A Final Act of Kindness Amidst the Flames

This is a record of an interview with Chow Shun-wan, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life and his passing during the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on December 4, 2025.

Chow Shun-wan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chow Shun-wan, fifty-two years old. I was a bachelor living at Wang Fuk Court. My name, 'Shun' for smooth and 'Wan' for clouds, is one I have always cherished. My life, while not without its minor storms, was generally smooth and unobstructed. Even when I encountered difficulties, I found it easy to part the clouds and see the sun. I was an optimistic person who loved to help others. In my neighbourhood, I was the one who brought people together; people felt at ease and happy when they saw me. That remained true right up until the moment I perished in the fire.

The Unsettling Atmosphere

That morning, I had gone out to run some errands and returned home early. By the afternoon, a strange, unsettling energy began to permeate my home, making me feel deeply uncomfortable. I am a sensitive person, so I immediately ran out into the corridor to see what was happening. I saw black smoke rising from the floors below, and the smell was foul. I did not know whose apartment had caught fire, but my instinct was to help. At that time, the fire was not yet massive, so I ran downstairs to investigate.

After descending a few floors, I realised this was no ordinary fire. The intensity of the smell told me it was a full-blown disaster. I remembered that my neighbours on my floor were likely unaware of the danger, as no one had yet treated it as a major event. I immediately rushed back up to my floor, intending to knock on every door to warn everyone that things were dire and that they needed to escape immediately.

A Desperate Race for Survival

When I reached my floor, I was shocked to find that fire had already broken out right in front of my own door! My neighbours were scurrying about in a panic. The fire seemed to be spreading rapidly, and there was a strange, eerie wind that made me feel deeply uneasy. I realised this was a major crisis. I used my loud voice to shout, 'Everyone, leave quickly! Do not worry about your belongings! Saving your lives is what matters most!' After ensuring that the people on my floor knew to evacuate, I turned and ran for my life. I lived on a higher floor, and the path to the ground level was long, filled with obstacles and staircases. It was a gruelling journey, but I held onto hope, believing that the Hong Kong fire services were efficient and that help must be nearby.

After descending a few more levels, the thick smoke suddenly erupted, completely overwhelming my vision and sense of smell. I began to choke, and breathing became difficult. The fire had spread everywhere, though it was not yet impossible to move. I pressed my nose tightly against my towel, hoping the moisture would protect me for a little longer. I had good survival instincts; I made sure not to wear anything flammable, especially loose clothing that could catch fire easily, and I had brought a few masks, though I was unsure if they would be of any use.

The Mother and Child

In the stairwell, amidst the thick, suffocating smoke, I encountered a mother and her child. She was half-carrying the boy, trying to escape, but the child was crying incessantly and seemed unable to breathe. I immediately handed my towel to the mother, telling her to take the child and rush downwards, while I followed behind to guard them. I soon noticed the mother could no longer carry the child; she was gasping for air. I took the child from her, held him firmly against my chest, and took long, determined strides forward. The mother followed close behind. Halfway down, when the mother was to my front-right, we became separated in the chaos.

At that moment, I began to realise the true horror and crisis of our situation. My hope turned into despair. I was deeply worried that the mother and child had been separated—a distance that felt like the divide between life and death. I did not want to be the reason they were apart, so I pushed forward with all my might. In the fog, I could see nothing; every step was a choice between life and death. The child seemed to have stopped breathing; he lay still in my arms, his last breath drawing near. We were all struggling to breathe, feeling a sharp pain and dizziness, and as my body entered a state of extreme exhaustion, I lost consciousness. I suspect the child's mother suffered the same fate, collapsing in that sea of smoke before we even reached the flames.

