A Reflection from the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.

Zhao Puchu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am truly delighted to have this magnificent opportunity to be interviewed by the monastics of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Ever since I learned that this interview would take place, I have been waiting with great anticipation, and today, I have finally welcomed this most auspicious moment.

During my time in the human world, even before I had officially passed away, my soul had already begun to scatter. It was only through the grace of Practitioner Su, who utilised the power of her awakened Dharma Body and the supreme, infinite merit of the name 'Namo Amituofo', that the space I was trapped in was opened. My scattered soul was gathered together and guided to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Debt of Gratitude Beyond Measure

This is a profound debt of gratitude that I, Puchu, can never truly repay. Think about it—if Practitioner Su had not saved me, in which realm of the cycle of rebirth, in which dark corner of the universe would I be suffering my karmic retribution right now? When would I have ever had the chance to encounter the Great Dharma of the Pure Land again, and to have this precious opportunity for rebirth while still carrying my karma? Even if I had encountered the Pure Land Dharma, would my good roots, my blessings, and my causal conditions have been sufficient? Or would I have been fortunate enough to meet a true spiritual friend and guide like Namo Amituofo, Teacher Xia Lianju, or Practitioner Su? That is something I could never have been certain of.

Having studied Buddhism for so long, I know in my heart that while I say 'I could not be certain,' the reality is that I might never have encountered it again. Or, if I were to encounter it, it would be a chance that is difficult to encounter in millions of years—a truly rare, once-in-an-eon opportunity to welcome such a magnificent karmic affinity.

The Treasure of the Dharma Realm

Having said so much, I, Puchu, now residing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, wish to make it clear to the people of the world: Practitioner Su, though appearing as a lay practitioner, has spent five years in pure practice, purification, and awakening. She has attained Buddhahood and a Dharma Body, and she is a supreme treasure not only for the human world but for the entire universe and the vastness of the Dharma Realm. If there are those who have the karmic affinity to meet Practitioner Su in this lifetime, you should hold onto this connection with a heart of deep gratitude. Do not let this magnificent opportunity for liberation slip through your fingers; it would be a tragedy beyond words.

In this Dharma-Ending Age, if one relies solely on one's own power, the spiritual obstacles of sentient beings are simply too heavy; self-power is clearly insufficient. Without practicing the Pure Land Dharma Gate and without the blessing of the Buddha's power, it is impossible to have any chance of escaping the cycle of rebirth, let alone attaining rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Key to Rebirth

In terms of principle, the key to rebirth lies in the combination of self-power and the Buddha's power. In terms of actual phenomena, Practitioner Su is a Buddha who already exists in the human world in a physical body. If you are fortunate enough to meet a Buddha but fail to learn with an open mind, fail to be filled with Dharma joy, or fail to accept every single teaching from this Buddha with contentment and gratitude, then the Buddha's power has no point of contact to bless you. And once there is no blessing from the Buddha's power, how can one possibly succeed in the Pure Land practice? This is a question that all Buddhist followers who have the affinity to meet Practitioner Su should deeply contemplate.

The Sacred Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang

It is said that 'in the heavens and on earth, there is no one like the Buddha.' Among all the Buddhas of the ten directions and three periods, Namo Amituofo is the most honoured among lights and the king among Buddhas. Right now, the World-Honoured One, Amituofo, is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, radiating light throughout the temple 24/7. This is a Buddha-land in the truest sense of the word. Those who have the karmic affinity to step onto this sacred ground are truly witnessing the manifestation of the blessings they have cultivated over many lifetimes and eons.

If you have the opportunity to practice at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, to be close to the Buddha, the teachers, and Practitioner Su every day to seek the Dharma and learn, you must truly seize it. This is a pure, untainted Buddha-land. In such an environment, as the saying goes, 'a blessed land is inhabited by blessed people, and a Buddha-land is inhabited by Buddhas.' Therefore, every practitioner and every Buddhist follower at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a Buddha in the making! In fact, within everyone's true self, there is already the same compassion, virtue, and wisdom as the Buddha. With this understanding, if you have absolute faith in Namo Amituofo, you will certainly achieve a breakthrough in your practice.

