A Grandmother's Journey from Darkness to Light

This is a record of an interview with Zhang Jinying, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her journey through the spirit realms after her passing. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on July 21, 2023.

Zhang Jinying speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zhang Jinying. To many of you, I remain the grandmother you remember from years ago, but my spirit has undergone such profound changes that I am no longer the person I once was. So many years have passed since I left the human world, and my spirit has wandered through realms I cannot even name. It was so dark and gloomy there—nothing like the bright, sunny days we used to enjoy when I was alive.

When I was travelling along the path of death, I realised I was trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. I knew I was lost, but I had no idea where I was supposed to go. Even though I had heard the name Namo Amituofo and knew of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I could not find my way. I was completely directionless, drifting in a sea of confusion."

The Endless Darkness of Reincarnation

"On that long, lonely road of death, I felt utterly hopeless. I gazed out into an endless, dark void, wondering where I could possibly go. I truly had no idea. It was terrifying—think about it, to be lost in such a vast, cold darkness with no light to guide you! Thankfully, after all this time, my granddaughter, Lay Practitioner Wang Chunming, came to know the Dharma. It was the power of the Buddha that finally guided me out of that abyss.

When I heard Practitioner Su’s voice calling out to me across the space, I was filled with such joy! I shouted back with all my might, 'I am here! I am here!' It was the first time I had felt hope in an eternity."

A Beacon of Light at Hsiang Kuang

"Life in the human world is truly full of suffering! My dear children and grandchildren, when you hear these words from your grandmother, please understand that you must walk towards the light. Right now, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the brightest place in the human world. It was the light from this very centre that reached out and pulled me up from the depths.

We must all be deeply grateful to them. Without the Ultimate Vow and the dedicated practice of Practitioner Su, I would still be trapped in that cold, miserable darkness today, unable to see even a glimmer of light. It is a debt of gratitude that I can never fully repay."

A Grandmother's Final Plea

"After death, a person has absolutely no control over their own destiny. My spirit had already left my body long before I actually passed away. There are so many things in this world that you do not know, but now, from where I stand, I see everything so clearly. This path of reincarnation is just too painful! You must all wake up, seize this precious opportunity, and practise diligently. Do not end up suffering as I did!

I am now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I am doing very well. Please, do not worry about me anymore! I will be waiting here for every single one of you to arrive. In the human world, as long as you have enough to eat and wear, that is enough. You must hurry and focus on your practice, or it will be too late! Namo Amituofo."