. I, Sheng Yi, extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you. These are not merely polite words; they are a message sent from the depths of my heart. At this moment, I am residing in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and as I transmit this message to you, my heart is filled with a multitude of emotions.
Although those who study the Buddha's teachings are encouraged to be free from attachment, free from wandering thoughts, and free from sensory , the distance between the human world and the Western Pure Land often feels vast and insurmountable. Yet, at this very moment, that distance has vanished. We are connected through this message, and although this may seem inconceivable, it is the absolute truth.
I offer my deepest praise to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for the incredible achievements it has attained under the guidance and leadership of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Regardless of how many people in the human world may believe in this, I sincerely hope that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre will continue its noble work. This path toward Buddhahood in the human world is far from easy.
The Compassionate Rescue of Sentient Beings
We, the many beings here in the Western Pure Land, have witnessed the immense of Practitioner Su. We have been rescued from various realms, including:
The hells, where suffering is beyond description.
The ghost realm, where spirits wander in endless hunger and thirst.
The animal realm, trapped by ignorance and instinct.
The heavenly realms, which are still subject to the cycle of rebirth.
The four holy realms, where one still seeks further progress.
The asura realm, marked by conflict and pride.
The demon realm, where darkness and confusion reign.
We see clearly that in this Five Turbidities and Evil World, the slander and doubt directed toward the truth are fierce. If it were not for the great courage, the great persistence, and the great perseverance of Practitioner Su, many would have long ago retreated from this path. Fortunately, although Practitioner Su is able to travel freely between the human world and the Western Pure Land, he remains steadfastly in the human world to preserve a clear path to the West for all suffering beings who have karmic affinity. This is a manifestation of the Buddha's compassion. Those who understand this truth will bow in reverence; those who do not understand, let them be. However, I urge you not to slander this work. There are countless beings drowning in the ocean of desire in the human world. It is not that Namo Amituofo does not wish to save them, but rather that their own karmic obstacles make them difficult to reach. Conversely, we who have received these teachings have gained the most profound and supreme benefits of the .
The Truth Behind My Journey
I am the one you know as Elder Sheng Yi of Lantau Island. During my life in the human world, I was fortunate to receive your kindness and support, which allowed me to form deep connections with many monastics and lay practitioners both at home and abroad. From my childhood to the years following my passing, many events and stories have been passed down. However, what you do not know is what happened after I passed away.
Because of the intervention of Practitioner Su—whom you all respectfully call Practitioner Su—my name was called out, and I was rescued from the suffering of the hells. I was guided by a golden light to the Hsiang Kuang Room, where I was able to meet Practitioner Su. It was then that Practitioner Su led everyone in chanting Namo Amituofo, which allowed me to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This process is something that none of you were aware of, and it is what I wish to report to you today. Regardless of the twists and turns of my journey, I am now a resident of the Western Pure Land. I am filled with gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su.
The Hidden Dangers of the Path
When I was alive, I chanted the name of the Buddha and encouraged others to do the same. Many of you likely assumed that I would be reborn in the Western Pure Land. However, the reality was that after I passed away, I entered the hells to suffer retribution. Why did this happen? Throughout my life, I was a transmitter of the Dharma, honoured by many monastics as a master, an elder, and a venerable teacher. I gave countless lectures, presided over ordination ceremonies, served as an abbot, and held high positions in Buddhist organisations. I received many titles and had students everywhere.
Regardless of how much my disciples praised me, when I passed away and stood before the King of Hell, he asked me a question that left me speechless: "You were considered a teacher of humans and devas in the world, yet why is it that not a single one of your disciples or followers has been reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? They are all still trapped in the six realms of rebirth. Is the purpose of Buddhist education not to help beings escape the suffering of samsara and attain Buddhahood?" Because of this, I had to enter the hells to undergo punishment. This was a shock to me, yet I had no words to defend myself. Furthermore, because I received such widespread support and love from monastics and lay followers, a sense of arrogance arose within me. Although it was subtle and not outwardly visible—and I did not even notice it myself—as a monastic, one must not harbour such thoughts. The for this was the hells.
The Vital Importance of Resolving Karmic Debts
Throughout my life, I was strict with my own discipline and taught my disciples to be cautious in their speech and actions. I dared not violate the , and I even prayed for the Buddha's when lecturing on the great sutras, hoping that my explanations would be in accordance with the truth so that listeners could understand the profound and subtle meanings of the Dharma and develop a heart of reverence and a desire to seek the Truth. I did my best to do these things. But why, then, did none of the monastics around me attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land?
I reflect on this with deep shame. I have realised that for beings of the Dharma-Ending Age, even if one's practice and adherence to the precepts are excellent, one often fails at the final hurdle of death. This is especially true due to the interference of sentient beings that manifest at that moment. If a single thought goes astray, or if the chanting of the Buddha's name is interrupted, one loses the precious opportunity to be led by Namo Amituofo to the Western Pure Land. Such subtle thoughts can lead one back into the six realms of rebirth. One must be extremely cautious.
During my life, I did not realise the importance of this, and I did not remind everyone to perform to resolve the karmic debts of their parents, teachers, , and family members from countless past lives. Unless one has already realised one's true nature and attained Buddhahood, who can truly say they have no karmic creditors from their many past lives? Even if one has dedicated their entire life to the Buddha's gate, and even if one feels that studying the Buddha's teachings has changed their destiny, the karmic creditors from past lives may still exist. They may have temporarily set aside their grievances because of the changes brought about by one's practice, but they are merely waiting. As long as one still possesses a body governed by , any slight lapse in body, speech, or mind at the moment of death can be an opportunity for these creditors to manifest. Even if one continues to chant the Buddha's name, if these creditors appear, one's focus can be lost, and one's spirit can be led away into the six realms of rebirth. Perhaps some show auspicious signs, but most of these are merely signs of the heavenly realms. Some may even see Namo Amituofo appear before them, and they are only one final step away from the Western Pure Land, but a single moment of emotional attachment—a glance back at their family or disciples in the human world—causes them to lose the golden opportunity for rebirth.
Building the Amitabha Village
Today, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, having received the Buddha's compassionate grace, is preparing to build the Amitabha Village. This has long been the dream of many who study and chant the Buddha's name, but due to various obstacles, it could not be realised until now. Hearing this news brings me great for those in the human world who have karmic affinity. Because Practitioner Su is here, those who come to reside in the village, once their worldly connections are exhausted, can have their spirits guided by Practitioner Su to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is an unprecedented and truly exhilarating piece of news.
I invite all of you to participate in the construction and the witnessing of the Amitabha Village. On this piece of land, which is a part of the Western Pure Land, let us build a home for ourselves and for all beings to return to the West.
