Awakening from the Dream of Samsara

This is a record of an interview with Lei Jinshu, 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 and his journey to the Buddha-land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on March 1, 2024.

Lei Jinshu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lei Jinshu, and I am filled with such profound gratitude—gratitude that I have been given the precious opportunity to become a disciple of the Buddha. I have now arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, where I dwell alongside the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I am eternally grateful for the boundless compassion the Buddha has shown me.

It is my deepest regret that during my lifetime, I never had the chance to truly learn the Dharma. Since arriving in this Buddha-land, I have been listening to the sutras, and my spirit has been growing continuously. I have been shown the truth of my past—the distant past that I had long forgotten. I never realised that I was a person who had accumulated such a mountain of debt.

The Weight of Unseen Debts

These debts appeared before me as a series of vivid, undeniable images. Each scene was crystal clear, showing me the people I had harmed throughout my life. As I watched these scenes unfold, I felt a crushing weight in my heart. I wondered, 'How could I ever repay such a debt?' The more clearly I saw these actions, the more I realised the magnitude of the karma I had created.

Witnessing how the Buddha-land helps so many sentient beings every single day, I finally understood the truth: only through sincere repenting, by seeking rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and by dedicating myself to diligent practice, will I ever have the chance to settle these karmic debts. Once I saw the reality of my situation, I made the firm decision to seek the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and commit myself to the path of practice.

A Path to Redemption

I am so deeply grateful to my granddaughter, Hulan. It was her help that granted me this incredible opportunity to reach the Buddha-land and finally awaken from the darkness. Without her kindness, I would still be lost in the cycle of suffering.

In the past, I was constantly tethered by worldly concerns and emotional attachments. But now, my heart is focused on one thing alone: to be a truly awakened being. I was always a simple, honest man. In that turbulent era of the past, everyone lived such difficult lives. Even so, I always tried my best to help those in need whenever I could. Looking back now, I see that I spent my entire life rushing about, busy with the trivialities of survival. The days passed by in a blur, and now I realise that life was nothing more than a fleeting dream.

The Ghost Realm and the Light of Hope

After I passed away, I became a wandering spirit, drifting through the grey, desolate ghost realm. There was no place for me to find peace or rest. It was a cold, lonely existence where time seemed to lose all meaning. It was only through the existence of good Causal Conditions that I was saved. I am also filled with gratitude knowing that so many members of our Lei family are now here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. My granddaughter Hulan has a kind heart, and she is reaping the rewards of her Goodness.

A Grandfather's Final Advice

Let go of your own stubborn ideas and follow the Buddha with all your heart. You must listen to your grandfather on this: the most important thing you can do every single day is to chant Namo Amituofo. Remember this always! Do not let the distractions of the world pull you away from the path of practice.

Namo Amituofo."