This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his urgent message to the practitioners of Drum Mountain. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on June 7, 2017.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:
". I am Venerable Master Sheng Yen. This is my voice, reaching out from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to the world I once called home. I am currently at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Today, I speak to you with the absolute Truth of the Dharma, transmitted directly from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I know that my passing has caused much concern and sorrow for many. Perhaps there are still those who harbour doubts—doubts about whether I have truly attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, or whether the messages coming from this place are genuine. It does not matter. What matters is that I, along with the many great sages and renowned figures who have arrived here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, will continue to strive to prove the reality of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the only thing I can do now."
A Humble Confession from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss
"Throughout my life, I worked tirelessly to learn and to write, leaving behind a vast collection of books for the world to see. My life is now laid bare before you, open and transparent. I ask you all: how did I, Sheng Yen, pass away at the end? If you reflect on this, if you think about the circumstances of my departure, can you not see how deeply ashamed I am? The manner of my passing is, in itself, proof that my life’s practice was a failure."
The Reality of My Passing
"I suffered from kidney failure, I underwent dialysis, and I endured severe anaemia. Some of you knew this, others did not—but it does not matter. It was clear that my time was coming to an end. I was tormented by the demons of illness, and long before the end, I was no longer recognisable as a human being. The monastics who cared for me, including Venerable Guo Dong, should know this better than anyone, should they not? If you look at the state in which I left this world, and you still cannot wake up, then I am truly at a loss for words. The lifeblood of Dharma Drum Mountain, its very wisdom life, must be awakened!"
A Plea for the Wisdom Life of Dharma Drum Mountain
"My mistakes can no longer be corrected, but if you can all truly and honestly examine yourselves, perhaps my own karmic burden will not be so heavy. It is better to believe in the possibility than to dismiss it entirely. Attachment and stubbornness are not virtues; in the end, you are the ones who suffer the loss. Dharma Drum Mountain is a wonderful system, filled with many dedicated lay practitioners, young students, and capable monastics. These children of the Buddha all place their faith in the Dharma Drum Mountain family. Venerable Guo Dong, can you not trust me just this once? Is it not worth investigating to see what is true and what is false? Regardless of what you may be thinking, a monastic should possess a fearless heart and a heart that seeks the ultimate Truth."
The Path to True Deliverance
"No matter who Dharma Drum Mountain sends, I am here waiting for you. Now that this opportunity has arisen, I hope the children of Dharma Drum Mountain will face this matter squarely. Do not be afraid, and do not be suspicious. What I, your old teacher, wish to save now is the wisdom life of Dharma Drum Mountain—which is to say, your own wisdom life. I wish for all of you to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and to practise the Buddha’s teachings with true freedom. That is what I long to see."
"In the future, I hope that Dharma Drum Mountain can, like the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, lead the masses to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Dharma assemblies currently held at Dharma Drum Mountain do not reach the ultimate goal. I did not know this before, but now that I have attained rebirth, I see it clearly. Those ceremonies are tied to the underworld; they lack the necessary virtue to truly deliver beings. But do not be afraid. I will now protect Dharma Drum Mountain. Today, I returned to visit you all—I went back to Jinshan, back to Beitou, and to several other places. Looking at the scale of Dharma Drum Mountain, I felt such profound sorrow. You are all so incredibly sincere. No matter what, I must save you all. If anyone is willing to come and see me, Dharma Drum Mountain can change. I hope you will unite the strength of the Dharma Drum community. It would be best if Venerable Guo Dong could come to see me. No matter how busy you are, you should set it aside and come to see your teacher. I am Sheng Yen, and I am waiting here for you. Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to the Buddha."
