Koo Chung-ling, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia, shares his profound insights regarding the karmic connections that bind all sentient beings. This interview was recorded on February 27, 2018, by the chief writer, Shi Faxin.
Koo Chung-ling speaks:
". When fame and profit manifest before us, it is not everyone who can maintain their composure. Sometimes, even the slightest deviation from the path of righteousness is enough to lead one into the shadows. Let me tell you, this morning has been the most difficult for me to endure. Seeing so many sentient beings every day, watching the endless stream of spirits rushing towards the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—it is a sight that truly shakes the heart. Before coming here, I never realised that beyond the human world, all other forms of life are also roles that we have played in our past lives. This revelation made me feel quite nauseous, especially thinking back to the steaks I used to devour with such gusto.
The Burden of Past Lives
It turns out that in a past life, I was a butcher. I lived in a small house made of bamboo nestled in the mountains, where I grazed cattle and raised pigs. The cattle were gentle in nature, while the pigs were always running about in a chaotic frenzy. During festivals, my neighbours from miles around would come to me to pre-order beef or pork. Especially during the Lunar New Year, everyone placed great importance on showing gratitude to the Heavens, often offering a pig’s head as a sacrifice.
There was one particular Qingming Festival when a close friend of mine pre-ordered beef from me. His father, who had recently passed away, had loved beef more than anything in life. I knew his father well, and he had always been very kind to my family. Because of this, I decided to slaughter the very cow I was most proud of to offer as a sacrifice for his father. Whenever I visited the herd, this specific cow would always come close to me, looking at me with eyes that seemed filled with deep emotion. I felt a vague sense of unease, but I did not think much of it; I simply dragged it away and slaughtered it. The animal seemed so heartbroken, but having slaughtered so many cattle and pigs over the years, I had become numb and did not pay any special attention to its suffering. And so, the finest cuts of that cow ended up on the sacrificial table for my friend’s father.
A Butcher’s Debt and the Truth of the Cells
Only now do I understand that this cow was actually a dear friend from one of my past lives. Because he owed me some money that he never repaid in that lifetime, he was reborn as the cow I raised. When I saw the images of our past life together, I wept bitterly. I apologised to him, praying that he could go to the Western Land. In that vision, the cow had returned to his human form, and he just smiled at me and said, 'I do not blame you.' I cried so hard. I had never truly felt the weight of my own past until this moment.
I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for helping us deliver the fifty trillion sentient beings residing within our cells every single day. Every one of these cells is connected to my past in such a profound way. If not for the realisation I had today, I would never have felt this so deeply. I sincerely apologise to the fifty trillion beings within me. Please forgive the ignorance of the past Koo Chung-ling. Today, having encountered the Buddha’s teachings, I ask all of you to assist me in working alongside Practitioner Su to save the world. I am truly moved to tears of gratitude.
A Heartfelt Repentance and Spiritual Clarity
This sincere repenting has somehow made my entire being feel so much clearer. It is not just the spirit that feels purified today; even my physical body feels light and refreshed. The breakthrough achieved by Practitioner Su is truly remarkable. I am humbled by this experience and committed to walking the path of the with a clear heart. Namo Amituofo."
