The Vow to Save the World: Flying and Burrowing

This is a record of an interview with Li Quan, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life approximately 1,620 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on September 17, 2018.

Venerable Li Quan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Li Quan; that was the name I bore in my past life. I was a child raised in the countryside, and from a very young age, I harboured a singular, burning dream: I wanted to be able to fly through the heavens and burrow through the earth. I believed that if I could master such feats, I would be able to reach those in need with the greatest possible speed and save them from their suffering.

A Child's Innocent Dream

When I was just a small boy of five, I witnessed many of my neighbours suddenly pass away. I remember feeling such an intense, overwhelming sense of urgency. I was only a child, standing on the sidelines, utterly helpless to intervene. In my heart, I thought, 'If only I could fly through the sky or burrow through the ground, I could rush to them, bring a doctor, and surely save their lives.' I was so desperate to make this dream a reality that I drew a picture of it to show my father. I told him, 'Father, this drawing represents my dream. I hope that one day, I will have the ability to save people.'

The drawing was, to be honest, a bit of a mess. My father turned it one way, then the other, looking at it with a puzzled expression. He asked me, 'Is your dream to be a bird in the sky, or a worm in the soil?' I quickly corrected him, 'It is neither a bird nor a worm, Father! It is me, flying and burrowing to save people.' When he finally understood, he burst into laughter, patting my head and saying, 'A child's thoughts are truly so innocent and endearing.' I understood then that he saw me as just a little boy lost in a daydream.

The Search for a Way

I was not so easily discouraged. I set out to find a way to achieve this 'flying and burrowing' ability. I walked the streets, asking everyone I met, but no one could give me an answer. Some simply shook their heads, looking at me as if I were a child with a troubled mind. Yet, I persisted. In the end, I found no answer, and I realised that for this physical body, such a feat was indeed impossible. However, I did not abandon my dream. I simply waited for the right Causal Conditions to provide the answer.

My vow to save others grew deeper, broader, and stronger with each passing year. As I grew older, I understood more of the world, and I began to see the true nature of human suffering. I realised that my mission was no longer just to save people so they could see a doctor; I wanted to save the immortal soul itself.

A Battle with the God of Death

When I was seven, I fell gravely ill. I lay in bed for ten days and ten nights, unable to rise. No matter how many physicians my parents summoned, none could diagnose my ailment. I was not merely lying in a coma; my body was constantly in motion, my limbs flailing as if I were engaged in some monumental struggle. In truth, I was in a dream-state, locked in a fierce battle with the God of Death. I was defeated time and again, yet I stood back up, using my iron will to fight on.

When I was knocked to the ground, I saw behind me an immeasurable and boundless crowd of people. They were waiting for me to win this duel so that I could save them. I could not raise the white flag; I could not give up, for they were still waiting. This battle lasted for ten days, and finally, I emerged victorious. When I regained consciousness, my parents were beside me, weeping with joy as they embraced me. I had survived this brush with death.

The Supreme Medicine of Namo Amituofo

The power that saved my life was not my own brute strength, but the recitation of 'Namo Amituofo.' A monk had taught me this Buddha-name the day before I fell ill. I had met him on the road and asked, 'How can one save people?' He told me, 'Recite "Namo Amituofo." Namo Amituofo is the Supreme Great Physician. There is no illness in this world that He cannot heal, and no suffering that He cannot save. This immortal soul has endured the cycle of rebirth for countless lives. Although the soul is neither born nor destroyed, it has suffered the immense grief brought by samsara. If you learn to recite "Namo Amituofo" and seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, this spirit will no longer need to suffer in the cycle of rebirth and will attain eternal liberation.'

Hearing this, I finally understood. The 'flying and burrowing' method I had been searching for was not about the physical body; it was about the speed and Wisdom required to save those who are suffering. I realised that in times of crisis, sincere recitation of this Buddha-name brings immediate help. The suffering of life can only be resolved by chanting 'Namo Amituofo.'

A Vow to Save the World

I followed the monk silently, watching him use the Buddha-name to save others. It was truly inconceivable. A woman suffering from festering sores for over ten days begged him for help. He asked her to recite 'Namo Amituofo' sincerely, and then he used the energy of the Buddha-name to heal her wounds. The energy of Namo Amituofo was so powerful that even I, standing to the side, could feel it pouring into her. In an instant, her pain vanished. This was the skill I had been searching for.

I followed the monk into the temple and knelt before the Buddha, making a vow: 'In this life, I am determined to follow Namo Amituofo to save the world. The power of this Buddha-name is truly inconceivable. If all the civilians could know of this compassion and sincerely believe and chant, I believe many could be saved.' Unexpectedly, after making this vow and returning home, I collapsed. My life was destined to end at that moment, but to save others, I fought to recite the Buddha-name before the God of Death. I begged Namo Amituofo to help me live a few more years so I could dedicate my life to saving others. Namo Amituofo heard my plea; a golden light shone upon me, and I awoke once more. I returned with a new life, determined to exert even greater power to save all suffering beings.

The Realisation of the Dharma Body

My parents asked me what had happened, and I told them earnestly, 'I am going to save people. This life was granted to me by Namo Amituofo. My life should have ended, so these extra years no longer belong to me; they are to be contributed to all sentient beings.' From that day on, I left my parents and began my practice in the temple. To achieve the ability to help others, I had to work harder than anyone else. To subdue the habits I had carried through many lives, I constantly observed my own heart: 'Is my vow to save others still there?'

After twenty years of pure practice, I attained Awakening. To save others, I left the temple to explain the scriptures and used the Buddha-name to heal the sick, helping people see the suffering of the world and realise that only by chanting can one truly attain liberation. When I finally attained the Dharma Body, I understood the true meaning of 'flying and burrowing.' The Dharma Body is not limited by space or time; it can reach any location instantly to save beings. Practitioner Su uses the Dharma Body to fly through the universe and descend into the hells, manifesting in countless ways, all to save the spirits who are suffering. My childhood dream was finally realised. That old drawing is still on the wall at home, and my father, now in the Western Land, praises me. He finally saw his son flying and burrowing to save souls, truly rescuing them and guiding them to rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Joining the Great Work of Deliverance

Practitioner Su practices diligently in this world, using the Dharma Body to save ten thousand spirits, and exerts great power throughout the universe. Practitioner Su’s compassion and Wisdom are perfectly united. I have watched from the Western Land as Practitioner Su uses the Dharma Body to save the greatest number of spirits in the shortest time—it is truly breathtaking. This time, I have entered into the leg of Practitioner Su to join the ranks of those saving the world, hoping to use my own strength to assist in this great work.

When I arrived in the universe, the sight of the boundless, suffering spirits was truly heartbreaking. They have been trapped in this space for immeasurable eons. Today, they finally see the Buddha-light shining upon them—it is the compassion brought by Practitioner Su that saves these beings who had never been discovered before. Practitioner Su has also sent me back to my own time and space to perform Chao Du for the spirits with whom I have karmic affinity. These are the planets I once walked upon. The familiar faces remain unchanged, still trapped in that space. This time, I bring the Buddha-light to deliver them, sending them one by one to the Western Land. I am grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo and the compassion of Practitioner Su, which have finally allowed these long-suffering spirits to attain liberation. Namo Amituofo."