The Heart of the Water God

This is a record of an interview with Chang Chun-hua, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Pure Land. This account reflects upon her life in Taiwan, where she served as the Water God of the central region. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa-jing, on April 21, 2021.

Chang Chun-hua speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have always considered myself a mother to the waters, watching over them from the source to the sea. But these past few years, my heart has been truly broken. I failed to protect these waters; I watched as they were polluted and drained dry. Now, with the heavens withholding rain, many streams and rivers have dried up to the point where you can see the riverbeds, and weeds have grown taller than a person. My heart aches—how did things ever come to this?

The True Living Buddha

Practitioner Su is truly the saviour of the Taiwanese people; he is a living Buddha who has come to save the world. Although I am not a deity of a very high rank—I only managed the waters of Central Taiwan—I am still able to see the future. In the realm of the spirits, this is not a difficult thing to do.

I do not want to dwell on the negative, but every time I see the future path of Taiwan trending downwards, I feel a deep, piercing pain. I cannot bear it, for I am a Taiwanese born and bred. I love our Taiwan so very much. Before I passed away, I even said to the heavens, 'I wish to be Taiwanese throughout my many lives.' Why do I love Taiwan so much? It truly is a wonderful place. In the past, our hearts were so simple and pure. Families lived in harmony, and the entire neighbourhood and township felt like one big home. We did not distinguish between 'you' and 'me'; we looked after one another. But those days of simplicity have passed. Now, as technology advances, the distance between people's hearts grows ever wider. Even the closest parents living under the same roof might not exchange more than a few words a day, and children might not even have a clear idea of what their own parents are doing.

The Power of the Heart

This world is governed by the 'heart.' I should say that the central axis of this entire universe is this very 'heart.' Once the heart changes, everything else follows. All of Taiwan has changed, the world has changed, and the entire Earth is in the midst of this transformation.

I truly hope that everyone can rediscover that simple, pure heart of the past. However, in this environment of rapid change and advanced technology, it is truly difficult. When the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su returned to Taiwan to perform Chao Du, I was so incredibly happy! It was as if I had seen a true Buddha arrive. I am not mistaken—Practitioner Su is truly a true Buddha, a living Buddha! I have listened to the Dharma talks he gives. As long as one can listen and follow his instructions, it can truly change our hearts, transform our environment, and allow the earth to flourish and renew itself. Naturally, these natural disasters would not occur, and there would be no talk of the destruction of the Earth.

A Life of Service

In truth, we Taiwanese do not understand. Virtue has been passed down through generations, but in some families, it has been lost. Children do not receive proper education and learn bad habits—it is all because of a lack of understanding, because there is no one to teach them. That is why things have become the way they are. Therefore, with the right education—the kind of education Practitioner Su provides in his Dharma talks—we Taiwanese can wake up again. Our hearts are not yet beyond repair; they are still relatively clean, just covered in a bit of dust. I believe this dust can be washed away, provided we adjust ourselves and listen obediently.

I sound like an old busybody, don't I? Well, I suppose I am. When I passed away, I was fifty-nine years old. That is not exactly old, but I was not young either. I left the human world just before my sixtieth birthday.

Look at me, I have talked so much and forgotten to introduce myself! My apologies. Hello everyone, my name is Chang Chun-hua. I am from Taichung, Taiwan. I am not a city dweller; I am a 'country girl' who grew up in the rural villages. I was quite likeable, and both adults and children enjoyed my company. However, I was not a 'pretty flower'—the kind of delicate beauty that men are naturally drawn to. Men usually treated me like one of the boys, and I was quite used to it. Since I was a child, I was called a tomboy. I often heard my grandfather say, 'My granddaughter must have been born in the wrong body. Looking at her, she should have been a boy. How did she turn out to be a girl?' My grandfather loved to say that. At first, I would pout and say angrily, 'Grandpa, you always say that! I am a girl, so I am a girl. Why do you say I should have been born a boy?' Seeing me like that, my grandfather would burst into laughter, and the adults around us would join in.

By the time I was in my teens, I really did wish I were a man. Being a woman was too much trouble, especially when I saw my mother giving birth to a whole brood of children—it was truly terrifying. I remember when I was seven, I asked my mother with the innocence of a child, 'Mother, why can't Father give birth instead? If Father could help, you wouldn't have to suffer so much, always carrying a big belly while doing so much housework.' My mother tapped me on the head and said, 'Oh, you child! You always talk such nonsense. What do you mean by your father carrying a big belly to have a baby? People would die of laughter if they heard that!' I didn't understand why it wasn't possible, but it seemed I had never seen a household where the father gave birth. I just couldn't bear to see my mother suffer so much. I often saw her belly big and round, yet she still had to bend over to wash clothes. Every time she stood up, she had to lean on something to steady herself. Sometimes her back would ache and throb, and she would apply some herbal medicine she made herself. Whenever she walked past us, we could smell that herbal scent. Whenever I smelled it, I would ask, 'Mother, is your back hurting again?' She would only say, 'It is nothing! It feels better after applying this.' I knew my mother was very good at enduring pain. No matter how much she hurt, she would find her own way to deal with it and would never complain or cry out in front of us or my father. Sometimes I would run to my father and tell him, 'Father, Mother is in a lot of pain.' In our generation, fathers were a bit more chauvinistic and not as considerate of their wives. My father would just reply, 'If she is in pain, go see a doctor! I am not a doctor; what is the use of telling me?' I knew that although my father said that, he was actually very concerned about her. For instance, when my mother went into the kitchen to move heavy things, my father would silently follow her in, pretending he was looking for something to eat, when in fact he just wanted to help her. Sometimes, seeing my father trying to save face like that, I couldn't help but want to laugh.

