This is a record of an interview with Xu Bofu, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his journey after death and his profound reunion with loved ones. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on December 3, 2021.
Xu Bofu speaks:
". Nianci, my dear, I have finally arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I know this is the one thing you have been holding in your heart, constantly worrying about, and praying for. Now, you can finally set your mind at ease. You would never, in your wildest dreams, imagine that I have been reunited with your father and mother. For us, this reunion carries a significance that is beyond words. To have been separated by death for so long, and yet to meet again—it is truly miraculous. This is exactly the truth that Practitioner Su speaks of during his talks: 'Human beings do not truly die.'
A Reunion Beyond the Veil of Death
In the world of the living, if you were to tell people that 'one does not need to die,' no one would believe you. They would think it is impossible. Yet, the facts now prove otherwise. Our physical bodies may have perished and decayed, but our spirits did not die. After Practitioner Su guided us into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I was able to reunite with your parents. You should see them now! They look just as they did when they were young—I almost did not recognise them at first. They were beaming with , waiting to welcome me into this magnificent realm. In the short time since I arrived, I have finally come to understand what the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss truly is. It is a place that fills you with constant, overflowing joy. It is a place without a single worry. There is simply no time here to even think about unhappy things. It is truly beyond anything I could have ever imagined!
From the Depths of the Ghost Realm
Ever since I passed away, I had been living in such agonising darkness. At first, I was cast into the hells, suffering beyond measure. When I finally managed to crawl out, I found myself wandering in the ghost realm. I was in a state of constant confusion, a hazy, dream-like fog where I did not know what I was doing or where I was going. I have no idea how much time passed in that state of misery. It felt like an eternity of aimless wandering, until that brilliant, piercing light brought me to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Only then did I finally wake up!
It was only after arriving at the temple that I understood the truth: it was you, Nianci, who had arranged for my Chao Du. It was Practitioner Su who reached out and saved me from the ghost realm. I owe everything I have today to that act of . I had originally intended to wait until you could come to the temple so that I could go to the Western Land and thank you personally. But after waiting for these days, I realised there was no need to wait any longer. That is why I am now able to speak to you from this wonderful place, the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Gratitude and the Path Forward
Nianci, when I stop to think about it, you are not so young anymore, yet you still held me in your heart. This makes me feel so incredibly happy. I have received your deep filial piety, and it is the most moving thing I have experienced since I left the human world. In a person's life, you may strive for many things, but you do not always get what you seek. Yet, after death, I received this grace without even having to ask for it. All of this is thanks to Practitioner Su. I have listened to many of his Dharma talks, and he has taught us so many profound truths about the nature of existence.
There are many things I regret not doing while I was alive, but now that I am in the Western Land, those things no longer matter. What matters now is what you do with your own life. You must listen to the Dharma talks; only then will you truly understand the path. Without listening to the teachings, it is so easy to make mistakes, and often, you do not even realise you are doing something wrong! Being able to understand these truths is another reason why I am so grateful to you. Thank you, Namo Amituofo. Thank you, Practitioner Su. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along this journey.
