This is a record of an interview with the 877th Venerable, Ding Xuchang, who sought 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 approximately 2,080 years ago. Recorded by the disciple Shi Fajing on January 19, 2019.
Venerable Ding Xuchang speaks:
". I am Ding Xuchang. I was born into a family of scholars. From a very young age, my parents ensured that I read thousands of books; I was well-versed in all forms of literature. I could recite the poetry of any ancient master by heart, and I could even add my own verses to theirs, giving the poems a unique, fresh flavour. In our neighbourhood, everyone knew that the Ding family had produced a prodigy. Whenever a family in the area had a child, they would inevitably bring them to meet me, hoping that I might pass on some of my talent to their own children.
The Burden of Expectations
My parents took great pride in me, and I certainly brought much glory to the Ding family. To ensure that more people knew of my abilities, my mother would take me to other villages to engage in poetry and calligraphy competitions. Wherever there was an event, my mother would bring me along to showcase my talents. Whether it was the zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting, there was nothing that could stump me.
My reputation spread far and wide; every village, large or small, knew that the Ding family had a genius. Many daughters from wealthy and influential families were offered to me as potential wives. My parents were overjoyed—I truly gave them face, and they were constantly beaming with pride.
A Marriage Arranged by Others
When I was thirteen, my parents selected a beautiful young woman for me to marry. Her family was extremely wealthy; her father was a high-ranking official, and her mother was a renowned beauty. This official was known for his integrity and upright character. He had searched everywhere for a suitable husband for his daughter, interviewing over forty talented young men, but she had been unimpressed by them all. Only I was able to capture her heart.
I did not have many thoughts of my own regarding my life. From childhood, everything was arranged by my parents, and my only role was to listen and obey. I was fortunate to have a sharp mind, which allowed me to learn quickly and meet every expectation my parents set. It was the only way to keep the peace and live a quiet life. Now that they wanted me to marry, I had no objections. When my mother said she wanted ten grandchildren, I did not utter a single word of protest.
A Call from the Mountains
The day before the wedding, I suddenly learned from a servant that my grandparents were living in a deep mountain range on the other side of the region. Ever since my father married my mother, my grandparents had moved into the mountains and never appeared at the Ding household again. My parents had never mentioned them, so I had never known they were still alive. I do not know why, but when I heard they were still in this world, a surge of emotion overwhelmed me. This intense feeling compelled me to set aside one day to travel to the mountains and reunite with them.
Before I could even inform my parents, I set off in a rush. I was travelling without stopping, fearing that I might miss my own wedding the following day. I did not understand why I had such a sudden, urgent drive to see them. Perhaps it was the result of years of suppressed emotions; knowing that my own grandparents were still alive stirred a deep, profound longing within me.
The Wooden Hut and the
I reached the mountainside in the dead of night. With dawn approaching, I wondered how much longer it would take to find them. I did not want to give up, yet I was worried about missing the auspicious time for the wedding. Just as I stood there, caught in a dilemma, I heard a voice call out, 'Come in!' I turned around and saw a small wooden hut right behind me. I looked at the old man walking in front of me and wondered if he could be my grandfather. He turned around and said, 'My dear grandson, stop guessing!' When I heard him call me 'grandson,' I was so happy I jumped for . 'It really is Grandfather!'
I quickly entered the house to reunite with them. Seeing the simple furnishings and the statue of Namo Amituofo, I realised that my grandparents had been practicing the Dharma in the mountains for many years. They did not live in the same house; this was my grandfather's, and the one behind it was my grandmother's. They each found a quiet place to study the Buddha’s teachings, and every week, they would descend the mountain for two or three days to save beings.
The Truth About the Wedding
When I finally calmed down, I wondered, 'How did they know I was coming?' Through their explanation, I learned that the servant who had told me about their whereabouts was actually my grandmother's former personal maid. She had asked my parents for leave to visit my grandmother and had told her everything happening at home, especially about my upcoming wedding. I asked my grandmother, 'How did you know I would definitely come?' She smiled and said, 'Grandmother knew that you would not marry in this life.'
