A Final Breath in the Flames

Li Yunfeng, a forty-year-old man who perished in the tragic Wang Fuk Court fire in Hong Kong, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This interview, recorded on December 14, 2025, by the chief writer Fa Ning, captures his harrowing final moments and his subsequent journey to the light.

Li Yunfeng speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Li Yunfeng, and I am forty years old—a middle-aged man, neither young nor old. My life was a bit different from others; I had almost no family left in this world. They had either passed away or drifted apart, so I lived alone with my pet cat. Of course, I had a decent social life. I had many friends both inside and outside of Wang Fuk Court, so I didn't feel particularly lonely.

A Decade in Hong Kong

I have been in Hong Kong for nearly ten years. I went from being a young man to a middle-aged uncle in the blink of an eye. Life is always unpredictable; I never imagined I would come to Hong Kong, let alone stay for a decade. Over these ten years, my small business ran quite well. While I wasn't wealthy, I had more than enough to live comfortably on my own, and every year I had enough spare money to travel abroad. Such a life was surely the envy of many. Like my name, I was like the clouds and the wind, enjoying drifting from place to place. Yet, once I moved into Wang Fuk Court, I never left. I suppose that was my karmic connection to Hong Kong.

Speaking of the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court, my heart still trembles whenever I think about it. I was in the prime of my life, living vibrantly, yet I perished rapidly in that fire, leaving nothing behind. It is hard to feel reconciled to that. However, after listening to the Dharma at the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, I realized that my previous life was nothing but a waste of time. It provided no help to myself, the world, or the countless beings within me. If one lives in this world only for oneself, one is merely a vessel for spiritual attachments, growing old, suffering through birth, aging, sickness, and death, without any true autonomy. Looking back on my life, it was indeed just like that—very ordinary, yet very boring. I only thought about my own food, clothing, housing, and transportation, and everything I did was for my own personal enjoyment. I suppose that is the reality for most people, isn't it?

The Day the Fire Struck

When the fire broke out, I wasn't actually at home; I was at my studio managing my business. The guests who visited my studio were familiar, long-term clients who were always satisfied with our work. Because we were well-acquainted, I would personally invite them to my studio to admire my latest designs. I worked in home design, and I was very particular about details. My clients were generally families with some financial means, so they were quite generous when they were satisfied with a design. That was how I operated my business.

That afternoon, a client mentioned that a building in the Tai Po district was on fire. I thought to myself, 'I live in Tai Po, too,' so I asked if he knew which building it was. When he said the words 'Wang Fuk Court,' my heart went cold. That was my building! But I quickly comforted myself, thinking that Wang Fuk Court had eight blocks, so the chances of it reaching my unit were slim. After they left, I quickly headed home to check the situation and see if there was anything I could do. It took me thirty minutes on my small motorcycle to get back at top speed. When I arrived at Wang Fuk Court, it was a disaster. At least three blocks were already engulfed in flames. Fortunately, the block I lived in was further away, so it seemed safe.

A Fatal Decision

I didn't think twice and ran toward my building, thinking that my block and the one next to it didn't seem to be burning yet. Everything still seemed safe. Although the surroundings were filled with thick smoke, the impact wasn't severe yet. I wanted to quickly go home to retrieve my passbook and my cat. I thought I would take the cat out to stay somewhere else for a few days, just so it wouldn't choke on the smoke at home. At that moment, it never crossed my mind that the fire would reach my doorstep. I had such confidence in the hundreds of fire trucks and firefighters; I assumed the fire was already under control. Looking back, I wonder if I was being naive or just plain foolish.

Since I lived on the sixth floor, I ran up quickly, intending to grab my cat, my passbook, and some important documents, and then run back down. By then, the thick smoke had begun to fill the hallways. I started to have difficulty breathing, but the path back to my home was still clear. Once inside, I quickly scooped up my cat, grabbed my important documents, and stepped back out toward the door. By then, the path back was no longer clear. I wondered, 'How did the smoke get here so fast?' There was no one else in sight. Was I being too naive?

I reached the stairwell and went down one floor, but suddenly, my cat and I were surrounded by a rapidly advancing wall of fire. It was absolutely shocking! When did the fire reach our building, and how did it reach where I was? I held my cat tightly, thinking that this time, I was truly going to be buried in the sea of fire. There was no way forward or back; I was truly trapped. In those final moments, I had a brief period of solitude to reflect. I thought about everything I had built in Hong Kong over the last ten years, and I couldn't help but burst into tears. It was heartbreaking. I loved my life and my work; everything had been so wonderful. The little things I usually took for granted now felt incredibly precious. I also regretted not doing more for my parents while they were still alive. I had this lingering regret in my heart. As I thought about it, I cried and cried as the fire closed in. The despair and helplessness of a grown man facing death—it was a sight I never imagined for myself.

The Agony of the Flames

When the fire reached my body, I felt my skin split open instantly. The pain penetrated deep into my marrow; it was searing, agonizing, and I felt as though my entire being was being consumed by flames. It was like being roasted alive, just like the barbecue I used to enjoy, only this time, I was the one being cooked. At that moment, any movement or collision with my surroundings brought a pain so visceral it felt like my soul was being torn apart. My cat let out a few shrill cries before it passed away—that is how fragile life truly is. I, too, collapsed after one final, agonizing roar, and with that, I bid farewell to the world I once knew.

After I died, my heart still ached. I could feel it—a pain that pierced right into my soul, the pain of losing everything. I couldn't find my cat anymore. I drifted alone, step by step, only to realize that I had never left the scene of the incident. This time, however, I was watching the fire from a distance. It burned more and more fiercely until, in the end, almost all of the Wang Fuk Court buildings were consumed. It was a truly terrifying sight. I grieved without a goal, thinking that this would be my life from then on—living in the darkness of the spirit world.

The Light of Deliverance

After what felt like several days, I suddenly felt the whole place brighten up. Light was shining everywhere. It seemed as though everyone had emerged, and I realized there were so many spirits drifting around me just like me—something I hadn't noticed for so long. In an instant, I saw my cat, and in the next second, he entered the light with me, and we arrived in another world.

After asking around, I learned that this place was not in Hong Kong, but at a temple in a small part of Australia called the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This was the Western Dharma-Nature Land, a world that only spirits can enter. I am so fortunate that the world I arrived in is filled with light. And to my utter amazement, not only was I renewed, but my cat was no longer a cat—he had transformed into a human! I later learned that he had originally possessed a human body before he became a cat, so he had simply returned to his human form. He was such a handsome young man!

This place is a land of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. It was established by Practitioner Su of the human world after she made her Ultimate Vow and became a Buddha, all under the blessing of Namo Amituofo. The purpose is to lead all of us suffering beings—countless beings, not just from the human realm, but from the spirit realms and even the demon crowds—to be saved by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su! We are such a lucky group. Even though we died in a fire in such a miserable state, being personally led by the Buddha and Bodhisattvas allowed us to be reborn. This is a rare occurrence indeed! I, Li Yunfeng, am so grateful. Even though I had no virtue or ability, I was still saved. From now on, I must follow the Buddha diligently, stop drifting in the world, and help many, many others. As I thought this, I noticed the lotus flower beneath me blooming even more magnificently, emitting a fragrant scent. It was as if the Buddha was encouraging me—encouraging me to follow the Buddha and never leave.

Well, I must go back to chanting Namo Amituofo! If anyone is interested in our stories, you should come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to see for yourself; you will understand what a 'heaven on earth' really is. Remember, if you can, chant Namo Amituofo more and don't overthink things! The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a wonderful place; don't miss the chance while you are still alive!

Namo Amituofo.

Li Yunfeng"