A Life Cut Short by the Wang Fuk Court Fire

This is a record of an interview with Chiu Wang-shi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon her life and the tragic events of the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on December 14, 2025.

Chiu Wang-shi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The sky was a hazy grey, but my mood was actually quite good. I had just received my performance bonus for the month. I was a sales agent, specialising in cosmetics. But I was not like the typical cosmetic salesperson; I sold the distribution rights for the brand. My clients, once they purchased these rights, could sell our brand's products through their own channels. To be a brand agent, one must look the part. If you appear sloppy or unkempt, your clients' willingness to purchase will naturally decline. So, every single day, I made sure to present myself perfectly—professional, yet not overly stern; beautiful, yet not heavy-handed with the makeup.

Some people assume that a sales agent should dress provocatively, perhaps wearing short skirts or black fishnet stockings. Honestly, that is just a tired stereotype. When a client buys the product you are promoting, they need to see the benefits and the value of the product reflected in you, not just some superficial allure. That is why I always dressed with a sense of competence. At twenty-four, being able to serve as a brand agent was not something I achieved solely through my own ability; my father’s support was indispensable. Because of that, I worked incredibly hard, hoping to make a real name for myself."

The Sudden Onset of Tragedy

"The fire came so suddenly. I had no time to think. At the time, I was out meeting with clients, and things were going exceptionally well—I felt certain that this deal would go through. When I received the notification about the fire, my first reaction was that I had to return to Wang Fuk Court. I heard the fire had started in the building next door, and I thought it would not affect my own building. But to be safe, I drove home immediately, as I had some very important documents kept there. In the business world, even the slightest oversight can lead to massive losses. Beyond being careful and cautious, one must be decisive, and with a bit of luck, one can make the right decisions at the right time.

Growing up in a wealthy family, I had never really known hardship. Even after moving to Wang Fuk Court to live and strive on my own, my primary motivation was to prove myself. It was not until this massive fire at Wang Fuk Court that I truly felt how much suffering there is in this world. When I returned home, everything seemed normal. I quickly gathered my documents, preparing to rush back to continue my meeting with the clients—my colleagues were holding down the fort alone. Who could have expected that as I went to take the elevator, the power on the entire floor would suddenly cut out? I thought to myself, 'Could the fire really have spread this far?' This was not good. I had such a bright future ahead of me. I fumbled in the dark to find my flashlight, changed my shoes, and ran down the stairs as fast as I could."

A Life Extinguished in an Instant

"I held those important documents tightly, wearing my running shoes, and hurried toward the stairwell. I truly believed the fire could not have spread that quickly. How could I have known that the moment I reached for the door to the stairwell, a wall of flame would erupt, accompanied by a deafening explosion? I was struck instantly by the force of that fire and the blast, which brought my life to an abrupt end."

Finding the Light of the Buddha

"After I arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I never imagined that the Buddha was truly real, or that a person could actually practise to become a Buddha. I bowed my head to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I never expected that there would be such a salvation team in this world—one that does not just save people, but saves spirits as well. Here in the Dharma-Nature Land, the golden light shines everywhere, and I am constantly listening to the chanting of 'Namo Amituofo'. I have slowly come to understand that once you no longer have a physical body, the wealth, the image, and the achievements that body once possessed are no longer important. They are of no use at all; the spirits have no need for them.

When I first arrived in this world of lotuses, I was still filled with terror and resentment. But the Buddha-light shone upon me constantly, and the Buddha-name chanting filled my ears, allowing my spirit to slowly brighten from its grey, dim state. As my spirit grew brighter, my energy became more abundant. Only then did I realise that you cannot take anything with you after death. The light of the Buddha and the energy within the chanting of the Buddha-name can help a soul recover and heal, and even elevate one's spirituality to a higher level."

A Message to My Father

"I want to tell my father: 'I am sorry. Your daughter always had her own ideas, but now I have changed so much. I hope you will come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to find me. And for the friends you know, I hope you will bring them along to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to witness that the spirit never dies. I know you are all very wealthy, but you are also very afraid of death. You do not have to die if you come here, because Namo Amituofo is right here, and the Buddha will take us to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.'

Thank you, Practitioner Su. Without you, it would have been impossible for me to be saved. Other victims have also been rescued and brought to the Dharma-Nature Land. Over these past few days, I have come to know that you have the ability to guide spirits to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—and as you put it, it is 'one hundred percent certain.' I truly believe that everyone with wealth and resources should come to see this holy site where Namo Amituofo resides.

Thank you all. Namo Amituofo. Chiu Wang-shi."