A Grandmother's Journey to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Wang Huang-mang, the grandmother of Venerable Fafan and Lay Practitioner Wang Jianzhong. She sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her life and her transition to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Hailiang, on April 15, 2022.

Wang Huang-mang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Today is truly a wonderful day! Oh, to have arrived in this hall, shimmering with golden light. There are so many sentient beings here. My dear grandson, I am so incredibly fortunate to have reached this place! Practitioner Su called out my name and your grandfather's name. Out of so many people, to be called up like that—what immense blessings we have! I worked from childhood until I was old, but I had never attended such a grand Dharma assembly. This time, it is all thanks to the Causal Conditions of you and your brother.

The Blessing of Deliverance

Practitioner Su called our names, and your grandfather was so happy. We followed sixty prison guards, and we were filled with joy to be heading toward the Western Land. My good daughter-in-law, Yuanyang, and your father both came to receive us. In the blink of an eye, we arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Everyone quickly knelt down, kneeling before the Buddha to express our gratitude for His compassion, and to thank Practitioner Su, the Venerables, the lay practitioners, and the volunteers for their help in chanting Namo Amituofo for us."

A Lifetime of Diligence

"Thinking back to my youth, ever since I became sensible and married your grandfather, I was always frugal and worked with great diligence. Looking at you two grandsons, I see that you share the same character. My dear grandson, your diligence is just like your grandfather's and mine. As the ancients say, 'Diligence and frugality are the foundation of life.' Your grandfather and I built our home through sheer hard work. From our youth, we were very earnest and helped others with their tasks, always hoping that we could save some money or land to leave for our descendants so they could live a good life. But even after working hard for a lifetime, we only had a little bit to show for it. That is what they call 'earning as much as one's blessings allow!'

In our era, everyone was truly a good person. To ensure the family had three meals a day, we would go out to work in the fields for others, and even then, we were not always sure if we would have enough to eat. Fortunately, our ancestors were always watching over us, and both your grandfather and I encountered many noble people who helped us along the way."

Gratitude for the Family Legacy

"Since your father passed away, I have seen how you, A-Zhong, have taken up the responsibility of caring for the whole family. And especially you, A-Cai, becoming a monastic at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is truly the best decision of your life. You have met a great noble person, Practitioner Su, so you must cherish this opportunity. Although I was no longer in the human world when you were born, and I missed the chance to see your cute face, I would see you at the ancestral memorial tablets during the Qingming Festival. Now, in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I can still see you, and I see that the offerings you prepare for the ancestors are always very abundant.

The Wang family is truly blessed to have married a daughter-in-law like Yuanyang. She was so filial to us while she was alive, and even after we passed, she continued to prepare such wonderful meals for us. Although we were in the ghost realm, we were still reluctant to leave our home. We saw everything from within the memorial tablets, and I am so moved that even after my death, I could still experience such a good life through your care."

The Truth of the World

"I understand now. Only after listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks did I realise that everything in this world is illusory; only the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is real. Listening to these teachings is what allowed me to let go. We are now Buddhas in the Western Land. A-Zhong, A-Cai, we are now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss with your father and mother, waiting for you. Your brother and you are both honest and diligent people; Heaven has been very kind to you, and both of you have taken up the study of the Buddha’s teachings."

Final Words of Wisdom

"A-Cai, Practitioner Su takes such good care of you. You must remember to be grateful—grateful to the Buddha, grateful to Practitioner Su, and grateful to all the Venerables and lay practitioners. Everyone in this temple treats you so well; I have seen it all. You were not destined for marriage in this life, and it is fortunate that you do not have a wife, as women can be quite fussy and narrow-minded, which is very troublesome! A-Cai, let Grandma tell you: just follow Practitioner Su closely in this temple, and you will be on the right path. You have such great technical skills; use them to help build up the temple. Do what needs to be done, and do it quickly. In the future, our whole family will be able to meet in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Such a wonderful Namo Amituofo—we should introduce Him to everyone. Your grandfather and I are so happy to have grandsons like you. Your father and mother say that they did not raise you in vain; filial piety brings blessings, and one should be grateful in all things. Now that you are a monastic, you must think of everything in a positive light. Please say 'thank you' to Practitioner Su for me! Thank you to everyone for your help and for taking such good care of our A-Cai. Do not forget to chant Namo Amituofo! Gratitude to the Buddha, gratitude to Practitioner Su."

"Wang Huang-mang, with palms joined in prayer."

"Namo Amituofo."