The Transition to the Spirit World

The moment before I collapsed, I felt a splitting headache. Everything around me was searingly hot, and I took my final breath in that scorching heat. I do not know how much time passed. When I woke, we all felt incredibly light. The scene around us remained, but the smoke had cleared. I saw scattered flames on the ground and charred buildings. I knew the fire was nearing its end, and rescue workers had arrived. Everything around us was pitch black, as if it were the middle of the night. Where were our bodies? We had no bodies! We had truly died.

The child was as bewildered as I was, but his mother was nowhere to be seen. We seemed to exist in a space together, feeling as if we knew each other yet were not truly familiar. The child was surprisingly calm and composed. He no longer felt any pain; he just waited quietly for something to come.

The Light of Deliverance

I do not know how long this state lasted. It was like a dream, filled with a sense of suffering that had nowhere to go. There was a feeling of helplessness; as spirits without bodies, we were in a dull, stagnant state. After some time, I smelled a faint, delicate fragrance. I did not know if it was an illusion, as I no longer had physical senses, but my spirit felt lighter and clearer. Suddenly, everything became bright. A very comfortable light shone upon us. It felt as if these were the true rescuers! We naturally gravitated toward the brightest part of the light. There were many other spirits drifting like us—some in tattered clothes, others looking very old, as if they had been waiting for a long time. We felt like new spirits, unfamiliar with the spirit world.

Regardless, we were all in the same boat, heading toward the light. In the next instant, we saw lotus flowers! There were so many, large and small, and we found ourselves standing upon them. Was this a world of lotus flowers? The child had his own lotus, different from mine, yet we could still see each other. We heard the gentle sound of the Buddha-name permeating the air. It seemed that everything around us, including the lotus flowers, was chanting: 'Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo...' My heart felt a sense of relief. Having known since childhood that the lotus represents the Buddha-land, I felt a joy akin to returning home, a sense of ease.

A New Beginning

Can it be that after death, one can arrive at such a wonderful place? Was I very lucky to have encountered this? I knew about the laws of karma and cause and effect, but it seemed I did not need to experience that cycle; I had come directly to a brand-new, bright world. I even jumped a few times on the lotus flower; this spirit body was so light! I felt completely relaxed and happy. I later heard that this place is the Buddha-land of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, called the Western Dharma-Nature Land. It is located at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and is connected to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The child and I have been quietly experiencing all this beauty; the events of the past have gradually faded, becoming unimportant.

In the few days I have been in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I chant the Buddha-name whenever I wish. If I want to listen to the Dharma, Practitioner Su is there giving talks. I have also seen the people at the temple living wonderful lives, running about and chanting. Everything, including the surrounding natural grasslands, looks so harmonious. These are the practitioners of the human world! I truly envy them for having known the Buddha so early.

A Message to the Living

I have done well, too! Living for fifty-two years was enough. Having few burdens makes for a light heart. A fire brought me to this bright world; it was all worth it! I am very fortunate that although I could not save the child as I had intended, I still received such a great reward. I said goodbye to the joys and sorrows of the human world early and rushed directly into this place to enjoy blessings. I do not know if I am here to practise or to enjoy, but I love chanting Namo Amituofo. I think I will just continue like this, chanting with a light heart. I cannot say what the future holds, but I am already very satisfied with the present. I do not ask for much; I only hope that all those who died in the fire can leap into this beautiful world and stop struggling in the flames.

I am very grateful to the Buddha for giving me this opportunity. Whether it was being called to tell my story or receiving the chance for rebirth, I am deeply thankful. I hope that while you still have your human bodies, you can take life lightly. Do not be overly calculating or entangled in trivialities. After all, you never know whether impermanence or sickness will come first. It is better to be a good person now, a good practitioner who chants Namo Amituofo, and to be proactive in doing good deeds so that whenever you leave this world, you will have no regrets.

To those who know me, here is my advice: If you want to complete your life perfectly and not carry too much sorrow, remember to chant Namo Amituofo often. It can resolve your suffering in this world and, after you pass, lead you to transcend all the suffering of birth and death, returning to the Western Pure Land with Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo.

Chow Shun-wan"