The Truth Beyond the Dharma Drum

This is a record of an interview with the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought Chao Du 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 journey beyond the physical world. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on February 7, 2021.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Sheng Yen. Throughout my life, I remained steadfast in my commitment to the Buddha's path, finding peace of mind in the promotion of monastic education, hoping to cultivate more disciples to carry forward the Buddha's teachings. Coming from mainland China to Taiwan, survival itself was a monumental test. After several years of military life, I resolved to become a monk and dedicate myself to the Dharma. However, in those turbulent times, everyone struggled to survive. Who had the energy to study the Buddha's teachings or support the transmission of the Dharma? Even though every day was an arduous struggle, my heart never retreated from the Buddha's path. In that era of scarcity, even paper and ink were precious commodities."

The Seeds of Transmission

"After the restoration of Taiwan, the environment became more stable, and my hope for spreading the Dharma was rekindled. I submitted my views on the importance of the Dharma and its role in soothing the human heart to the central newspaper, hoping they would grant me a column to publish daily. My goal was to provide a place of refuge for everyone's heart through the Buddha's teachings. I submitted my work nearly ten times, yet I did not give up. Through each rejection, I remained convinced that my path was correct, and I became even more determined to proclaim the importance of the Dharma. Finally, the newspaper gave me a positive response. I wrote about my philosophy of practice and the necessity of learning the Buddha's teachings within those articles."

"After the articles had been published for some time, the newspaper notified me that someone wanted to meet me. After spending an afternoon in conversation, several lay practitioners decided to fully support me, ensuring I had no worries on the Buddha's path. They intended to support my studies at a monastic school in Japan, but due to polarized public opinion, they withdrew their support. In the end, I relied on my own strength to reach Japan. Not wanting to waste the Causal Conditions arranged for me by the Buddha, I studied with extreme diligence. Any Buddhist principle I encountered, I had to understand thoroughly before allowing myself to rest. For me, sleep was not the priority; day and night, I was diligent in my study of the Dharma. When my physical body grew weary, I would use meditation to restore my energy. After several years of hard work, I completed my studies and returned to Taiwan with a deeper understanding of the Dharma. Some lay practitioners organized lectures for me, allowing more people to hear my teachings. Through these years of effort, and as the original bodhimanda became insufficient, we prepared to establish Dharma Drum Mountain."

Building a Legacy

"Before the temple was built, I had already accepted several disciples. They organized my daily practice journals and printed several books. Later, they encouraged me to compile the essential teachings I had given to the public, to serve as a guide for those who would come to the temple seeking the Dharma. My disciples were right, and compiling these books took much time and effort. A few years after the temple was established, the number of Dharma protectors grew. I encouraged my disciples to follow my example and continue their advanced studies at the monastic university in Japan, and I wrote letters of recommendation for them. I told my disciples that the monastic community is the essence of the transmission of the Buddha's teachings, and that everyone must carry this responsibility in their hearts. I did not dare to demand that they be as diligent as I was, but I hoped they would have the vow to transmit the Dharma and cultivate more disciples in the future. My disciples did not disappoint me; upon returning to the country, they became my right-hand assistants, integrating everything they had learned in Japan into the bodhimanda, bringing a new vitality to its operations."

"To allow more young disciples to draw close to the Buddha's teachings and to relieve the pressures of modern life, I organized meditation classes and Buddha-recitation retreats. I encouraged adults to bring their children to participate, providing the faithful with a way to release their burdens and find a sense of reliance. With all conditions met, I decided to establish a monastic university to let the Buddha's teachings take root in Taiwan. Many supporters and volunteers raised funds to ensure this project was completed successfully. After several years of preparation, Dharma Drum Mountain was built in a way that embraced nature without destroying the environment. The bodhimanda was filled with a refreshing sense of Zen, attracting many followers. Once established, Dharma Drum Mountain radiated a new spirit and was eventually recognized as one of the four great mountains of Buddhism in Taiwan."

The Limits of the Physical Body

"After the monastic university was established, I was incredibly busy, working with several disciples to review the educational policies and teaching directions. To foster the spiritual growth of the monastics, I taught classes myself and listened to the disciples to see if they had any blind spots in their practice, resolving their doubts. Because every disciple could potentially become an important figure in the transmission of the Dharma, this could not be ignored. Seeing that the hearts of the disciples had found a place to rest through their practice, I felt at ease."

"To make the Buddha's teachings more accessible, Dharma Drum Mountain began promoting 'Spiritual Environmental Protection,' using a more approachable way to solve the problems in people's hearts. When the heart is tight or unsettled, we use a calm approach to recover, thereby achieving the effect of letting go and finding relief. Many people at Dharma Drum Mountain, including volunteers and lay practitioners, have been cleansed by this practice. Dharma Drum Mountain has closely used this method to solve the problems in people's hearts—living the Dharma, and making the Dharma a part of life. Many youth activities related to spiritual environmental protection have inspired the kindness of young students, allowing them to accept Buddhist education based on the foundation of doing good. The enthusiasm to contribute to society has made these students willing to invest themselves in this path."

