A Father's Final Guidance from the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Chen Yinglin, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the cycle of rebirth to the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on November 12, 2021.

Lay Practitioner Chen Yinglin speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Yinglin. As I speak to you now, I am shedding tears of gratitude, kneeling before the Buddha and bowing my head in profound thanks. I am so deeply grateful to Namo Amituofo, and I am so deeply grateful to Practitioner Su. At this very moment, the feelings in my heart are beyond words; I do not know how to describe them. There are so many 'thank yous' I wish to offer to the Buddha, so many I wish to offer to Practitioner Su, but they are endless—they simply cannot be fully expressed. Thank you! Thank you!

The Illusion of the Human World

From the time I left my family until now, I do not know how many years have passed. I myself have no way of knowing; it feels as though it were only yesterday, yet it also feels like an eternity. Once you no longer possess a physical body, the world becomes entirely different. Only then do you truly realise that the human world is nothing but an illusion. It is a world that only serves to keep the body obsessed with worldly desires. Once that body is gone, there is truly nothing left to cling to.

Xiangbin is my son. I still remember him so clearly, though it has been a very long time since I last saw him. I wonder how his days have been passing in the human world?

A Message to My Son

My son! It is your father speaking. Today is a day of great joy for me. Your mother, Jia Ping, and I have all decided to come to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss together today. Your mother, Jia Ping, and I all want to say thank you to you. Thank you for not forgetting us. Because you found Practitioner Su and arranged for our Chao Du, we finally had the opportunity to attain liberation. Otherwise, I do not know how much longer I would have had to suffer in the animal realm before I might have had the chance to be reincarnated into the human world—and even then, there is no guarantee of being born into a good family.

No matter where one goes in the cycle of rebirth, it is all suffering. Now, as a spirit, I have truly come to understand this reality. Xiangbin, you are no longer young. Now that you have the opportunity to encounter the Buddha, you must grasp it firmly. Although I did not have the blessings to study the Dharma while I was alive, I have been blessed with a son like you who has sent me to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Urgency of Practice

No matter how your life is going right now, I hope that you will study the Dharma diligently and chant the name of Namo Amituofo. You must truly keep Namo Amituofo in your heart. This is the most important thing you must do right now. You must, without fail, seize this opportunity to ensure you reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Life is so incredibly short, and impermanence can strike at any moment. You must listen to your father's words: make the most of your time, do more good deeds, and chant the Buddha's name more often. You must return to the Western Pure Land in this very lifetime. Only then will this human life not have been lived in vain. Only then will your mother and I know that giving birth to you was not in vain. You must remember this.

With deepest reverence, Chen Yinglin."

Namo Amituofo.