The Urgency of Leaving Suffering
An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Recorded by Shi Fajing on January 22, 2023
This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, 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 insights into the nature of suffering and the importance of human life. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 22, 2023.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Yongning. When one transcends the physical boundaries of the Earth and looks back at the entire planet spinning in the vastness of space, one sees a world teeming with life—humans, animals, and all manner of sentient and insentient beings. This is the Earth, a place defined by its complexity and its pervasive suffering.
Our Buddha is filled with boundless . Among the countless stars and worlds in the universe, the Buddha came to this Earth. During his time in the world, through his compassionate and his profound Buddha’s words, he has continuously helped and saved sentient beings. His singular hope is that all who suffer—whether in the human world or the spirit realm—can quickly attain liberation from life and death, leaving suffering and gaining happiness, and finally bring an end to the cycle of being reincarnated."
A Cosmic Perspective on Suffering
"From my vantage point, looking down at the Earth from beyond its atmosphere, I see that all things within the world are caught in the grip of suffering. As long as a being has not attained liberation, they are trapped in a state of misery. Whether it is human beings, animals, or the smallest of creatures, all are suffering beyond words. Only the Buddha has the power to save them and help them escape the cycle of reincarnation.
I have witnessed that Practitioner Su is like a cell of Namo Amituofo, radiating the same infinite compassion. The vow of Practitioner Su is the vow of Namo Amituofo. Every single vow is made for the sake of sentient beings, with the sole intention of helping them leave suffering behind as quickly as possible. This is why Practitioner Su works tirelessly, without rest, performing day and night, actively striving for the sake of all beings."
The Helplessness of the Spirit Realm
"Practitioner Su is actively saving these suffering spirits. You must understand that beings in the spirit realm no longer possess a physical body. They understand suffering deeply, but because they lack a body, they are unable to help themselves. Even if they understand the truth and have some knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings, their ability to act is severely limited. A spirit remains in the state it was in at the moment of death; it is very difficult for them to change or to elevate themselves quickly. They are essentially stuck, unable to take further action, unless someone from the human world, like Practitioner Su, reaches out to save them.
Because of this, these suffering spirits are desperate to leave their state of misery. Every time Practitioner Su uses the golden light and the six-character name to perform Chao Du for a space, countless spirits swarm forward, begging to be saved. They grasp every opportunity for Chao Du, constantly pleading with Practitioner Su to deliver them from their plight."
The Precious Opportunity of Human Life
"When I see these spirits begging for salvation, my heart is filled with deep emotion. Without a physical body, even if one has a great vow, one remains severely restricted. A spirit cannot use a body to cultivate or elevate itself. This inability to be the master of one's own destiny is a form of suffering that most humans cannot truly comprehend. Because they cannot deeply feel this agony, they find it difficult to change their own habits. They allow their own personalities and attachments to influence them, and in the end, they are forced to face the most cruel reality. Especially when illness begins to manifest in , it is often already too late.
I look at the many spirits suffering in the darkness, and I look at the humans who are trapped in a cycle of suffering with no end in sight. I earnestly counsel all people in the world: while you still possess a human body, seize the opportunity to change yourself, help yourself, and help all other beings leave suffering behind. Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library