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

This is a record of an interview with He Kunrong, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her life and her subsequent transition from the ghost realm. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Hailiang, on April 22, 2022.

He Kunrong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Standing here in this magnificent Dharma assembly, chanting 'Namo Amituofo' aloud, I am deeply moved. Alongside sixty prison guards and many other beings who have attained rebirth, I heard the respected and compassionate Practitioner Su call out our names. We were filled with such joy and emotion that, in an instant, we arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I immediately knelt and bowed, offering my deepest gratitude to the compassionate Namo Amituofo. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to Practitioner Su, the monastics of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and the volunteer Bodhisattvas who chanted for us and guided us on this journey. At that moment, as I chanted the Buddha-name aloud, I was so overcome that I could not stop weeping."

A Life of Endless Toil

"Who would have thought that after a life of such hardship, I would spend my time after death struggling in the ghost realm? I was always striving to make a living, desperate to earn money. Whether alive or dead, it was the same struggle—I did not want to fall behind, so I worked myself to the bone, desperately trying to earn, even running a business in the ghost market while I was a spirit.

My daughter, can you see how hard I worked? I see your own suffering now. You are so capable and strong-willed, yet after raising your son to his early twenties, he was taken from you in a tragic car accident. For a woman, that is a pain and sorrow beyond measure—a devastating blow! I cannot bear that pain for you; the separation of loved ones is something only those who experience it can truly understand. In the currents of our time, for our generation, life was defined by the word 'hardship,' coupled with a deep distrust of the people around us. Compared to the present day, the difference is immense. I knew suffering from the moment I understood the world. I saw my own parents struggle, and when I married and had children, it became even harder. I finally understand why my parents' lives were always filled with such misery."

The Fear of a Bygone Era

"To put food on the table, we had to work tirelessly outside. In those days, your grandmother lived in constant anxiety. Our era was even more severe; you never knew when someone might harm you. You could leave the house in the morning and never return by night. Sometimes, even when you worked diligently, your own partners might betray you. At that time, the public security officers would often send people away for forced labour—all of this was a result of the changing times. The most unsettling cause of all was the fear of the human heart. We lived in days of terror, where one could lose their life at any moment. You spend your whole life struggling, only for it to turn to nothing, leaving families torn apart.

I tell you all this to say: it is normal to be sad that your son has passed away. But look at it from a brighter perspective—at least he is now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I saw him smiling at me, coming to welcome his grandmother. I almost did not recognise him at first, but then I realised he was living so well in the Western Land. My grandson, Yaojian, has grown up to be truly wonderful. Everything about him is a joy to behold."

The Power of Filial Piety

"We are standing here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, watching over you, my daughter. That I am able to be here now is entirely due to your filial heart. When you gave birth to your own child, you finally understood that being a mother is not simple. Beyond the intense physical suffering, your body and mind are completely anchored to your children, hoping only that they grow up safe and sound. As they grow, you worry about whether their lives are good, hoping they will be obedient, listen to your guidance, and become successful people. This is the heart of every parent under heaven—hoping their sons become dragons and their daughters become phoenixes. You were clever from a young age, so I did not have to worry about you as much. If I scolded you even slightly, you would immediately improve; if my expression changed, you knew you had made a grave mistake. Now, you have great blessings, for you have come to know Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, which is the only reason I have this opportunity today."

A Call to Practice

"Today, I have the chance to be in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and witness its beauty. It is filled with golden light, and simply being here makes one naturally calm and completely at ease. There is a joy here that is beyond description. Run'e, you must study the Buddha's teachings diligently. I have listened to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks; his teachings are truly profound! Every word and sentence penetrates the very nature of the human heart. If I had met him in my own time, I would not have let you and your father suffer so much. Everything stems from the human heart; we must change from within our own character. If we could have heard the Buddha's teachings earlier, everyone in our surroundings would have been blessed with the opportunity to learn, and the world would be at peace—a world of great harmony, just as Confucius described.

Run'e, you must seize the time every day to chant the Buddha-name and listen to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks. You are not young anymore; you must strive in your practice and chanting so that, in the end, our whole family can be reunited in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Remember to introduce the Buddha's teachings to others, especially so that those who know you can avoid suffering because of your guidance. As long as you keep your heart good, do good deeds, and speak good words, you are offering a heart of compassion—pure and kind. This will bring hope to everyone. Only then will you realise that the happiness of life is important, and that the essence of learning the Buddha's teachings is to have a good heart. If your thoughts are good, everything will be good.

Finally, I wish to thank Practitioner Su on behalf of your mother, as well as the monastics and volunteer Bodhisattvas of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for their help. Thank you all, thank the Buddha, and thank Practitioner Su."

He Kunrong, bowing with palms joined."