I have been a very enthusiastic person since I was young. My father often scolded me for being a busybody, saying I liked to meddle in other people's affairs. I don't know why I loved helping others so much; it was as if their problems were my own. If you asked me to stay home every day, I would feel uncomfortable all over, as if there were bugs crawling under my skin, so I ran out every single day.

When I was twenty-seven, I formed a women's group. There were about fifteen or sixteen of us. The purpose of our group was not to ask others to pity us women, but for us to use our strength to help the entire township. The men who didn't think much of us mocked us, saying, 'What can a group of women do?' Heavens! Saying things like that is truly looking down on people. No matter what they said, our hearts were never shaken. We wanted to use practical actions to show them, to let them know that we women can also accomplish a great deal!

Our women's group met every week to discuss our plans. We primarily served the vulnerable women and children in the township, and we also worked together to maintain the environment and water sources of the area, along with various other tasks. To put it simply, whatever the township needed help with, we did it. We did not limit our capabilities; that was the power of our women's group.

Later, as disasters occurred more frequently, we collaborated with the local temple organizations, hoping to use the power of the deities to help all of Taiwan resolve these disasters as soon as possible. Our group of women took turns going to the temple every day to kneel and pray, using our greatest sincerity to beg the deities to protect everyone and not let them suffer or endure hardship.

My father loved me dearly. He couldn't bear to see me running around busy every day, sometimes so busy that I didn't even have time to come home for lunch. I told my father, 'I am doing this happily! You raised me, and now I can use my abilities to help everyone. I am happy, and everyone else is happy! Many people ask me, "Whose daughter are you?" and I always proudly tell them, "My father is Chang Jun!"' Hearing me say that, my father would secretly feel pleased and say, 'Alright, just make sure you take care of your own health and don't forget to eat.' My father was just like that—he loved me so much. You could tell how much he cared for me from just a few words, so I tried my best not to let him worry. Whenever I had time, I would immediately go home to keep him company, watch television, and chat.

I originally thought no man would ever like a tomboy like me, but as it turned out, a man did appear in my life who wanted me to be his wife. He was a simple, honest country man, an only child. His parents were very kind, and they liked me the moment they met me, insisting that I marry their son. I didn't want to marry at first, but my friends and family encouraged me. Someone said, 'You don't want to marry? Do you want to be an old maid at home?' After hesitating for several months, I finally agreed to marry. At least after I married, there would be someone to look after me, and my father and mother would be more at ease."

Namo Amituofo.

"Not long after I married, I soon gave birth to a son. I did not intend to have many children; having watched my mother struggle so hard to raise us, I did not dare to have a large family, so I had only one. I raised my son to be much like me, and from a young age, he loved to help others. However, my son was only by my side for twenty-three years. In the year he turned twenty-three, I received the news that he had drowned. I rushed to the seaside as fast as I could, and upon arriving at the scene, his body was already covered with a white cloth. I wept beside him for a long time. Seeing me like this, everyone thought it would take me a very long time to recover from this grief, but I did not. I knew my son had drowned while trying to save someone else. Saving others and helping people were things I had encouraged him to do. I had given him his life, and I told him that as long as he used his life to contribute to society, his existence would be worthwhile. Therefore, I did not grieve for too long; I was proud of my son. His heart was truly kind."

A Mother's Pride and the Path of Dharma

"After my son passed away, I quickly pulled myself together. Since he had sacrificed himself to save another, I, as his mother, had to set a good example. I continued to serve our fellow villagers, and later, I encountered the Buddha’s teachings. It is a pity, however, that I did not chant the Buddha-name well. My mind was always occupied with so many things to do, and as soon as I became busy, I would forget to chant Namo Amituofo.

In this life, I could not pass the hurdle of fifty-nine. That year, as winter was approaching, I caught a severe cold that lingered for a long time and would not heal. On the day I passed away, my consciousness entered another space, accompanying my son as he cleaned the rivers. My son walked further and further away, and I followed him, walking further and further as well. Suddenly, his figure disappeared. I looked left and right, but I could not see him, and in an instant, I did not know where to go. Just then, a light appeared in front of me, and I walked into it. That is how I became a water spirit, continuing to guard the Taiwan I love so dearly."

The Hidden Cost of Our Choices

"In the space surrounding Taiwan today, there are many animal spirits seeking their lives back. They are all animals that were slaughtered by the people of Taiwan. As these spirits gather in greater numbers, they form a powerful force that begins to alter the magnetic field of our island, even bringing about disasters, such as the drought we are experiencing now.

When I was a child, I saw every household raising many animals. The smell of pig manure is a scent I have known since I was small. Often, when I stepped out of our house, a wave of that smell would drift over because right next door was a pigsty—the pigs raised by A-Cai. A-Cai was very skilled at raising pigs; every pig he raised was huge, often winning championships and gold medals. During festivals and holidays, they would be slaughtered for offerings.

It was not just A-Cai’s family in our town; if you counted them, there were dozens of families raising pigs. Every family’s pigs were bought by someone because we Taiwanese love to eat pork. Whether for weddings, funerals, the three-animal offerings for prayers, or just our daily meals, pork was needed. The consumption was immense. Some households did not just raise pigs; many also raised ducks, chickens, or fish. Taiwanese people raise whatever they like to eat, and sometimes they raise it themselves to consume."

The Cycle of Karma and the Cry of Spirits

"Our family raised chickens. They laid eggs for us to eat, and only on special holidays would we slaughter a chicken for a meal. I watched my mother slaughter chickens, and it was truly terrifying, but the older generation was used to it. They did not understand that harming these lives was bad for us. I did not understand it as a child either; when I saw a chicken leg on the table, I would scramble for it with my siblings. Eventually, my eldest brother would preside over the meal, and we would each have a bite, everyone eating the chicken meat with great relish.

I spent my whole life eating meat until I encountered the Buddha’s teachings and began to learn to be vegetarian. Only then did I realize that eating meat and killing are things that should not be done. These resentful spirits, seeking retribution, are still waiting to be repaid. But the people of Taiwan do not understand; many households still treat eating meat as normal, unaware that these animals, fish, and shrimp all possess spirits.

Right now, there are so many spirits in the space around us crying, so many spirits going mad or raging. Influenced by the environmental magnetic field, people’s hearts are anxious and unsettled, presenting a chaotic state. The water I govern has been sucked dry by these resentful spirits, preventing moisture from falling over Taiwan and causing the drought. I know this is a matter of cause and effect; it is the cause created by the people of Taiwan that has led to this retribution. Most of these resentful spirits are actually Taiwanese themselves. The powerful hatred they held while alive turned them into resentful spirits after death, returning to seek revenge on their own people. I want to urge everyone to stop killing each other, but my ability is ultimately limited."

A Beacon of Hope: Practitioner Su

"At this moment, I am truly overjoyed to see Practitioner Su. Practitioner Su is the pride of Taiwan! When the people of Taiwan see Practitioner Su, they all kneel and kowtow. Everyone believes in the Buddha, but they just do not know how to chant. Now that Practitioner Su has come, seeing his golden light and the way he performs Chao Du, everyone is moved to tears.

So many Taiwanese are rushing to follow the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su. It is truly too painful; only by following Practitioner Su can one be saved. It is not just Practitioner Su appearing before everyone; ahead of him are Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. Many of our Taiwanese homes have statues of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva on their altars, and every family chants to her because Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva responds to every plea; she is of great compassion. Seeing Avalokiteshvara, so many Taiwanese fly toward her, desperate to seek her help in saving them from suffering.

This time, Taiwan is truly saved. I am so moved. These resentful spirits shrouding the sky over Taiwan are being saved by Practitioner Su in batches. Taiwan will soon return to purity and clarity, and soon there will be water to nourish the land. I am working hard to find water sources; I must quickly ensure that every stream and river has water. There must be water so that all living things can survive in peace and people’s hearts can find stability.

We are waiting every day for the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su to arrive. As soon as he saves one batch, another group of Taiwanese spirits emerges. There are spirits from every era, and they have all been waiting in suffering for a long time. I encourage everyone to seize this opportunity, to stop being resentful, to let go of all resentment, and to follow the golden light of Practitioner Su so that all suffering can cease and liberation can be attained.

Many spirits are ready. There is already a vast, densely packed crowd waiting for the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su to arrive tomorrow. Everyone can now hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. I ask them to listen to the teachings with a calm heart so they can understand that the cycle of rebirth for these spirits is truly painful.

I, Zhang Chunhua, kneel to express my gratitude for the Buddha’s compassion, and I kneel to express my gratitude for the great compassion of Practitioner Su in saving us. Practitioner Su is the pride of Taiwan; we Taiwanese are truly blessed!

Namo Amituofo.

Zhang Chunhua

Memorial Tablet: The countless Taiwanese ghosts, ghost deities, animal spirits in the space, and marine life spirits who have followed this interview's Causal Conditions to seek Spiritual Deliverance, represented by: Zhang Chunhua (seeking restoration, purification, peace of heart, and the elimination of memories)

The son of the water spirit Zhang Chunhua, named Xu Tianyang, is listening to the Dharma beside Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and has already been led by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Dharma Nature to listen to the teachings.

Entering the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre"