A Husband's Journey from Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Lay Practitioner Xie Zhongfen, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, preparing for his final rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the cycle of rebirth to the path of the Buddha. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on April 24, 2026.

Xie Zhongfen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lay Practitioner Xie Zhongfen, and I am now a disciple of the Buddha! The fact that I have arrived at the threshold of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is something I am so eager to share with everyone. I simply cannot wait to tell you all about it.

First and foremost, I must bow my head before the Buddha. My deepest gratitude goes to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. For several weeks, I have been bathed in the Buddha-light, which has allowed me to be purified. Only then did my mind truly clear. Now, my spirit—the spirit of Xie Zhongfen—stands complete and whole before the Buddha. I have made a vow to follow the Buddha and to be a disciple of the Buddha throughout all my future lives. That is what I told the Buddha when I first arrived in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. Later, the Buddha told me, 'There is no need for future lives; simply settle your heart in the name of Namo Amituofo.' Coming here to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—everything is so perfect, so clear, and so bright. Yes, the Buddha was absolutely right. I should indeed settle my heart and find peace.

The Gift of a Wise Wife

My greatest gratitude, however, remains with my wife, A-Chun. The name 'A-Chun' is not at all unfamiliar here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre; I have seen how everyone knows her, and even Practitioner Su calls out to her, 'A-Chun, A-Chun!' As I look back at the bits and pieces of her life at the temple, they appear before my eyes with perfect clarity. I am so incredibly happy for her, knowing that she has found a true home for her spirit. This is the greatest gift she has ever given me in my life.

Of course, in my short life, she gave me far too many gifts to count. But I never expected that, at the very moment of my death, I would finally realise how wise she truly was—and how different she was from me. I feel a profound sense of guilt and regret for not understanding her sooner, for not supporting everything she did, and for missing the opportunity to walk the path of the Buddha alongside her. But that does not matter now, because the life of the spirit is so long. This is merely one chapter of affinity in the long river of our spiritual existence. I am so grateful for this connection, and I am grateful for the beauty my wife brought into my life and for everything she sacrificed for our family. All of this is right before my eyes now.

From the Depths of Hell to Deliverance

I am also very clear in my heart that I was not qualified to be here. I did not study the Buddha's teachings diligently while I was alive. If I am here now, it is only because of the Buddhist affinity I planted long ago, even though I had forgotten almost all of it while tumbling through the dust of the mundane world. I cherish this Dharma affinity so deeply; I cherish it more than words can say.

I must admit, however, that when I was on my deathbed, I left the human world in absolute agony. Everything happened so suddenly. My consciousness was blurred and confused, yet I was desperate for a sense of security, desperate for a heart that could continue to survive. I never imagined that the end would come so quickly, and I did not even have the chance to say goodbye to my wife. I never expected that after I died, I would suffer such immense pain. But not long after, Practitioner Su from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre reached down and pulled my spirit out of the hells. At that time, I was in such agony—my head was throbbing, my whole body was in pain, and I was trembling as if a crushing pressure was weighing down on me. My body felt deformed and twisted. My state was truly miserable. But the Buddha, in His great compassion, sent me directly from the hells to the Western Dharma-Nature Land. After I spent some time repairing myself and returning to a normal state, I received a message from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

A Message to My Children

Oh, it turns out the Venerables at the temple wanted me to send word home to let my family know I am safe. At that moment, I truly wanted to express my gratitude and repentance to my wife from the bottom of my heart, just as I feel now. But the difference is that back then, I was still speaking with the sentimentality and the attachments of the mundane world. Now, after several weeks of great purification, my spirit has been elevated significantly. I am speaking these words with joy and composure, especially for my wife and my children to hear.

My children, I am so grateful for everything you did to arrange my affairs at the final moment of my life. I can see that you have grown up. Your maturity is different from before. Seeing that you all have your own lives and knowing that you are filial to your mother—this gives me great peace of mind. But I must remind you: you must, you must remember that the most important thing is to be filial to your mother. Your mother is no ordinary person! She has raised you so well and educated you so well. My gratitude to her is beyond words. You must believe that your mother is a woman of great wisdom.

The Uniqueness of Hsiang Kuang

If you have the chance to visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I would be so happy, because this place was the 'transfer station' for me before I reached the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Western Dharma-Nature Land is just like the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, only it is a spiritual space. I am so familiar with this place, and I know that it is unique in the whole world—the most special place there is. You will not find another like it.

That your mother has such great blessings and good roots, that she believes in this place, believes in the Buddha, and believes in all of this—and that she diligently volunteers here—I admire her so much, and I am so happy for her. You have the same blessings; at least come and see this place for yourselves. Even if you walk different paths in life and do not necessarily choose the path of practice, please remember that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the magnificent place that brought your father to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Buddha truly resides here, and inconceivable acts of deliverance are truly happening. You must believe your father's words.

The Truth of the Spirit and the Body

Although the way I speak now is very different from before, my spirit is very clear and lucid. It is just that without the constraints of the physical body, I no longer have all the old preferences, personality traits, feelings, and characteristics. So, my children, my story should help you wake up. The spirit and the body are not the same thing. Looking around, I see that you all live your lives entirely focused on this body, yet you are not even the ones in control of it.

Living in this world, being able to truly be the master of oneself is a very difficult thing. I was the same; for decades, countless beings and demon crowds controlled me, causing me to create much bad karma and leading my spirit to report to the hells. I cannot blame anyone else for this; it was all brought about by my own personality. You are still young, with decades of life ahead of you. You must take advantage of your youth to change your bad habits. If you look at everything with a positive and kind heart, then naturally, there will be no 'personality' to get in the way. Everything will be beautiful, and where would there be any room for afflictions?

If you are willing to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma—to listen to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks—that would be the best thing possible. I, too, listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma every day in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, which is how I was able to understand the truth of all these facts so quickly.

Well, I have said quite a lot. I truly hope that my wife and children can be diligent on the path of the Buddha and walk your own paths of light. Rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a must. Everyone, please hold tightly to this phrase: 'Namo Amituofo.' We will meet again in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss! Thank you all, thank you Namo Amituofo, and thank you, Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Xie Zhongfen speaks."