The Weight of the Abbot’s Responsibility

This testimonial was recorded on July 1, 2017, as a message from the late Venerable Master Wei Chueh. In this profound reflection, the Master speaks from the perspective of his experience in the afterlife, offering guidance to his disciples at the Chung Tai Chan Monastery regarding the heavy karmic responsibilities of an Abbot and the absolute necessity of maintaining a pure heart.

Venerable Master Wei Chueh speaks:

"My every move is watched by the vast emptiness of the universe. Every single lapse—including even the most subtle unwholesome thoughts or traces of selfishness—I must face the karmic retribution for. This is the position of an Abbot; it is a responsibility one must carry..."

The Mission of the Monastic

"To the fourfold assembly of disciples at Chung Tai, wherever you may be, you must remember the grace of the Buddha. As monastics wearing the kasaya robes, you must understand your life’s mission. Never forget this. A human life passes by in the blink of an eye. If you do not plan your life’s script properly, how will the final act play out?

I, as an old monk, do not have much ability to persuade you all, but there is a fact that everyone must understand. It is a Truth that this world must know: the cycle of being reincarnated. The karmic retribution of one's three hun souls and seven po souls can be dispersed and can occur at any moment. This is what I have experienced in my later years. Even though I suffer greatly, I cannot be the master of my own fate. The suffering is mine in the moment, and once the sentence is served, I will completely forget it. This is also a Truth that maintains the peace between different dimensions of space.

The Truth Revealed

The reason the Truth is being revealed now is because the Buddha is present in the world. The compassion of the Buddha hopes that you will all wake up. When I was young, I made a vow to become a monastic. I was not particularly young, but at that time, my heart was very strong, and my vow was full. I travelled all the way from mainland China to Taiwan, overcoming every hardship one by one. With absolutely nothing to my name, I established the origins of Chung Tai. Throughout this process, I fell down time and time again, only to stand back up. I never once cried out in pain.

My practice once achieved a certain level of success, but before that achievement was complete, the emptiness of the universe tested me. I did not pass those tests. I fell into decline time and time again. My soul began to suffer retribution. This happened in my middle and later years because the scale of Chung Tai had grown, and my heart had grown along with it. It was no longer the true, sincere vow I had in the beginning. This is a common human failing, but for one who is spreading the Dharma, it is a great taboo—something that must never happen.

Under the Watch of the Universe

My every move is watched by the vast emptiness of the universe. Every single lapse—including even the most subtle unwholesome thoughts or traces of selfishness—I must face the karmic retribution for. This is the position of an Abbot; it is a responsibility one must carry. One's conduct must be upright. The emptiness of the universe, in its invisible form, is the Truth. It is also the collective will of all spirits, the karmic creditors, and those with whom we share karmic affinity. With these standards watching over the path of practice, who would dare to stray? I understand that many do so out of ignorance, but I am speaking from my own experience. I hope you can believe me.

It is not just that 'three feet above your head there are divine beings'—it is truly terrifying! With so many eyes watching from the sidelines, one must not covet, nor should one destroy the Dharma or ruin one's conduct. Impurity in the heart is also a major barrier. Therefore, our human bodies hold no secrets; the emptiness of the universe knows everything about you. If you practice falsely, you will only suffer and face retribution. You will surely age, and you will surely fall ill. Conversely, if you fully embody the Truth, the emptiness of the universe will respect and submit to you. To be free from aging and illness is the reality; that is what it means to be a true practitioner. Examine yourselves—are you?

I, Wei Chueh, provide this guarantee and manifestation. Jian Deng, do you understand?

Namo Amituofo. May the Buddha grant his blessing."

Written by the late Master Wei Chueh. Recorded by the chief writer, disciple Shi Fa Xi.