A Journey to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Cai Xu Cuitai, the mother-in-law of Lay Practitioner Huang Jin. She sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on November 17, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Cai Xu Cuitai speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am truly filled with gratitude to Namo Amituofo. I never imagined that I would be able to see the Buddha, to stand in His presence. It felt so natural to simply kneel down and bow my head before Him. The Buddha smiled at me, and in that smile, I felt Him embracing every part of who I am, accepting everything I have ever been.

The Expansion of the Heart

It was only when I saw the Buddha and witnessed the magnificence of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss that I truly understood: a person’s heart must be vast, truly expansive, to be capable of performing deeds that genuinely help all beings. Before this, my perspective was so limited.

Reflecting on my life, I feel a deep sense of shame. My entire existence was consumed by the needs of my family and the daily grind of survival. Most of the time, I only did good deeds when it was convenient or within my limited capacity. I could not do more because my heart was always anchored to the home, to my own small circle. It was only after Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su taught me that I realised this, too, was a form of selfishness. It is this very selfishness that causes the heart to become ill. I never knew before that the teachings of Namo Amituofo were so profound. I did not realise that He was teaching us how to achieve true liberation, how to finally step off the wheel of samsara and stop the cycle of reincarnated existence.

Lessons from the Cycle of Rebirth

When I looked back at my past lives, I saw that I had been a chicken, and even an inanimate object—a chair. I was terrified by what I saw. It made me realise that everything, every single thing, possesses a life force. We must learn to cherish and protect all life with great care.

After arriving at this Buddha-land, I began to ponder: if I were given a human body once more, what would I do? Many answers raced through my mind, and in that moment, I realised that my heart had not truly let go. I was still attached to the affairs of the world. Thinking of this, I knelt before the Buddha and repented with all my heart.

A New Beginning in the Pure Land

Since arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my appearance has become so much younger. If you could see me now, I am sure you would be happy for me. I am filled with a lightness I have not felt in a very long time.

I am deeply grateful to my daughter-in-law, with whom I share this karmic affinity. She helped me by arranging for my Chao Du, bringing me to this Buddha-land. Because of her, my heart has become increasingly joyful. I have not felt this relaxed or this happy in ages. My heart is overflowing with gratitude.

I will continue to diligently chant Buddha's name here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I will earnestly follow the Buddha’s teachings. It is my sincere hope that all my descendants will have the opportunity to know the Buddha, to learn of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and that one day, we may all be reunited here.

Respectfully, Cai Xu Cuitai, kneeling in gratitude.

Namo Amituofo."