The Compassionate Vow of Master Hong Yi

The Commencement of the Dharma Assembly

On the tenth of April, 2018, the following teachings were bestowed by Namo Amituofo. As the Dharma assembly begins, the drums resonate, proclaiming the truth to all who are present. This gathering is not a coincidence; it is a manifestation of the deep karmic connections we share with one another. We come together to repent, to transform our grievances, and to align our thoughts with the path of awakening. By focusing our minds and purifying our intentions, we open ourselves to the profound resonance of the Buddha’s light.

This is the path to establishing one's life anew. We share the same ancestral spirit and the same breath of life. By honouring our ancestors and offering our devotion, we receive the compassionate embrace of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The power of this Dharma is truly incomparable, especially in its capacity for Chao Du—the spiritual deliverance of suffering beings. You must have faith in the teachings that have come before, and you must strive to realise the fullness of your true nature.

The Testimony of a Suffering Soul

One of the participants in today’s assembly shared their story:

I am one of the many who have gathered here today. My appearance is not pleasing, and I have spent my life hiding in the shadows, terrified of being mocked or ridiculed. From a young age, I lacked self-confidence and lived in a state of self-imposed isolation. As I grew older, I suffered a tragic accident that claimed both of my hands. I found myself questioning the very meaning of my existence. My life felt like a dark, endless tunnel, and I decided that I wanted to bring it to a conclusion.

I walked along the busy city streets, intending to take one final look at the world. I ignored the judgmental stares of the people around me, walking steadily toward the sea. I intended to end my life by jumping into the ocean, for I believed I was a useless person with no purpose left to fulfil. Along the way, I experienced the coldness and warmth of the human world, and the sorrow in my heart was beyond words. I was an orphan, raised by an uncle who treated me with great cruelty. From the age of six, I spent countless years in the darkness of a woodshed, seeing through the illusions of this world at a very young age.

A Vision Beyond the Veil

When I reached the seaside, tears streamed down my face. I closed my eyes and prepared to leap. Suddenly, a powerful force struck me, and I fell into the churning currents of the sea. My physical body was submerged in the vast ocean. At thirty years of age, I felt no pain. I opened my eyes, expecting that my life had ended. However, the scene before me was something I could never have imagined or accepted.

I saw mountains and valleys filled with hungry ghosts, each one withered and gaunt, their appearance so wretched that it filled my heart with profound grief. I wondered how such pitiful beings could exist. Then, a resonant and majestic voice echoed in my ears, saying: "You have wandered through the evil realms because of your great vows. In your ignorance, you have forgotten your true nature. You suffer only because you are attached to the body. How can you speak of ending your life so lightly?"

My heart broke as I heard these words. I realised that I was originally a member of the monastic community, and my vow was to save suffering beings. Yet, in this life, I became obsessed with my physical form. Alas, now that my life has come to an end, what is to be done? I could only sigh in deep sorrow.

The Wisdom of Master Hong Yi

The majestic voice I heard was that of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, speaking with infinite compassion. I realised that in my original life, I was a protector of Namo Amituofo. After enduring countless kalpas of suffering, I made a great vow to return to this world. In this world, I was known as Master Hong Yi. In that life, I had also experienced the loss of my limbs and lived with a disfigured appearance before eventually leaving this world by the sea. In later lives, I returned to settle the karmic debts with my former wife and family members. As Master Hong Yi, I renounced the secular life to return to the truth. Today, I wish to counsel all of you:

• On the Red Dust:
• Whether the world is good or bad, it is all born from karmic conditions. Why not return to the source?On the True Mind:
• The true mind is unborn and eternal.On Suffering:
• Suffering exists within the cycle of karma. Your true purpose lies in the spirit.On the Future: You must vow to repay the gift of life and no longer dwell in the dust of karma.

All of you, whether monastic or lay, are one in this life, born from the Dharma of Namo Amituofo. You must hold fast to your true nature and not be misled by the illusions of the world. I pray that the Dharma assembly over the next three days proceeds smoothly, and that all beings may be delivered and find benefit. Do not let a single thought stray from your true purpose, lest you waste the precious wisdom-life you possess today. I am Hong Yi, and I am here with Namo Amituofo. Namo Amituofo.

Chief writer: Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.