A Mother's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Li Yuyan, 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 and her message to her daughter, Lay Practitioner Tang Ruyu. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on January 23, 2026.

Li Yuyan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I feel so light, so incredibly light! I am no longer the Yuyan of the past. Upon arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I instantly transformed into a dignified young man, becoming a devoted disciple under the seat of Namo Amituofo. I now sit before the Buddha, listening to the Dharma with a heart that is completely cool, calm, and at ease. When the gentle breeze brushes across my face, I can truly feel the profound freedom of the wind itself.

To be honest, I must express my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. I only came to know the name 'Practitioner Su' while I was in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. I stayed there for several weeks, and during that time, I became very familiar with Practitioner Su. Every day, I listened to Practitioner Su delivering lectures on the sutras and watched as Practitioner Su conducted the Chao Du Dharma assembly. Not long after, someone asked me, 'Li Yuyan, would you like to go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss?' When I heard that, I immediately said yes! While listening to Practitioner Su's teachings, I had heard so much about the beauty and dignity of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I felt such immense Dharma joy every time I listened, and I had been eagerly anticipating the day I could finally arrive there. My dream has truly come true."

The Illusion of Worldly Life

"I am such a fortunate mother. It is because my daughter, Ruyu, came to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and truly placed her faith in the Centre, in Namo Amituofo, and in Practitioner Su, that I have been given this precious opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today.

In the past, I never really understood why it was so essential to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. But today, I understand clearly. If a person does not achieve rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, they are essentially living a 'fake' life. By 'fake,' I mean that our worldly days are merely illusions—once they pass, they are gone forever. Everything in the world is transient and not the ultimate truth. Only when you truly arrive in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss do you finally stand on solid ground. Only then do you realise how incredibly long your spiritual life truly is, and you come to understand that this very moment, reaching this place, is the most perfect conclusion to your journey."

A Mother's Guidance to Her Daughter

"If we cultivate our practice well, we can help so many other beings. As I look back on the path I have travelled, I see how many beings I have offended. I see the complex web of love, hatred, and resentment that bound me to so many others—I can see it all clearly from here. Knowing that they are still suffering, I must work even harder and practise with greater diligence. I must follow in the footsteps of Namo Amituofo and never allow a single moment of laziness to enter my heart.

Ruyu is such a wonderful daughter. I want to tell her from the bottom of my heart: remember that you must always keep the Buddha in your heart. A life without the Buddha is a life of suffering. There are still so many people in this world who do not know Namo Amituofo. Since you have this great blessing, you must make the most of it. Do not miss this rare opportunity to be a human being. Furthermore, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is no ordinary place. If one wishes to truly practise and become a Buddha in this world, there is only one place to do it, and that is with Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. When I was in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I saw this very clearly, so I have absolute, unwavering faith in this truth."

A Message of Peace

"Having said all of this, you should now understand how we ought to live our lives, shouldn't you? Our time in the human world is actually very short. In the blink of an eye, you grow old, you fall ill, and eventually, you pass away. If you do not truly practise, all of these things are inevitable. I was a good person in my life, and I was a good mother—you know this to be true—yet even so, after I passed away, I had no way to reach a better place on my own. I had fallen into a lower state. Although I was not suffering immensely, the life I was leading was a life without light. This is the same fate shared by so many, many people. This is precisely why having a human body is so incredibly precious!

After hearing all of this, you should understand. I have also seen your father here; he is filled with such Dharma joy, and he looks completely renewed. You can go back and share this wonderful news with everyone. Tell them they can all rest assured and be at peace! Namo Amituofo."