A Journey from the Ghost Realm to Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with the second elder brother of Wang Chunming, 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 karmic journey and his eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on September 15, 2023.

The Second Elder Brother of Wang Chunming speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I was so terrified. For the longest time, I was constantly searching for my father, my mother, and my family. I was surrounded by a group of brothers and sisters in the ghost realm who looked after me, but in my heart, I was always longing to be reunited with my own family. All of us there—my companions and I—shared that same desperate wish.

Some of these brothers and sisters had passed away from illness, while others had died in accidents. We were all still so young; we had no idea how to find our way home. Yet, faintly, through the vastness of space, I seemed to hear my family weeping for me. I heard those sounds of sorrow, and it made me feel so anxious and distressed.

A Long Wait in the Shadows

I grew up within the ghost realm, though I never truly matured because I had no one to nurture or protect me. My only desire, and the desire of all my companions, was to one day return home. I waited and waited, and then, finally, a brilliant light shone upon me. It filled me with energy and guided me toward a place of immense radiance. I did not even have time to say goodbye to my brothers and sisters. When I regained my senses, I saw the Buddha. When I realised that it was my own family who had saved me, I was overcome with joy. I had waited for this day for such a long time.

Once I entered this luminous place, I looked around with great curiosity. Everywhere I turned, there was light. My heart finally settled into a state of peace. I looked back at my family still living in the world; although our time together was so brief, it felt as though there was a golden thread connecting me to them, pulling me toward this salvation.

Reflections on a Short Life

I do feel some regret that I could not spend more time with my family, but I constantly remind myself to be grateful to the Buddha and to cherish the Causal Conditions that brought me here. Through the purification process in the Buddha-land, I have grown, and I have chosen to face all matters with a much more mature attitude.

I have also come to see the true reason why I lost my life so early. In a past life, I was a powerful and cruel bandit. I harmed so many women and children, causing families to be torn apart and leaving countless people displaced and destitute. Because of those past actions, my karmic creditors were waiting for me long before I was even born in this lifetime. As soon as I entered the world, they swarmed toward me, taking my life and leaving me to suffer and wander through the dark spaces of the ghost realm.

Repentance and New Beginnings

I saw the many people I had harmed, and the scenes of my past cruelty played out right before my eyes. I bowed my head in deep repenting, kneeling before the Buddha and saying, 'I was wrong. I am truly sorry.'

I am so deeply grateful to my younger sister, whom I had never met in life, for performing the Chao Du to save me. Without her, I do not know how much longer I would have had to endure such suffering. Now that I see the truth of these things, I have decided to follow the Buddha and practise diligently, so that in the future, I may repay my karmic creditors.

Now, in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my entire being feels so cool and refreshed. Like everyone else here, I am called Miaoyin. This holy land is truly magnificent, and I hope that many more people will come to seek this path.

Thank you, Buddha. Thank you, Practitioner Su, for leading me home.

Miaoyin, with palms joined in reverence."

Namo Amituofo.