The Weight of a Monk's Soul

The Soul of a Monk

The Soul of a Monk. The First Session of the Zhongfeng Thrice Yearning Ceremony.

The Spirit: What is the nature of a monk's soul? When a monastic passes away, where do they go? Do they descend into the hells, wander the ghost realm, or are they truly destined for the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? Many assume that simply by taking the monastic vows, one is guaranteed a place in the Western Pure Land. However, the reality is far more complex, especially for those who divide their time between the bodhimanda and their own worldly attachments.

Venerable Fa Xi asked, "From where do you come, sentient beings and Bodhisattvas?" The spirit replied that they were monastics who had participated in many Dharma assemblies during their lifetimes. They confessed that they had often heard the saying, "One does not shed tears until they see the coffin," and the master's reminder that "only when the coffin lid is closed can one's life be judged." They admitted that they had not truly understood the gravity of these words while they were alive.

The Trap of Ambition

I am a spirit who has come to seek Chao Du from the great pillar of the temple. I still stand within the main hall, for I am but one of many. In my lifetime, I was the Head Monk whom everyone admired, but after my death, I remained trapped. My heart was filled with hidden desires, constantly craving the position of the lead officiant. I would often gaze toward the seat of the lead officiant from my place near the great pillar. Sometimes, the master, a renowned monastic of that time, would catch my gaze. Everyone flocked to him, drawn by his reputation, and I secretly longed to possess that same power and influence. At fifteen, I had a small, pure wish, but as I grew, that wish was corrupted by the desire for status.

When I finally became a lead officiant myself, I was initially delighted by the crowds who came to register for my ceremonies. Yet, had I known the truth of the laws of karma and cause and effect, I would never have sought that position. I realise now how many people fail to understand the gravity of these events. During a single ceremony, how many spirits from the Dharma realm of emptiness gather? And which of the monastics on the dais truly possesses a rosy complexion? Today, it is difficult to find a monastic with such great cultivation and inner purity—one who possesses the true energy necessary to withstand the forces of the underworld. This is not easy, yet it is essential. Only with great cultivation can one truly deliver sentient beings to the Western Pure Land.

The Illusion of Ceremony

This is a grave matter, yet many have forgotten how to discern the truth. They spend vast sums of money on ceremonies without ever verifying their effectiveness. How can one verify such a thing? At the very least, one should know whether their family members are truly being guided to the Western Pure Land, or if everyone is merely going through the motions. Is the heart behind the ceremony truly sincere? When I first began leading ceremonies, I was filled with arrogance. I did not pay attention to the depth of my actions. By the second or third time, I felt exhausted, not realising that this fatigue was caused by the overwhelming presence of countless spirits. I was merely performing the rituals, singing the chants, and following the prescribed forms, but I had no true connection to the Dharma. I did not know if the spirits were actually being saved, nor did I believe it was my responsibility to ensure their liberation.

The Dream of Truth

Later, I had a dream that changed my perspective. In the dream, I was leading a ceremony, but the hall was filled with layer upon layer of spirits from the Dharma realm of emptiness. This dream allowed me to witness the entire ceremony. I saw myself in the dream, dozing off, my heart revealed as a false vessel—lacking the sincere vow to deliver sentient beings. I saw the memorial tablets of the faithful, each one representing countless souls who could not reach the Western Pure Land because no one involved was truly sincere. Only the spirits themselves were sincere in their desire for salvation, yet they could not reach the Western Land because the human participants were merely performing a facade.

As the dream neared its end, I saw myself finish the ritual and step down from the seat. In my dream, the spirits, frustrated by my lack of sincerity, kicked me. I felt my soul slip away, and I became trapped within the very pillar I had so often leaned against. I became a monk's soul, unable to depart, bound by the debt of my own insincerity. If I had not encountered the true power of Chao Du, I would never have been able to repay this karmic debt. Knowing what I know now, why did I act as I did? I can only urge everyone to practise with sincerity, to verify their cultivation, and to ensure that their deliverance is genuine. Do not create false ceremonies anymore.

A Call to True Practice

I am now in the Western Pure Land, having been saved by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I share this message with the hope that the Pure Land community worldwide, and all major bodhimandas, will understand the seriousness of performing Dharma ceremonies. Do not ignore the gravity of these matters. Practitioner Su, Namo Amituofo.

Leading a successful Dharma assembly is not an easy task. The karmic weight one must bear is profound. We must all take the time to reflect deeply on the truth of our own practice. May we all strive to leave suffering behind and find true happiness through the sincere recitation of Namo Amituofo.

Received by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xi, on October 1, 2017.