A Journey from Darkness to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Chen Riying, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon her life and her transition to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on March 27, 2026.

Chen Riying speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Riying. To be here, in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, is truly beyond anything I could have ever imagined. It is so incredibly dignified, so beautiful, and so perfect that it defies all human description. I have spent such a long, long time in silence—it has been nearly twenty years since I left the human world—and yet, at this very moment, I have been blessed with the tremendous fortune to follow Namo Amituofo and to learn under the guidance of Practitioner Su. My heart is overflowing with such profound gratitude that I can hardly find the words to express it.

Awakening from a Long, Dark Slumber

It was only a short while ago—perhaps just a few weeks in human time—that I heard Practitioner Su calling my name. He reached out and pulled me from a place of such deep darkness, gloom, and sorrow, guiding me safely to the Western Land of Dharma Nature. When I first arrived, I opened my eyes wide, struggling to believe that this was not just a dream. I had lived in such a confused, hazy state for so long that I had completely forgotten who I was. I could not remember my own identity, nor could I recall what I had done during my life on Earth. There were so many questions swirling in my mind, and for years, I had no way to find the answers. My memories of the past had almost entirely faded away. If it had not been for someone calling out that name—my name—over and over again, I would never have remembered: 'Ah, I am Chen Riying!'

Yes, that was indeed the name I once held. But here, in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, it seems that we no longer cling to our individual names. Everyone says that once you arrive here, you are a Buddha in the making, or perhaps we can be called 'Wonderful Sound'—a name that serves as a collective title for us all. After all, we have not yet truly become a Buddha or fully realised our true nature, but we are students in the best university in the entire universe! This is a magnificent school, for here, there is never any suffering, never any afflictions, only endless joy and absolute peace. To be able to follow the Buddha with a calm heart and to learn right by His side—this is truly the greatest university one could ever hope to attend.

A Grandson’s Act of Filial Piety

I have been kneeling before Namo Amituofo, offering my endless gratitude. I also want to express my deepest thanks to my family who are still in the human world. As I watched this interview take place, I realised that it was my grandson, Jiang Xiaoqing, who performed the Chao Du for me. I was absolutely astonished! I found myself wondering: what kind of divine being has he encountered that he could perform such an act, something so far beyond the reach of ordinary human capability? It turns out he has found Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Looking at this sacred place now, I see it as a true treasure for the human world! If you look across the entire globe, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the only place that radiates a brilliant golden light, day and night. It is shimmering with this light because it is truly a place where the Buddha resides in the world.

I never, ever imagined that such a thing could happen. I missed out on so many things while I was living in the human world. Of course, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre did not exist back then, but it is true that I never had the chance to hear the True Teachings, nor did I have the opportunity to understand the truth of the human body or the reality of life itself.

A Fresh Start in the Pure Land

At this very moment, being here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and relearning everything from the beginning is a wonderful experience. I have decided to reset myself to zero and start anew. Since I have almost forgotten everything from the past anyway, I might as well let it all go, as if it never happened. Because here, I can see my past ten lives, a hundred lives, even a thousand lives. When you look at it that way, my previous life really does not amount to much. Those few short decades—although I lived a reasonably long life and passed away without much pain or illness, which can certainly be considered a good ending—are just a tiny fragment of my existence.

Advice for the Living

Very well, let me offer a few words of advice to my family who are still living in the world. Being able to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a tremendous blessing. You must believe in the Buddha and follow His footsteps forward: if the Buddha says something is good, then do it; if He says it is not, then do not do it. Learning the Dharma is actually very simple; it is just that straightforward. You must keep the Buddha-name 'Namo Amituofo' in your hearts at all times, because the Buddha attained Buddhahood and established this name specifically to save us. If you can grasp this, then that is your greatest blessing.

Well, I, Chen Riying, have said all that I need to say. I am going to continue my practice now. Namo Amituofo."

Namo Amituofo.

Chen Riying