A Father’s Journey from Reincarnation to the Western Land

This is a record of an interview with Chen Chiquan, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his journey from a state of reincarnation as a turtle to his current liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on April 19, 2022.

Chen Chiquan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Chiquan. Since arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I have been working diligently to let go of the past. I do not want to waste the precious opportunity that my son-in-law, Ah Chang, provided for me by arranging my Chao Du. However, my emotional attachment to my family remains deep. Even after being guided to the Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for such a long time, I found it difficult to leave because my heart was still tethered to them. Although I was listening to the Dharma in the Dharma-Nature Land, I was constantly watching over my family’s lives. It pained me deeply to realise that I was now only a spirit and could no longer protect them as I once did.

Gratitude for a Second Chance

My dear children, your father has been gone for a long time now. Whether or not you have thought of me, please know that I am doing very well now. I owe this entirely to Practitioner Su, who reached out and pulled me from the body of a turtle. Please, Ah Chang, convey my deepest gratitude to Practitioner Su on my behalf. Without that intervention, I would still be lost in the darkness of the lower realms, suffering in ways that are beyond human comprehension.

During this time, I have observed the changes in the world and in Hong Kong. I see that life has become increasingly difficult for everyone, and there is a growing sense of unease and anxiety in people's hearts. It saddens me to witness this, and I know that a large part of this suffering is caused by the state of the human heart itself. I was saved by the Buddha, and it is my sincere hope that the Buddha’s teachings can be widely propagated, reaching deep into people’s hearts to help them transform their lives for the better.

A Mission of Compassion

Ah Chang, the work you are doing now is truly virtuous. It is a great undertaking that helps people escape the cycle of samsara, and I am incredibly proud of you for this. Even though the current economic climate is challenging, you must not stop your efforts in doing good. When the opportunity arises, I hope you can share the significance of your work with my daughter and my grandchildren. Let them understand what you are doing, and perhaps they can even support you and participate alongside you. This would help bring the family’s hearts closer together.

Beyond that, it is a chance for them to realise that life is not just about what is immediately in front of us. They must understand the importance of seeking liberation. Otherwise, life becomes a cycle of rising and falling, where everyone is merely here to suffer, and in the end, no one can escape the arrangement of karmic retribution.

Words of Wisdom for My Daughter

My daughter, you are my child, and I understand you well. I hope that you and your husband will continue to support one another. I felt at peace entrusting you to Ah Chang’s care, and I hope that you will support him in all aspects of his life. Ah Chang has changed so much since he began practising the Dharma. I truly hope that you will follow in his footsteps and even help your siblings to learn the Dharma together.

Life is already more than halfway over, and the children are grown. You can afford to let go of your worries now. Do not hold onto things too tightly; let the past be the past so that you can find true happiness in this life. I hope you will be a good example for your children—not by providing them with the most luxurious life, but by truly teaching them how to be good human beings. I hope they, too, can follow Ah Chang’s path and learn the Dharma. Ah Chang is a wonderful son-in-law, and I hope you will be more considerate and kind to him.

Life is very short. I hope you can all cherish every single day, and that your hearts may remain steady, peaceful, and at ease. Namo Amituofo."