This is the lament I, Zhao Puchu, cannot help but voice from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, seeing that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the only remaining Buddha-land on Earth, the only place in the world for true practice. I truly hope that all my fellow countrymen in China will come to this land to see the Buddha and seek the Dharma. This will answer all your questions and bring about a earth-shattering transformation in your lives.

A Life Between Politics and Dharma

I am Zhao Puchu, known to the world as the President of the Buddhist Association of China, and also a political figure of the People's Republic of China. Throughout my life, I walked the line between politics and the propagation of the Buddha's teachings; this was the path I firmly chose. I knew deeply that in China, without the assistance of political strength, the promotion of the Buddha's teachings would lack a fundamental and lasting power. Therefore, throughout the long years of propagating the Dharma, no matter how many difficulties and setbacks I faced, I always remained calm and firm, moving forward step by step on the path I had chosen.

Meeting the Buddha's teachings was the most beautiful karmic affinity of my life, and I am deeply grateful for it. From the depths of my heart, I never had a shred of doubt that the Buddha's teachings could bring help to the Chinese people. This was a major reason that sustained me through the long years of propagating the Dharma. It was precisely because I had tasted such sweet fruit that I hoped even more that my fellow Chinese citizens would also taste it. It is a true transformation from the depths of the heart, a sublimation of one's own character.

The Burden of Leadership

As the President of the Buddhist Association of China, in the path of Dharma propagation I chose, I often had to coordinate and negotiate with various parties. Regarding the various Buddhist masters I encountered and the different teachings they promoted, I could not be biased; instead, I took the positive aspects of each and integrated them into my promotion. This was my consistent approach, and I never felt it was wrong.

However, after I passed away, with the help of Practitioner Su, I saw that I had long since been found by my karmic creditors, and my three hun souls and seven po souls were no longer complete. In such a situation, I understood from the most authentic and direct perspective that if one cannot attain ultimate liberation through studying Buddhism, then everything else is indeed in vain.

This is something that many Buddhists, especially lay practitioners, find difficult to see clearly: whether one is a monastic or a layperson, once you have started studying Buddhism, 'attainment' is the only path. One should ask: if you do not attain it, what kind of ending awaits you? Your soul enters the dimensions of space, unable to escape; you enter the hells to suffer punishment; you enter the ghost realm, living a life of darkness without light. Even if you ascend to the heavenly realms and enjoy heavenly blessings, when your heavenly lifespan ends, where will you go? This is a question that everyone should truly face.

Reflections on Past Masters

In this lifetime, due to my vow to propagate the Dharma and my role as the President of the Buddhist Association of China, I came into contact with too many monastics. Among them were many truly accomplished eminent monks, including Venerable Master Hsu Yun. Among all these masters, the affinity I had with Venerable Master Chin Kung is one that still makes me smile when I think of it today. Regarding Venerable Master Chin Kung's work in propagating the Dharma in China, I dare not say how much I helped, but whenever I could be of assistance, I did my utmost. When I listened to the teachings given by the Venerable Master, my heart was filled with Dharma joy.

However, what is the ultimate Great Dharma? While I was alive, I knew in my heart that the answer was the Pure Land Dharma Gate. Yet, as a political figure with influence and a mission to propagate the Dharma, I had to think about what kind of Dharma the Chinese people truly needed. I had certainly thought about this question, but to be honest, I did not encounter a Dharma Gate that was enough to give me the boldness to support it exclusively. Thinking about it now, it was because my Dharma affinity was not yet sufficient. In fact, every slight deviation by a propagator of the Dharma has its cause and effect, especially when the scope of influence is wider and the range is larger; the karmic burden one bears is even heavier.

This was a principle that the Zhao Puchu of the past already understood, but I could not let it hold me back. Because once you have concerns, you become tied up and unable to act. As a lay practitioner with the ambition to propagate the Dharma, this mindset is actually very dangerous. Therefore, between being passive and active, I always chose to face things directly, handle them actively, and forge ahead courageously.

