Together We Achieve the Western Path, Together We Become Western Beings

To transform the confusion of sentient beings in this Dharma-ending age, who are burdened by heavy karma, one must possess profound skills and great wisdom. Without these, such a transformation is difficult to achieve. One must first clear away the fog of confusion and resolve all doubts; only then can the heart become pure, calm, and free from waves of agitation.

The Journey to the Western Pure Land

Namo Amituofo. I am Hsu Yun. In my aged and weary state, I have been fortunate to receive the grace of Practitioner Su. Through his invitation, I was brought down to this realm. Guided by the collective chanting of the assembly and the leadership of Practitioner Su, the Buddha-light manifested before me. This allowed me to enter the radiance of the Buddha, behold Namo Amituofo, and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Therefore, I now transmit this message from the Western Pure Land to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia.

In truth, whether the Western Pure Land lies ten trillion Buddha-lands away is entirely a matter of the heart, and entirely a matter of Faith, Vows, and Practice. For Practitioner Su and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is right before their eyes and within their hearts; it is not located in some distant, unreachable realm. Because the Buddha-heart, Buddha-actions, and Buddha-vows of Practitioner Su are identical to, connected with, and in sync with those of Namo Amituofo, this place is the Pure Land, and the Pure Land is this place. When hearts are in perfect resonance, the barriers of time and space simply cease to exist. This is the truth of the matter, which is the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Lessons from a Lifetime of Seeking

People in this world often believe that their own thoughts, perceptions, and mental notes are correct. They cling to these views, and in doing so, they harm themselves. This is one of the primary reasons why beings continue to create karma and remain trapped in the cycle of rebirth. Throughout my life, I travelled across thousands of mountains and rivers, visiting famous monasteries and sacred sites, all in my quest to seek the Dharma and find the Truth.

During my pilgrimage to Mount Wutai, I fell gravely ill. It was only through the compassionate intervention of Manjushri Bodhisattva that my life was preserved. This act of grace made me realise that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are always within our hearts; if one is sincere, the response is certain. During that pilgrimage, I held one firm resolve: no matter what difficulties I encountered, even if my life were at stake, I would complete my mission. I was determined to seek the Dharma at the feet of Manjushri Bodhisattva. Even if I were to receive only a few words of teaching, it would have been worth it. In the end, the Bodhisattva manifested to care for me with great tenderness, teaching me that life is precious and must be cherished.

This experience led me to hold the precepts even more firmly. To protect my spirit and ensure that the True Teachings would long endure, I lived each day as a manifestation of the lifeblood of the Buddha’s teachings. Because of this, I lived in this human world with a mind free of attachments and thoughts, eventually departing peacefully at over one hundred years of age to enter the inner court of the Tushita Heaven.

The Power of Moving Meditation

I once entered samadhi and went to the Tushita Heaven to listen to the Dharma for a single session; when I returned to the human world, two or three months had already passed. By the same token, Practitioner Su has realised his true nature and attained the Dharma Body. He is able to remain in this world in his physical form while, every single morning, his Dharma Body manifests in countless ways to perform Chao Du for beings in the underworld and across the galaxies of the universe, helping them be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a manifestation of profound meditative concentration. This form of moving meditation is even more powerful than the stillness of sitting meditation. Such deep skill is not achieved overnight, and it is worthy of study by all future students of the Dharma.

The Three Learnings of Precepts, Samadhi, and Wisdom are essential courses for all schools and lineages. Without the Precepts, there is no Samadhi; without Samadhi, the mind easily follows external conditions, and there can be no talk of developing Wisdom. By taking the Precepts as the foundation, one can develop a concentrated mind that does not move when faced with external conditions. If the surface of the water is without waves, it naturally becomes clear enough to see the bottom. When all things are understood with absolute clarity, the nature of wisdom naturally unfolds, and one can realise one's true nature.

A Sacred Land for Awakening

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a pure land within the human world. Here, Practitioner Su uses his skills to cultivate those who have the potential to realise their true nature. I believe this mission will succeed. To transform the confusion of sentient beings in this Dharma-ending age, who are burdened by heavy karma, one must possess profound skills and great wisdom. One must first clear away the fog of confusion and resolve all doubts. Only then can the heart become pure, calm, and free from waves of agitation. Only when one remains unmoved by any favourable or adverse conditions does one have the opportunity to behold one's original face. Those who have realised their true nature are rare; they are the treasures of the human world. They can transform difficult situations without harming the lives of beings, and they can relieve suffering, bringing peace and happiness to body, mind, and spirit. If people in this world can use their eyes of wisdom to recognise those who have realised their true nature, they will gain immense benefits.

Practitioner Su is a leader among those who have realised their true nature. He is capable of sending countless beings to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. How many people in this world possess such skills? Furthermore, the fact that so many Westerners have appeared to provide testimony is something that one cannot help but believe. Yet, it is truly a pity that so few people hear of this, or worse, refuse to believe it. However, the Truth remains the Truth. It is the fortune of the people of this world that is obscured, but this does not cause the slightest harm to Practitioner Su. He continues to act according to the Truth, saving beings according to karmic affinity, and remains naturally at ease in all matters of principle and practice.

An Invitation to the Amituofo Village

Today, on the grounds of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Namo Amituofo truly abides. There is a plan to build an unprecedented Amituofo Village, which will allow residents to settle their hearts, stabilise their spirits, and benefit from chanting Namo Amituofo, performing prostrations, and attending Dharma assemblies, all while advancing on the path to the Western Pure Land. Do not allow yourself to be stained by impurities; even if you are, you can cleanse the dust away within this great environment. The water source here, under the blessings of Namo Amituofo, is like the Eight Virtues Water of the Western Pure Land, possessing healing properties that soothe the spirit and calm the mind. How can one derive the greatest healing from this water? The difference lies in the heart of the user. The more you can resonate with the purity and goodness of the Western Pure Land, the more you will be able to manifest the greatest healing power of this water. If you come with a heart that is merely testing the waters, you will certainly not suffer a loss. Those who come will know that this is a bodhimanda for quiet retreats in the Pure Land school. Those who reside here will be guided by Practitioner Su at the time of their passing to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Everyone must cherish this opportunity.

A human life is hard to obtain; the chance to use this life for such a purpose is like the sand between one's fingers. If you were to grab a handful of sand from an endless beach, most would slip away, leaving only a few grains remaining. This opportunity is rare, like a pearl in the ocean—hard to encounter and hard to see among the vast, boundless seas. I hope that those with karmic affinity will join together to assist in the construction of the Amituofo Village and participate in residing there. Together, we shall achieve the Western path; together, we shall become Western beings. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Fazhe.