A Mother's Journey from the Animal Realm to the Pure Land

Tang Yifeng, the mother of Lay Practitioner Wan Yongxiu, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia after suffering through the harrowing cycle of rebirth. This interview, recorded on December 10, 2021, by the chief writer Shi Fajing, captures her profound journey from the depths of the animal realm to the eternal peace of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Tang Yifeng speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is real, and I have truly arrived! Yongxiu, my dear daughter, your mother has reached the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am so incredibly happy—this place is beyond beautiful, filled with light and peace that I never dared to dream of! Please, quickly, help me express my deepest, most sincere gratitude to Practitioner Su. Right now, I am kneeling before the Buddha, bowing continuously in humble thanks. I am filled with such profound gratitude to Namo Amituofo, to Practitioner Su, and to everyone at the centre who worked so tirelessly to save me.

I am Yongxiu's mother, Tang Yifeng. It has been such a long time since I last spoke my own name or the name of my daughter. My daughter could never have imagined that after I passed away, I would fall into the animal realm. Even I, myself, never expected that such a tragic fate would befall me! Sitting here upon my lotus seat, whenever I recall the state I was in as an animal, I cannot help but weep. I am still so frightened by the memory. How could the cycle of rebirth be so terrifying? Who would have thought that after death, one does not simply return as a human, but could instead be cast into the life of an animal, suffering in silence and fear?"

The Nightmare of the Animal Realm

"If it were not for my daughter, Yongxiu, who reached out to save me, I would still be trapped in that wretched animal existence today. I might have been stuck there forever, unable to find a way out, lost in the darkness of ignorance. I was living in a daze, day after day, just waiting for the end. Even when I was killed, I would simply be reborn into another animal body, over and over again. It was a cycle of endless suffering with no hope of escape, a nightmare that seemed to have no end. I was helpless, terrified, and completely alone in my suffering.

But now, I have been saved! When I first arrived and sat upon my lotus seat, I could not even remember my own name. My mind was so clouded, so hazy and unclear, as if I were trapped in a thick fog. It was only after listening to the Sutras every single day, and bathing in the radiant Buddha-light that shines upon me, that I slowly began to regain my clarity and consciousness. The light of the Buddha has washed away the darkness of my past, and I am finally awake."

The Path to Clarity and Liberation

"I feel so fortunate that someone in our family practiced the Buddha-Dharma. Now that I have experienced the cycle of rebirth myself, I truly understand how vital it is to practice the Buddha-Dharma while one still has the chance. Here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I have listened to so many Sutras. I never had such an opportunity to hear the teachings when I was alive, so I cherish every single moment of it now. After listening to the Sutras, I feel as though I have been completely transformed. I have come to understand so many profound truths and have realised many things that were hidden from me before. The Dharma has opened my eyes to the truth of existence.

Now, I chant Namo Amituofo with the utmost sincerity every single day. My heart is overflowing with gratitude toward Namo Amituofo, toward Practitioner Su, and toward the entire Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. That I, Tang Yifeng, could have my spirit liberated from the cycle of rebirth is entirely due to the Buddha, Practitioner Su, and the salvation team at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I am so grateful—truly, deeply grateful for this second chance at life in the Pure Land."

A Mother's Final Advice to Her Daughter

"Finally, I want to tell my daughter: you must be diligent in your practice of the Buddha-Dharma. I have heard the most essential point of the practice, which is that one must change one's personality. You must change your temperament, chant Namo Amituofo more often, and perform more good deeds. Only then will you be able to ensure a smooth rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss in the future. Do not let the distractions of the world pull you away from the path of liberation.

It is my greatest hope that all of you will be able to come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss so that we may be reunited. Your father is here with me, and Qinglian is here as well. Look at him—he is so full of energy, looking so much younger, and he came to greet us with a face full of smiles. To be able to reunite with everyone here in the Western Land is truly the greatest joy imaginable! Please, remember to convey my deepest gratitude to Practitioner Su and to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Tang Yifeng bows in reverence. Namo Amituofo."