A Journey from Darkness to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Wu Chengjie, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He is the father of Lay Practitioner Wu Jian'an and the brother-in-law of Venerable Fafan. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on December 30, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Wu Chengjie speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I truly have such immense blessings to have such a brother-in-law! If he had not studied the Dharma and brought me here to Practitioner Su, I would never have had the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I must express my deepest gratitude to him; without him, this causal condition would never have come to pass.

Today, the great and compassionate Practitioner Su guided me to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This week, I was the only one scheduled to go, and I was incredibly nervous. I was terrified that I might not make it, so I kept chanting the Buddha-name, over and over, not daring to let the chant break for even a second. I waited until Practitioner Su appeared before me, and even then, I was still chanting. Thankfully, in the end, I arrived safely in the West.

The Vital Importance of the Buddha-Name

When I was alive, I never understood the true value of this Buddha-name. I heard 'Namo Amituofo' and 'Namo Amituofo' everywhere; I saw these words on the streets constantly, and I thought it was all very ordinary—nothing special at all. I never imagined that when the breath of life leaves our bodies, this very Buddha-name would be the most important thing in existence. If one wishes to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, one simply must chant this Buddha-name. This name is not just for the dead to chant; those who are still living must chant it as well. I did not understand this before, but now I do. I want to tell my family and everyone else: hurry and chant the Buddha-name! It is almost too late, and the cycle of rebirth is absolutely terrifying.

The Moment of Transition

In this lifetime, I did not commit any major evils. I considered myself an honest man, spending my whole life working and caring for my family, with nothing else of note. Someone like me—where would I go after death? I suppose I would have just become a wandering spirit. As I was nearing the end of my life, countless images flashed before my eyes. I saw many people coming to receive me; my father and mother were there. They seemed to have words for me, but I could not hear them clearly. I wanted to follow them, but they seemed to be drifting further and further away. I kept calling out to them, calling out as loudly as I could.

When my breath finally ceased, my spirit left my body very quickly. I did not know where to go, and I even forgot to look for my parents. I was alone, rushing back and forth in a place of absolute darkness. I was so afraid, not knowing where I was. I kept shouting and shouting, but no one heard my voice. Then, suddenly, a golden light appeared, and I heard someone calling my name. I rushed toward that golden light as fast as I could, and suddenly I was here, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where Practitioner Su sent me to the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

A New Beginning in the Pure Land

I did not know Practitioner Su, nor did I know where this place was. Every day, I sat on a lotus seat listening to the Dharma talks, and only then did I slowly begin to understand that this is a place for learning the Buddha-Dharma. Namo Amituofo is here, and I can see Him every single day.

As I listened to Practitioner Su’s teachings, I understood more and more. Watching others go to the Western Land one after another, I began to want to go as well. At first, I wanted to wait for my wife and children, but then I thought, 'Forget it, they are unlikely to come here; I should go first.' Today, I have truly arrived in the West. It is so beautiful here! I have been following the chanting, and I am filled with such joy.

I hope my brother-in-law can teach my wife and children to chant the Buddha-name. They must chant! Especially my wife, as she is getting older; she must chant quickly so that we can meet again in the Western Land."

Namo Amituofo.