"After the monastic university was established, I was so busy that I almost forgot about myself. What reminded me of myself was not someone else, but my own physical body. One day, my body suddenly gave me a warning signal, and pain set in. I had experienced such pain once before while studying at the monastic university in Japan. At that time, I often forgot to eat and rest while researching the sutras, failing to realise that the physical body also has its limits. One day, the pain was so severe that I could barely stand, and I realised that even diligent practice requires balance. This time, I had again forgotten myself in my work for the monastic university, and the pain returned. I extended my rest time, but nothing improved. My physical condition began to decline rapidly; I felt cold and could eat very little. After another severe physical collapse, I was admitted to the hospital, and the doctor announced that I was suffering from kidney failure and needed dialysis. At that time, I told myself that a practitioner must have meditative concentration and must not be disturbed by this physical body. The use of the physical body has a time limit, and before that final limit arrived, I still had to hold fast to my vow on the Buddha's path. Even though the physical body often tormented me, I endured it all, and in my meditation room, my heart became even more determined. The bumps in life and the wear and tear of the physical body made my heart even more fearless. With death before me, I felt that I had lived my life with a clear conscience and had not failed the vow of Shakyamuni Buddha to transmit the Dharma. Even if I were to leave, Dharma Drum Mountain and the monastic university would continue, and the talents cultivated would still be disciples willing to dedicate themselves to the Dharma. In 2009, the lifespan of my physical body reached its end, and I bid farewell to this world. My disciples and the followers who believed in me mourned for me. They held a solemn farewell ceremony for me, the spiritual leader of Dharma Drum Mountain, to send me on my final journey. Everyone believed that I, their master, had gone to enjoy bliss."

The Truth of the Underworld

"But the truth that everyone must face is that I entered the hells. Long before my body had problems, my spirit had already begun to suffer retribution. I am saying this so that Dharma Drum Mountain and those I know do not have to feel heartbroken for me or feel slandered. As one of the spiritual leaders of the Buddhist community in Taiwan, telling the truth is the most basic responsibility of a practitioner. I choose to speak out because I do not want more people to be lost in confusion. The physical problems I experienced while practising at the monastic university in Japan occurred because my inner, rigid desire for achievement was seized upon by my karmic creditors, who found an opening to enter. Sentient beings had already begun to test me. In those subtle moments, I adjusted my practice and nurtured a heart of compassion."

"My final kidney failure and dialysis were the result of not truly resolving my conflicts with my karmic creditors during my life. Because I could not help sentient beings escape the cycle of rebirth through Buddhist principles and the Buddha's path, my physical body had to suffer the retribution. I did indeed take a trip to the King of Hell's palace. Before the King of Hell, it was full of my karmic creditors, and there were even followers from Dharma Drum Mountain calling out, 'Master, Master!' This shook me to my core. Standing before the King of Hell, I could not help them at all; I met them in such a situation, and my heart was filled with sorrow. I accepted the retribution with a heart of repentance. At the moment of a bright light, someone called out, 'Master Sheng Yen!' and I followed that light out of the hells. A lay practitioner stood before me, looking very bold, and asked, 'Are you Master Sheng Yen of Dharma Drum Mountain?' I nodded. After listening to the Dharma there, I was soon sent to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This place is solemn and beautiful; it is the true home of the spirit."

A Final Plea to Followers

"To save Dharma Drum Mountain and to let all Dharma Drum followers worldwide know that they must seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to end the cycle of birth and death, I have written letters many times, asking the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to help me forward them. But it seems I have not received a positive response, and some even think my letters are fabricated. Dharma Drum disciples, the Buddha's teachings have a path and a principle, but you must move toward the Truth. Seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is what we, as people who study the Buddha's teachings, should bring to the public; otherwise, falling back into the six realms of rebirth would be a waste of the opportunity to encounter the Buddha's teachings in this life. Your master hopes you will help me make a correct correction. If you do not know where to start, you can come and ask Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, who helped me achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Do not underestimate this place, which may seem obscure, but is truly implementing the deliverance of sentient beings."

"Today, although I have no physical body, I follow this place to help deliver sentient beings in the void. The physical body is small, but the space beyond the physical body, and the entire space of the void, is countless. There are animal spirits, the physical world, and endless spaces. Practitioner Su uses the Dharma Body to deliver beings. Today, the spirits of the void, in gratitude to him, call him 'Buddha Su.' Following the Buddha's vow, he sincerely and widely delivers all spirits. I am grateful that Practitioner Su also opened up a space for me, allowing the followers who followed me, as well as my past karmic creditors and sentient beings with karmic affinity, to be liberated. Seeing my own beings suffering in space, I vowed to save them, and I follow Practitioner Su to widely deliver all sentient beings. Only now does Sheng Yen truly see the subtlety of the phrase, 'The void may have an end, but my vow is infinite.' It is a vow, and even more, it is a power."

"I am grateful to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for giving me another opportunity to speak. I hope the Dharma Drum disciples will awaken and truly find the way out. I am grateful for everything. Namo Amituofo."

"The interview message was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxin."