The World Without Colour or Taste

This interview features the Venerable Zikong, a practitioner who lived five hundred years ago. Born with a unique condition that rendered him unable to perceive colour or taste, he spent his early life in a world of sensory deprivation. Seeking deliverance from the cycle of suffering, he eventually encountered the Dharma and attained Awakening. This testimony was recorded on August 6, 2019, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where his spirit now resides, having been delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Venerable Zikong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zikong. This is the name I took when I practised in the human world five hundred years ago. My eyes were born unable to perceive colour. Even the most vibrant, multi-coloured scenes appeared to me only in shades of black and white. I never knew the beauty of a rainbow, nor could I distinguish between a red flower and a green leaf. To me, a flower was simply a flower, and a leaf was a leaf—there was no distinction in hue. My family and friends sighed at my condition, unable to imagine how I could possibly navigate a life so devoid of visual richness. They looked at me with pity, wondering how a soul could find meaning in a world that appeared to them as a monochrome void.

A Life Defined by Absence

Beyond my inability to see colour, my sense of taste was also severely impaired. I could not discern the flavours of anything I ate. Bitter melon was bitter, but what is bitterness? Sweet melon was sweet, but what does sweetness feel like? Everything I consumed tasted exactly the same; there was not a shred of difference. People often asked what meaning my life could possibly hold when I could not see the beauty of the world or taste the deliciousness of food. Yet, I did not see it that way. I found a strange, quiet peace in this sensory simplicity.

While I had these innate deficiencies, I possessed strengths that others lacked. When the streets were fouled by stray dogs, leaving the area smelling foul and filthy, everyone else would cover their noses and hurry past. I, however, would take up cleaning tools and clear the mess one by one. When others were only concerned with their own affairs, I was the one sweeping the street from end to end. Some laughed at me, calling me a fool for seeking out work, but I never agreed. In my understanding, providing convenience to others and preventing them from feeling troubled was my duty. If it was something I could do, I felt I should do it. I did not seek praise; I simply sought to be of service to the beings around me.

The Joy of Simplicity

I was often mocked as a simpleton because I never knew how to haggle or compete with others. When my brothers scrambled for the easiest tasks, leaving the difficult ones for me, I accepted them with joy. To me, having work that I was capable of doing was something to be cherished. When everyone fought over the best food, leaving only a morsel for me, I accepted it gladly. Since everything tasted the same to me, there was no need to worry about how much I had eaten. Even when they left the worst-tasting scraps for me, I ate them with complete satisfaction. I was the youngest of twelve siblings. Though I was different, my parents could not focus all their attention on me. Facing my strange condition, they did not seek out special doctors, believing that as long as it did not hinder my growth, it was not a major problem.

I spent eighteen years living in this black-and-white, tasteless world. To others, it was a life of suffering and torment, but to me, it was a period of gratitude. These eighteen years shaped my positive character. I learned 'non-greed' from a young age. I only needed enough food to survive; I required no beautiful clothes, no fine shoes, and no gourmet meals. Whenever my parents brought home items that were not enough to go around, I would give my share to others. This naturally expanded my mind-capacity and allowed me to view the world with greater detachment. I was learning, without knowing it, the very essence of letting go.

The Burden of the Unseen

The greatest test of my life occurred when I was sixteen and seventeen. During those two years, my vision failed completely; I was effectively blind. I remember a major event in town where many homes were burglarised, but ours remained untouched. For a brief moment, I felt a flicker of pride—a subtle, selfish thought. Immediately, my vision began to blur, and soon, I was plunged into total darkness. By then, my brothers were married with children, and my sisters had left home. Only my elderly parents remained. They were too frail to care for me, and I could not bear to see them worry, so I tried to manage my own needs. That period was filled with hardship. I once scalded my left hand with boiling water, causing it to fester and inflame. Fearing my parents would see, I endured the pain, walking along the wall to the eaves and coating my hand in mud, thinking it would heal. It only worsened. Eventually, I could not lift my hand, and my parents discovered it. They rushed me to a doctor, and though I nearly lost the hand, it eventually healed, leaving only scars.

I was a young man, yet I was useless, unable to do anything because of my blindness. My elderly parents were waiting for me to care for them, but I was the one who needed care. I stayed home, feeling like a burden. I tried to help, but often made things worse, leaving my parents to clean up after me. My brothers urged me to be content and stop thinking so much. I spent my days sitting by the window, feeling the breeze, or talking with my parents, day after day. It was a period of deep reflection, where the darkness of my eyes forced me to look inward at the darkness of my own attachments.

A Glimpse of the Truth

In my eighteenth year, I met a noble person. I was sitting in the courtyard, basking in the warm sun, when I heard someone reciting scriptures nearby. It was a young boy, perhaps seven or eight years old. I strained my ears to listen. He was repeating: 'All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows; like dew and like lightning; thus should one perceive them.' When he reached the gate, I greeted him. I asked, 'Little boy, what were you reciting?' He replied, 'It is from the Diamond Sutra. Don't you think it's interesting? Life is like a dream, unreal, like bubbles on water, like morning dew, like a flash of lightning. It is all fleeting and transient. Why cling to this body? It is all an illusion!'

His words struck me like a lightning bolt. I realised, 'He is right! Why should I lose heart over these eyes? I should be more proactive in grasping the meaning of life!' The boy was startled by my intense reaction. I thanked him for injecting new hope into my life. I told my parents not to worry, for I would take responsibility for my own life. I bid them farewell and set out on the path to find the Truth, determined to break through any trial with a fearless heart. I was no longer a victim of my circumstances; I was a seeker of the ultimate reality.

The Weight of Karmic Debt

Leaving home, I walked with my staff. Soon, a ball rolled to my feet. A child's voice called out, 'Big brother, give me the ball!' As I reached out, the children laughed, 'He's a blind man! He can't see us!' They began throwing stones at me. I shouted, but they continued until a voice stopped them. A man approached and chased them away. He said, 'I know who you are, and I admire you! I am also eighteen. As a child, I lost my legs and was filled with self-pity. But you once shared your food with me and gave me your new shoes. You told me, "A single shoe highlights its own unique beauty." Your acceptance changed my life. If you, who cannot see colour or taste food, can live so positively, what does losing a leg matter? I am now a father of three, living a happy life.' I was happy for him, though I could not recall the act of kindness. His story encouraged me: if I could give hope to others, could I not find confidence in myself?

I continued my journey, searching for the old monk who had taught the boy the Diamond Sutra. The road was treacherous, filled with potholes and stones. I told myself, 'The harder the path, the more I must press forward. Without the bitter cold of winter, how could the plum blossom be so fragrant?' My resolve was stronger than ever. I rested on a large rock, sweating in the heat, listening to the cicadas. Suddenly, I heard light, steady footsteps. I asked, 'Do you know where the Venerable Miaotian resides?' The man replied, 'That is my master.' It was destiny. He told me, 'My master knew you would meet me at this time and place. He instructed me to bring you to the temple.' As we crossed a bridge, we heard a boy crying. He had lost fifteen sheep belonging to a wealthy man named Master Wang. We accompanied the boy to the Wang estate.

The Law of Cause and Effect

Master Wang served us tea. Though I could not taste it, the aroma told me it was excellent. He loved praise, and I complimented his tea, which delighted him. I then asked, 'Where does this smell of mutton come from?' The boy and the monk were confused, but I smelled it clearly on Master Wang. He admitted he loved eating mutton at every meal. The monk told him, 'The spirits of those sheep are still following you.' Master Wang was terrified. I advised him, 'Release the fifteen sheep you are about to buy. Stop eating mutton and perform good deeds to deliver the sheep you have already consumed.' I then told him the story of Wang Chun, a butcher who died in agony, his body rotting and smelling like the pigs he had slaughtered, his mind haunted by their spirits. Master Wang was horrified and agreed to release the sheep and perform good deeds to save his own life. It was a stark reminder that our actions carry consequences that echo through time.

The Path to Awakening

We arrived at the temple. Though I could not see the Buddha, I felt a brilliant light. I prostrated towards the golden statue of Namo Amituofo. The boy who had recited the sutra was a little novice there. The Venerable Miaotian sat before me and asked, 'Having lived this life, what have you realised?' I replied, 'I realise that my life of sensory deprivation was a result of my own past vows to remove greed. If I still clung to this world, I would be the greatest fool.' The Master said, 'Excellent. If you can dwell in this "colourless and tasteless" life without seeking, and learn the Dharma, you will surely attain Awakening.'

He explained that my past killing of sheep was being repaid in this life, and that by saving the fifteen sheep, I had begun to resolve those karmic debts. I vowed to let go of everything and focus on the Dharma. I sat at the back of the main hall, listening to the monks recite the sutras, memorising them word for word. Day by day, I practised diligently. I saw the world through the sutras and the sutras through the world. Life is an illusion, but the Truth is real. The sound of chanting Namo Amituofo filled my ears. I would go to the back of the temple and chant the holy name with all my heart. The power of this Buddha-name is truly inconceivable. For four years, I did not slacken. My desire to escape the cycle of rebirth became more intense. I wished to spread the Dharma to help others break through their delusions. When I made this vow, my eyes suddenly saw light. I saw the vibrant colours of the world—the red of the flowers and the green of the leaves. I sighed, realising that the world people are so obsessed with is nothing more than this.

At thirty, I attained Awakening. My life experiences became the resources for my teaching. I worked tirelessly to deliver sentient beings, seeking no fame or merit. At the end of my life, I returned to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am eternally grateful for the compassion of the Buddha. Practitioner Su is the best example for people today, a true Buddha manifested in the human world. The world is full of dust that confuses the mind, but Practitioner Su, born as an ordinary person, attained the power of a Buddha through the heart of letting go and the selfless power of compassion. We must cherish our human body and the opportunity to hear the Buddha's teachings. Delivering sentient beings is not easy; without merit, virtue, and the skill of the Dharma Body, one cannot guide beings to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Seeing Practitioner Su using the Dharma Body to deliver spirits in space, I see the Buddha-heart. May all who wish to deliver beings follow the Buddha's path, and they too will be able to save countless suffering beings. Namo Amituofo."

Recorded by the disciple Shi Fajing.