This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner A-Rong, the mother of Lay Practitioner Li Qingqiu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition from the cycle of rebirth to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on November 22, 2024.
Lay Practitioner A-Rong speaks:
". I am truly fortunate. I have been saved by Practitioner Su; otherwise, my spirit would certainly have been trapped in the cycle of rebirth for thousands upon thousands of years.
Today, I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This place is so incredibly beautiful! In the world, I had not travelled much, and I always believed my own hometown was the most beautiful place on earth. I never imagined that upon arriving here, I would realise my hometown cannot even begin to compare to the Western Land. It is truly too beautiful. I look around, I gaze upon the scenery, and I cannot stop smiling. It is just so magnificent!
A Miraculous Turn of Fate
During my lifetime, I did not have the to become familiar with Namo Amituofo. I never expected that after death, I would still have the chance to see Namo Amituofo. I never even dared to dream that such a thing could happen.
I must express my deepest gratitude to my child. If it were not for him saving us two elderly people, how could we have ever been so blessed to arrive in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? The distance between us and the Buddha was so vast that we never dared to imagine such a miracle could occur.
Reflecting on Past Blessings
Looking back at my past, I have finally realised that I must have cultivated great blessings in previous lives. Perhaps it was the merit accumulated long ago—blessings that were not wasted in this life—that allowed me to enjoy this reward after death, guiding me to the Western Land. Whenever I think of it, I feel so happy. It is truly wonderful; I am so incredibly blessed.
I lived my life as an ordinary person. I did not achieve anything outstanding, nor did I do anything particularly special. I simply took care of my family and lived until the age I was meant to reach. Was there suffering? Certainly. Things not going my way was suffering; dissatisfaction was suffering. I did not truly understand what suffering meant at the time, but I am certain that I endured my fair share of it.
The True Nature of Suffering
Upon arriving here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to meet Practitioner Su, I have been able to see the nature of suffering much more clearly. The true suffering is the suffering of the cycle of rebirth—it is so bitter, so incredibly bitter. So many spirits are unable to find an exit, until they encounter the golden light and the Buddha-light here at Practitioner Su’s centre. Only then do they realise the need to leave suffering behind and find the path home.
I have now found my way home, and I am so joyful. If my child had not invited Practitioner Su to save my spirit, I would still be clinging to thoughts of my hometown. I was so attached to it, constantly thinking about it, that I had actually become a part of the earth itself. It is absolutely terrifying! What is even more frightening is that while my spirit was trapped within the dust and soil, I did not even feel that anything was wrong. Once I entered the space of the earth’s dust, my heart even felt a sense of peace, as if I had finally returned home. I had no idea that I had already become a mere grain of sand in the earth. I am truly grateful to have been saved; otherwise, I would have remained a person of such profound ignorance.
Now, I have awakened. I know that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is my true home. This is the home I am returning to, and I will remain here forever, chanting Namo Amituofo, never to leave again.
