Deliverance from Darkness: The Journey of Lay Practitioner Zhong Zhaorong

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Zhong Zhaorong, the father of Lay Practitioner Zhong Guangwen. He sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on November 15, 2024.

Lay Practitioner Zhong Zhaorong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zhong Zhaorong. I feel a profound sense of gratitude towards the Buddha and Practitioner Su for granting me the opportunity to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now that I have arrived here, every single scene and landscape I behold captivates my heart. It is truly beyond description.

Since arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart has become incredibly light and at ease. Looking back, my previous life feels like a distant memory, as if the entirety of my past existence was merely a dream. Now that I have been brought to this magnificent, beautiful place, I have nothing left to offer but endless gratitude—gratitude that flows from the depths of my soul.

The Reality of Life and Death

When it comes to the matter of life and death, I have only now realised the truth: in the end, we are truly alone. Back then, I was trapped in a dark, desolate space, wandering aimlessly, unable to find a way out. My heart was filled with such intense fear and helplessness. If it were not for the radiant light of Practitioner Su’s Chao Du, which enveloped me and guided me out of that abyss, I would still be languishing in that suffocating darkness today.

Only after arriving in this Buddha-land have I come to understand so many things that were hidden from me before. The clarity I possess now is a gift of the Dharma.

The Burden of Karmic Creditors

During this time, I have witnessed beings whose legs were unable to move, their limbs completely occupied and weighed down by their karmic creditors. Those karmic creditors were filled with such deep-seated anger, clutching tightly to the person's legs, refusing to let them move or find peace. The scene was so vivid, playing out right before my eyes with terrifying clarity.

It was not just those with physical ailments; I saw that every single person in the hospitals was surrounded by these invisible forces. I was truly shocked to witness this, yet every image was undeniably clear. Now I understand that everyone is being interfered with by their karmic creditors. I was the same way in my past life. These karmic creditors interfere with our thoughts and our physical bodies, becoming, in a sense, a part of us. We cannot blame anyone else for this; we can only blame ourselves for the causes we have sown.

A Call to Awakening

The truth of this reality left me in a state of shock for a long time, and it took me a while to fully accept it. After coming to understand these truths, I am deeply grateful that I was able to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have also made a vow that, in the future, I will save my own karmic creditors.

I share these words because I want to tell everyone the truth of what I have seen. Whether it is my own family or those who have the karmic connection to hear my words, I wish to counsel you all: your heart must be good. Let go of your petty grievances and calculations against others; by doing so, you are ultimately helping yourself.

If you have the karmic connection, follow the Buddha’s footsteps diligently and perform Chao Du for your own beings. I hope that those who see or hear my words can find a moment of awakening. If I can help even one person realise this, then my rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss will have served a greater purpose.

Namo Amituofo."