A Mother's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Qiu Xiuyun, the mother of Lay Practitioner Chen Yanhong, 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 transition and her message to her family. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on February 23, 2024.

Lay Practitioner Qiu Xiuyun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Qiu Xiuyun. I am filled with such profound gratitude—gratitude to the Buddha, gratitude to Practitioner Su, and gratitude to all the fellow practitioners who chanted Namo Amituofo to help me on my journey. I have finally seen Namo Amituofo! The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is so beautiful, so incredibly magnificent. I am truly thankful that I have been able to reach this place of eternal peace.

The Buddha and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre have granted me this precious opportunity to speak. Beyond expressing my deepest thanks, I also wish to speak to my family. In my past life, I suffered so much, yet I was so ignorant that I did not even realise I was suffering. It is only now, looking back, that I truly understand how painful human life is—the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. No one can ever predict what will happen after they pass away.

The Darkness of the Unknown

I care so deeply for my family. After I passed away, I had to traverse a terrifying, endless darkness. When I finally emerged, I saw you all, but I realised with a heavy heart that we were now in different realms. We were separated by a barrier that I could not cross.

Watching your lives unfold, seeing the moments when things did not go smoothly or when you were feeling down, I wanted so desperately to comfort you. I wanted to reach out and hold you, but as a spirit, I could not do even that. That is why I wept so often. The feeling of watching you suffer while being completely unable to help—it was a pain that pierced my heart. It was truly unbearable.

Reunion and Release in the Buddha's Light

It took such a long time, but finally, the Causal Conditions at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre brought me to the light. When I first arrived, I was still so attached to my family; I could not let go. It was only after I began to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma that my heart finally opened, and I began to see things clearly.

If it were not for my child, Yanhong, who helped perform the Chao Du for both his father and me, our spirits would still be wandering in different places, never having the chance to meet again. To be able to gather together now, and to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss on the same day—this is the great compassion of the Buddha, and it is the result of the Buddha’s powerful blessing.

A Mother’s Final Blessing

In this lifetime, we shared a precious connection in this world, and for that, I am deeply grateful. My children are all such kind-hearted people. Now that I can no longer look after you in the way I once did, I have decided to entrust you all to the Buddha. I ask the Buddha to watch over you, to guide you, and to protect you. Once I made this decision, my heart finally found true peace. I have truly let go.

During this time, I have felt myself becoming so much more cheerful. I find myself smiling more than I ever did before. I have realised that this sincere, natural smile is the most beautiful thing of all.

Please, help me thank the Buddha, thank Practitioner Su, and thank the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Through the Causal Conditions of your father and me being reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I hope that you, too, will follow the Buddha’s path with all your hearts. Only then can we truly be at ease. Thank you for everything. Namo Amituofo."