A Journey from the Hells to the Western Pure Land

Lay Practitioner Xiang Tushu, the father of Lay Practitioner Xiang Wen'e, sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. After his passing and a period of suffering in the hells, he was saved by the compassionate efforts of Practitioner Su and Namo Amituofo. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded on February 13, 2026, by the chief writer, Fa Ning.

Lay Practitioner Xiang Tushu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Xiang Tushu. I have only been in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss for a few hours, and I never expected to be arranged for an interview so quickly. The one interviewing me is a master from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. I must place special emphasis on the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, because it is the only temple in the entire world where Namo Amituofo truly abides. This is such an extraordinary, singular occurrence!

A Miraculous Arrival in the Pure Land

I never imagined that after living for half a lifetime and experiencing the inevitable cycle of ageing, sickness, and death, I would actually arrive here in this Buddha-land, the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Before this, I spent some time in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. That world is also incredibly beautiful; it is a realm established by Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre after learning directly from Namo Amituofo. The difference between that realm and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is that the former acts as a transit station for those heading toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The spirits and demon crowds that Practitioner Su has saved all wait there. After practising and undergoing purification, each one of them makes a vow, hoping to arrive in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss as soon as possible, so that they may truly and permanently be with the Buddha.

The Boundless Compassion of the Buddha

First and foremost, the most important thing is to express my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Their ability to help so many spirits suffering in the cycle of rebirth, and to assist us in achieving rebirth in the Western Pure Land so that we no longer have to suffer—this aspiration is truly magnificent! In the past, I did not have any particular feeling toward Namo Amituofo. I only knew that a Buddha was a Buddha, and I was still just me. But today, standing so close to the Buddha, I realise that the compassion the Buddha has for me and for everyone else cannot be expressed by a few words of thanks. I was a tough man, having lived a vigorous and intense life for many years, only to die and fall into the hells. After experiencing all of that, I discovered that there is truly nothing in this world more compassionate than the Buddha. If people in the world are far removed from the Buddha, it is generally very difficult for them to imagine that the Buddha’s compassion is so unreserved, so selfless, and so entirely focused on all beings. I, Xiang Tushu, am so fortunate to be able to witness this, because my child happened to encounter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and encountered Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. That is the only reason I had the opportunity to leave suffering behind and gain happiness.

The Bitter Reality of Samsara

The hells are truly, absolutely miserable! Only after walking through the hells and coming back up do you realise how precious it is to be a human being. I used to have a temper, and whenever it flared up, it would burn everything in its path. Now I understand that whatever kind of personality you have, you will reap the corresponding results. When karmic creditors come knocking at your door, you cannot blame anyone else. Of course, this is all due to the karma I created throughout my many lives in the past. This lifetime was meant for repayment. How could I have known? When my temper flared, I had no opportunity to learn the true Buddha’s teachings. I did not know that one should not act in such a way. I did not realise that there were so many beings waiting for us. My own suffering was nothing at all, because their suffering—that was truly a misery where one cries out to the heavens and the earth, but receives no answer! It was only after walking through the hells that I truly understood the suffering of samsara.

A Final Message of Gratitude

I, Xiang Tushu, am not a bad person, but I have indeed let too many people down. Now, looking back from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I finally understand that my spirit has weathered many storms. I have experienced the good, the bad, the virtuous, and the evil—everything. The Buddhist affinity and the blessings I have today are all opportunities born from the deep causal conditions I cultivated in the Buddha’s gate in the past.

Today, having arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I am grateful for the Buddha’s compassion, and I am grateful to my good child, Wen'e. Thank you for remembering to perform Chao Du for your father. Father is very grateful and very comforted. That you can walk firmly on the path of practising the Buddha’s teachings is the best thing that could ever happen! Try to view everything in the world with detachment and see the good in all things. If you see everything as good, then naturally, no bad things can happen. I believe that with your wisdom, you are capable of doing this.

Namo Amituofo.

Words of Xiang Tushu."