A Father's Final Guidance from the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lu Panhua, the grandfather of Lay Practitioner Wang Chunming, who sought deliverance 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 life and his arduous journey through the cycle of being reincarnated. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on September 15, 2023.

Lu Panhua speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lu Panhua. Looking back at my life, the person I feel the most regret towards is my wife. We met, we fell in love, and eventually, we built a family together. But just as our life was beginning to flourish, I was taken away from this human world far too early. At the very moment of my death, my heart felt an unbearable, crushing pain. I suppose that pain was the true reflection of my inner voice—the agony of being unable to let go of the life I had built.

I felt trapped, as if I were bound by the heavy chains of existence. I did not want to die; I was desperate to stay, to be with my wife and children, to continue caring for them. Even as I struggled with every ounce of my being, the relentless force of death eventually tore my life away. I left this human world while I was still so young, leaving behind so much unfinished business and so many broken hearts."

The Agony of the Karmic Debt

"I died in an accident, though many people never truly understood the cause of my passing. In truth, my heart simply gave out. During those final moments, the process of dying was horrific. I felt as though countless beings were pressing down upon me, trampling me underfoot. The pain was absolute, and I felt completely trapped, unable to find any path to liberation. I could not fight them off, and my heart was filled with a bitter, burning resentment. It was only later that I realised these beings were my karmic creditors, coming to collect the debts I had accrued over many lifetimes.

After I passed, I lived a life of profound suffering because I had not changed my karma. For so many years, I wandered in the dark, lonely corners of the spirit realm, a lost soul with nowhere to go. I did not know where I was heading, and eventually, I even forgot who I was. I was a lonely wandering spirit, drifting through the shadows of existence, completely lost in the fog of my own making."

A Wandering Soul Found

"This continued until one day, I heard a voice calling my name. That sound suddenly pierced through the darkness, and I woke up. I followed that voice until I arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It was the immense vow of Practitioner Su that reached into the depths of the underworld, pulling me back and saving my life. I am filled with such profound gratitude for this deliverance.

I have little memory of my time in the human world now. For the past few days, I have been resting on a lotus seat in the Dharma-Nature Land, looking back at my past. I have seen all the lives I have lived throughout my many lifetimes, each one lost in the cycle of being reincarnated, wandering aimlessly, again and again. After witnessing the truth of my own history, I have made a firm, unshakable decision: I must remain awake and clear-minded."

A Final Message to My Children

"I have now raised the sincere vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I have begun to practise with great diligence. Now that I have arrived in the Western Pure Land, my heart has finally found true peace. I know in my heart that I must follow Namo Amituofo forever, for the cycle of being reincarnated offers no other exit but this one.

To my children in the human world: I am so sorry for the suffering I caused you during my life! Watching you struggle from where I am now, my heart truly aches. But there is no way to turn back the clock. I only hope that you will not continue to suffer as I did. My granddaughter was right to introduce me to this place; the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a true bodhimanda of the Great Dharma. You must listen to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su; if you do, your hearts will not feel so heavy with pain. The human world is an illusion—you must hurry and begin your practice.

Your father is waiting for you here in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. When your time comes, I will be the one to come and lead you home. But for now, you must save yourselves. You must also help others to learn the Buddha's teachings; only then will your lives be truly complete.

Do not let your minds be so cluttered with unnecessary thoughts. Listen to your father: you must learn to let go of the things that bind you and begin to practise the Dharma in earnest. Thank you to the Buddha for the compassionate light that led me here. Namo Amituofo."

Lu Panhua bows his head in gratitude.