Awakening from the Dream of Life

This is a record of an interview with Wu Qihua, the grandmother 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 transition and her profound gratitude for the deliverance she received. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on January 14, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Wu Qihua speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am the grandmother of this child, Yi Ying. She has such a kind and gentle heart; she is a person of truly noble character. To have experienced so much in this lifetime and yet maintain such a positive, upright heart—this is truly rare. My dear child, you must hold firm to your path. If you know something is right, you must continue to strive for it with all your might. Do not be swayed by what others say or the idle chatter of the world. You must follow the true Dharma, not the fickle opinions of those around you.

The Clarity of the Western Pure Land

I am currently here, practising in this magnificent place, and my heart has never felt so free. In these past few days, I have been filled with gratitude for my granddaughter’s help in arranging my Chao Du, which allowed me to reach this place. Everything here is absolutely wonderful—I have never in my life witnessed such a pure, pristine environment. The scenery is breathtaking, beyond anything I could have imagined. My heart feels so settled, so secure, and so completely at peace!

Today, I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This place is the ultimate hope for every practitioner’s heart. I am filled with such joy, and I am deeply moved. I am so thankful for this opportunity, which has allowed me to wake up and finally stop being lost in the illusions of the world. Resting here upon my lotus seat, I feel a clarity I have never known before. All the attachments that once weighed down my heart have vanished, for once I heard the true teachings, I understood that I had to let them go. I see so many things clearly now. Looking back, my life in the world was just like a long, complex dream. Now that my life has passed, I finally understand that it is time to wake up from that dream.

A Call to True Practice

My dear child, your choice to come here was absolutely correct. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a truly excellent environment for genuine practice. Since I arrived here, I have undergone such a profound transformation. You must make time to come here yourself—come here to practise and to purify your own heart. The world is like a turbulent sea, rising and falling, and one never knows when they will finally reach the shore. Everyone is just struggling to survive, living such hard lives. You must know how to plan for your own future; do not let your life pass by in vain and miss this precious opportunity.

I have said all that I needed to say. My child, bring everyone you can to practise here! This is such a wonderful place, and it is blessed with the power of the Buddha. Every single day, there are the Dharma talks and teachings of Practitioner Su. There is no worldly matter that can compare to the great importance of your own spiritual growth.

I offer my deepest, most sincere gratitude to Practitioner Su and to all the Venerables. Namo Amituofo."

Lay Practitioner Wu Qihua, with palms joined in respect.