A Grandmother's Return to the Western Land

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Lay Practitioner Liu Xi-Liu Mei, who sought spiritual deliverance 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 journey of awakening and her gratitude toward her granddaughter, Lay Practitioner Huang Minglan. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on August 16, 2024.

Lay Practitioner Liu Xi-Liu Mei speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I truly possess such immense blessings to have arrived here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. When I first beheld Namo Amituofo, my heart was filled with profound shame. I had forgotten the Buddha so long ago; I had completely lost the path that leads back to my true home. If it were not for my dear, obedient granddaughter who reconnected the Causal Conditions between myself and the Buddha, I would likely have continued to wander in the cycle of rebirth for thousands, perhaps even ten thousand years, before I might have had another fleeting chance to remember the Buddha again. Think about it—how terrifying that would have been!"

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

"I am filled with gratitude for the compassionate Practitioner Su. I hold Practitioner Su in such high esteem. After my spirit was rescued by Practitioner Su, I stayed in the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, listening to the Dharma talks. Sitting upon the lotus seat was incredibly comfortable; the lotus itself emitted a delicate, heavenly fragrance. I spent my time gazing at Practitioner Su, listening intently to the Dharma being taught. It was only after listening to these teachings that I began to recall my many past lives throughout the long, long ages. Later, I also saw Namo Amituofo there at the Centre. By that time, my heart was already heavy with shame, but it was also overflowing with gratitude."

A True Home Found

"I did not hesitate for long. I made the decision very quickly to come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, because I knew in my heart that this—and only this—is my true home. As for my family in this lifetime, I look at them and see that they, too, have forgotten how to return home. Fortunately, my dear granddaughter still remembered to send both her grandfather and me back to the Western Land. It is because she possesses such great blessings that she was able to know of Practitioner Su, and thus create these Causal Conditions. For this, I am deeply, deeply grateful."

The Bonds of Past Lives

"The karmic bond between my granddaughter and me is very good. I saw that in a past life, I had actually saved her. At that time, she was a small rabbit. Her leg had been injured, and I tended to her, healing her leg before releasing her back to the place where she lived. Who would have expected that she would not forget me? She wanted to repay my kindness, and so we met again in this lifetime. She has truly repaid that debt by sending me back to the Western Land. I thank her from the bottom of my heart."

Awakening from the Dream

"I am doing very well now. My body is free from all illness, and I can walk with such speed and ease. It was only after I was rescued by Practitioner Su that I realised it was entirely my own attachment that kept me trapped in that space. In truth, once the spirit leaves the physical body, there is nothing left. All the things of the past were merely a dream. I am finally awake now.

I am so grateful for the Causal Conditions of this lifetime. I am so grateful to be back in the Western Land. I am truly doing well now. Thank you all. Namo Amituofo. Liu Xi-Liu Mei bows in gratitude."