A Mother's Journey from Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Bao Yuhua, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her journey from the depths of suffering to the light of the Buddha. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 29, 2026.

Bao Yuhua speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Bao Yuhua, the mother of Wang Xiaoju. Oh, it is finally my turn to be interviewed! I heard that someone from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre was coming to speak with me, and I was absolutely stunned. To think that not only have I been reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, but I am also able to share a few words with the human world—this is truly a remarkable experience.

I am Bao Yuhua, Wang Xiaoju's mother. Haha, looking at this title, my heart feels so comforted. I know that I have a filial daughter who registered for Chao Du on my behalf. I must, of course, hold a heart of the utmost sincerity and gratitude as I first say thank you to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Without the compassion of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, I, Bao Yuhua, would still be living a life of agony, being tortured over and over again in the hells. Oh, it was truly too miserable to look upon, and I do not wish to recall too much of it."

The Reality of Cause and Effect

"Now, having experienced a few weeks of a completely different life, I have thoroughly realised that the laws of karma and cause and effect are truly real. It is a world where Goodness brings good rewards, and evil brings evil retribution. It is not just what we do or say that is important; even what we think in our hearts must be pure. If there are bad thoughts or selfish ideas in one's heart, these are the very reasons why people suffer such painful days after they pass away.

I did not know that I had been so 'bad' in the past, or that I would have to go to the hells to suffer retribution. But looking at it now, it seems that many people share the same fate as I did, all going to the hells to suffer for their deeds. Is it that I performed too poorly, or is it that the hearts of people in the world have become corrupted?"

The Weight of a Human Life

"Oh my, Practitioner Su says that Buddhist education is of the utmost importance, and this is certainly true. Every person is born much the same, but because we receive different educations and carry our own unique karma, these factors stack up. It is so easy for people to drift toward the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, suffering and becoming exhausted along the way.

Coming to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I must say, this incredibly bright world makes me feel so at peace. I have never felt such a purifying power before. My whole being has become so light, so very light. In the past, the world I lived in was so murky. Because people think so much, it is easy for the body to become heavy, to fall ill, to suffer, and to be burdened. All of this is absolutely real."

A Mother's Final Advice

"I want to tell my daughter: you must not walk the same old path as your mother. When you are a human being, you must be upright, and everything you think must also be upright. What does 'upright' mean? It means you must think of others. When a situation arises, try to think a little more for others and a little less for yourself. That bit of Goodness can protect you, so you will not have to suffer the torments of hell like I did. In the past, your mother did not understand many of these principles, and I was unable to provide you with a true Buddhist education.

Back then, I spent my whole life busy and rushing about, just to put food on the table and ensure my family could have a better life. It was hard to avoid being selfish at times, just to protect myself and my family. But you must never hold onto those kinds of thoughts. Your mind-capacity must be larger. If you come to know the Buddha, you will realise that the Buddha's mind-capacity is vast and immeasurable!"

The Power of Chanting

"Coming to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the power here is truly overwhelming. After being bathed in the Buddha's light for just a moment, I became clear and bright. Because here, we do not have a physical body, unlike in the human world.

Today, when the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre held the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Practitioner Su was earnestly counseling everyone not to be drowsy. It is clear now that people in the world cannot even master their own minds. If even those in the temple struggle with this, how much more so for us in the world? I was the same way; I had this body, but what I said and did was not something I could truly control.

So, I advise my child, and everyone else as well: you must remember not to have too many subjective views and ideas. These only obstruct us and prevent us from achieving clarity. I hope everyone can feel the joy I have now in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and everything I have learned here. Although this may sound a bit distant to you, or perhaps it sounds like principles I would never have spoken of before, I am now speaking to you from the perspective of the spiritual realms. I sincerely hope that everyone can be like me, to leave suffering behind and gain happiness, and to follow the Buddha as soon as possible—that would be the most wonderful thing of all.

Chanting Namo Amituofo is the most important thing. If you can keep the Buddha-name in your mind at all times, you will surely achieve success. Namo Amituofo."

Bao Yuhua