ever face the ancestors of the Lu family now?' My father sat beside her, his voice gentle and steady. 'This child has a karmic connection with us. We do not know what our relationship was in the past, but he has come to be our child in this life. The one who suffers the most is the child himself. We should think of him and help him grow up happily. As for the matter of continuing the family line, let us put that thought aside.' Hearing these words, my mother slowly stopped crying.

My birth caused my grandparents to lose face. Many people mocked them behind their backs, calling the Lu family's descendant a monster. Facing such ridicule, my grandparents chose to avoid the world. They moved away from the Lu family home, leaving it to my parents and me. I heard from my father that they moved to a quiet mountain area where few people lived, seeking a life of seclusion. They never expected me to carry on the family name, and they refused to acknowledge me as their grandson, no matter what my father said. They could not accept that they had a grandson with a physical disability."

Finding Strength in the Shadows

"I lost not only my grandparents' love but also my mother's affection; she was cold and distant toward me. In our home, only my father remained by my side. Because I was missing a leg, I could not learn to walk like other children. My father found a sturdy tree branch on the mountain that was the right height for me and taught me how to use it as a crutch. My coordination was poor, and I was constantly covered in bruises from falling. But I was not afraid of pain. Even when I fell, I would bravely stand up again. Even if I could not learn it the first time, I was willing to practise over and over until I mastered walking with my crutch.

Although my father was not a highly educated man, he did his best to teach me, hoping I would become a useful person to society. The first thing he taught me was to view my body with Right Mindfulness. He did not believe my body was a disability, nor did he think I was any different from other children. He instilled in me a positive, joyful perspective. Because of this, even though I had to use a crutch from birth, I never felt inferior or fell into despair. I lived my life with effort, shining with the light of my own existence."

A Karmic Encounter

"Although I had only one leg, my life was not lacking in meaning. Even though my grandparents and mother did not love me, I lived my life actively, for I was the only one responsible for my own path. My father taught me not only to look at life with Right Faith and Right Mindfulness but also to perform acts of kindness. From the moment I was born, he educated me through virtuous deeds, a kind heart, and good thoughts. He taught me that kindness begins with the intention.

As I grew up, I inevitably faced ridicule. Some children would say cruel things to my face, but these words never affected the kindness in my heart. I maintained a pure, compassionate heart, learning to forgive myself for my physical incompleteness and to forgive others for their behavior toward me. My life was not weak; it was resilient and strong. My crutch grew longer as I grew taller, becoming my best companion. Losing a leg actually gave me a larger heart of compassion. I chose not to look at the ugliness of the world; instead, I saw the good in everything and viewed all the world's imperfections as complete."

The Call to the Dharma

"When I was eleven, the neighborhood children asked me, 'What can you possibly do in this life?' I walked slower than others, and no one wanted to hire someone with a physical disability. My father, hearing this, told me, 'There are many things you can do. You may not walk fast, but your calligraphy is excellent. You can help people write, you can make handicrafts to sell—there is so much you can accomplish with your hands!' I understood then, and I told my father, 'I am sure there is a job waiting for me that is perfect for me.'

I was truly fortunate. Shortly after that conversation, someone knocked on our door. A wealthy tycoon came to our home. He called my father by name, though my father did not recognize him. The man was dressed in magnificent, noble clothing, and his open, generous personality was very endearing. He told my father, 'Let this child work for me!' My father asked in surprise, 'Who are you? Why have you come to find my son?' The man knelt and thanked my father, 'Benefactor, you helped me at the lowest point in my life. If it were not for your words of encouragement, I would have walked the path to the grave. I would not have the success I have today! I took your words to heart, changed my life, and learned to view everything with kindness. Once my thoughts changed, my fate followed. My business, which seemed hopeless, flourished again. I climbed from the bottom to the peak, but I was no longer arrogant. I learned to share, to give, and to be grateful. I told myself that if I ever met you again, I would repay your kindness with everything I have.'

My father recalled an incident from ten years prior, where he had seen a man standing on a bridge, ready to jump into the river. My father had spoken to him, and though the words were few, they had reached the man's heart. This man had traveled through the night just to see my father and help me find work. But after hearing their story, I felt a different calling. I asked the man, 'Can I do work that helps others? Just as my father helped you, I want to help others. That would be more meaningful than any job.' The man was overjoyed and told my father, 'I am so happy to hear Changdong say this. I did not just come to offer him a job; I came to introduce you both to the Buddha's teachings.' My father and I had never heard of the Dharma, but when he spoke the six-character name, 'Namo Amituofo,' it felt so familiar and close to my heart."

A Life Dedicated to Propagation

"I followed this man to find places where monks were teaching the Dharma. Many areas were difficult to reach by carriage, so I had to walk. As I crutched my way along the thorny, uneven paths, falling many times, my heart remained steadfast and filled with a joy I had never known. Every journey to seek the Dharma was made with all my strength. No matter how difficult the road or how long it took, as long as I could hear the scriptures and understand the Truth of life, I believed it was all worth it.

In this life, I did not live for myself. Even with one leg, I lived for the sake of all sentient beings. For nearly ten years, I traveled with my crutch to introduce the Dharma to others. I cherished every moment of teaching. I wanted to use every second of my life to spread the Buddha's teachings throughout the world. I went to remote, neglected places where the Dharma had never been heard. Although my leg made travel difficult, I moved forward bravely to teach and transform the masses.

The Dharma changed my life. It allowed me to use my gift for speech to introduce the Buddha's teachings and my hands to copy scriptures, creating Dharma affinities with many people. My heart was always anchored in Buddha-actions. Even when I was near the end of my life, I never stopped moving forward. I was on the path to save beings. The Buddha was right before me, and behind me were the beings I had yet to save. Although I followed the Buddha to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I made a vow to return to this world to deliver the suffering beings I had not yet reached."

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

"I deeply admire Practitioner Su, who saves beings without fearing physical suffering. The hardship of her journey is beyond words, and her great compassionate heart for saving beings transcends all physical pain. In this Dharma-ending age, beings are deeply selfish, lacking long-term vision and seeing only short-term self-interest. It is difficult to find the Truth. Someone like Practitioner Su, with such selfless, great love, delivering countless beings, is truly one of a kind. The world should learn from her example and not let time slip away, lost in the cycle of the six realms of rebirth.

Practitioner Su's Dharma Body moves freely through the void, unrestricted by time or space. She can transcend space-time at any moment to reach the fields where she performs Chao Du. To the world, the universe is a mysterious, unknown space, but for Practitioner Su, she can easily leap across it, rolling and jumping freely across the Milky Way. Every planet no longer needs scientific instruments to be explored; with a wave of her sleeve, Practitioner Su guides the boundless spirits on those planets toward the light.

The world does not know the power of the Dharma Body and has not seen the magnificent scenes of Practitioner Su's deliverance. It is a truly magnificent sight that moves one to tears. Countless spirits have been in darkness for thousands of years; without the golden light brought by Practitioner Su, they would still be lost. When the golden light appears, the spirits rush toward it, knowing they are saved! If the people of this world could see this desperate desire for help, they would wake up. They would know to cherish this precious human body, to perform good deeds, and to accumulate merit while in this world. One should practise diligently, not for worldly gain, but to develop a compassionate heart for endless beings. Benefit yourself and others, and with one heart, seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, ending the suffering of the six realms of rebirth. Do not wander aimlessly in space. I am grateful for Practitioner Su's compassionate salvation of the world. Namo Amituofo."

This interview was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Fajing.