This is a record of an interview with Zhang Wangxun, the grandmother of Lay Practitioner Zhang Jinxuan, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition from a wandering spirit to a dweller of the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on September 2, 2022.
Zhang Wangxun speaks:
". I am Zhang Wangxun. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Practitioner Su for bringing me to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I love it here so much. When I first arrived, the great and magnificent form of Namo Amituofo appeared right before my eyes. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I fell to my knees and bowed continuously. I am filled with gratitude for Namo Amituofo, and I am filled with gratitude for Practitioner Su.
To be honest, I am not even sure what I should say. It feels as though I have not spoken for such a long time. When I was first brought here by Practitioner Su, I was still quite confused about what was happening. However, I knew deep down that I had arrived at a truly wonderful place. I saw the brilliant golden light, the beautiful lotus flowers, and I saw the Buddha. In that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that I had been saved."
The Lost Years in the Void
"I sat there, listening to the Buddha-name being chanted and listening to Practitioner Su deliver the talks. As I listened, my entire being became clearer and clearer. During the , when my name was called out, I suddenly saw that my grandson, Jinxuan, was right there. My heart was racing with thoughts: 'When did Jinxuan grow up to be so big? Why does it feel like I haven't seen him in such a long time?' I kept reflecting, searching my memory over and over again, until I finally realised the truth. My spirit had been trapped in a strange, isolated space for years, wandering aimlessly, busy with nothing at all.
Year after year passed by, and I remained stuck in that space, unable to find my way out. Because I was gone, my physical body in the human world was eventually occupied by other forces. My mind became dull and clouded; it was no longer truly me. It is a terrifying thing to think about—to be lost in a void while the world continues to turn without you."
The Fragility of Life
"If I were not able to come forward and speak today, my family would never have known what truly happened to me. They would have simply assumed that I had grown old and senile. Life is so incredibly fragile, and impermanence is a constant shadow. We never know when something might happen; it is completely unpredictable. When the moment of impermanence finally arrives, there is no defence against it. You cannot stop it, and you cannot bargain with it.
I have been listening to the Dharma talks here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for a while now. Although it has not been a very long time, I have already gained a clear understanding of the truth. I do not want to go back into the cycle of reincarnated life. To be human in this lifetime is a rare opportunity, but who knows where one will end up in the next life? Seeing so many other spirits coming here to seek Spiritual Deliverance, witnessing how much suffering they endure—it is truly frightening. I do not want to be reincarnated ever again. I want to stay here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."
A Plea to My Family
"I am so happy that Jinxuan is here practising. It brings me such peace to know he is on this path. I truly hope that my son, my daughter, my son-in-law, my daughter-in-law, and all my grandchildren will also begin to study the Dharma. I pray that none of you will have to suffer through the cycle of reincarnated life again. If our whole family can come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, that would be the greatest blessing of all. Namo Amituofo."
