This is a record of an interview with the Venerable Tong Sheng, who lived approximately 5,400 years ago. He sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the . Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on August 31, 2018.
Venerable Tong Sheng speaks:
". I am Tong Sheng. I was born from a clean, white stone that had absorbed the essence of the sun and the moon for eons. One morning, as the dew fell, a powerful, brilliant Buddha-light shone down upon the stone. It cracked open, and I emerged into the human world—not as a helpless infant, but as a five-year-old boy.
I was born into a specific space on Earth. Looking around, I found myself in a place of profound simplicity and stillness, entirely free from the disturbances of the modern world. Everyone lived a life of extreme modesty, drinking only the rainwater that fell from the heavens or the crystal-clear water from the mountain springs.
The Healing Power of Nature
The river water was so clear you could see the bottom, and the mountain springs were icy, pure, and refreshing. Aside from the seawater, every drop of water in this land was drinkable and possessed miraculous healing properties. This was the energy of the water itself—it brought a sense of deep comfort and vitality to and mind. When this water entered the human body, it balanced the complex magnetic fields within, creating a stable, positive energy field that naturally triggered a healthy response. Those who were ill would drink this water and, within a few days, find themselves fully restored to health.
Regarding food, the people here did not hunt. They understood that every living creature, from the smallest ant to the largest bear or deer, possessed a spirit. Instead, they gathered wild grasses, flowers, and various edible mushrooms as their primary sustenance. The mushrooms here were enormous, quite unlike anything seen on Earth today. Interestingly, they were categorised into two types: those for daily consumption and those with medicinal properties. While the edible ones grew in plain sight, the medicinal mushrooms grew in areas with higher spiritual energy. People would not step into those sacred places unless absolutely necessary, so as not to disturb the spiritual energy nourishing those plants.
A Life of Simple Harmony
In terms of clothing, the people wove garments from dried grass. They simply fashioned tops for women and skirts to cover the lower body. There was no decoration, no concept of beauty or ugliness. Men left their chests bare and used similar grass skirts to cover their private parts. As for shelter, most lived in mountain caves, using stones as tables and chairs.
We had no transportation; we travelled everywhere on foot. It is quite remarkable that our feet naturally grew into a shape perfectly suited for long-distance walking, allowing us to traverse great distances with ease. The entire environment was maintained in a state of perpetual silence. People did not speak much, and there was no written language; instead, we communicated through sound, imagery, gestures, and the use of simple tools.
There was no money here, no currency, and no trade. Everything was shared. If someone needed something, it was freely given. All things generated by heaven and earth belonged to everyone. If two people needed the same item at the same time, they would naturally choose to yield to one another.
The Great Tremor and the Power of the Heart
The hearts of the people were pure and kind, untainted by any corruption. The natural lifespan was between fifty and seventy years. At that time, I had no family; I lived entirely alone. Every day, I could see the Buddha right before my eyes, yet the people of this land did not yet know the Buddha, nor had any been taught here. I spent my days contemplating how to make them aware of the Buddha's existence.
Although the environment was generally stable, there were occasional crustal movements. Each time the earth shifted, it brought powerful tremors. Even though people lived in safe areas, both humans and animals were filled with fear. Animals would sense the tremors before they arrived and run back to their nests; the people would then know a great earthquake was coming. Some, however, were not fast enough and would perish along the way.
One day, I arrived at a vast field where a large group of people had gathered. Everyone was lying on the ground, enjoying the sunlight. The animals were not afraid of the humans, as they knew the people here cherished all life. Suddenly, the sensitive animals received the message of an impending earthquake. Some pricked up their ears, others opened their eyes wide, and some sniffed the ground. They let out long cries to warn one another. Hearing this, both humans and animals prepared to flee to safety.
At that moment, I stood up from the crowd and let out a long, loud shout. Everyone and every animal turned to look at me. I gestured for them not to be afraid and to stay exactly where they were. They looked at me with wide, confused eyes, wondering what I was doing.
I raised my hands, gesturing for everyone to join their palms together just as I did, and to close their eyes. The people here had pure hearts, and each carried a clean energy. When everyone returned their hearts to their most pristine state, a massive, positive energy naturally arose between heaven and earth. The entire space became filled with light, and the impending earthquake was subdued by this powerful, positive energy.
Spreading the Name of Namo Amituofo
When everyone slowly opened their eyes, they saw a brightness they had never experienced before. I then used gestures to tell them that the Buddha is always in our hearts. The Buddha is a light that brings stability and peace; when the heart is in sync with the Buddha, one naturally feels the Buddha's presence.
I knew of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I knew the holy name of Namo Amituofo, but no one here had ever heard of it. I hoped to share this holy name and the magnificence of the Western Land with them, so that they, too, could return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss at the end of their lives.
Through this event, I had gained the trust of everyone. They knew that although I was just a child, I possessed abilities different from theirs and could help them resolve disasters. They deeply believed I possessed inconceivable supernormal powers.
I gathered everyone together and communicated in our simple way. I let them know the purpose of our gathering was to share the Dharma. I used various images and gestures to introduce the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It was a beautiful kingdom, and I pointed toward the distant sky. The people here, whose hearts were so connected, naturally understood what I meant. After explaining it once, twice, and three times, they began to understand the world I was describing—a distant, beautiful land where everyone who went there became incredibly happy, free from sorrow and grief, living in eternal . Furthermore, there was endless food. With just a single thought, food would appear before them, and in an instant, it could vanish. Anything they wished to do could be realised through intention. What an amazing place!
A Legacy of Rebirth
When the people understood the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, they were filled with joy, hoping that at the end of their lives, they could go to that beautiful place. Then, someone curiously asked, 'How exactly does one get there?' I introduced them to the Teaching Master of the Western Pure Land, Namo Amituofo. He is Infinite Light and Infinite Life; He possesses infinite , wisdom, and virtue. By possessing the of Faith, Vows, and Practice, and by single-mindedly chanting 'Namo Amituofo' at the end of one's life, one can be led by Namo Amituofo to be reborn in that magnificent Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
I used the sounds they were familiar with to teach everyone to chant 'Namo Amituofo'. When I joined my palms and closed my eyes again, they understood that it was 'Namo Amituofo' who had helped resolve the disaster.
'Namo Amituofo' began to spread throughout the land. People chanted the holy name of Namo Amituofo at all times and in all places. Through my explanations, they also came to understand the importance of doing good and helping others. Those who already possessed kind hearts became even more purified.
I lived in that land for sixty years. During those sixty years, many people were reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss because they chanted the Buddha's name. These people who had achieved rebirth inspired the younger generation to follow in their footsteps. They deeply believed that the Buddha truly resides in everyone's heart. As long as one keeps kind thoughts and chants this holy name of Namo Amituofo at all times, one can reach that enviable, beautiful kingdom at the end of life.
After completing my mission in that life, I returned to the West, preparing to appear on another planet, in another space, to continue to deliver sentient beings.
Journeying Through the Universe with Practitioner Su
I followed the of Practitioner Su, rolling and leaping, flying freely through the universe. How vast is the universe? It is boundless and immense. All kinds of sentient beings may appear in the universe, and all sorts of different planets, even ever-changing spheres, exist within it.
Practitioner Su allowed me to return to the past. I arrived at the planet I had once stepped upon, where I had carried the holy name of Namo Amituofo to deliver the spirits of that world. Many spirits on those planets truly relied on their own ability to chant the Buddha's name and achieve rebirth in the West; they were a group of highly spiritual extraterrestrials.
Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to have come to these planets to deliver their sentient beings, allowing them to deeply remember this holy name of Namo Amituofo and to chant the Buddha's name to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
