A Journey from Darkness to the Western Land

This is a record of an interview with Shen Cuiying, 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 a state of spiritual darkness to the radiant light of the Buddha. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on November 7, 2025.

Shen Cuiying speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Shen Cuiying. During today's Dharma assembly, Practitioner Su called out my name. He took me by the hand, along with several other spirits who had been waiting at the temple, and guided us toward the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I can now speak quite easily about being a spirit, because through the grace of this Dharma assembly, Practitioner Su has already brought me here—to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A Dreamlike Transition to Light

"This entire experience feels truly extraordinary. The sequence of events that has unfolded feels just like a dream, yet before my eyes, I see this beautiful, new world. My eyes are wide open, and I am so captivated that I cannot even bear to blink. Everything before me is shimmering with golden light. This is truly the Western Land.

I never imagined that I would be able to enter this place. When I was a child, I remember hearing the elders say, 'If you can enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, it is the greatest blessing you will ever receive in your life; there is nothing more important than this.' I was young then and did not fully understand the weight of those words, but strangely, they remained etched in my mind all these years. I never expected that I would one day truly set foot upon the soil of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. All the various things I encountered in my lifetime—whether happy or unhappy, whether filled with sorrow or joy—no longer matter. What matters is that this world is now the place where I will reside, both now and in the future. It is so incredibly beautiful, and my heart is filled with such deep gratitude. I am so grateful to my daughter, Lay Practitioner Tan Lanfen, for being able to arrange this Chao Du for me."

The Childhood Memory Realised

"The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a truly unique and special place. Before this, I was trapped in a dark space from which I could not escape. That dark space seemed to represent the state of my own heart at the time. I do not know how long I had been lingering there, but suddenly, a brilliant light shone upon me. Very quickly, I was moved from that space into another realm, one that was incredibly bright and clear. Once I settled down and understood my situation, I realised that I was at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

After attending several Dharma assemblies, when I was asked if I wished to go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I agreed without a moment's hesitation. During the assemblies at the temple, I saw many other spirits who were all so joyful at the prospect of reaching the Western Land. I joined them in the temple, chanting 'Namo Amituofo' together."

Gratitude for the Path to Deliverance

"Here, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo, to Practitioner Su, and to my daughter, Lay Practitioner Tan Lanfen. It is because of them that I am able to be in this beautiful new world today—the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo."