The Voyage of the Dharma Boat

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who reflects on the profound mission of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This testimony was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin on August 6, 2019.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. A single boat drifts silently across the surface of a vast lake. This imagery perfectly captures the mission of Practitioner Su during this age of the Dharma’s decline. He has invited the turning of the Dharma wheel, seeking to keep the light of the Dharma alive and constant within the turbulent sea of karma. This boat has weathered immense storms and crashing waves; there were moments when it nearly capsized, yet the helmsman never faltered. He simply unfurled the sails and held his course.

The Helmsman in the Sea of Karma

As the boat traversed the vast ocean, the helmsman gathered scattered pieces of driftwood, carefully refining and securing them to the bamboo raft to keep it afloat. He looked out and saw countless sentient beings struggling, rising and sinking in the dark waters. Even though the space on the boat was limited, he reached out his hands time and again to pull them to safety. In this way, beyond the helmsman himself, the boat gradually became filled with many others who had come to share the journey. Once they boarded, they all aligned their hearts and minds with the direction set by the helmsman.

The helmsman led everyone through the surging, chaotic waves of the ocean. Along the way, they occasionally docked at land or encountered other vessels. Whenever there was a need for help, the helmsman would always generously extend his hands, offering warmth and peace of mind to all he encountered. He poured every ounce of his energy into ensuring that this vessel could reach the other shore. In the process, the helmsman was left with almost nothing of his own, yet a warm, compassionate smile never left his face.

A Journey of Selfless Sacrifice

Because the helmsman never sought to store anything for himself, his heart remained completely free of burdens. Every valuable possession he once held had been entirely dedicated to the repair of the boat and the well-being of those on board. Working tirelessly to this day, he has gradually begun to see more and more traces of light appearing on the horizon. Even though there are many large, imposing ships on this path that look down upon him with arrogance, the helmsman does not mind in the slightest. He believes firmly that the destination toward which this boat is sailing is the ultimate Truth, and therefore, he feels no fear at all.

The helmsman is preparing for the day when he will build an even greater vessel. He believes that he must lead everyone to a place of pure light, and so this great ship must be vast enough to carry many, many people. He intends to save as many as he possibly can. Throughout the voyage, the boat has passed through places where unimaginable beings and objects have received help. Some of these beings understand the value of gratitude, while others, influenced by external forces, have chosen to change their course. Regardless of their choices, the helmsman always follows the Law of Cause, Condition, and Effect, treating everyone with a peaceful and compassionate heart.

The Destination: The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

Because the helmsman has already caught a glimpse of the light on the other shore, he is not troubled by anything he encounters along the way. He understands that everything before his eyes is illusory—it is an illusion that appears very real, yet it is ultimately empty and transient. Within this emptiness, there is no need to linger or look back. As for the things that attempt to bind or hinder him, he simply lets them go with a heart of compassion. After all, a few years from now, those things that once held him back will no longer belong to him, so why bother with such trivial entanglements?

The flight path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is clearly visible ahead, led by Namo Amituofo. Practitioner Su is the primary helmsman guiding this journey. Within the vast ocean of existence, he has already helped countless sentient beings. The ocean is like the void, and the void is like the ocean. Practitioner Su has not rested for a single moment; he continues to connect with all beings according to their conditions. Where these conditions converge, that is where the Western Land manifests. Today, the compassion of the Buddha is manifest before us, leading the way. There is not a single moment to pause or be lazy. Life slips away day by day, waiting for no one, and the sentient beings suffering in the void cannot afford to wait either. Only by becoming clear-minded and truly understanding the Truth can we lead more beings to the distant, glorious other shore. The Buddha is you, and you are the Buddha. Though every thought may differ, every thought is ultimately the same. I pray that all beings will awaken and arrive at the destination.

Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to the Buddha and Practitioner Su for their compassionate guidance. I look out into the void with hope, offering infinite Dharma fragrance and boundless golden light. Namo Amituofo."