A Father's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Li Xiaoran, the father of Lay Practitioner Li Shuping (Yi Ying). He sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his transition from the human world to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 14, 2022.

Li Xiaoran speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Even now, my heart has not yet fully settled. I find it hard to believe that I have truly arrived at the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am Li Xiaoran, a very ordinary person. It is precisely because of my ordinariness that I find it so difficult to fathom that I could actually reach this place. I am filled with gratitude for this Causal Condition, for the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, and for Practitioner Su and all the Venerables and lay practitioners."

The Clarity of Buddha-light

"Ever since Practitioner Su guided my spirit to the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I have been bathed daily in the Buddha-light and purification. My spirit has become increasingly clear and tranquil. Listening to Practitioner Su deliver Dharma talks, I am deeply moved. I never imagined that such a profound Dharma existed in the world; I had never heard of it before."

The Bitter Reality of Samsara

"Those living in the human world rarely know where one goes after death. When I was alive, I did not know where my departed family members had gone; to be honest, I had never even considered the question. Now that I have left the human world myself, I finally understand that once the spirit leaves the body, it must undergo reincarnation. The path of reincarnation does not necessarily lead back to the human world; one might fall into the animal realm, the hells, or the realm of hungry ghosts. Reincarnation is truly filled with suffering—I understand this thoroughly now."

A Call to the Living

"Life is bitter. Whether one is wealthy or poor, if one does not encounter the Buddha while in the human world, it is suffering. During my time here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I see many spirits coming to seek help from Practitioner Su every single day. They have nowhere else to go; only here, where Practitioner Su resides, is there light—a light that serves as a refuge for everyone. These spirits are filled with regret, regretting that they did not chant the Buddha's name while they were alive. Some were great business owners, others were famous figures—regardless of their status in life, after death, they were all just ghosts. Seeing this, I am deeply touched, which is why I have decided to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and have determined never to walk the path of reincarnation again."

A Father's Gratitude

"To my family in the human world, how is everyone? This is the question I long to ask. Regarding the bonds of this life, I gave birth to Shuping, and she has saved me, her father, sparing me from further reincarnation. I am so thankful to her; she is truly remarkable. I know she has saved many other family members as well, and we have all met here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. It is so moving. Thank you! Finally, I want to say to my daughter: you must hold tightly to the Buddha, follow Him closely, and lead the entire family to study the Dharma together. No matter what happens in this life, you must return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."