A Grandmother's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Huang Zeng Yunxia, 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 transition from the human world to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on April 24, 2026.

Lay Practitioner Huang Zeng Yunxia speaks:

"Namo Amituofo and greetings to Practitioner Su! I am your disciple, Huang Zeng Yunxia. I bow my head here in deep gratitude for the Buddha's boundless compassion and for the immense compassion of Practitioner Su.

When I first arrived in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I was already moved to tears, filled with such profound gratitude. Yet, little did I know that upon arriving here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my gratitude would only grow deeper and more overwhelming! Now that I, Huang Zeng Yunxia, have become a resident of the Western Pure Land, I have finally come to realise just how incredibly difficult it is to attain this state. It is truly a rare and precious achievement.

The Miracle of Deliverance

I am so deeply grateful to my family for performing the Chao Du for me. When I first looked upon the scene, I realised that it was my own grandson. To think that he has taken up the study of the Buddha Dharma and has performed this act of deliverance for his own grandmother—this is something that touches my heart more than words can express. I never imagined that after a life spent in such a hurried, painful, and exhausting state, there would still be such a miraculous opportunity for a complete turnaround. It brings me such immense comfort, and I cherish this new life more than I can say.

If you were to ask me to describe the moment of my passing and the state of my soul immediately afterward, I must confess that I feel a deep sense of shame. The fact that I ended up in the hells is something that perhaps not everyone can easily believe. Many people likely assume that one must commit truly heinous, evil acts to fall into the hells, but that is not necessarily the case. While I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I saw many beings around me who were just like me—some of whom had even achieved a decent level of purification in their practice—yet they, too, had fallen into the hells. Why does this happen?

The Reality of Hell and the Selfish Heart

Later, while I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I saw the truth very clearly: if one's heart is in sync with the hells, it is because of a selfish heart—a heart that is entirely focused on one's own self. Such a mindset makes it very easy for one's ego to become magnified as death approaches, leading to massive emotional fluctuations. When the final breath stops and one departs in that state, it is almost impossible to avoid falling into the hells.

Therefore, everyone must take this as a serious warning. Before I passed away, my body had already manifested many difficult situations, and I caused a great deal of trouble for everyone around me. For this, I am truly sorry. To think that my own physical body dragged down so many people—it is truly regrettable. Ah, it is no wonder that Practitioner Su once said that if he had not studied the Buddha Dharma, he would have wanted to leave this human world at the age of sixty, precisely so as not to cause difficulties for his family or anyone else. He was absolutely right. As my life drew to a close, I found myself in such a sorrowful state, unable to control my own body or mind. This was because I had not truly learned to let go of my physical form. I sincerely apologise to everyone again; it is a wonderful thing to be able to let go. You are still young, and you still have the opportunity to make the most of your life. When you look at everything happening around you, do you not see that everyone is suffering so deeply?

A Message to My Grandson

Finally, I would like to say a few words to my grandson, Yanjun. The fact that you have been able to encounter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and truly study the Buddha Dharma and perform Buddhist work is the best thing that could have happened to you.

Now that I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I look back at everyone in the human world and see that you are living such incredibly difficult lives. You have no autonomy, no way to walk through a perfect life, let alone ensure that you go to a good place after death. Human life is simply filled with too many uncontrollable factors. In the space of a single thought, everyone creates so much negative karma, not to mention the karma created through the body and through speech. This is precisely why the Buddha is so compassionate in coming to this world to save us, the sentient beings!

If you truly wish to escape all of this, the only way is to chant this phrase, 'Namo Amituofo,' until the very end. You must practise diligently and learn to let go of yourself; only then is it possible. If you have the opportunity, listen to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks. Listening to the sutras and hear the Dharma is the best way to resolve your doubts.

If you have any questions in your heart, do not forget that you can always ask Practitioner Su through the temple to understand the situation more clearly. Studying the Buddha Dharma means learning to be clear and transparent; do not allow any pollution or selfish thoughts to remain within. Only then can you achieve true purification and purity.

Haha, it is quite something to hear myself speaking with such clarity! This is truly the purifying power of the Buddha-land; it is absolutely inconceivable! Namo Amituofo."

Namo Amituofo.

Huang Zeng Yunxia