Hearing this, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders! Although I had obediently complied with my parents' demands, there were many voices of reluctance in my heart. My mother wanted ten children, and although I had agreed, the thought of caring for ten children made my legs go weak. I could only describe this marriage as 'labour and sorrow.' My grandmother laughed heartily, amused that I had turned my life into such a mess just to be a filial son, treating even such a major life event as a game. She patted my head and said, 'What a simple, honest grandson you are.'
A Path of True Practice
That night, I talked with my grandparents until dawn, sharing everything about my life over the past thirteen years, and they shared their experiences of practice with me. When I heard my grandfather chanting the name of Namo Amituofo outside, every syllable stirred my heart. I shed tears of emotion and asked my grandmother, 'Can I practice with you?' She replied, 'If practice is only for oneself, it has no meaning. True practice is to help beings. If you truly have the heart to help them, I would be delighted to see you walk this path.' However, I remembered my fiancée waiting at home; if I stayed, I would have no way to answer to my parents.
I rushed back home, arriving just in time for the wedding. Before the bride entered the sedan, I found an opportunity to speak to her. I told her, 'My mother has ordered that after we marry, we must have ten children. Once these ten are born, you will surely become a worn-out woman. If we do not have ten, I will certainly take other concubines until we do, because I have promised my mother, and a gentleman's word is his bond.' Upon hearing this, the bride burst into tears and ran into her room. Everyone was shocked. Her parents rushed in to comfort her, and we could clearly hear her shouting, 'I don't want to get married! I don't want to get married!' She was a strong-willed woman, and once she was stubborn, no one could change her mind. Her parents had no choice but to apologise and cancel the wedding.
Renouncing the World
My parents were furious when they received the news. After so much preparation, the wedding was cancelled at the last minute! Feeling they had lost all face, they decided to postpone the marriage for a few years. I seized the opportunity and told them, 'Grandparents have agreed to let me live on the mountain. I have decided to leave tomorrow.' My parents were astonished to learn that I knew where they lived! My grandparents had never allowed anyone to visit them, but since they had personally invited me, my parents dared not stop me.
My grandparents did not let me stay on the mountain immediately. Instead, they required me to travel everywhere to find the true meaning of practice. I followed their instructions, interacting with people and observing the many facets of life. It took three full years before I understood the true meaning of practice—that, as my grandmother said, 'Practice is for the sake of all beings, not just for one's own liberation.'
This time, I was truly committed to the path of practice. After bidding farewell to my grandparents, I entered a monastery. When my parents came looking for me, they discovered I had already become a monk. Before I shaved my head, I returned home to kneel and thank them for their upbringing, but they refused to accept my decision and insisted on severing our family ties. Yet, after I began my practice, I knew my mission was great; there was no other way but to leave home and save beings. Although my parents had disowned me, I knew in my heart that on the day I achieved , I would certainly save them.
A Lifetime of Deliverance
After becoming a monk, I understood the weight of the Buddha's work and dared not slacken for a moment. After more than a decade of practice, I had achieved success and travelled everywhere to save beings. My parents were also among those I was destined to save. When I saw them again, they were old and frail. Feeling that their lives were nearing an end, they stopped holding onto the past and began to listen to my lectures. Once they understood the magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings, they practiced diligent practice of chanting Namo Amituofo every day, seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Throughout my life, I travelled everywhere to save beings. No matter how long the road, as long as my body could move, I kept walking, all for the sake of delivering beings. When my body finally reached its end, I stood firmly on the ground, chanted Namo Amituofo, and was reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Path of
I have been following Practitioner Su in the universe to perform Chao Du for several months now. In these months, I have witnessed Practitioner Su making progress day by day, saving more beings each day. Although the number of beings is vast and difficult to save completely, Practitioner Su's heart for them has never wavered. Even when this physical body suffers, Practitioner Su endures it all, solely to ensure that beings are saved.
The path of saving beings is not difficult, yet it is also hard. It is not difficult if one is entirely for the sake of beings and has no-self. It is hard because of the attachments and of this body. If one can truly be like Practitioner Su and have no-self, the path of practice is not difficult; there is only one way: to move forward courageously. I encourage everyone to do the same. Namo Amituofo."
This interview was recorded by the disciple Shi Fajing.
