The Three Hun Souls and Seven Po Souls Entering Spaces
An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Recorded on April 17, 2019
This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who reflects upon the nature of the human soul, the dangers of attachment, and the process of spiritual restoration. This session was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin on April 17, 2019.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. In our daily lives, there are countless tasks to attend to and many things we desire to accomplish. But what does it truly mean to engage in diligent practice? The very act of having a desire already disrupts the purity of one's practice. True diligent practice is not about forcing oneself; it is devoid of tension, pressure, or strain. Practice is a means to awaken Wisdom and to assist sentient beings—so where could there possibly be any pressure?
Every day, one must maintain a state of peace and stillness. Before one has completely severed all wandering thoughts, one must maintain constant awareness. Our habitual thinking is deeply ingrained; it arises rapidly, with a speed that catches us off guard, flashing through the mind in an instant. When you close your eyes, images emerge in a rapid stream—perhaps they are things you wish to do, or perhaps they are visions of spaces completely unrelated to your current reality. For the soul, this is an incredibly dangerous phenomenon.
The Hidden Danger of Spaces
People in this world are largely unaware of the concept of 'spaces.' Most remain deeply attached to their dreams, constantly seeking to understand whether a dream is 'good' or 'bad.' But what does it matter if you understand it, or if you do not? Once you become attached to a space, you will enter it. Within these spaces, your soul becomes locked away, yet your physical body feels absolutely nothing. The layers of space within the human body are infinitely vast, but because of our own personal preferences, we become trapped within a specific space inside our own cells. Perhaps the soul is crying out for help, or perhaps it is lost, indulging in the pleasures of an illusory realm.
If you were to look at one hundred people walking down the street, you would find that not one of them possesses a complete soul. No one realizes that having 'preferences' is a problem. These attachments are incredibly subtle: a preference for eating rice is an attachment; a fondness for animals is an attachment; and the longing for a loved one is an even deeper attachment. If people truly understood that the illnesses in their bodies arise from these very attachments, would they still dare to hold onto them? It could be a dog, a favorite sport, or even the act of sleeping—any of these can cause the soul to be lost.
The Truth of the Lost Soul
If Practitioner Su had not performed for these spaces, and if he had not recently invited the three hun souls and seven po souls back for the fourfold assembly, it would have been impossible to uncover this incredibly subtle truth. When the soul is lost, it is replaced by sentient beings who share the exact same preferences as the individual. These beings know everything about your life, and they take your place for the purpose of seeking revenge. Because of past debts, whenever an evil thought arises, these spirits immediately occupy the space left by the missing soul.
The irritability, anxiety, emotional volatility, selfish thoughts, and self-centeredness we feel are all the most dangerous manifestations of our thoughts and intentions. This subtle truth regarding the loss of the three hun souls and seven po souls was revealed by Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. By observing the state of one's cells and the signs of premature aging, one can gain a general understanding of the condition of one's soul.
The Path to Restoration
To have the soul return, one must perform Chao Du for their to resolve past knots, make the Ultimate Vow to save all beings, and truly change one's ways. Only a person who is truly pure and filled with Goodness can possess a complete set of three hun souls and seven po souls. Only then can one be firm and steady on the path of Buddha’s teachings. Practice must rely on oneself; only by truly purifying and adjusting oneself into a state of purity and non-attachment can one truly manifest one's potential and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land.
You must not have preferences, and you must not be governed by your personality. All these 'must-nots' are simply the implementation of the Buddha’s . Precepts are about guarding the heart and guarding one's conduct. When all these attachments are gone, that is the best form of precept. Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library