A Mother's Journey to the Western Pure Land: Lay Practitioner Liu Yanru

This is a record of an interview with Liu Yanru, the mother of Lay Practitioner Yi Ying, 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 spiritual journey and transition from the cycle of rebirth to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Haliang, on January 14, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Liu Yanru speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Today, I participated in a truly magnificent Dharma assembly. Practitioner Su was there to save sixty prison guards and six other deceased beings. We were all kneeling in the front. When Practitioner Su called my name, 'Liu Yanru, mother of Yi Ying!', in that very instant, Practitioner Su took my hand, and we were suddenly in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. There was a faint, sweet scent of lotus flowers, and the ground was paved with lapis lazuli. We saw Namo Amituofo, whose entire body was radiating brilliant light, and we knelt together to offer our prostrations.

If I had not come to this world—the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—how could I have ever known that Namo Amituofo is so miraculous, so radiant, and so full of compassion? I followed everyone to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and offered my prostrations to Namo Amituofo; only then did I truly understand what this place is called."

The Beauty of the Pure Land

"When I was a child, I heard whispers that there was a Land of Ultimate Bliss in the West. Now that I have arrived here, I realise it is a Pure Land that cannot be found anywhere in the human world. There are beautiful, massive flowers, golden light everywhere, and the ground itself is made of gold. The trees are towering and majestic, emitting heavenly music. I feel such immense joy. As I knelt in prostration, I felt an even deeper sense of gratitude toward Practitioner Su, as well as the Venerables and the volunteer Bodhisattvas who helped us by chanting the Buddha-name. It was within the joyful sound of that Buddha-name that we were brought to this place.

Shuping, my daughter, my life was not lived in vain because of you. Although you were adopted by the Yi family, without you, I would never have had such great blessings or such excellent Causal Conditions to arrive at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss of Namo Amituofo. The reason you were able to recognise this place is that you were a practitioner in your past life. You have complete faith that this Dharma assembly for Chao Du can truly benefit the deceased. At the very moment I passed away, my spirit—because I had always cherished freedom in my heart during my life—saw butterflies floating in my mind. Deep within me, I longed to fly freely, to chase the dreams I never dared to imagine. My spirit entered the form of a butterfly; I became a butterfly."

A Life of Traditional Expectations

"Marrying your father did not bring me a life of material abundance. In the environment of the old society, I could only be the good woman and good mother that everyone expected me to be. I dared not have too many thoughts of my own; I strove to be the traditional, obedient daughter that your grandmother envisioned. As for you, my daughter, I placed demands upon you because I wanted you to have the ability to adapt and face the modern world. In the past, I lived a life of resignation, accepting whatever fate threw at me. But you, my daughter, you can live the life you desire.

I knew that as a woman, one had to follow the husband's path. In that era, no matter what happened, I could only listen and obey. But in the society you were born into, you are much luckier than your mother. You have your own way of expressing yourself and stating your needs. With your Wisdom, you can overcome difficulties one by one, and for that, I am truly happy for you."

The Power of Wisdom and Deliverance

"Traditional women could only follow orders. But a woman with Wisdom knows how to express herself appropriately and understands the importance of self-sufficiency, including financial capability. Only then can one do what one needs to do—just as you needed money to arrange for the Chao Du of your parents and family members. Your blessings come from your connection with Practitioner Su in your past lives. In this life, you were able to meet Practitioner Su, who truly has the attainment and the Dharma Body to perform Chao Du, allowing him to lead us before Namo Amituofo. When my spirit finally broke free from the butterfly, I was still wandering about looking for nectar, and before I could even find a companion, my butterfly shell was shed, and I was invited to the Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to hear the Dharma talks.

When Practitioner Su first gave his Dharma talks, I did not understand at first, sometimes because I was not familiar with his accent. But when I truly calmed my heart, I understood everything completely. This is because the sound of Practitioner Su's Dharma talks can pervade the entire Dharma-realm and empty space; all sentient beings can understand it. When I had just shed my butterfly shell, I felt a bit drowsy, but by the second time I heard the Dharma, I could hear it much more clearly than the first. The more I listened, the more profound and meaningful it became."

A Final Plea to My Daughter

"The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss created by Namo Amituofo is exactly as I described: the ground paved with lapis lazuli, the golden light, and the majestic Namo Amituofo standing there to lead us. We saw the Buddha and bowed our heads in prostration. Daughter, do not forget: your mother is already in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. You must also seize this life and practise well!

Life is truly full of suffering. If you look back on a lifetime, you will see that one cannot be the master of birth, aging, sickness, and death. You must listen to the sutras, hear the Dharma, and chant the Buddha-name to attain a pure heart. Only then will your spirit know where to go after death. Otherwise, you will end up like your mother—wanting to be a butterfly and becoming one. How tragic that is! If no one had helped me, I would have continued to be reincarnated; when would it ever end? Every one of us who arrives at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss wears a joyful smile, and we are all filled with anticipation.

I see our family members and relatives; I see your father. Daughter, remember what your mother has said: no matter what happens in this life, you must practise. Do not let yourself grow old and suffer for the sake of these worldly, dusty affairs. True practice, chanting the Buddha-name, and returning to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to reunite as a family—that is the only true, greatest happiness. Your mother is here waiting for you."

Namo Amituofo.