A Final Homecoming to the Western Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Zhang Niancai, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the human world to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on January 14, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Zhang Niancai speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. To my son, my daughter-in-law, my grandson, my granddaughter-in-law, and my two great-grandchildren: today, I have finally made the decision to let go of my identity in this world. I have listened to the sutras for such a long time, and only now have I truly decided to return to my real home—the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Joy of Family Reunion

Every time I see my two adorable great-grandchildren, I cannot help but smile. They are so mischievous! I know they have caused trouble for Practitioner Su and everyone else at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and I am deeply grateful to all of you for your patience and for teaching them. It must have taken many lifetimes of accumulated blessings for our family to finally encounter the Buddha in this life. Before this, I watched as your hearts remained restless and unfocused, unable to make a firm commitment to the path. My heart was heavy with worry for you. But now, seeing that you have all decided to remain here at this Buddha-land to nurture my two great-grandchildren, my heart is filled with joy. And I am even more joyful knowing that we will all be reunited in the Western Land in the future.

A Debt of Gratitude

I want to express my deepest gratitude to my daughter-in-law. It was you who facilitated this wonderful Causal Condition for us to study the Dharma. You allowed your father-in-law to find liberation; otherwise, my spirit would still be wandering aimlessly, and I certainly would not be able to speak to you all so happily as I am doing today.

My son! You are getting on in years now. It is time for you to follow the path and chant Namo Amituofo diligently, so that one day you can come to the Western Land and reunite with your father.

Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation

Keying, my grandson! It is time for your heart to settle down. You must be grateful to Practitioner Su for helping to raise your two sons, and you must learn to be content. You must realise the importance of practice, otherwise, you will find yourself growing old while chasing after the needs of your children.

To my granddaughter-in-law, thank you for bringing two great-grandchildren into our family. You are here at the Buddha-land, accumulating merit and virtue, and building blessings for our entire family. Do not lose your temper with the children so often; nurture them well, for they are destined to be great leaders in the future. You have truly worked so hard.

And to my two great-grandchildren, you may not fully understand who your great-grandfather is, but you must be good, you must listen, and you must grow up well. Above all, you must keep a heart of gratitude and understand that in the future, you will follow Namo Amituofo to help save others.

A Promise of Future Achievement

I am so happy to see that each of you is doing well. You have such immense blessings—you must cherish them. The most important thing is for each of you to achieve success in your own practice. I will be waiting for you in the Western Land so that we may be reunited.

Most importantly, I want to thank Practitioner Su for saving our entire family and for guiding me to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Western Land is so bright, so full of light! My heart has become so open and clear, and I have learned to cherish what is right before me. After I finish travelling through the Western Land, I will follow Namo Amituofo and study diligently. I will be in the Western Land, and you will be in the human world—let us each strive forward and achieve success. Namo Amituofo."