Venerable Yongning, a monastic who sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, offers her reflections on the current state of the Buddha-. This interview was recorded by Chief Writer Shi Fajing on June 6, 2023.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
". Where does the Buddha-Dharma truly reside? When I ask this question, I imagine many people feel perplexed. They may not understand why I would raise such a query in the first place.
The Purpose of the Dharma
The existence of the Buddha-Dharma is intended to rescue every soul still wandering in the cycle of rebirth. It is here to help every spirit that takes birth in this world find a path to salvation. The Dharma exists to extinguish evil forces and malevolent thoughts, helping the world maintain a state of pure goodness and clean intentions. It brings to suffering people—a joy that emanates from the inner spirit, filling one with the bliss of the Dharma. The Dharma prevents people from living blindly; it clearly illuminates the path to liberation. It is actively working to resolve the suffering of people in this world, but this resolution does not come without cause. It requires guiding the human heart toward goodness, fostering transformation from within, and continuously resolving one's own .
The purity and joy of the heart can be attained through the Buddha-Dharma. In the process of cultivating the mind and nurturing one's nature, one tastes the beautiful essence of emptiness and purity. Even when facing various difficulties in life, if one's faith remains unchanged, the heart will not be disturbed by external circumstances. One knows to hold firmly to the Buddha-name, understanding that these trials are merely the processes of life—they are illusory, not real. What is real is the future life of the spirit; that is when one truly encounters one's authentic self.
The Path to the Western Pure Land
If one follows the Buddha's instructions and practices according to the teachings, one will inevitably reach the pure, luminous, and eternally joyful Western Pure Land. However, this requires constant, unwavering, and firm faith. One must follow the Buddha's actions, perform good deeds extensively, and keep the heart settled within the Buddha-name, the Buddha-heart, and the Buddha-vow.
Yet, such Buddha-Dharma is difficult to find in today's society. When the Dharma becomes tainted by the pursuit of fame and profit, when it is stained by inappropriate colours, when there is discrimination and competition, or when it even becomes a form of superstition, it is no longer the original, pure Buddha-Dharma. It has already deteriorated.
A Beacon in the Darkness
I see many spirits in various spaces who are still anxiously searching for the Buddha-Dharma. They search everywhere, but they cannot find it anywhere because the Dharma is on the verge of disappearing from the Earth. If the Buddha-Dharma were to be extinguished, the world would fall into total darkness.
Fortunately, I still see one bright lamp that continues to persist and burn—it is here with Practitioner Su. When I say this, many who study Buddhism may disagree because they do not understand, but I must continue to speak the truth.
The Buddha-Dharma is here with Practitioner Su. There is no flashy packaging; every word of the Buddha is being used to relight the inner light of people's hearts, the purest and most virtuous nature within humanity. Everyone possesses an inherently good Buddha-heart, yet it has been polluted by the Five Turbidities and Evil World, causing it to become twisted and deformed. Now, here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the lineage of the Buddha is being upheld. Through the Buddha's authentic teachings, people are being helped to rediscover their Buddha-nature and reclaim the light of their own true self.
A Sanctuary for Lost Souls
Here with Practitioner Su, there is no talk of fame or profit, no seeking of rewards, and no need for criticism or praise. Instead, there is true, earnest, and diligent practice. There is a genuine transformation of . By truly following the footsteps of the Buddha, a bright lamp is lit for the world, leading every lost soul that has nowhere to return to back to their home in the Western Pure Land. Every day here is filled with moving experiences. It is the of the Buddha that touches these spirits, and it is this same compassion that has transformed the evil hearts of countless demons in this age of the Dharma’s decline. It helps them return to the right path, surrender to the Buddha, and eventually return together to the assembly of Namo Amituofo.
The Buddha-Dharma should not be lost; the pure and good Dharma should be passed down forever. I hope that those who share this aspiration will protect the Buddha-Dharma together, so that the true and pure teachings may remain in this world for a long time to come.
