A Father's Journey to the Western Pure Land

Lay Practitioner Lian Zelin, the father of Lay Practitioner Lian Xiaomei, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. After his passing, he successfully reached the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded on May 17, 2024, by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, to document his transition and his reflections on the path to liberation.

Lay Practitioner Lian Zelin speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss! My dear daughters, your father has made it to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss! I am filled with such immense joy. I am deeply grateful to the compassionate Practitioner Su for taking my spirit by the hand and leading me here. It happened in a single instant—I never imagined that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss was so close. To Practitioner Su, it seems so effortless to travel here; it is truly inconceivable.

The sight before me is breathtaking. Namo Amituofo, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva are so magnificent, so full of dignity. Their bodies are transparent and radiant. This is the second time I have seen them. The first time was at the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, but I could not see them as clearly then as I do now. Now, the Three Holy Ones of the West are truly standing right before me. I am so moved that I cannot stop bowing; my heart is overflowing with gratitude.

A World Without Suffering

The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a world completely different from the human world. Having only just arrived, I can already understand why there is no suffering here, only joy. There is truly not a trace of suffering. It is nothing like living in the human world, where one is tormented by the physical ailments of the body, and where emotions rise and fall like tides, causing such internal pain. Here, that simply does not exist. Without a physical body, there is no sickness, no suffering, and no turbulent emotions. My heart is so incredibly peaceful.

I love listening to the sound of the Buddha-name chanting here. It sounds as if countless Bodhisattvas are chanting in unison, accompanied by Bodhisattvas playing drums. The drumbeats are resonant yet gentle—it is so beautiful to hear! I do not know how to adequately describe the wonder of this place, but in short, I am truly, deeply happy.

The Weight of Karmic Debt

However, I feel a deep sense of remorse that I did not save all of my karmic creditors and sentient beings with karmic affinity to bring them with me to the West. During my time at the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I saw many of my karmic creditors searching for me, but they could not find me because they were unable to enter that realm. When my daughters arranged for my deliverance and placed my memorial tablet, many of my karmic creditors finally arrived. I saw them clearly. They were all suffering so intensely, having been harmed so deeply by me in the past. Every one of them wore an expression of hatred and sorrow. I am truly sorry for what I did to them.

I seized every opportunity during those Dharma assemblies to chant the Buddha-name continuously. I kept chanting, hoping that my karmic creditors would follow the Buddha and stop suffering. I did see a large group of them being received by the Buddha, but there are still many waiting for me, thinking that I will appear again.

A Final Plea to My Family

I never realised that I had created so much negative karma in my past, harming so many beings. When I was alive, I did almost nothing to repay my karmic debts—I did not even repay one-trillionth of what I owed. I am filled with such regret. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, by listening to the Dharma talks and chanting the Buddha-name, and seeing so many beings coming to seek deliverance during every Dharma assembly, I have come to understand the depth of the suffering of sentient beings.

Just before I passed away, my spirit was terrified. I was afraid because I did not know where I was going. I had not been chanting the Buddha-name with a sincere heart while I was alive, which is why I was in such a state. I hope my wife and my daughters will hold tight to the Buddha-name. You must listen to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su so that you will understand how to change your personality traits and how to truly practise the Dharma.

Your father has learned so much from Practitioner Su. I regret so deeply that I only came to know her after I had passed away. If I had known her sooner, perhaps my level of attainment would be different now. Nevertheless, being able to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is the greatest blessing of all. Thank you to everyone who helped me. I am eternally grateful.

Lian Zelin bows in reverence."