A Grandfather's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Wang A-gen, the grandfather of Lay Practitioner Su Yue-e, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the spirit realm to the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on November 14, 2019.

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"We respectfully invite Wang A-gen, who now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and is the grandfather of Lay Practitioner Su Yue-e, to accept this interview."

Wang A-gen speaks:

"I am Wang A-gen. Who is calling me? Oh! It is you! It is the Venerable from the centre where my granddaughter, A-e, practices. Venerable, it is a pleasure to meet you!"

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Greetings, Grandfather. Lay Practitioner Su would like to ask if you have any words you would like to share with everyone."

The Power of the Buddha-Name

"I am doing very well here! It was A-e who brought me to this place. She was always chanting Namo Amituofo. Whenever I visited them, I would hear them chanting, and I would join in. It was only later that I realised one must chant the Buddha-name to reach the Western Pure Land. Thank goodness I did chant; I chanted Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, right along with them.

This Buddha-name is so wonderful to chant, and it sounds so beautiful. When I was just a young boy, I remember hearing the elders chant it, and I even held prayer beads once. But later on, I lost track of those beads, and I stopped chanting altogether. So, when I heard the people at the Buddha hall chanting, I simply followed along. It felt as if I had returned to my childhood, though the time was different—by then, I had already passed away. To think that even as a spirit, I could be called forth by A-e! She is truly remarkable. It is precisely because of her efforts that she was able to send me here to this magnificent place!"

A World of Infinite Splendour

"This place is truly wonderful. I have no worries about food or clothing, and the living conditions are superb—far better than any grand hotel people used to talk about. In my time, grand hotels were rare; only the wealthy could afford to stay in them. If we stayed with relatives or friends, we would mostly just squeeze into whatever space was available, sleeping for a few hours until dawn. I never imagined that the place I live in now would be so spacious, so bright, and so grand. Everywhere I look, there is a shimmering golden light. When I first arrived, I could hardly believe it was real. But now, I have grown accustomed to the beauty of this place.

People in the old days used to say that one should not be too pampered, or one would become spoiled. But A-e, I have grown so used to living here! You won't be taking me anywhere else to live, will you? Everyone is here, and we have each other for company. You even brought Grandmother here, though we do not live together. She prefers to stay where she is, saying it is closer to the Buddha. She is just like your mother, A-dan; neither of them had much schooling. I heard that Namo Amituofo is a wonderful teacher, so she went to the Buddha hall to study and chant with your mother. She is very happy there. As long as she is happy, that is all that matters. Besides, here, whatever I wish for appears instantly. It is so convenient, and I do not even need anyone to buy groceries or cook for me."

Gratitude for a Compassionate Grandchild

"Namo Amituofo is truly compassionate to have built this Western Pure Land for all of us to reside in. Otherwise, after we die, we are left to wander as spirits in the dark and gloomy days of the afterlife. I did not know to be afraid of that before, but now that I know, I am so grateful. Here, everything is filled with light. When I think of the bitter days of the past, I dare not dwell on them, and I certainly never want to go back. This place is so wonderful that no one would ever want to return to the past!

I have heard people in the Western Pure Land say that A-e was originally a Buddha here, but seeing how much suffering there is in the world, she chose to descend to save us. I believe this! You are just as kind-hearted as your mother, A-dan, and even as you grew up, you knew the importance of practice. In our time, practitioners and monastics endured so much hardship; they had to see through the illusions of the world and renounce it entirely to practice. But you are different. You worked in the jewellery business and lived a comfortable life, yet you still knew how to practice and save others. You saved us elders and brought us to the Western Pure Land. You are truly a wonderful grandchild—so obedient and so filial!

Grandfather believes that you came into this world to save people. It is our great fortune that you were born into our family! A-dan was a wonderful mother to have raised such a fine granddaughter. Grandfather is so happy, and everyone is so happy!

Thank you, Namo Amituofo. Thank you, my wonderful grandchild, A-e. Thank you, everyone."

Namo Amituofo.