A Father's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Liu Guofang, the father of Liu Yaxian and Liu Yajun. He sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the intermediate state to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 15, 2026.

Liu Guofang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. My name is Liu Guofang. Today, as the first person to be interviewed after my rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I feel an immense sense of honour. The joy in my heart is beyond words; it is truly indescribable. Upon arriving in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the very first thing we did—all of us who had just been reborn—was to kneel in perfect order upon our lotus seats. We performed three prostrations to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We are all filled with such profound Dharma joy, deeply grateful for the compassionate guidance of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su."

The Inconceivable Transition

"In this very instant, I have experienced such a monumental transformation; it is truly inconceivable. From the moment I passed away and was trapped in that dark, lonely space, to the weeks I spent in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, and finally arriving here in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—every step of this journey has been nothing short of miraculous. I have come to realise that beyond the world we once knew, there exists such a vast, magnificent space. These are truths we never even imagined existed while we were alive.

"When we die, let me speak from my own experience: I underwent surgery due to illness, and that was how I departed from the human world. That entire process was a blur, a state of confusion that persisted until the very last moment of my life. I never truly regained clarity. In such a bewildered state, it is incredibly difficult for a soul to find a good destination after death. When a person loses the ability to control their own mind, they are truly at the mercy of their karma. This is a principle I only came to understand after I had the opportunity to listen to the Dharma in the Western Dharma-Nature Land."

The Confusion of the Afterlife

"At the time, I was actually quite fortunate, as I did not have many karmic creditors coming to claim debts. However, after my passing, because of my own deep-seated attachments, I could not let go of my physical body. I still felt a lingering, sentimental attachment to my family and everything I had once known. Because of this, I spent a long time wandering in that intermediate space. Sometimes I thought I was still alive, and other times I would confirm to myself that I had indeed died. The sentient beings in that space are just like I was—trapped in a state of profound confusion, much like living in a perpetual, hazy dream.

"In such a condition, even for someone who had practised chanting the Buddha-name, it is extremely difficult to maintain the Buddha-name in one's mind. And I, being a person who lived in such ignorance, only knew how to cling tightly to this body, never realising that this body is inherently subject to birth and decay. No matter how desperately one tries to hold onto it, there comes a time when it can no longer function. That is what death is—the moment when the body fails, just as it did for me."

A Father's Gratitude and Warning

"I am far luckier than many others. The fact that my children were able to encounter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and come to know this Buddha-land is truly a blessing for all of us. As a father, I never imagined that my children could be so filial. After I passed away, they registered for me to receive Chao Du, which allowed me to reach such a wonderful place and truly escape that suffering-filled space I was trapped in.

"I, Liu Guofang, have nothing in my heart but gratitude—endless gratitude—because I know that all of this did not come easily. It is a rare blessing to encounter the Buddha in the human world, and for my family and me to have the opportunity to come into contact with such a great Dharma."

The Urgency of Practice

"I sincerely thank my children, and I want to tell you all: 'The human world is truly too full of suffering. Spend as little time there as you possibly can. Start your diligent practice early so that you may come to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss; that is the only truly perfect outcome.'

"In the past, I did not know the preciousness of the Buddha's teachings, but today, it is the Buddha who has saved the life of my spirit. If this spirit had continued to linger in that space, it would not be like the human world, where a few decades pass in the blink of an eye. I have seen with my own eyes that there are countless spirits in that space who have been trapped for a very long time, unable to find a way out. Spirits who have been there for a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand years are everywhere.

"I also hope my children understand this principle: do not cling to the people and things before your eyes, for everything will quickly turn to emptiness. While you still possess a human body, do not end up like me, regretting your choices only after you have become a wandering spirit in the afterlife. Seize the present moment now and practise diligently.

"Since you have come to know the Buddha, you should thoroughly understand the Buddha's teachings and the education of the Dharma. Apply all of this into your daily lives; that is the only way to truly help yourselves—it is not enough to just talk about it. In the past, I had my own subjective views and a stubborn personality. I kept things bottled up inside, and that caused me great harm. Not only did it lead to my illness and surgery, but it also burdened everyone else and cast a layer of dust over my own spirit.

"Finally, I sincerely wish my family and friends who are still in the world all the best. The reason I am able to elevate my spirit so quickly now is because I received the Buddha's assistance. Everyone must be like me: believe in the Buddha and chant Namo Amituofo. Only when your own efforts truly take effect will the Buddha's power be able to greatly support you all.

"Thank you all! Namo Amituofo."