The Wisdom of Ageless Practice: Lessons from Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong

Shi Faxi, a disciple of the Buddha, humbly requested that Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong provide a detailed explanation regarding the nature of his illness during his life. The intention was to offer a mirror for other practitioners to reflect upon their own journeys. We are deeply grateful for the compassion of Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong. Namo Amituofo.

The Hidden Truth Behind Illness

Lay Practitioner Jiang Weinong offered a gentle smile and began his response. He noted that such a question is indeed profound and insightful. He explained that his illness was not a natural occurrence. It was not a reflection of a lack of effort in his practice, but rather a manifestation of a deeper reality. Practitioners, in their ideal state, should not be burdened by illness. However, as he had previously touched upon, his condition was the result of a vast number of karmic creditors manifesting and interfering with his path toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

He revealed that there are many truths within this experience that remain unknown to most, and which few have ever dared to explore. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is truly unique in its capacity to uncover these hidden layers of existence.

The Weight of Emotional Attachment

As Practitioner Su has often observed, there are times when one enters different dimensions of space. For Jiang Weinong, this often occurred in the most subtle of moments. He recalled a period in his forties when he suffered a profound sense of loss following the passing of his beloved wife. She was his partner of many years, and her departure left him in deep sorrow. He felt as though he had seen through the vanity of the mundane world, yet, following the wishes of his parents, he eventually remarried. However, this second union was one of name only, lacking true emotional connection. His life felt as though it had fallen into an abyss.

In his dreams, he would frequently encounter his first wife. She remained as beautiful and gentle as he remembered. In these visions, she would reach out to him, and he would embrace her, weeping bitterly, begging her not to leave. This cycle continued for over a year. It was only after this period that the attachment to his departed wife began to fade, allowing him to return to a normal life. Yet, those months of dreaming had cost him a portion of his spirit. He remained trapped in the atmosphere of his past, forever lingering with his wife, even while his physical body remained unaware of the toll this was taking. One could see the lingering depth of his emotions simply by looking into his eyes.

The Trap of Noble Attachments

In his later years, Jiang Weinong focused his body, mind, and spirit on the path of the Buddha. He took refuge in the Three Jewels and experienced a sudden awakening to the Truth of the Buddha's teachings. He delved deeply into the Diamond Sutra, finding such joy that he often forgot to eat or sleep. Since ancient times, few have truly expounded upon the profound mysteries of the Diamond Sutra. He made a vow to complete a comprehensive set of notes on his study of the Diamond Sutra, determined to explore its magnificence in detail.

At that time, though he had years of experience in reciting the Diamond Sutra, he was still a beginner in his understanding. He began participating in various Buddhist activities and accepted invitations to share his insights. Only after studying with great masters for some time did he feel confident enough to expound upon the Dharma. He shared his thoughts with a spirit of humility. Although he had been in contact with the Diamond Sutra for nearly forty years, he realised that his depth was still insufficient. Through constant exchange with the public, he gained further insights into the Dharma. He then spent a year in seclusion, refining his lecture notes. These days were incredibly fulfilling, yet he failed to notice how illness was quietly creeping into his life.

The Subtle Interference of Karmic Creditors

Looking back now, he clearly sees the cause: it was attachment. Even though he had achieved some success in his study of the Diamond Sutra, he carried his own behavioural patterns into his daily life, his practice, and his participation in Buddhist affairs. He was attached to his work, often neglecting his physical health. When inspiration struck, he would work for days without sleep, sometimes even without drinking water, driven by a stubborn insistence on completing his tasks. His perfectionism regarding his lecture notes, which he insisted on proofreading repeatedly, further eroded his physical well-being.

Especially when his energy was depleted, memories of the past would resurface. During these moments, his body was being invaded, yet he remained unaware. He only knew that his body felt weak. During the rainy season, the dampness and the gloomy weather naturally attracted more sentient beings. Combined with his own physical weakness, this often led to feelings of impatience. Although he possessed great awareness and would stop these thoughts immediately, the subtle connection had already been made. He would seek medical treatment, rest, and recuperate, but he rarely performed the necessary Chao Du to help the sentient beings attached to him. Because he did not see this dimension, he remained ignorant of it.

Awakening and the Ageless Path

He often felt a chill in his body, which became more pronounced as he aged. Now, he understands that this was also due to the presence of these beings. His attachments were not inherently evil, nor were they low-level habits; they were simply attachments. His interests were largely related to the study of the Buddha's teachings and the exploration of the sutras. He felt immense Dharma joy from these pursuits, but he never calculated how many spirits with similar habits existed in the void, all connected to him by karmic affinity. His passion in this life was surely a reflection of deep Dharma affinity from many lifetimes past.

The karma of his life was the result of actions taken throughout many lifetimes. Even with diligent practice in this life, karmic illness can still manifest if one does not release the subtle attachments that remain. Practice can lead to easy success, but if one cannot see these subtle layers within oneself, the path becomes difficult. He shared these reflections with the hope that they would benefit others. Practice is truly magnificent; everyone should practise, rediscover their true nature, and find meaning in their lives. Only then can one truly become the master of one's own destiny. Namo Amituofo.

Indeed, a true practitioner should not be plagued by illness; it should be a source of eternal radiance, possessing the power to maintain one's vitality and youthfulness.