A Mother's Journey to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Huang Lianfang, who sought Chao Du 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 transition from the spirit realm to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on December 19, 2025.

Lay Practitioner Huang Lianfang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Huang Lianfang. I truly never imagined, not even in my wildest dreams, that I would be blessed with the immense karmic fortune to arrive in such a magnificent, radiant place! Before I passed away, the name 'Western Land of Ultimate Bliss' was something I had only heard in passing. I had seen glimpses of it, and I knew that in the Buddhist tradition, it is said that after death, one can go to this Western Land. However, when I actually passed away, I found myself drifting into a dark, gloomy world. I saw so many others there, just like me, wandering aimlessly in the shadows. It seemed so natural at the time—we were all spirits now, just floating through that grey existence. It did not feel particularly terrible, but compared to the human world, it was certainly lacking. At least in the human world, there is the cycle of day and night; in that dark realm, there was nothing but an endless, stagnant void.

The Darkness of the Spirit Realm

But all of that is behind me now, and it no longer holds any significance. My heart is filled with such profound gratitude for my wonderful daughter, Chen Ruiping. You are truly a child with such deep Buddhist affinity. Please, my dear, do not forget to register yourself for Chao Du in the future! Do not leave it to chance. Relying solely on your own strength to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is, in my experience, an incredibly difficult task. It is not just difficult for you; it is difficult for everyone in the human world. It is so hard to guarantee where one will end up after this life. Since you have encountered the Buddha, you must follow Him closely! Do not let this precious opportunity slip through your fingers!

A Daughter's Devotion and the Path to Rebirth

Let me tell you, the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly, breathtakingly beautiful. The scenery I have seen here is incomparable; the landscapes of the world I left behind simply cannot compete. I love to gaze at the deep, brilliant blue of the sky, and the moment I have that thought, the sky transforms into the exact shade of blue I desire. Sometimes, I wish to see a sky filled with five-coloured light, and instantly, the heavens shift into a kaleidoscope of vibrant, shimmering colours for me to behold. I remember the scenery of my childhood in the countryside—it was beautiful in its own way, back when nature was untouched and undeveloped. Even now, if I wish to see those old scenes, they appear before me, but I no longer feel any attachment to them. I have realised that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is my true, eternal home. There is no comparison between this place and the homes we build in the human world.

The Splendour of the Western Pure Land

My child, you must not worry about me, or indeed about anyone else. This world is inherently transient; we come and we go, and a lifetime passes in the blink of an eye. My own life was spent working diligently, and I did not encounter too many hardships or suffer great tragedies. I am so relieved that, in the final chapter of my life, I did not become an excessive burden to you all. That, in itself, is a great blessing. I cherish the karmic connection we shared. I have listened to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks, and I understand now that all these relationships are merely Dharma affinities. We must learn to let go of our emotional entanglements and transform them into pure Dharma affinities. Cherish what you have, live your life with sincerity and groundedness, and never, ever forget that returning to this home—the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—is the most important task of your existence.

A Mother's Final Guidance

In closing, I implore you: do not forget the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo'. This Buddha-name is incredibly precious; you must treasure it above all else! Remember this, I beg you, remember it well! I, your disciple Huang Lianfang, am filled with gratitude for the compassion and salvation of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I bow to you both in deepest thanks! Namo Amituofo."