The Wisdom of the New Dragon King

This is a record of an interview with the new Dragon King of the West Sea, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now reflects upon the events surrounding the rain-making Dharma assembly held in early 2020. This testimony was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on February 28, 2020.

The New Dragon King of the West Sea speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Greetings to everyone. I am the newly appointed Dragon King of the West Sea. My father, the former Dragon King, along with the Jade Emperor, many relatives and officials from the West Sea Dragon Palace, the elders of the other three sea regions, and the gods of rain, thunder, lightning, and wind, have all been guided to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This was made possible by Practitioner Su during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, in recognition of our successful efforts to bring rain to Australia.

A Testament to Compassionate Resolve

The successful completion of this mission was not merely the result of the coordination between the Jade Emperor, the four Dragon Kings, and the gods of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. Most importantly, it was the result of Practitioner Su’s compassionate heart. Her determination to save sentient beings, her refusal to be deterred by difficulties, and her ability to find a way forward through any obstacle—these are the qualities that define her. It is no wonder that her Dharma Body deliverance is so deeply respected by the heavens, the spirits, and all beings throughout the universe.

I have spent my time by my father’s side, assisting him in managing countless affairs, so I was deeply involved in the progression of this event. My father has always been cautious and prudent, yet he is also deeply protective of his subordinates. When he delegated tasks, he gave everyone the space to demonstrate their own strengths. This is the attitude and mind-capacity of a true leader, and it is a model that I strive to learn from."

The Changing Tides of the Ocean

"My father is five thousand six hundred years old—older than the five thousand years of Chinese history—while I am four thousand two hundred and fifty years old. Although we are of the dragon race, we are well aware of the changes in the eras and the shifts in the human heart. We frequently receive reports from the West Sea region about how various marine creatures are being indiscriminately hunted and slaughtered by humans, leading to a rapid and massive decline in their populations.

Sometimes, to maintain the balance of marine life, we are forced to invite certain creatures to migrate to safer areas. Although they do not wish to leave their familiar homes, for the sake of the greater good and their future generations, most obey and move to other regions. They then gradually adapt to the local environment and water temperatures, which has caused some changes in the physical appearance of fish, shrimp, shellfish, and larger marine beings. Those who understand the ocean may be aware of these processes, but for most humans, the priority is simply satisfying their appetites and maintaining their fishing habits. Dealing with these issues requires the wisdom and sensitivity of those in positions of authority to keep the harm to a minimum."

The Retribution of Cause and Effect

"My father often sighed, saying: 'The world is declining. Humans have lost the compassion they once had for the creatures of the earth and the ocean. They are mostly selfish, thinking only of their own interests and whether their desires are satisfied.' This widespread change in the human heart corresponds to the disasters and calamities that occur one after another. This is the backlash of nature’s laws and the retribution of cause and effect.

Therefore, Practitioner Su’s decision to extend a helping hand during the drought in Australia, and the great vow she made to seek rain, is all the more precious. The effort took about two months to succeed. There were times when the rain was insufficient, and Practitioner Su would reject the results, pushing us further. It was only after she taught the local beings to chant Namo Amituofo with a sincere heart, thereby transforming their collective karma, that the Jade Emperor, the Dragon Kings, and the gods were able to provide sufficient rainfall to end the drought without violating the laws of heaven. Such compassion and wisdom are exactly what modern practitioners lack."

A Savior for the Universe

"Throughout history, for a rain-making effort to succeed, the one seeking the rain must possess sufficient merit, wisdom, and virtue to move the heavens and spirits to cooperate and protect the world, thus transforming the collective karma of drought and saving lives. Practitioner Su is that savior.

More importantly, because Practitioner Su has awakened to her true nature through her Buddhist practice, she is able to perform deliverance using her Dharma Body. She has accumulated immense merit and virtue. Beyond her own ability to freely travel to and from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, she has already guided countless spirits to rebirth there. It is precisely because she possesses such skills and conditions that she could promise to guide everyone to the Western Land upon the success of the mission. This is why she received the active cooperation of the Jade Emperor, the four Dragon Kings, and the gods of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning to bring rain and save countless lives. In modern society, such an occurrence is virtually unheard of. This is the power and action of a virtuous practitioner who saves the world; she is truly worthy of our respect and study, and she is a savior for the spirits of the underworld and the entire universe.

Through this rain-making effort, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia has successfully saved countless beings, adding another magnificent achievement to the path of saving the world and guiding beings to the Western Land. As the new Dragon King of the West Sea, I congratulate all the spirits who were fortunate enough to encounter Practitioner Su. I also offer my most sincere and respectful gratitude to Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, and the virtuous members of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for guiding my father, the various Dragon King elders, and the gods to rebirth in the Western Land.

Namo Amituofo."