Awakening from the Illusion of Worldly Attachment

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Tan Xie, the uncle of Lay Practitioner Wei Ting, 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 transition from deep-seated worldly attachment to the clarity of spiritual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 28, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Tan Xie speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The beautiful Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is right before my eyes, yet for so long, I was foolishly attached to this world. I thought I was so clever, so capable, and so in control of my own destiny. But today, standing here, I have finally awakened to the truth.

I am kneeling before the Buddha, repenting for the profound ignorance that defined my entire life. I realise now that there is absolutely nothing more important than liberation. All the worldly emotions, the pride, and the attachments we cling to—once the physical body is gone, we see them for what they truly are: empty illusions. They are like shadows that vanish the moment the light of truth shines upon them."

The Illusion of Worldly Capability

"I am deeply grateful to Namo Amituofo for waiting for me with such boundless compassion, and to Practitioner Su for guiding me with such patience. Today, I, Tan Xie, have the precious opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. My heart is overflowing with gratitude!

I always prided myself on my confidence. While I lived in this world, I believed I could do anything—I was capable, I was strong, and I felt I could navigate any challenge that came my way. But the moment I drew my last breath, I realised with a jolt that I was capable of nothing at all. All my worldly skills and my sense of self-importance were utterly useless in the face of death."

The Bitter Truth of Death

"Death seems like such a simple thing—just a cessation of breath, a quiet ending. But I did not know that after death, the real suffering begins. My relatives were heartbroken by my departure; they missed my presence and longed for the person I used to be. I know this, and I understand it, for I once lived in that world too. However, no matter how deep our emotional bonds were, once my spirit left my body, those ties meant nothing. If they still felt like something, it was only because of my own lingering attachments. Once I let go of those attachments, I could clearly see that these relatives and I no longer have any connection.

It was this realisation that finally allowed me to let go and seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Without this understanding, I would still be trapped in the cycle of samsara. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is the only place I should truly be attached to and strive for. Only there can my spirit find true liberation, free from the endless tug-of-war of worldly emotions."

Finding True Liberation

"I understand why my family could not believe in this place. If I were still alive in the world, I would not have believed it either. There are too many things here that cannot be grasped by the human mind. If you try to use logic and reasoning to figure it out, you will never reach the truth because it is beyond such limited thinking. It is a matter of the heart, not the intellect.

I am so grateful to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and to Practitioner Su. At first, I truly saw myself as just a visitor here, someone passing through. But now, I have become part of this family, and today, I have become a part of the Western Land. My heart is with the Buddha, and it is with all of you.

Namo Amituofo.

Tan Xie bows in reverence."