A Journey from Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Li Guanxiong, who sought Chao Du 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 life and his subsequent deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on November 26, 2021.

Lay Practitioner Li Guanxiong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Li Guanxiong. My life was a whirlwind of busyness, yet I was blind to the truth. In the end, it was all for nothing. I left the human world with nothing but the heavy burden of my sins. Where was I to go? I ended up in the hells, and I truly had no face to show anyone there. It was an unbearable shame.

Fortunately, my niece, Fengzhi, remembered me. She reached out to help me, requesting Chao Du so that I might be saved. I am so deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for coming to my aid. When the golden light suddenly appeared in the depths of that hell, it was a miracle. It saved me from that darkness and brought me into the light."

A Life of Futility and the Agony of Hell

"Fengzhi, it is your uncle, Li Guanxiong. For such a long time, I remained in the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the temple, healing the wounds of my spirit. I never imagined that my life, which I had spent so much effort building, would end with me being unable to take a single thing with me—except for the weight of a lifetime of transgressions. If it were not for the salvation of Practitioner Su, I would still be trapped in the hells right now, suffering immensely!

I spent my entire life using my brain to strive and manage my affairs, and what did it earn me? A place in the brain-gouging hell. It was truly not worth it! While staying in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I have had the time to see things clearly and understand the truth. Because I listened to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks every single day, my depressed and closed heart finally began to open. Life is truly like a dream, like an illusion. In the end, no one can save you but yourself—and the Buddha. I am so fortunate that there is a Practitioner Su in this human world, and that you, Fengzhi, were able to find her. That was my only chance for salvation."

The Beauty of the Western Pure Land

"I am now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is such a bright, radiant place! It is truly the Pure Land on Earth! I realised that the journey from the human world to the Western Land takes only a single instant. This is the result of Practitioner Su’s true attainment. How lucky we are to be guided by her to the Western Land! Before this, I was hesitant to come here because I did not want to move; I wanted to wait for everyone to return to Taiwan so that you could send your uncle off on his final journey. But looking back, I see that it was not possible to return to Taiwan in the short term. Seeing everyone so joyfully being sent to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss by Practitioner Su, I finally agreed to go. This place is truly magnificent—it is so beautiful and wonderful! Your uncle is so happy, so incredibly grateful!"

A Final Message to My Family

"Everything in the human world must be let go. What could be more comforting than arriving here? No wonder that when I was alive, I heard people chanting Namo Amituofo, but at the time, I did not understand that the Buddha-name was so powerful. Now, I finally understand! All of Practitioner Su’s skills come from Namo Amituofo.

Fengzhi, I know that you are also a person who chants Namo Amituofo and quietly does good deeds. The most important thing is to chant Namo Amituofo diligently and to follow Practitioner Su closely. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is the goal of your chanting. Only then will you not waste this precious opportunity of encountering Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I am so grateful to you for helping me receive Chao Du, and I am even more thankful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for saving me. I am grateful for everything.

Li Guanxiong

Namo Amituofo."