A Monk's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Master Mingshan, a renowned monk who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his transition to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on March 31, 2026.

Master Mingshan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Master Mingshan. People have often referred to me as Master Mingshan or Elder Mingshan, though in truth, I feel unworthy of such titles. From ancient times to the present, the titles of 'Master' or 'Elder' are reserved for those who have truly realised their true nature and attained Awakening. While I dedicated my entire life to the Buddhist community in China and have no regrets regarding my service to the human world, and while my heart was always firmly set on the Western Pure Land, I must confess: I did not enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through my own power of chanting Namo Amituofo alone, nor was I guided there directly by the Buddha at the moment of my passing.

The Moment of Transition

At the age of eighty-eight, as I approached the end of my life, I did indeed chant the holy name of 'Namo Amituofo' with a sincere heart. However, my mind was not entirely focused on the Buddha-name. I remained deeply attached to the concerns of my disciples and the followers who sought my counsel, constantly preoccupied with answering their various doubts and questions. I had not fully let go of everything I had undertaken in the world. In that final, fleeting moment, I failed to grasp the holy name of Namo Amituofo firmly. I saw a yellow light appearing from the heavens. It was not the golden light of the Buddha, nor did Namo Amituofo appear to receive me. Because my meditative concentration was not yet perfectly complete at the time of my death, due to that single moment of hesitation and attachment, I found myself entering the sixth heaven of the heavenly realms.

Life in the heavenly realms was comfortable, peaceful, and cool, free from the various noises and disturbances of the human world. Yet, even there, I felt a profound sense of regret. I realised that my practice of chanting had not been powerful enough. Although I had vigorously promoted the holy name of 'Namo Amituofo' and urged people—regardless of their sect—to focus solely on chanting 'Namo Amituofo' during this chaotic age of the Dharma-ending period, and to follow the Buddha-heart, Buddha-vows, and Buddha-actions as the most stable and liberating path, I myself had failed to let go of that one final attachment. Because of that single thought, I did not receive the guidance of Namo Amituofo to the Western Pure Land.

A Beacon of Light in the Human World

I am deeply indebted to Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, who performs Chao Du for beings in the six realms and the ten directions every single day. While I was in the sixth heaven, I heard that there was a place in the human world radiating a brilliant, golden light that illuminated the entire Dharma Realm and the universe. From my vantage point in the sixth heaven, I looked down upon the human world and discovered that this light originated from a temple in the remote area of Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia—the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It was a place where the truth of Namo Amituofo personally abiding was manifest.

Upon seeing this, my heart was profoundly shaken. I realised that there is a Buddha in the human world, and that Namo Amituofo truly abides here. This connection was made possible because Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has attained the fruit of Buddhahood in the human world, achieved Awakening, and perfected the path of the Buddha. Through her own diligent efforts and the strength of her great vows, she has delivered countless beings from the spiritual realms and the demon crowds. This virtue moved Namo Amituofo to descend and abide in the human world, effectively holding an umbrella over Practitioner Su, thereby opening a broad and smooth path for the work of deliverance in the human world.

Entering the Western Pure Land

It was through this magnificent causal condition that I was able to move from the sixth heaven. By utilising the skill of Practitioner Su in opening the space between realms, my spirit—along with the spirits of countless beings from the heavenly realms—was instantly guided into the Western Pure Land. It happened in the blink of an eye, in a mere snap of the fingers. My spirit was transported from the heavenly realm and placed upon a lotus seat in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The supreme beauty, purity, and dignity of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss are beyond anything in the heavenly realms or the human world. Namo Amituofo immediately appeared before my eyes; the Buddha was so incredibly tall, compassionate, and magnificent. I had never witnessed such a scene, and I began to kowtow to the Buddha repeatedly, my heart filled with boundless joy and Dharma-joy. I had never imagined such a reversal of fortune, that I would be granted the opportunity to enter the Western Pure Land. My heart was overflowing with gratitude that words could not express. At that moment, I, Mingshan, was truly blessed to encounter the true Buddha abiding in the world and to be reborn in the Western Pure Land in an instant, to be with the Buddha and to practice purification under the seat of Namo Amituofo. Such a supreme and magnificent causal condition naturally filled my heart with joy and gratitude.

A New Beginning

I lived for eighty-eight years in the human world and experienced over a decade of spiritual life in the heavenly realms. Entering the Western Pure Land now marks the beginning of a new spiritual life. I have entrusted this life entirely to Namo Amituofo, and I have made a vow before the Buddha: whenever I attain the fruit of Buddhahood and return to the human world to save sentient beings, I will use the teachings of Namo Amituofo as my guiding direction, dedicating the entirety of my energy to propagating the supreme chanting method of Namo Amituofo and the Western Pure Land.

