Turning Over a New Leaf: The Journey of Venerable Hongguang

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Hongguang, 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 1,320 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 14, 2019.

Venerable Hongguang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Hongguang. From the time I was merely three years old, my mother imparted a philosophy that would define my early existence: 'You must make your own decisions in life.' From that day forward, I was the sole architect of my own destiny. Whether it was the trivial choice of which shoes to wear, the timing of my rising or my meals, or the grander decisions regarding my daily pursuits, I was entirely responsible for every facet of my life. My mother, burdened by the relentless demands of survival, was always occupied—selling goods at the market from the earliest hours of dawn and labouring in the fields long after my father had finished his meals. She simply had no time to nurture or guide me. In truth, my very arrival into this world was an accident; my mother had not intended to bring me into existence. It was only through the insistence of my grandmother, who resided in the neighbouring village, that I was allowed to be born. Had it not been for her intervention, I cannot fathom where I might have been reincarnated by now.

The Burden of Unchecked Freedom

My parents allowed me to do whatever I pleased, which fostered a profound sense of self-will and stubbornness from a tender age. I became a student of the streets, learning by observing the lives of those around me. If I witnessed a wealthy young man courting many women, I was consumed by a desire to experience that same sensation. If I saw someone sell their entire family estate to chase a fleeting dream, I told myself that if I were to have a dream, I would be just as brave and reckless in its pursuit. I wanted to learn everything, and as the years passed, the scope of my activities only expanded, leading me further away from the path of virtue.

When I was ten, my father fell gravely ill and passed away within a year. It was just my mother and me. Although she had not raised me with much attention, I had learned from others that one should be filial. When she became ill, I stayed by her side, never leaving until the very end of her life. By the age of fifteen, the heavy mantle of solitude fell upon my shoulders as I became an orphan. My parents had left behind a house and a modest expanse of farmland, but in my youthful arrogance and lack of wisdom, I squandered this inheritance within a mere ten days. I sold the land to fund the life I thought I wanted, becoming a 'little rich man' overnight. This sudden wealth naturally attracted many women who were only interested in my fortune. I did not turn them away; instead, I indulged in the games that men of the world play. I invested my money in ventures I enjoyed, but before I turned twenty, every cent of my inheritance was gone.

A Descent into Desolation

Homeless and destitute, I wandered alone. The women I had once 'played' with would mock me, whispering behind their hands, 'What a fool!' I heard every word clearly. Looking at my pathetic state, I felt utterly defeated and filled with shame. I truly did not know what I was doing with my life, and the weight of my aimlessness was crushing. I wandered until I reached the next village—my grandmother's home. I remembered the path from my childhood, and as I walked, the memories of that place began to surface. When I arrived, the house looked exactly as it had decades ago. I decided to seek refuge with her.

My grandmother emerged slowly from the house and asked, 'Who are you looking for?' I wept, 'Grandmother, it is I, Hongguang.' She looked me up and down with a stern gaze and said, 'My grandson would never look like this. You are not him!' I was desperate to prove my identity. 'Grandmother, look at me, I really am Hongguang!' I pulled out a chain she had given me as a gift. 'Look, this is the chain you gave me. Please, believe me.' She inspected the chain and finally said, 'Fine, you may stay for a few days. I will see if you are truly my grandson.' I moved to enter the house, but she stopped me immediately. 'A junior should let their elder enter first. My grandson would not be so rude!' In the past, I would have argued, but to prove my identity, I had to obey. 'Yes, Grandmother, please go ahead,' I said, stepping back.

The Grandmother’s Stern Discipline

Within a day, I had turned the house into a mess. Clothes, food, and belongings were scattered everywhere. When I came out of the washroom, I shouted, 'Where are my things?' She replied, 'Go outside and pick them up! You are not my grandson; he would never be so undisciplined!' Seeing my belongings thrown into the yard, the old Hongguang would have been furious, but now, I had no choice but to humble myself and pick them up one by one. Whatever I wanted to do, she blocked me. 'This is my home. I do not allow you to have your own ideas. You will do exactly as I say! My grandson was obedient. If you are him, you will listen.' Even if I had a hundred things to say, I swallowed them. I dared not express an opinion.

Every day was agony. She was strict, and she wouldn't let me leave. 'You moved into my house for no reason. I must know if you are truly Hongguang. If you are a liar, I won't let you run away! You stay until I am certain.' It was the first time in my life I had been disciplined, and though I grumbled, I obeyed. Three years passed. She still hadn't fully accepted me, but I had become docile. In the fourth year, she said, 'My grandson loved to chant the Buddha's name. I taught him when he was small. Do you remember?'

The Return to the Buddha’s Path

I did remember. When I was three or four, I used to chant 'Namo Amituofo' so well that the neighbors would praise me, saying, 'This child will surely be a great Venerable one day.' Grandmother asked, 'Do you remember? Everyone thought you would be a dignified monastic.' Tears welled in my eyes. I nodded and began to sing the Buddha-name melody she had taught me. As I chanted, I felt the decades of pollution being washed away. I was returning to my original, pure self. When I stopped, she said, 'I was intentionally harsh with you to break your bad habits. Now, you are truly my grandson again. You are clean and obedient.' I hugged her and wept like a small boy.

From that day, I followed her in practising the Buddha’s teachings. I opened my heart, admitting that despite my 'freedom,' I had always felt insecure. I had been making decisions since I was three, but I never knew if I was on the right path. I had no guidance, only my own courage, and I never felt at peace. Now, my heart was finally settled. Grandmother told me, 'Let go of the past. Start fresh. Practise the Buddha’s teachings, and I hope you will become a Venerable to save sentient beings.' I looked at her with conviction. 'I will do it! These years have been so bitter. The life of indulgence looked happy, but I was never truly happy. I only did what others did, and I know they are just as miserable. There are too many people like that in this world, and I want to save them. If becoming a monastic gives me the power to save those who suffer, I will absolutely do it.'

A Vow to Save Sentient Beings

At twenty-eight, I entered the temple. Under my grandmother's training, I had changed. To master my teacher's skills, I performed every task over and over. I knew my mission was to deliver sentient beings, and even when my body was exhausted, my determination to save others overcame all fatigue. I spent ten years in practice, purifying myself completely. In my eleventh year, at thirty-nine, I was ordained as a Bhikshu. I travelled everywhere, propagating the Buddha’s teachings and saving the masses. I spent over eighty years in that life, constantly delivering beings. At the end of my life, I returned to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss with a heart full of gratitude.

The Eternal Mission of Deliverance

Now, I follow the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su, alongside many Bodhisattvas and sages, as we venture into the universe. Our day begins by delivering immeasurable and boundless beings—this is the most important task. I am always ready to save those with whom I have karmic affinity. When Practitioner Su opens the space, I immediately begin the Chao Du. Countless beings manifest, and I chant the Buddha’s name without pause. This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity, difficult to encounter in millions of years. I cherish every second, fearing that I might waste even a moment, for a single Buddha-name can save immeasurable beings. I am grateful to Practitioner Su for her compassion, which allows me to use my strength to help in this deliverance. I will continue to seize every precious moment. Namo Amituofo."