A Journey from Drifting to the Western Pure Land: The Testimony of Peng Yimin

This is a record of an interview with Peng Yimin, the great-uncle of Lay Practitioner Lei Hulan. Having sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, he now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his journey from the ghost realm to the Western Pure Land. It was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on October 15, 2021.

Peng Yimin speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Peng Yimin. I have finally arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and my heart is so overwhelmed with emotion! I am so moved that I can barely find the words to express it. It is such a profoundly touching scene—a scene of such immense grandeur that I have never witnessed anything like it in my entire existence!

From a Drifting Soul to the Western Pure Land

While I was in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I could witness the Dharma assemblies held at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I saw the vast crowds of spirits arriving, all seeking Spiritual Deliverance. Today, we have finally stepped into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is so radiant, so incredibly beautiful! Everywhere I look, everything is shimmering with golden brilliance; even the ground beneath my feet glows with light. For a drifting soul like me, who had no home and no direction, to be able to come to such a magnificent world—this must be a special grace bestowed upon me by Namo Amituofo.

When I was alive in the human world, no one could truly capture my heart; I was always restless. Even after I passed away and became a spirit, my heart remained unsettled, constantly floating and wandering. It was not until I reached the Western Land of Dharma Nature that I finally believed there was a place in this universe where my heart could truly find peace. Being able to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre was all thanks to Practitioner Su, who pulled me out of the ghost realm. From my initial skepticism, I have moved to a state of profound gratitude. As a spirit without a physical body, I had no power to do anything other than drift, yet I have received such an extraordinary gift from the human world. It is something I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams. Because of this, while I was in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I listened very devoutly to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su. I began to understand the Buddha’s teachings and learned to chant Namo Amituofo alongside everyone else.

The Gift of Deliverance

I know that my other relatives are here as well. During every Dharma assembly, Practitioner Su reads out our names, and I am always so astonished! It was our junior, Lei Hulan, who arranged for this Chao Du on our behalf. We are truly fortunate to have such a descendant. It is only because she was able to encounter Practitioner Su that we have reached this point today. I had been waiting for the chance to see A-Lan at the temple so that I could personally say 'thank you' to her! After all, for a junior to still remember us, the elders who have already passed away, and to perform Chao Du for us—this is a truly rare and precious act. We are so incredibly happy! Your filial heart, we have received it all.

Meeting Practitioner Su is truly our great karmic fortune. It is through your merit that we have arrived at this day. We believe that in your heart, you have already planted the seeds of merit, and these seeds will surely bring you light and good fortune. We are certain of it.

A Reunion Beyond the Human World

While we were in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, we could observe the temple and the proceedings of the Dharma assemblies. Every time I saw so many beings arriving to seek Spiritual Deliverance, I felt such deep admiration! Seeing their devout expressions convinced me that everything I heard and saw was real—it was not an illusion. Arriving at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly the beginning of my new life.

Your great-grandmother, your great-uncle, your great-aunt, and I—we were all guided together by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I never expected that after being separated in the human world, we would be able to meet again, and even travel together to this Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

For all of this, I must first offer my gratitude to Namo Amituofo, and to Practitioner Su. I also want to thank you, A-Lan. You have such wonderful Buddhist affinity. You must continue to diligently chant Namo Amituofo so that your own future will lead you to this place, just as we have. Thank you all."