A Grandmother's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This interview records the testimony of Lay Practitioner Chen Guangnan, the grandmother of Lay Practitioner Lei Hulan. Having sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, she has successfully attained rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account, which captures her profound gratitude and reflections on her journey, was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on March 1, 2024.

Lay Practitioner Chen Guangnan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Guangnan. Today, I feel such immense joy, for I have seen the Buddha in all His magnificent glory. It was not long after I beheld the Buddha that I found myself within His Buddha-land, resting comfortably inside my very own lotus flower. It is a beautiful, soft pink—the exact colour I love. The fragrance of the lotus is so delicate and sweet; it is truly the most wonderful scent I have ever known. I feel as light as a feather, my entire being weightless and free. As I look upon the Buddha and smile, I can feel His boundless compassion flowing towards every single being in the universe.

A New Beginning in the Western Land

When I stood before the Buddha, I realised that the past is truly behind me. Looking out across the vast, serene sky of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart is filled with such profound peace. I am so deeply grateful to the Buddha. My spirit is finally at rest, and I no longer need to wander through the cycle of rebirth, searching for a home that I could never find. I know that many members of our Lei family have also arrived here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is all due to the merit and hard work of my granddaughter, Lei Hulan. It is truly a great blessing for our entire family.

The Weight of Karmic Debt

Before my spirit was guided to the Buddha-land, I spent my time listening to the sutras with great focus. While I understood the basic principles of being a human in my previous life, I had absolutely no understanding of the profound truth of liberation. It is only now that I realise everything I experienced in my life was governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. These laws are truly terrifying; they are inescapable, and they follow us wherever we go, like a shadow that never fades. I never understood that even the consumption of meat carries a karmic debt that must be repaid. I have so much to repay, and I often worried: 'What will happen to me? Can I ever truly settle these debts?' During those times when I listened to the teachings, I would go back and forth in my mind, consumed by this worry. But now that I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I understand that I must follow the Buddha and practise diligently. Only through this path will I one day have the opportunity to repay those I have harmed.

A Grandmother's Guidance

My dear granddaughter, I offer you my deepest gratitude for saving both your grandfather and me. Now, your grandmother is very good at chanting. Every single recitation of the Buddha-name, 'Namo Amituofo,' is clear and resonant in my heart. Sometimes, when I see you chanting, I join you in my heart, and we chant together. While I am practising here in the Buddha-land, my only wish for you is that you do not overthink things. Just focus on the Buddha-name and keep chanting; it is the most powerful way to help countless beings. Being able to encounter the Buddha is a rare, precious Causal Condition that takes many lifetimes to achieve. I hope that whenever you have the chance, you will introduce the Buddha’s teachings to those you know. Even if they do not listen, at the very least, by hearing the Buddha-name 'Namo Amituofo,' you will have planted a seed of enlightenment in their hearts. You must be persistent on this path of learning the Buddha’s teachings. Stay steadfast in following the Buddha and follow Practitioner Su. Please thank the Buddha for me, and thank Practitioner Su as well. Namo Amituofo."