A Message from the Western Pure Land: An Interview with Su Wangdan

A Mother’s Journey to the Western Pure Land

It is a profound honour to present this interview with the spirit of Su Wangdan, the mother of Practitioner Su. On the twenty-eighth of December, 2020, we had the rare opportunity to invite her spirit to share her experiences of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Through this dialogue, we gain a glimpse into the boundless compassion of Namo Amituofo and the transformative power of the Pure Land path.

I am known as A-Dan, Su Wangdan. Last week, during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, my third daughter invited me down from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to participate in this interview. It is my great joy to share my experiences with all of you today.

People often say that it is not the quantity of children that matters, but the quality of their character and their capabilities. My daughter, whom everyone now calls Practitioner Su, possesses a profound ability to perform Chao Du. It was through her dedicated practice that she helped both her father and me to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now, she has invited us back from that glorious realm to assist others in the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo.

This was my first time being invited to attend the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, and it was a truly unique experience. Even while residing in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I have been able to witness the live proceedings of the Chao Du ceremonies conducted by Practitioner Su. I have seen the crowds of beings seeking deliverance, and because I am the mother of Practitioner Su, and because I have accumulated my own merits and virtues, I am often allowed to stand at the very front of these gatherings.

The Radiance of the Pure Land

In the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I am very diligent in my practice. I stand at the front to listen to the teachings of Namo Amituofo, and I take these lessons very seriously. Practitioner Su knows my character well; she knows that I am a person who approaches everything with sincerity and focus. From a time when I was illiterate, I have now learned to recognise many characters and can recite the sutras with ease. I have been a very earnest student.

Whenever I hear the voice of my daughter reciting the Infinite Life Sutra, I join her in the recitation. It is a practice she taught me, and it remains a vital part of my daily life. During my final days in the human realm, she was by my side for forty days, providing constant comfort and guidance. Every time I opened my eyes, I saw her face. She was a truly filial daughter, ensuring that my heart remained at peace. She promised that she would accompany me on this journey, and she never left my side.

When the moment of my passing finally arrived, I felt no fear. As my spirit departed from my physical body, I looked for my daughter. I saw others helping me by chanting Namo Amituofo, and a practitioner named Cai, who is now known as Venerable Hai Ze, encouraged me to chant the name of the Buddha. With just one sincere recitation, I arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is a place of such brilliant light and incomparable beauty. I am filled with joy every single day, and I continue to listen to the teachings of Namo Amituofo with great devotion.

The Filial Piety of a Bodhisattva

Let me speak a little about my daughter. She is a woman of extraordinary courage and capability, known to all as Practitioner Su. From a young age, she was blessed with great fortune, even more so than her siblings. She was always filial, and her success in business—whether in typing services or the jewellery trade—was a testament to her boldness and her good heart. She never begrudged her siblings when they borrowed money from her, and perhaps because of this generosity, her own blessings only continued to grow.

She would often take us out for wonderful meals on holidays. One day, she returned home and announced that she would become a vegetarian. We were all quite shocked and initially opposed the idea, telling her that as long as one has a good heart, there is no need to change one's diet. But she said to me, Mother, I wish to purify my speech and memorise the Infinite Life Sutra. Please give me three to six months, and once I have memorised it, I will return to eating meat. From that day forward, she remained a vegetarian. She is truly wise, and now that she has attained such a high level of practice, she is able to help so many others through Chao Du.

I have seen her manifest many forms to guide countless beings to Namo Amituofo. During the ceremonies, she wears red, and I can see that she is perfectly connected with the Buddha. It brings me such happiness to witness this. Her father and I continue to chant Namo Amituofo diligently, helping all those spirits who seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Su family is truly blessed to have such a daughter; it is as if we burned incense in our past lives to have her in this one. Now, our relatives—grandmothers, uncles, aunts, and siblings—have all been delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Call to the Fourfold Assembly

My daughter, I feel so fortunate to have you as my child. Every time there is a ceremony, you invite your father and me to return, and we are always happy to join you in chanting for the benefit of all beings. My dear daughter, my heart aches to see you endure such suffering for the sake of all sentient beings, but after listening to your teachings, I understand that the physical body is merely an illusion. I wonder if you might consult with Namo Amituofo to see if you can return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss sooner? Yet, I remember you saying that one must not be selfish, so I do not know what to do. I have decided that the best way to help is to return every week to chant alongside you.

To the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, you must be more diligent. You must change your ways quickly and cherish this precious opportunity. Namo Amituofo is truly present here. Keep working hard, and do not let this time pass in vain.

Namo Amituofo.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Haiyuan.