The Truth of Practice from the Western Pure Land

This is the forty-first letter from the late Venerable Wei Chueh, who now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He shares his reflections on the nature of true practice and the vital importance of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 4, 2017.

Venerable Wei Chueh speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Wei Chueh. I speak to you from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, where the light of the Buddha illuminates all things. You may wonder how I fare. Let me tell you: I have become increasingly dignified. Having spent a long time here in the Western Pure Land, undergoing constant purification, my state of being has truly transformed. I feel as though I have shed decades of age; I am younger, more vibrant, and filled with a clarity that I never possessed in the human realm. There is a profound boldness in my spirit now, a strength that comes from being close to the Buddha. I invite all of you to come and seek me out. I am waiting for you, waiting for you to come and witness the truth of this reality for yourselves."

The Pitfalls of Discrimination

"Think about it—why does one's practice fail? It fails because we divide the world into high and low. We develop a mind of discrimination, and that is the root of our downfall. The greatest mistake one can make in their practice is to look down upon the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. You must remember this. You must take these words of mine to heart. You must believe what this old monk is telling you. Do not treat this place with anything less than the utmost reverence, for the bodhimanda of Namo Amituofo is none other than the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre itself.

I see clearly now that almost all letters sent to the monastery have been rejected. The reason is simple: there is a powerful, collective consensus within the Chung Tai community. It is a form of intense cohesion, yes, but it is also a deeply closed-minded ideology. It is incredibly difficult for outside perspectives or genuine advice to penetrate that wall. Now, I realise that such a path of practice leads only to two possible destinations: either one enters the Demon Realm, or one falls into the hells. I ask the fourfold assembly: which path are you walking upon right now?"

The Weight of Ego and the Path to Redemption

"To persist in one's ego-attachment and personal views, while refusing to listen to the counseling of a true spiritual friend—this is a terrifying outcome. Do not for a moment think that I am slandering or smearing anyone. Everything we do has its own karmic retribution, governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. The true, quiet practice at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is something you would understand immediately if you were to visit just once.

Today, I must speak directly to Venerable Jiandeng. My child, the problems you face are immense. You are currently walking on the path of the evil realms. You are still young, and there is still an opportunity to turn back. There will be no loss in doing so, and it will not cost you anything. What is required is true, earnest practice. How does one achieve this? You must come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to understand. Everything you have done, everything you are doing, is clearly visible here. This is not about performing supernatural feats or prying into your privacy; it is simply the natural ability of the Buddha's wisdom. My child, there is no fact in this world that can be hidden forever. You must face the truth.

Namo Amituofo."