In the human world, as an abbot and a leader of the fourfold assembly in the Chinese Buddhist community, I bore the heavy responsibility of reorganising a Buddhist community that had become corrupt and decadent. In my later years, I made the chanting of Namo Amituofo the primary focus of my education and promotion. However, having been exposed to many different sects and methods throughout my life, I had not, from beginning to end, fully dedicated myself to the supreme wisdom and depth of the chanting method.

A Life of Diligence and Responsibility

I was ordained at the age of nineteen and received the precepts to become a bhikshu at twenty. Throughout my life, I remained cautious and diligent, never ceasing in my duty to improve myself and teach sentient beings. I understood deeply that as a monk living in a chaotic world, beyond continuing the wisdom-life of the Buddha and spreading Buddhist education, I could not forget the various hardships and suffering experienced by the common people. I knew clearly the suffering of the human world, and I knew that I could not shirk my responsibility. In propagating the Dharma and benefiting living beings, I never forgot that my duty was to save suffering beings. This is the origin of what is known as 'Humanistic Buddhism,' a method of Buddhist promotion that is more accessible to the general public. Because people living in the secular world cannot easily resonate with profound Buddhist doctrines, I spent my life not only promoting Mahayana sutras like the Shurangama Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, but also dedicating myself to improving the human heart and helping to rebuild the confidence and motivation of a nation that had been broken.

I lived through the war-torn period before the founding of the new China, the Anti-Japanese War, and the Cultural Revolution that followed. That was the darkest and most painful stage for monks. I felt helpless, but I did not escape. I understood the bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and spiciness of human life, as well as the complex joys and sorrows of separation and reunion. I knew that my own abilities were limited and that I could not single-handedly revitalise the Buddhist community in China. Therefore, in the later part of my life, I focused on cultivating young monastics, allowing them to stand up and work for the sake of Chinese Buddhism. Many of my peers, both monastics and lay practitioners, also stood firm at their posts, doing their utmost for the inheritance and propagation of the Buddha's teachings in China.

Reflections on the Past

Looking back on my life, my heart is vast and clear, with no regrets. I followed causal conditions, travelling to various places and walking thousands of miles. I visited almost every province. The most painful trial was the Cultural Revolution. I was already eighty years old, an elderly man, but as a monk, I deeply understood the principle that the Buddha-heart and Buddha-actions keep one from truly aging. Although I was advanced in years, I had no major health issues, nor did I suffer from any discomfort or illness. Therefore, at a time when Buddhism was nearly extinguished, I became even more determined. Although I was forced to return to lay life for a period, I remained diligent in adversity, working during the day and meditating at night, never forgetting my responsibility as a monk. In those circumstances, I chose to let go of everything—my status and responsibilities in the Buddhist world—and followed all the arrangements made by the government. I lived in a dark space with ordinary people, forced to perform many menial tasks. I gradually began to reflect on any errors in my state of mind, or any subtle selfishness and dissatisfaction. I knew deeply that my practice was not yet complete, and that my latent habits and character traits could manifest at any time due to a lack of meditative concentration. Therefore, I was extremely cautious with my words, deeds, and thoughts. This reflection allowed me to realise that I had not fully let go of my ego-attachment and personal views, so I worked even harder to tell myself: I did not come to the human world to gain anything, but to give everything.

Although I experienced various hardships, I was deeply moved and joyful to see that there were still monastics and lay practitioners in the Chinese Buddhist community willing to dedicate their hearts and blood to propagating the Dharma. When I left the human world, I did not have many attachments or regrets, only that single moment of error that prevented me from focusing on chanting to reach the Western Pure Land by my own power.

Witnessing the Work of Practitioner Su

I have now spent some time in the Western Pure Land, and I am constantly observing the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in the human world, and all the Buddha-work being conducted by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I have participated in the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies presided over by Namo Amituofo, witnessing the scene of Practitioner Su leading the effort to deliver sentient beings with all her might. Seeing the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and the power of Practitioner Su's Awakening truly fills me, and many other beings in the Western Pure Land who originated from the heavenly realms, with admiration and boundless joy. In my entire life as a monk in the human world, I had never heard of anyone with such skill, capable of performing such magnificent work of saving people and the world between the human and spiritual realms. Everything happening before my eyes is so real. Whether during ceremonies or in daily life, Practitioner Su is able to use her countless manifestations, in coordination with the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo, to perform Dharma-Body deliverance throughout the six realms and ten directions, guiding countless demon crowds and suffering spirits into the Western Dharma-Nature Land, from where these beings then have the opportunity to enter the Western Pure Land.

I am filled with admiration and astonishment for this Buddha-land—the Western Dharma-Nature Land. It is only because Practitioner Su's vows are so firm, and her heart to save the world alongside the Buddha is so unshakable, that the establishment of the Western Dharma-Nature Land has been made possible with the help of Namo Amituofo. All of this is conducted according to Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path; it is the most perfect embodiment of the Buddha-heart, Buddha-actions, and Buddha-vows."

