The Wisdom of Correction and Compassion

This is a record of an interview with the 369th Venerable, Luobina, who lived approximately 1,450 years ago. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on February 23, 2019.

Luobina speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Luobina. In the life I am reflecting upon today, I was a young man living in a time of great political turmoil. My father was the highest-ranking official in our town, a man of integrity who truly cared for the civilians. Yet, the bureaucracy was a dark, treacherous place, far removed from the ideals he held when he first entered public service. He often felt disillusioned, continuing his work only out of a deep sense of duty to the people.

A Gift of Perception

From the time I was in my mother's womb, my father followed the advice of friends and introduced me to the Buddha’s teachings. I was a receptive child, and I took to the Dharma naturally. I loved reading the sutras and seeking guidance from teachers. My father, wanting me to understand the true nature of the world, often brought me to private gatherings of officials. He wanted me to see that even those dressed in the finest robes could hide dark, complex characters beneath their clothes. He did not want me to judge others, but to learn to see into their hearts.

Under his training and the influence of the Dharma, my Six Roots became exceptionally sharp. I could perceive scents that others could not, hear sounds beyond the reach of ordinary ears, and look into a person's eyes to see their true intentions. I learned to view everyone through the lens of Goodness. I saw that people were not inherently evil; they were often driven by fear and the need to protect themselves in a harsh environment. I knew that if they were taught properly, their hearts could change."

The Poisoned Banquet

"One day, my father had to leave the city unexpectedly and asked me to host a banquet for several high-ranking officials. As the meal was served, I immediately sensed something was wrong. 'The food is poisoned!' I announced clearly. The room fell into chaos. Some had already eaten and were turning pale, clutching their stomachs. I immediately directed the staff to provide emergency aid.

I knew exactly who had placed the poison. I did not expose him publicly, but I caught his eye—a gaze that held no anger, but a powerful, firm command to stop such behavior. After the situation was under control, the man approached me privately. He was a young official, barely twenty, whom my father had mentored and supported. He confessed, 'Your father is kind to everyone, but when I saw him being kind to others, I felt jealous. I wanted to poison the one I envied.'"

Healing the Heart

"I looked at this young man and saw the void in his heart. He had grown up in a family where he was constantly compared to his brother, learning only to compete and seek validation through achievement. I used the wisdom of the Dharma to guide him, helping him see that his jealousy was a manifestation of his own unfulfilled need for love. I spoke to him of the Great Compassion of the Buddha, and he wept before me. He realised that his actions were not his true intent, but a result of impulsive, misguided conditioning. He resigned the next day, leaving a letter stating he was heading into the mountains to practise, to repent before the Buddha, and to transform his life. I was overjoyed for him; he had made a grave mistake, but his heart still held the seeds of Goodness.

This experience solidified my resolve. I knew then that I must leave the household life to become a monk, to use the identity of a Bhikshu to save more beings. My father fully supported my decision, knowing that the path of the Buddha is the only path that leads to true benefit for all beings, never for oneself alone."

A Life of Silent Service

"I entered the monastic life at twenty-three. I applied every word of the sutras to my daily life, using the Buddha-name to perfectly settle my Six Roots. My perception, already sharp, became even more pure, allowing me to serve beings with greater efficacy. I spent my life re-educating hearts, helping that city of mixed good and evil return to its original purity. I sought no fame or profit. Though I saved countless beings, I remained unknown, quietly following the teachings of the Buddha until the end of my life, when I attained rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Today, I see Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body saving countless spirits. Some return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, while others are reborn in the human world. All those saved by Practitioner Su will one day support her mission, providing her with even more capable disciples. The Causal Conditions are maturing, and it is a time for Practitioner Su to manifest even greater wonders. I am deeply grateful to the Buddha for his compassion, and to Practitioner Su for her boundless mercy. Namo Amituofo."