A Journey from Regret to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Chen Xiaoye, the younger sister of Lay Practitioner Chen Jianhua. She sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition from the cycle of rebirth to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 16, 2025.

Lay Practitioner Chen Xiaoye speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Xiaoye. I consider myself incredibly fortunate and blessed to have encountered the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and Practitioner Su. It was only through the compassionate assistance of Practitioner Su, who personally guided my spirit, that I was able to achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Weight of Karmic Debt

I have always been acutely aware that I was a person burdened by heavy sins. Even while I was still alive, I carried this heavy recognition in my heart. Why else would my body have been plagued by so many illnesses? Why else would so many karmic creditors have been relentlessly seeking me out to settle their debts? Yet, my deepest regret is that throughout my life, I remained unable to truly transform my own personality. Even after I began to study the Dharma and sincerely chant the name of the Buddha, I remained the same person—stubborn, attached to my own ways, and unable to let go of my ego. Even though I knew in my heart that I had committed many wrongs, I simply could not achieve a genuine, thorough change.

The Final Reckoning

My karmic creditors were not willing to let me go. When the conditions finally matured, they came to claim my life. I was utterly powerless to resist them. My life was extinguished just like that, bringing my short time in the world to a sudden and tragic end. When I was first rescued by Practitioner Su, my heart was filled with a complex whirlwind of emotions, but the most overwhelming of these was a profound, aching regret.

Reflections in the Western Dharma-Nature Land

I regret so deeply that I did not seize the opportunity while I still had a physical body to do more for the sentient beings I had harmed. During my time in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I spent my days listening to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su and chanting the Buddha-name. My heart became incredibly calm—so peaceful that I could clearly sense my karmic creditors still searching for me, still harbouring hatred, and still desperate to drag me back into the cycle of suffering. But they could not find me. I wept. I wept continuously because I realised how deeply and severely I had hurt them, yet I felt so helpless, lacking the power to truly alleviate their pain.

A Prayer for Deliverance

During those days, I knew that a memorial tablet had been set up for me. I clung to that hope and chanted the Buddha-name incessantly, begging the Buddha to take my karmic creditors and all sentient beings with karmic affinity along with me, to help them leave suffering behind. I do not know exactly how many of them were saved, but I could only continue to chant, hoping for their liberation.

Gratitude and Peace

Today, I have finally arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am filled with gratitude toward Practitioner Su for helping me; without her, I would never have had this precious opportunity to reach the Western Pure Land. I am doing very well now. I spend my time kneeling before the Buddha, and my heart grows more tranquil with every passing moment. I am deeply thankful to everyone who helped me along this path. I hope my family and friends in the world can set their hearts at ease, for I am truly at peace. I hope that we shall all meet again in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in the future.

Namo Amituofo.

Chen Xiaoye bows in reverence."