A Great-Grandmother’s Return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with the Great-Grandmother of Zhao Yanyun and Zhao Yanpu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on June 5, 2026.

Great-Grandmother speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am the Great-Grandmother of Zhao Yanyun and Zhao Yanpu. How is it possible that I am this fortunate? The beauty before my eyes is absolutely real—so this is what the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss truly looks like. While I was residing in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I imagined what this place might be like more times than I can count. Now, I have finally witnessed it with my own eyes. Everything here is so magnificent, so perfect, that my heart has finally found true peace. I find myself humming and chanting the Buddha-name, and my heart is filled with such profound joy and serenity.

The Familiarity of Home

We have only just arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—it feels like only a few hours have passed—yet I feel as though I have completely merged with this environment. There is not a single hint of discomfort or unfamiliarity. It is exactly like returning to a hometown I visited long ago; it feels so intimate and dear. I suppose this must be the result of the Causal Conditions I forged with the Buddha in the past. I am certain of it. When I look at the radiant presence of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su before me, I cannot help but shed tears of gratitude. It has been such a long, long time since I last saw the Buddha. Now that I am here, I am determined to practise with the utmost diligence. There are so many countless suffering beings still waiting for my help.

Gratitude for Filial Piety

Beyond this, I feel an immense sense of gratitude towards my two grandchildren: Zhao Yanyun and Zhao Yanpu. I never imagined that after so many years, there would still be someone who remembers us elders. They took the initiative to register us for these eight sessions of Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. While I was in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I could feel the power of that purification constantly working upon me. Being bathed in Buddha light, my entire being felt as though it had been completely renewed. I finally understand why we must chant the Buddha-name, why we must follow in the footsteps of the Buddha, and I have seen the true magnificence of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now, I see all of this clearly with my own eyes, and my heart is crystal clear—there is not a single shred of doubt or carelessness left in me.

The Freedom of True Detachment

Your Great-Grandfather also arrived here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today, and he is wearing a smile that reaches his eyes. We simply exchanged a gentle smile and a nod; there was no need for excessive conversation. Everything here is as natural as the way of the Westerners—there is no heavy emotion, nor are there the so-called attachments that bind people in the human world. This is what true, ultimate freedom feels like. In the human world, everyone is bound by mutual attachments and worries, with all sorts of complex emotions and longings woven together. It is truly exhausting. Now that I have stepped out of that cycle and become a resident of the Western Land, I can truly feel that the Causal Conditions of the past have all faded away. They have truly passed.

Reflections on a Lifetime

When I look back, my Great-Grandfather was merely one relative in the span of my life. If I were to consider all the paths I have walked and all the people I have encountered throughout my many lives, how would I even begin to count them? Therefore, I do not feel any lingering attachment. That is simply how we are here in the Western Land—I am a resident of the West! Ha! This Great-Grandmother of yours is now feeling incredibly stable and joyful.

I think back to the decades I spent wandering as a lonely, isolated spirit. Life is just like that; once you have walked through it, it is over. It is nothing more than changing into a different body, so there is really nothing to hold onto or regret. Now, I am here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, which is my true spiritual home. This is completely different from the cycle of reincarnated life I experienced throughout my many lives. I am certain that I have been to this place before; I can feel it deep within my heart, even if I cannot put it into words or explain why the resonance is so profound.

A Message to My Descendants

Regardless of anything else, I truly hope that my grandchildren will seize this magnificent opportunity to learn about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. You must diligently adjust and refine your habits. Strive to be a good person. If you can become like Practitioner Su, you might even be able to realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood, saving countless suffering beings. That would be the most wonderful thing imaginable. If even one of you can achieve this, I will certainly be beaming with joy from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, ha ha ha!

When it comes down to it, everyone must practise for themselves. Practitioner Su is right; self-salvation is exactly this: you practise for yourself, you open your own heart, and when you realise that there is nothing to hold onto, you are a Buddha. In truth, learning the Buddha’s teachings is actually that simple. In the past, we did not know this; we only knew that there were Buddha statues in the temples and that we could go there to offer incense, but we did not understand the deeper meaning behind it. Now that I know, I am truly astonished. The education provided by the Buddha’s teachings is so vast and profound—it is not something that can be explained clearly in just a few words.

I am sharing this with all of you with a face full of smiles. I hope my juniors will practise diligently and follow the footsteps of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su without straying from the path. If you have any questions at any time, you can write a letter to ask the Buddha; the Buddha is right there in the human world. This is actually quite normal and simple. The most important thing is not to keep things 'stuck' in your heart; do not let yourself feel blocked. That will become a major obstacle to your practice. Well, I have rambled on quite a bit today, but I hope you can all feel the joy I am experiencing now.

I am grateful to Namo Amituofo, grateful to Practitioner Su, and grateful to all of you.

Namo Amituofo.

Great-Grandmother"