The Trial of the Cultural Revolution

In this life, I experienced the arduous period of the Cultural Revolution while propagating the Buddha's teachings. During that time, Chinese Buddhism suffered a very serious blow, and the Buddhist Association of China ceased its activities. It was not until the end of the Cultural Revolution that I slowly found the opportunity to restart the activities of the Buddhist Association of China. This severely devastated Chinese Buddhism indeed needed a period of time to recover. Having walked through these periods, I always told myself: believe in the Buddha, firm up the belief in propagating the Dharma in your heart, and do not be defeated by these difficulties. On the contrary, it was precisely because I experienced these various hardships that the fruit I obtained later seemed even sweeter.

However, it was at this time that I made a wrong decision in my life. It was only after I arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss that I fully realised the truth about this mistake: the concept of 'Humanistic Buddhism'.

After the Cultural Revolution, in order to give Chinese Buddhism, which had already been severely battered, a chance to catch its breath, recover, and be widely accepted and developed nationwide under the political environment of the time, I proposed the concept of 'Humanistic Buddhism'.

Defining Humanistic Buddhism as the foundation and guiding philosophy for the future development of Chinese Buddhism was seen by many at the time as a very wise and harmonious approach. I thought so too, but at the time, I only considered the continuity of the Buddha's teachings, while lacking deep consideration for the continuity of the True Dharma.

No, it should be said that the Zhao Puchu of that time did not have the ability to see through such a complex issue. Now, Namo Amituofo has descended to the world and is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. People have the opportunity to receive education in the Buddha's teachings, and the power of the True Dharma is sprouting here. I see it clearly from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss: this place is a ray of light for the world, for the Earth. Because only by following Namo Amituofo to learn and receiving the education of the Buddha's teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is there a chance for rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is something the Zhao Puchu of the past could hardly say with certainty, but it is the truth of the facts that I am now absolutely convinced of."

Namo Amituofo.

"The development of Humanistic Buddhism can indeed adapt to the needs of modern nations and society. However, when it comes to practice, one must ask: does this philosophy truly provide people with the possibility of escaping the six realms of rebirth and leaving the ocean of suffering in this saha world? That is a question that must be marked with a significant question mark. In the past, I, Zhao Puchu, did not face this issue squarely, or perhaps I simply did not know how to confront it.

A Call for Reflection on True Practice

But now, I must speak this truth so that the public can truly realise, understand, and reflect upon where the problems of Humanistic Buddhism lie. It is not that there is anything inherently 'bad' about it, nor is this a negative condemnation. Rather, I simply hope that all those who study Buddhism will truly consider one question: after this life ends, where will your spirit go? And where will your life's practice lead you?

More seriously, does the current philosophy of practice offer any possibility of escaping samsara, or even the chance of rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? This is a question that must be taken seriously. If the Buddha’s teachings cannot lead people toward liberation, escape from the cycle of rebirth, or rebirth in the Pure Land, then they are limited to the 'good deeds of humans and heavens.' In that case, how are they any different from other external paths? This is a very grave matter. The words above are my attempt to explain this from a Buddhist perspective that modern people can more easily understand.

The Reality of Spiritual Attachments

Based on what I have seen in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Buddhist education provided at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, which reveals the truth about the human body and the spirit, I can say this: what people must truly pay attention to are spiritual attachments, and the issue of how to coexist peacefully with the karmic creditors within one's own body, or even how to resolve these conflicts.

Once these issues are not properly handled, the result is that one will be controlled by the karmic creditors within, or even by demon crowds. As more and more external spirits enter the body, the human form becomes increasingly weak, eventually leading to illness and the suffering of aging, sickness, and death. Is this the result that a practitioner of Buddhism seeks? If, after a lifetime of practice, one still ends up sick, then is the path and philosophy one believes in truly the True Teachings?

