A Journey from Hell to the Western Pure Land: The Testimony of Liu Awan

Liu Awan, the father of Liu Yue'e, sought deliverance through Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Having been liberated from the suffering of the hells, he now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey through the realms of suffering, as recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 29, 2026.

Liu Awan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. My name is Liu Awan.

Today, I have arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This place is incredibly magnificent and filled with such profound dignity. Being here, I dare not act rashly, nor do I dare to hold onto my own selfish thoughts or narrow perspectives. I have truly learned and understood clearly this time. Ever since I arrived in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I began to study with great sincerity, especially by listening to the lectures given by Practitioner Su. This has been an incredibly magnificent and rare opportunity. When I was in the human world, I had never heard such teachings, nor did I ever understand how to change myself—especially the idea of starting by transforming my own personality and habits. This was something I had never even considered."

A New Beginning in the Western Pure Land

"It could be said that while I was living in the world, I did not understand many of the fundamental principles of being a human. Yet, after passing away, I have been able to receive this education here. This is truly a matter that fills me with deep emotion and immense Dharma joy. My heart is constantly filled with gratitude toward Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Without their guidance and leading, I would never have had the opportunity to leave suffering behind and gain happiness. Of course, I am also deeply grateful to my daughter, Yue'e. She helped several members of our family by registering us for Chao Du, allowing us all the chance to receive the Buddha's light and be led to this place. This act of hers truly moves me to my core.

I never imagined that after suffering for so long, it would be my own daughter who would register my name, finally allowing me to be free from that agony. Looking back, I know that I still owed so many debts from my past that I had not yet repaid, and this realization caused me such profound distress. In the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, one can see their past and present lives clearly. I can see what I did in the past, and I can see how many beings are still waiting for me. I see all of this with absolute clarity."

Reflections on the Hells and the Law of Cause and Effect

"Furthermore, I have seen many people I knew while I was in the world. Many of them have already left the human world, and like me, they have ended up in the hells to suffer retribution. When I think of their circumstances, they are truly even more miserable than mine were. Their children have not learned the Buddha's teachings; they do not know that a place like the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre exists, and they do not know that they can register their parents for Chao Du. Naturally, they have no opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I believe, however, that the day they hear the Buddha's voice is not far off, because Practitioner Su frequently goes to the hells to give lectures, and the Buddha also goes there to shine His light and lead beings to salvation.

I truly hope that more people can receive the opportunity to leave suffering behind, because having experienced this myself, I know all too well how painful and helpless that state is. In truth, saying these things is not meant to frighten anyone or to make people dwell on how terrible the hells are. I feel that the most important thing is for people to understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, and everything taught in the Buddha's teachings. Only then will they avoid making mistake after mistake, walking a path of such helplessness, and eventually falling into such a state. Therefore, my story is well worth using as a mirror for everyone."

A Warning to the Living: The Cost of Ego

"When I was alive, I had many negative habits. It was only later that I realized that these personal habits and ego would attract karmic creditors to come and seek revenge upon me. They are the reason I had to endure birth, aging, sickness, and death, and eventually fall into the hells. I had never heard anyone speak of these things before; they sounded so foreign to me. But in reality, every illness has a cause. No one falls ill without a reason, and no one dies in such painful circumstances and ends up in the hells without a cause.

Having gone through this experience, I do not want many others to follow in my footsteps. So, I want to say thank you to my daughter, and I hope she can take my story as a warning. My story can tell more people: one must not be selfish; one must always think of others. Those who consider others in all things will certainly not end up with an outcome like mine.

In the end, the truth is actually quite simple; the only question is whether or not people are able to believe it. Well, I will stop here for today. I will not say any more unnecessary words; these are the main points I wished to convey. Finally, once again, I offer my gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su for their guidance. Now that I have arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I will certainly practice diligently and will not let down the grace and kindness of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas.

Namo Amituofo.

Liu Awan"