A Grandmother's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Gao O-xia, who sought Chao Du 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 life and her transition to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on October 20, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Gao O-xia speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Gao O-xia. Right now, my chanting of Namo Amituofo is very focused and clear; it truly settles my heart. During this time, my spirit has gained so much from coming to the Buddha-land to listen to the Dharma. I have come to realise that a person's heart must be 'good.' Only when the heart is good can one's destiny be good.

Today, my rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is something I am incredibly joyful about. For a period, my spirit stayed here in the Buddha-land, and I witnessed so many inconceivable sights. I saw boundless sentient beings, and I thought to myself: 'If a handful of sand is scattered, it cannot be picked up again.' I was once just one grain of sand within that vast expanse, but now, I am so fortunate to have been 'picked up.' The Buddha is truly so compassionate toward me."

A Life of Unpaid Debts

"In the past, every single day was a struggle just to survive. I couldn't afford to think about anything else; as long as I could keep living and take care of my children, I felt that was enough. I didn't dare to dwell on how difficult life actually was. In the end, my body grew old with time, and I passed away. I had dedicated my entire life to my family, but I never settled my own karmic debts. Consequently, my karmic creditors came to seek revenge. For all the debts I owed to those karmic creditors from my past, I could only kneel and repent.

It is only now that I understand how my suppressed emotions and the words I kept bottled up inside acted as a magnet, drawing them to me, allowing them to manifest bit by bit from within my body. Eventually, my stomach became a mass of darkness, and my karmic creditors were thrashing about, causing me immense suffering. I didn't understand these things before, but now I know that when there is an opportunity to repay karmic debts, one must do so. In the past, I was the one who wronged my karmic creditors; now, I can only make a vow to follow Namo Amituofo diligently and, in the future, repay all sentient beings."

The Blessing of the Buddha-land

"Being able to make this journey to the Buddha-land and learn so many things I previously did not understand makes me feel exceptionally lucky. I know it was my granddaughter who brought me here. You have been waiting for this day—the day your grandmother would be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—for a long time, haven't you? Grandmother knows. I am smiling now, smiling so happily, because I have seen the great compassion of the Buddha, and I am learning to smile like the Buddha. You should be able to feel it; I share this smile with you, and I hope you can smile just like this, too.

Ever since I arrived at the Buddha-land, the Buddha-light has never ceased to shine upon me. It has made my heart so bright and open, and I no longer dwell on the past. Zhang O, your mother has even more Wisdom than I do; she arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss earlier than I did, and she is doing very well. It is just that I, your grandmother, have become a bit more cheerful than your mother."

A Grandmother's Hope for Her Granddaughter

"Zhang O, I want to tell you something. Although your speech and temperament are quite blunt, I know you have a kind heart. The reason you feel moved when you see the Buddha and why you believe is because your spirit has been waiting from the past until now for this Causal Conditions to meet the Buddha. Such Causal Conditions are rare, and you have finally encountered it. I am so happy for you.

Now that you have also begun to follow the temple to learn and practise the Dharma, you must have some genuine insights in your heart, right? Since these are your own true feelings, you must believe in the Buddha and believe in yourself. Learning the Dharma and following the Buddha is, after all, your own personal journey. Every person must face the final destination of their own spirit. Just like me, your grandmother, I am now going to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss alone; no one can accompany you forever. Therefore, be firm in the path you have chosen. This is my blessing to you, and it is only because you are learning the Dharma that you are able to listen to these words of mine."

A Call to All Beings

"I also want to say something to others: learning the Dharma is a way to help yourself. If you are willing to let go of your doubts, you are saving yourself. Otherwise, when you grow old and die, where will you go? You will be like that sand—no one will be able to find you. You must not let a lack of understanding lead to opposition or resistance. You should take the time to truly understand; it is giving yourself a chance. I say these things now, and whether you choose to believe or not, you must find a way out for your future.

Zhang O, I know you are currently helping with the construction of the temple. This is a good deed, and good deeds should be done with all your might. You know the goodness of the temple and the benefits of learning the Dharma; when you have the opportunity, you should introduce it to others. That is also a way of helping people. No matter how difficult it may be, I hope you will complete this task. If the temple can be built and can help many people, then your life will have been worth it."

The Future of the Temple

"I am now in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I can see the future. There will be an even larger temple construction, many times bigger than the current one. A great number of people will come seeking peace of mind and the chance to see the Buddha. I hope you will also be firm in walking this path and continue to help the temple. In the future, people from all over the world will know about this place and will want to come to the temple to see it for themselves. After receiving the Buddha's teachings, they will know how to seek liberation. Whether those who come believe in the Buddha or not, you will be helping them establish a good karmic affinity with the Buddha.

I believe you can also feel the magnificence of the temple's future, so no matter how difficult the process may be, you must overcome it. In this process, you will learn and grow a great deal. Remember to soften your personality; being too rigid will hurt people, so please pay more attention to that. You must practise diligently and use your own transformation to save the sentient beings with whom you have an affinity. Look at the people around you—are they not all still caught in the 'great winds' of samsara? Therefore, you must have patience and determination. According to your ability, you should also make greater vows. From now on, learn to feel the suffering of sentient beings and the suffering of the human heart. Only by understanding the suffering of others can you truly help them."

A Final Wish

"I have said so much, but it is truly because I am so happy—so happy that someone in our family can properly follow the Buddha and propagate the Great Dharma. If you have the ability and the opportunity, you should also perform Chao Du for your own karmic creditors. Do not be like your grandmother, who did not repay her debts in this lifetime.

Quiet your heart and truly feel these words I have spoken to you; they are the expectations of an old woman for her granddaughter. In this life, we have this affinity, and in the future, I hope we will be fellow practitioners in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If you practise well in the human world, you will progress even faster than I am in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I know you have certain requirements and expectations for yourself. Do it well; I have great confidence in you and am proud of you. Remember to help the temple and to practise; both are important.

Finally, the most important thing is to thank Practitioner Su on my behalf, as well as everyone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Without them, I would not have been able to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, nor would I have been able to say so much.

Follow the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and practise well. I, too, will follow the Buddha and practise diligently. (I smile and wave to you.)

Gao O-xia"