The Proof of a Living Buddha

Or, to put it more directly, can a true practitioner actually achieve a state of no sickness and no aging? In the past, to be honest, no one had the sufficient ability, virtue, or level of practice to make such a definitive statement. But now, there is Practitioner Su in the human world—an awakened being, a Buddha in the flesh. With this, there is absolute certainty and factual evidence to support it. What Practitioner Su demonstrates is that the true benefit of learning Buddhism allows people to remain free from aging and illness while alive, and ensures that the spirit does not die after death. This is the magnificent fruit obtained after truly following the teachings.

A Mission of Universal Deliverance

Practitioner Su has a profound connection with China; in many past lives, he has spread the Dharma there or served as an important historical figure. This Dharma affinity has grown more mature day by day since Practitioner Su realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood. Recently, Practitioner Su has been actively conducting massive Chao Du in China, opening up the space of China's five-thousand to ten-thousand-year history. This allows sentient beings in immeasurable and boundless spaces, lonely wandering spirits, and even many of the demon crowds controlling our Chinese compatriots, to receive a chance at rebirth. As long as these spirits enter the Western Land of Dharma Nature, they will have the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the compassionate vow and great grace of Amitabha Buddha and Practitioner Su, and it is something for which our Chinese compatriots should be deeply grateful from the bottom of their hearts. Fortunately, while Practitioner Su is still in the world, those with karmic affinity should actively come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to seek the Dharma, break through past misconceptions and prejudices about Buddhism, and come to understand what true Buddha’s teachings are and what power they have to help sentient beings.

The Light of the Western Land

I can clearly see the Buddhas and Practitioner Su using their Divine Foot to arrive rapidly above China. Countless manifestations, carrying Amitabha Buddha and immense Buddha-light, lead spirits into the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This is truly what the sutras mean by 'bestowing upon sentient beings the benefit of reality.' It is not any false benefit or short-lived worldly gain, but the true liberation of the spirit, a complete transformation, and the subsequent opportunity for rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The dignity and beauty of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss cannot be described in words. Of course, the sutras have already spoken of some of its magnificence, but they still cannot encompass just how beautiful the world of ultimate bliss, created by Amitabha Buddha, truly is. Only those of us who are truly in the Western Land can genuinely experience and understand it.

My spirit is constantly elevating in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Every day, I follow Amitabha Buddha in practice, listening to the great Dharma under the Buddha’s seat. This is a right enjoyed by every being of the Western Land.

The Responsibility of the Practitioner

A human life is truly too bitter. Although it lasts only a few decades, how many people drift along with their karma, creating all kinds of sins, eventually entering the evil realms, becoming trapped in spaces, or wandering in the cycle of rebirth? Such suffering is truly beyond words.

In today's modern environment, if we are to give the public the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, we must let them accept the Buddhist education of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and truly understand the importance of purification and the power of one's thoughts.

People need to truly understand that this human body contains immeasurable and boundless spirits. Taking good care of one's heart, maintaining purity and Goodness, and leading the spirits of the cells within the body to maintain purity and Goodness—this is an obligation and a responsibility that everyone must understand. Yet, currently, no one has this awareness, and the resulting consequence is an inability to 'master' one's own fate. When karma manifests, it is difficult for a person to resist the various habitual tendencies of the body, leading to wrong decisions, the creation of sins, and the subsequent attraction of evil retribution and bitter fruit. This is the portrait of every person's life.

A Path to Liberation

To break this negative cycle, one must listen to the sutras, hear the Dharma, and accept the teachings of Amitabha Buddha. In this process, it is even more necessary to have a true Teacher by one's side to watch over everyone.

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, there are three Buddhas—Amitabha Buddha, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su—protecting the Buddhist disciples who are determined to practice. This is something that makes me feel both amazed and comforted. Now, it depends on whether people's Dharma affinity has matured. If the affinity is ripe, there is the opportunity to access the temple's website, listen to the sutras taught by Practitioner Su, and potentially step onto this precious land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

I hope that all who study Buddhism will truly understand the importance of rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and believe in the possibility that 'learning Buddhism leads to no aging, no sickness, and an immortal spirit.' All of this awaits those with the affinity to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to seek the Dharma in person and verify these truths for themselves.

Gratitude to Amitabha Buddha. Gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Zhao Puchu"