A Journey to the Western Pure Land: The Testimony of Lai Yongqing

This article records an interview with Lay Practitioner Lai Yongqing, the former president of the Kuching Pure Land Buddhist Society, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Having been guided to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he shares his profound reflections on his transition from the human world to the Western Pure Land. This interview was conducted by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on October 17, 2021.

Lai Yongqing speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lai Yongqing. I have arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, having been here for what feels like about one day in human time. Ever since Practitioner Su guided me into the West, I have remained here, kneeling on the golden ground of this precious land. Above me, soft and radiant flower petals, as delicate as fine cotton, drift down continuously. The fragrance of these wondrous flowers is intoxicating, filling my heart with such comfort. Though I wear a smile, two streams of tears—tears of profound gratitude—flow endlessly from my eyes.

The Grace of Namo Amituofo

That a humble soul such as mine could receive the compassionate grace of Namo Amituofo is beyond words. Seeing me kneeling, the Buddha showered heavenly flowers upon the ground where I rested. I felt no pain in my knees; instead, the softness of the flower clusters cushioned them. Even if I were to kneel here forever, I could never fully repay the Buddha’s compassionate kindness.

In the human world, the karma of the six realms of rebirth causes so many beings to become lost, their true nature obscured! Even though I had a deep affinity with the Buddha and was fortunate enough to receive the guidance of my teacher to enter the gate of the Pure Land, I was inadequate. My spiritual obstacles were heavy. Although I diligently performed prostrations and thought I was practising with diligence, I had not yet transformed my personal ego and habits. Consequently, I fell into the hells and failed to achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. I truly feel ashamed for failing to live up to the teachings of my teacher.

The True Meaning of Diligence

Only after entering the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre did I truly understand what it means to practise with diligence. I observed the fourfold assembly of disciples there. Every morning at 2:15 AM, they take their places before their cushions. Amidst the continuous chanting of the Buddha-name, they perform prostrations, circumambulate the Buddha, and recite one volume of The Infinite Life Sutra as their daily practice. From Monday to Thursday, they listen to Dharma talks, and the Venerables conduct various spiritual interviews. Throughout the seven days of the week, Practitioner Su leads the fourfold assembly in the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Only through such unremitting practice can one achieve such fruitful results.

Practitioner Su even begins the Dharma Body deliverance work shortly after one o'clock in the morning—a feat I had never heard of before. Practitioner Su, manifesting countless bodies, appears from above his own head to lead the salvation team he has subdued into China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, and beyond. The scene is truly magnificent. If I had not witnessed this grand spectacle of deliverance with my own eyes in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I would find it hard to believe! Here, all spirits address Practitioner Su as 'Buddha Su.' I, too, follow the custom and call him Buddha Su; it is the respectful title he deserves.

The Power of an Awakened Being

Although people who chant the Buddha-name are everywhere, and there are many practitioners, how many truly have the ability to save sentient beings and guide them into the Western Pure Land? Many cannot even ensure their own rebirth, let alone deliver others! What I just described—the Dharma Body deliverance by Buddha Su—is real and not a fabrication. It turns out that the ability of one who has realised their true nature adapts according to the needs of sentient beings; it is not rigid. When faced with difficult situations, he uses wisdom to resolve them, thereby relieving the suffering of beings and saving them from their hardships. This is the flexible and subtle nature of an awakened being, which I have witnessed in Buddha Su. That I, now a being of the Western Land, am accepting an interview from the temple's Venerables—is this not also an inconceivable event? Having been cleansed by the wondrous flowers of the West, my heart feels much clearer.

The saying that everyone possesses the Buddha-nature within, which can be developed, is clearly visible at the temple. If the space had not been opened to allow for spiritual communication with the Western Pure Land, how could what I am saying now manifest in the present moment?

