A Journey to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss: The Testimony of Liu Erfang

This is a record of an interview with Liu Erfang, the aunt of Yi Ying, who sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition from a wandering spirit to a resident of the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on February 11, 2022.

Liu Erfang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Liu Erfang. Yi Ying, my dear niece, can you hear me? I have finally set foot upon this sacred ground—the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is so beautiful, so incredibly magnificent! It is this very land, this wondrous world, that draws so many suffering beings to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre during every Dharma assembly. I have witnessed them arriving in droves—some crawling on their knees, some bowing their heads in deep repentance. Many arrive broken, their spirits scarred or incomplete, but the moment they are touched by the brilliant Buddha-light, their bodies are restored to wholeness! They move forward, filled with hope, merging into that radiant light. From my vantage point upon the Dharma-Nature Land at the temple, I could see it all so clearly. The scene was more spectacular, more moving than any grand film we have ever seen in the human world. How could such a place exist? How is it that, assembly after assembly, so many departed souls are drawn here to seek Chao Du?"

The Reality of the Pure Land

"I used to think that my time at the temple was already the pinnacle of existence. I wondered, could there possibly be a place better than this? Now, I finally realise the truth: this place is better than the Dharma-Nature Land of the temple by hundreds, thousands, and countless times over. It is real—it is not a dream! I have pinched my cheeks, tapped my feet, and shaken my head, half-expecting to wake up. But this is no dream. I close my eyes and open them again, thinking that if it were a dream, the scene would surely vanish. Yet, it remains exactly the same—a vast, shimmering expanse of golden light. Today, the lucky ones at the temple were just the two of us: myself and your brother, Yi Fei, along with the sixty prison guards. We were all guided by the towering manifestation of Practitioner Su, who held our hands, one by one, and brought us into this realm together."

A Debt of Gratitude

"Yi Ying, seeing this scene, my heart is filled with such profound gratitude for you. I remember how, after I passed away, I spent my time aimlessly wandering about my home, lost and confused. Now, I am here in this glorious land, all because you thought of your aunt. You submitted my name to Practitioner Su, allowing him to perform the Chao Du that enabled me to leave my home and reach this place. I cannot thank you enough for that act of compassion."

From Darkness to Eternal Light

"I remember that day so vividly. A beam of light suddenly shone upon me, and I was startled. I had been pacing back and forth in my home, and in the next instant, I was transported to a place of brilliant illumination. It was only later that I realised I had been brought to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The days that followed were completely different from the life I had known. I began to learn how to listen to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su. I learned how to chant Namo Amituofo, how to calm my heart, and how to live a life of peace and serenity. Here, there is only light; there is no night. It is nothing like the grey, dim, and sorrowful existence I endured at home."

The Merit of Compassion

"Yi Ying, it is such a blessing that you were able to encounter Practitioner Su! I often hear your name mentioned during the Dharma assemblies. The good deeds you are performing will surely return to you in kind. Being a human is truly difficult, and living a good life is not easy. However, no matter what suffering one encounters in the world, if one can reach this place, all past hardships simply vanish into nothingness. If you are able to manage your own life, it is a wonderful thing to help your family members, or even to introduce this path to others so that they, too, can help their loved ones receive Chao Du. I have seen that you have also helped several other family members reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and they are so joyful to be here to welcome us. Your merit is boundless, truly boundless! At this moment, I would like to take this opportunity to say to Namo Amituofo, to Practitioner Su, and to all the Venerables and volunteers at the temple, with the utmost sincerity: 'Thank you. Thank you all.' Namo Amituofo."