The Teacher's Unseen Grace

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changgao, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his long journey through the six realms of rebirth and his eventual encounter with his teacher. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Haize, on March 29, 2019.

Venerable Changgao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. All dharmas are mind-only. To study the Buddha’s teachings, one must put in the work within the heart; this is the fundamental understanding of practice.

Throughout accumulated lifetimes, my life has intersected within the six realms of rebirth. I have climbed the path of practice step by step, encountering various teachings—Dharma, Buddha’s teachings, the Lesser Vehicle, and the Great Vehicle. I first ascended to the celestial realms, then continued my practice in the human world to escape the cycle of rebirth. Within the Four Sacred Realms, I experienced the stages of Arhat, Pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva. I have even been reincarnated into various planets across the universe before finally reaching the current Buddha Realm.

A Journey Through the Six Realms

Throughout this layered process, I have endured countless tests and trials. I have inhabited many different life forms. I have encountered noble people who helped me, and I have also served as a noble person in the eyes of other sentient beings. Today, I have once again heard the Buddha’s teachings on the Pure Land. I have learned of Namo Amituofo and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. By staying by my teacher's side, I have been given the opportunity to enter the Western Pure Land. Furthermore, I have been able to join my teacher in performing Chao Du for sentient beings, allowing those connected to me by karmic affinity—including those from millions of years ago—the chance to be saved and reborn in the Western Pure Land or the realms of Goodness in the human and celestial worlds. I am truly filled with gratitude! Namo Amituofo and my teacher are the noble people in my life.

I admire my teacher with my whole heart, bowing down in complete reverence. The people of this world do not realise how precious my teacher is! When my teacher is teaching or explaining the sutras, the space that everyone sees with their physical eyes is actually filled with sentient beings listening to the lecture. They all arrive before my teacher, not daring to be lazy! Some even kneel to listen respectfully. The beings who arrive late naturally line up behind, sometimes stretching as far as the horizon. My teacher’s teaching can transcend time and space; it can be heard in the Western Dharma-Nature Land and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Even beings from extraterrestrial universes can understand it, for the Tathagata can use a single sound, and each sentient being understands it according to their own kind. This is the subtle and inconceivable nature of the Buddha’s teachings!

The Unseen Audience of the Dharma

In truth, the power of my teacher’s Dharma talks is not something that has only manifested in this lifetime; it was the same in past lives! As soon as my teacher appears, the space is filled with celestial beings and Dharma protectors, no less than what we see today. People in those times were fortunate; there were many who listened to the sutras, and even many members of the imperial palace were among the audience. They remain within the space of that time, and these beings, connected to my teacher by karmic affinity, have long since been saved and reborn in the Western Pure Land through the space opened by my teacher. This is their great fortune. My teacher, manifesting as an awakened being, has saved immeasurable and boundless suffering beings. My teacher has no preferences, performing Chao Du with a heart that is selfless and without attachment. Naturally, according to the natural laws, all beings connected to my teacher by karmic affinity will surely receive my teacher’s grace and be sent to the Western Pure Land.

The Power of the Teacher's Teaching

Today, everyone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is fortunate enough to hear my teacher’s two daily Dharma talks. Every word my teacher speaks is precious. Because of my teacher’s majestic power and the strength of these teachings, they can shake the karmic creditors within our bodies, awakening them to be weary of the world and to let go of their desire for revenge, retaliation, and debt collection. It is the perfect medicine to resolve the grievances of sentient beings. Just like an illness, one must prescribe the right medicine to be effective. Since all physical and mental illnesses and suffering are caused by spiritual obstacles, one must use the prescription that dissolves these obstacles to resolve them. Listening to my teacher’s Dharma talks is this precious medicine. If anyone is drowsy or distracted while listening, it is truly a pity! You should wake up as quickly as possible; even kneeling to listen would not be an exaggeration.

A Call to Cherish the Dharma

Everyone must dissolve their karma and resolve their obstacles; only then is there a possibility of realising one's true nature. Those who wish to realise their true nature must not miss a single class or a single word, for the opportunity to awaken might be hidden within them! Everyone should truly cherish this. Namo Amituofo."