A Debt of Gratitude

At this point, I deeply feel that the practice of Buddha Su and the fourfold assembly at the temple is the only true path of diligence. It also makes me sigh; Buddha Su was once just one of many Pure Land practitioners, yet now he can send beings from the entire Dharma realm to the West. He has achieved spiritual success, and the manifestation of the abilities of one who has realised their true nature is undeniable. Meeting him again, I am filled with mixed emotions—not only did I fail in my own practice, but I also received his grace to be sent to the West. My gratitude is beyond words! Thank you, Teacher Liang. If not for your awareness in notifying Buddha Su, how could I be where I am today?

When the Kuching Pure Land Buddhist Society was being built, Buddha Su participated in it, leading the assembly in chanting the Buddha-name for seven sessions a day. He was truly the best among those who chanted, and leading the morning chanting was an act of extreme diligence! I believe that over these years, Buddha Su must have undergone many tests and trials to achieve the realisation of his true nature and to have Namo Amituofo reside at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to benefit and save countless spirits of the Dharma realm. It is a pity that few in the human world know about Buddha Su and this precious land of the temple; few come to inquire or draw near. Fortunately, through the blessings of the Buddha and Buddha Su's painstaking efforts, many miraculous feats have been accomplished, such as successfully praying for rain during the drought in Goombungee, Australia, where the temple is located, and subduing countless demons, turning them toward Goodness and causing them to surrender under the seat of Amitabha. These are all things I have seen and heard in the Dharma-Nature Land.

The Vision for the Pure Land Headquarters

I have learned that Buddha Su is now determined to build the Pure Land Headquarters next to the temple. 'Pure Land Headquarters' is the name given by Namo Amituofo himself. Seeing how the pandemic has so rampantly claimed human lives, and the heavy price nations and individuals have paid, Buddha Su is determined to build this headquarters to save beings from their suffering. Beyond subduing the demons of the pandemic, he has repeatedly called upon the leaders of various nations to come to the temple and invite Namo Amituofo to save the world from this crisis, yet no one has come to pray. Hearing and seeing this from the Dharma-Nature Land, I feel deeply saddened and regretful! Having died from the pandemic myself, I know the suffering well. How many spirits who died from the pandemic are currently floating in the air in agony, or suffering retribution due to their karma, unable to be saved and having no opportunity for rebirth in the West? Thinking of this, I feel infinite gratitude for being able to reach the West.

Beyond saving the world from the pandemic and delivering spirits of the Dharma realm, this project aims to promote the spirit of the Pure Land school—saving beings and guiding them to the West. It is the first temple built by Namo Amituofo descending into the human world to save beings. This is not an easy task; the planning and the funding are significant. Yet, Buddha Su fearlessly made this vow and took on this heavy burden. I know this is a matter of great importance. If the Pure Land Headquarters is built, it will benefit immeasurable and boundless suffering beings of the Dharma realm, as well as countless Pure Land practitioners in the world today, helping them achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is not just the business of Buddha Su alone; it truly requires the support and assistance of virtuous people from all corners of the Pure Land community. If you can participate in this, you are accumulating the provisions for your own future rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

A Final Plea

Furthermore, the temple has begun the initial construction of the Amitabha Village. I was overjoyed to see this; it is the wish of so many who chant the Buddha-name! If you move in, you can take care of each other, prepare for rebirth in the Western Pure Land, and receive the guarantee of being guided to the West by Buddha Su. This is an opportunity that cannot be bought. I take this moment to appeal to everyone, hoping that those practitioners, fellow lotus friends, and sentient beings who truly wish to be reborn in the Western Pure Land will know that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is the hope for everyone to reach the Western Pure Land. These are the heartfelt words I speak from the Western Pure Land, hoping they will be of help to the diligent practice and the successful rebirth of all my fellow practitioners and lotus friends in Malaysia and the world. Information is also available on the website.

Having said all this, I feel much lighter and more grounded. I slowly stood up from my kneeling position and took a deep breath of the air of the West—it is so fragrant and pure! When did the tear stains on my face stop? My heart is full of gratitude and joy. Once again, I thank Namo Amituofo, Buddha Su, and all the virtuous ones at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

Namo Amituofo.

Spoken by Lai Yongqing"