Namo Amituofo.

Observing all of this from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly magnificent! I hope that one day I may return to the human world to perform Buddha-work, to walk the path of realizing one's true nature and attaining Buddhahood, and to help immeasurable and boundless beings achieve rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. At this moment, I, Mingshan, know well that my practice and skills are not yet complete, and I dare not act rashly. Therefore, I remain here, obediently listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma, learning all the teachings imparted by Namo Amituofo.

A Seismic Shift in the Spiritual Realms

Recently, I learned that Practitioner Su, with the full support of Namo Amituofo, is conducting unprecedented, large-scale Chao Du across the vast lands of China. This Chao Du has caused a massive tremor throughout the spiritual realms. This tremor signifies that beings in the spiritual realms have heard of this event and realized that there is an opportunity to leave suffering behind and gain happiness, and to achieve rebirth in the Western Land. Everyone wants to follow the Buddha-light. Consequently, as Practitioner Su conducts Chao Du across the vast regions of China, many beings are following the Buddha-light, seizing the opportunity to leave suffering behind and gain happiness through rebirth in the Western Land.

However, the demon crowds are divided in their opinions. Some have chosen to surrender to the Buddha, while a larger portion has chosen to use magical attacks against the physical body of Practitioner Su. This is because the demon crowds are stubborn and have not yet realized the magnificence of the Buddha’s true work of saving the world and the responsibility He bears. In order to preserve their power and everything they possess, these demon crowds have long been casting spells to attack the body of Practitioner Su; different batches of demons target different parts of the body with varying degrees of intensity.

The Hidden Price of Salvation

Seeing this, my heart aches, and I am filled with profound emotion. I never imagined that the immense price paid for realizing one's true nature and attaining Buddhahood in the human world, and for saving beings, is something that ordinary people, whose physical eyes have not yet been opened, could ever imagine or comprehend.

At this moment, I observe the countless manifestations of Practitioner Su, penetrating deep into the infinitely layered spaces of mainland China to conduct Chao Du. This scene is truly moving. No matter how deep or dark the space, Practitioner Su breaks through layer after layer in every Chao Du, never stopping or abandoning even a single corner where suffering beings reside.

The Reality of Samsara

Recently, it has become visible that Practitioner Su's Chao Du has reached beings in the infinitely layered depths beneath the earth, as well as those in deep spaces and the spaces between mountains and forests. Many suffering spirits have been trapped in these places for hundreds, thousands, or even ten thousand years, still living a life of wandering and helplessness. This is the true portrait of the six realms of rebirth.

Because people are ignorant and do not believe in the true Great Dharma, trusting only what they see with their physical eyes, many are unable to accept the Dharma-words taught here by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. It is such a pity.

A Call to the People of China

Looking at the development of the Chinese Buddhist community today, my heart is very heavy. I know deeply that there are few monks left who truly walk the Buddha's path, and the promotion of the teachings is ineffective; it is very difficult for the True Teachings to spread across the land of China. Moving forward, the Buddha's teachings, especially the Great Dharma of Amitabha Buddha, must be widely and deeply planted in people's hearts.

I, Mingshan, hereby appeal to all the people of China: if you have the opportunity to hear these few words from beyond, please believe that the teachings currently being imparted by Namo Amituofo at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, and the Buddhist education conveyed to the world by Practitioner Su, are the most perfect and ultimate education. This is a temple that truly walks the Buddha's path, and it is the only place in the human world that is directly connected to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. If you wish to achieve true freedom from aging, freedom from illness, and ensure your spirit does not die, only this place can provide you with ultimate perfection.

The Path to Ultimate Liberation

Humanistic Buddhism can certainly help many beings gain an initial understanding of the Buddha's teachings, but it is not the ultimate method, nor can it truly lead people to rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a fact that the public must face. Everything observed and felt in the human world remains within this illusory physical body that is subject to birth and death; it is not a method that can help people elevate their spirits, transcend this physical body, overcome the suffering of the six realms, and achieve rebirth in the Western Land. People of China, no matter how much you praise the education of the human world—whether it be traditional Chinese cultural education or any other type—you must clearly understand that only Buddhist education has the ability to lead you to see through all the suffering of the human world and achieve ultimate liberation from suffering and the attainment of happiness.

In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I, Mingshan, still wish to walk with all beings; this has always been my lifelong vow. Although I am not currently in the human world, everything I must contribute can only reach true perfection through the human world.

I am grateful for the great compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I have benefited infinitely in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. May the Buddha always reside in the world, and may the Dharma-water flow forever.

Namo Amituofo.

Master Mingshan