The World Speaks: The Spiritual Vision of Venerable Fan Tianshan

This is a record of an interview with the Venerable Fan Tianshan, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 949 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing, on September 1, 2018.

Venerable Fan Tianshan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Fan Tianshan. I remember lying on the open ground, gazing up at the vast expanse of the sky, watching white cloud after white cloud drift lazily overhead. It felt as if I could perceive entirely different worlds hidden within the folds of those clouds—it was truly fascinating! Suddenly, a sharp 'Smack!' echoed as my sister patted my head and chided, 'Stop being lazy, Tianshan! Get to work immediately!'"

A Family Bound to the Earth

"The Fan family had been farmers for generations. My father learned the intricate techniques of cultivation from my grandfather. He possessed a remarkably clever mind; whatever he planted seemed to thrive under his care. Initially, we only sold our agricultural produce to the residents of our village, but gradually, our reach expanded to neighbouring villages and eventually to the major cities. Every single day, people praised the exceptional quality of the fruits and vegetables my father grew.

Our production did not rely solely on my father's efforts; there was a powerful team supporting him behind the scenes—us children. From a very young age, Father told us, 'Don't bother with school. Just follow me to farm, plant vegetables, and grow fruit. Reading books is useless. You still have to eat, drink, and sleep every day, so you might as well work hard and keep your body healthy!'"

The Boy Who Saw Beyond

"I had fifteen sisters. Including myself, there were sixteen children in the family. I was the only boy, the sixteenth child, the youngest, and the family treasure. Everyone—grandparents, parents, and sisters—adored me. Though they loved me, they did not spoil me. Whatever work my sisters did, I had to do as well. By the age of five, I was already working in the fields with my father. My frame was small, and there was not much I could do, but I loved the feeling of being part of the whole family working hard together. Whenever I had a moment of rest, I would lie on the ground and look up at the sky, telling stories about the ever-changing clouds. In every cloud, there were different people living, wearing various costumes, with different appearances. They seemed to come from all the different nations of the world. The adults thought I was just letting my imagination run wild, but they did not know that I was seeing them for real.

Sometimes, it was not just the clouds; the fruits and vegetables my father grew would speak, too. Sometimes I would see a melon smiling at me. They were happy to be planted in this field, watching the Fan family work happily every day. They wished their own lives could be so carefree. Originally, they had struggled to feed their families, pouring their lives into their crops, only to become the very produce they tended—harvested, sold, and eaten, only to be reincarnated to grow again. I listened to their stories every day. My family thought I had a strange illness, talking to the air. I did not know how to explain it to them, so I eventually stopped trying and just spoke to these interesting things in private."

The Changing Seasons of Life

"As I grew older, my fifteen sisters, all charming and trained by Father to be capable women, became the objects of pursuit for many men in the village. They were determined to help the family farm and had no time for romance. However, my parents worried that if they waited too long, they would become old maids. My parents' worries were unnecessary. Given their beauty and reputation, they were 'snapped up' quickly. As I had predicted, once my parents gave the order to marry, the house became incredibly lively. Men came to visit one after another. First the eldest sister, then the second, the third, the fourth... within half a year, all fifteen sisters were married. Only I remained with my parents.

With fifteen fewer workers, Father decided to rent out half the land and take it easy. He told me that this land would eventually be passed to me, to be inherited and then passed to the next generation. 'This land is the history of the Fan family,' he said. 'It is filled with the details of our lives and should be preserved.' I had no other thoughts about the future, so I simply nodded to my father: 'I understand.'"

The Weight of Human Existence

"The quiet days lasted only half a year before the house became bustling again. My sisters returned to their maiden home to prepare for childbirth. They gathered with their large bellies, sharing common topics—husbands, in-laws, and child-rearing. The house was as noisy as a marketplace. At six years old, I could not get a word in. I had no interest in their topics. While I was happy for them, I felt a deep sense of confusion about life.

Within another half year, the house was even more crowded. Twenty people were now living where three had resided. My sisters' children were born one after another, and they all returned home for my mother to help them through their postpartum recovery. I was suddenly promoted to an uncle. At six, I looked at these cute nieces and nephews and felt happy, but when I looked at my sisters, I saw how they had poured their youth into their families. In just one year, they had aged. My parents did not notice, but I saw it clearly—the new wrinkles on their faces could not escape my eyes.

Watching my sisters—feeding, cooking, soothing crying children—I could not help but wonder: Why must one marry and have children? Their once happy and quiet lives had changed completely. They were wives, daughters-in-law, and mothers, all exhausted by the demands of the household. I shook my head. I would never marry or have children. Life did not have to follow this path; it could be lived with more meaning."

The Truth of the Marketplace

"Every day, I listened to the stories of all things in heaven and earth. I had heard of many different lives; at six, I understood life better than my parents. They only cared about the present, playing with grandchildren and farming. It seemed peaceful, but where would they go after death?

As I grew, I began to feel compassion for the suffering of sentient beings. I saw the souls that became all things after death. Before, I had treated it as stories, but now I understood their suffering. They were trapped in their own worlds, unable to leave. I listened to them, but I could not save them. I watched them being carted away in ox carts, wondering where they would end up.

One day, I followed an ox cart to the market. Vendors were shouting to sell their goods. I looked at them: this was Auntie Pig, that was Uncle Cow, Brother Pumpkin, Sister Green Pepper, and the old woman sitting there was a Ghost Granny. What a shocking sight! I finally understood why there were souls in so many things—these people were about to become the very livestock and produce they were selling! The harder they shouted and pushed their goods, the more they began to resemble them. I looked at the produce I had brought and then at my reflection in a cup of water. Thankfully, I did not look like any vegetable yet. This scene left me deeply shaken. I felt a surge of sorrow. Everyone worked so hard, only to end up like this? It was all too worthless."

The Sanctuary of Dharma

"After leaving the market, I naturally walked toward a temple I had passed many times but never truly noticed. Today, it seemed particularly striking. The energy inside was a world of difference from the marketplace. There was a purity there that the outside world lacked. When I saw the monastics, I could not help but exclaim, 'What clean faces!' Each one had a compassionate and dignified appearance. Some were meditating, some reciting sutras, some explaining the Dharma to the world, and others soothing troubled hearts. They all practiced in the same temple, striving for the Buddha's teachings, gathering only for meals or ceremonies.

I found a master gazing at the grass. He was communicating with a worm—not with words, but with his mind. The worm truly understood. After the master finished, he pressed his palms together and recited a string of words. I rushed forward and asked, 'Master, what did you just say to the worm?' The master replied, 'This worm is a spirit. It did not know it had become a worm. The karma it created in the past led to this life. I showed it the Buddha, and it finally realised its current form. I also showed it the sins it had committed, and it repented. It just recited the six-character name, Namo Amituofo, with me. Its spirit has already left the space of this worm and moved on to the next destination.' I was as happy as if I had found a treasure. So, this name, 'Namo Amituofo,' could help these suffering souls escape their worlds!"

A Path of Light

"From that day on, I recited this name to the spirits in every space, telling them that only by chanting could they be liberated. I spent my days helping the spirits of the produce chant, immersing myself in the Buddha-name. The spirits I saw became clearer and clearer. I sighed—if everyone in this world becomes a ghost or an object after death, what will happen to the people living now?

I returned to the temple and asked the master, 'What is the meaning of life?' He asked, 'What kind of life do you want to live?' I scratched my head and replied, 'I don't want to marry and have children like my sisters. I don't want to become a ghost or an object after I die.' I followed the master's advice and went to the temple every day to listen to the sutras. Sometimes I brought my parents and sisters. Within a few lessons, my sisters were weeping before our parents. They regretted marrying. They finally understood that life did not have to be that way—they could choose the path of learning the Buddha's teachings. They began bringing their husbands to listen, and the whole family started to accept the Buddha's teachings. I knew my path: a straight, bright road leading to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. My only task on this road was to deliver sentient beings. I became a monastic—it was my choice and the most perfect arrangement."

The Great Work of Deliverance

"I fulfilled my wish, becoming a monk and actively delivering sentient beings. My eyes could see through multiple dimensions, and I used the name 'Namo Amituofo' to perform Chao Du for the spirits within them. I walked this bright path of deliverance every day, drawing closer to the other shore. Finally, at ninety, I arrived at my true home: the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am grateful for this magnificent causal condition and for everything I encountered. Namo Amituofo.

Now, I am even more grateful for the opportunity to follow Practitioner Su into the universe to perform Chao Du. I am currently learning to speed up my deliverance, because Practitioner Su's speed is truly incredible. His compassion is such that he cannot bear to see any being suffer, not even for a second. To help them escape their suffering, he constantly accelerates the speed of deliverance. My speed is still not fast enough. Watching Practitioner Su's Dharma Body change rapidly, seeing entire planets being liberated—the name 'Namo Amituofo' is spread throughout the universe. I am honoured to participate in such a magnificent event. I carry this six-character name to planets connected to me by karmic affinity, learning Practitioner Su's methods to help these spirits reach the light. Depending on their vows, their sincerity in believing in the Buddha, and their own merits and causal conditions, they go to their next bright destination. Some are lucky enough to return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo, who does not abandon a single being, and I am grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su, which makes this magnificent deliverance possible. Thank you, Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Namo Amituofo.