A Grandfather's Journey from Hell to the Western Pure Land

Lei Mianfa, the grandfather of Lei Yuanxi, sought deliverance through the Chao Du ceremony performed at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Having been rescued from the depths of the hells, he now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview, recorded on November 15, 2025, captures his reflections on his past suffering and his profound gratitude for the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

Lei Mianfa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lei Mianfa. As I speak to you now, my heart is still trembling with a profound sense of emotion. Everything that has happened—this miraculous shift in my existence—is entirely due to the fact that my grandson, Yuanxi, performed the Chao Du for me. If he had not done so, I would still be trapped in the depths of the hells, suffering and enduring unimaginable torment.

Let me tell you, the hells are truly, truly terrifying. It is a place of such immense suffering that words can barely describe it. To be honest, I was completely shocked when I found myself there. I always considered myself a good person while I was alive, so how could I possibly end up in such a place? But think about it—the standards of 'good' and 'bad' are often difficult to define by our own limited human perspectives. I do not need to say much more on that; I have come to realise that the laws of karma and cause and effect are perfectly fair and impartial. That part of my life is already in the past, and I must accept the consequences of my actions."

A Life-Changing Turn

"Ever since Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su rescued me from that dark, agonizing place, my life has taken a massive turn. It is a complete reversal of fortune. I feel that this time, this turn in my path will finally lead to lasting peace. When I was in the world of the living, I had a physical body, but then I became a spirit without one. Now, having arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I have truly been saved. I am currently residing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, a place of such exquisite beauty that people in the world could not even dream of it in their wildest imaginations. It is incredibly bright and radiant—it is a completely different world from the one I knew before.

I want to offer some advice to those still living: do not be overly greedy. When I was alive, I was consumed by greed. Greed changes the heart; once the heart is corrupted, it becomes damaged, and you find yourself constantly wanting more and more, never feeling satisfied. The result of this endless craving is that you start to scheme and manipulate. If those schemes are rooted in goodness, perhaps that is one thing, but if they are biased or malicious, the outcome is truly disastrous. I urge my descendants and all who hear this: learn to be content. If you have enough to live on, that is sufficient. Do not let greed take hold of your life."

The Peace of Chanting

"This is why I believe that learning the Buddha's teachings is the best path, and chanting the Buddha's name is the most beneficial practice. While I was at the temple, I constantly chanted 'Namo Amituofo'. It brought such a profound sense of peace to my heart. It is exactly like how I feel now, here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. My heart has finally settled, and I have found true tranquility. I intend to stay here forever; I have no desire to go anywhere else. This place is free from all suffering.

My heart is filled with a mixture of joy and deep reflection. At this moment, I feel nothing but overwhelming gratitude. I am so grateful to Namo Amituofo, I am grateful to Practitioner Su, I am grateful to my grandson Yuanxi, and I am grateful to all of you who have made this possible. Namo Amituofo."