A Mother’s Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Chen Xiuwen, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon her spiritual journey and her profound gratitude for the support of her family. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on October 27, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Chen Xiuwen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Upon finally seeing the Buddha, my heart was filled with such overwhelming gratitude. I knelt before the compassionate Buddha, my spirit humbled and uplifted. I am so deeply thankful for the Causal Conditions that allowed this to happen; my heart is filled with an indescribable joy. In the presence of the Buddha, the brilliant Buddha-light continuously washed over me, cleansing my spirit and stripping away all the filth I had accumulated from my past lives up until this very moment.

The Clarity of Repentance

During these days, my mind has become so much clearer. It is only now that I can truly see how I had been constantly entangled by my karmic creditors. They were the ones who would not let me go, the ones who caused me such persistent illness and suffering. When I saw the scenes of the people I had harmed in my past, I wept uncontrollably, repenting with every fibre of my being. I had no idea that I had caused so much pain to so many people in my previous lives. I sat in the Dharma-Nature Land of the Buddha-land and wept for days on end. As I witnessed the cycle of my own reincarnated existence, life after life, I finally understood the true nature of suffering! Being human is suffering, and the cycle of samsara is suffering. That is why I made the firm vow to seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Mother’s Gratitude to Her Daughter-in-Law

I know that without the accumulation of good causes, I could never have arrived at this Buddha-land. I am so deeply grateful to my daughter-in-law in this life, whom we now respectfully call 'Master Laimiao.' Everything you have done, my dear, this old woman has seen it all. Your mind-capacity is so vast, and you have such a natural inclination to help others. You are a true believer in the Buddha, and you have always had such sharp insight, knowing clearly the difference between Goodness and evil. You are still out there doing good deeds, and it is precisely because of your merit that you were able to protect me and your father-in-law, guiding us both to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am truly, deeply grateful to you.

The Hope for Future Generations

The magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings is something I see so clearly now. It is such a pity that my younger descendants cannot be like you—they still hold onto their own tempers and stubborn ideas. As a mother, I naturally hope that all my children can truly study the Buddha’s teachings so that we may one day be reunited, but I understand that everyone’s Causal Conditions are different.

I look at the world today and see that it is even more chaotic and troubled than the era I lived in. It touches my heart deeply. I truly hope that the flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings can help even more people find their way.

Master Laimiao, I ask that you please continue to help your fellow disciple, Xiuwen, to do your part. After I have finished my studies here in the Western Land, I will make a vow to return and help all beings. I am eternally grateful to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo. Lay Practitioner Chen Xiuwen, with palms joined in reverence."