Deliverance from the Hells: The Testimony of Lay Practitioner Yao Guowei

Lay Practitioner Yao Guowei, the brother-in-law of Lay Practitioner Peng Jiyu, shares his profound journey of deliverance. After suffering in the hell realms due to his past karma, he was rescued through the compassionate intervention of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview was recorded on September 9, 2022, as he recounts his recovery in the Western Dharma-Nature Land and offers his heartfelt advice to his family and the world.

Lay Practitioner Yao Guowei speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful that I am able to stand here today and share these words with you. This is something that would be impossible anywhere else. I must express my profound gratitude to Practitioner Su; I thank him for rescuing me from the hells. The suffering in the hell realms is truly, unimaginably intense! When I was first rescued, I was completely disoriented. My consciousness was clouded and unclear; I could not distinguish north from south, and I did not even know where I was. It was the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre that saved me. They provided me with a lotus seat in the Western Dharma-Nature Land where I could rest and recover. Under the purification of the Buddha-light, I was able to slowly regain my clarity, until today, when I am finally able to speak these words to you all.

The Long Road to Deliverance

I have lost track of how much time has passed since those dark days—I truly cannot remember. I am so grateful that my juniors still remember me and have performed Chao Du for me. I am particularly thankful to the child, Nianci. Thank you for organising these Dharma assemblies on my behalf; it was only through these efforts that I had the opportunity to be saved. Without this deliverance, I would have had to endure hundreds more years of suffering, unable to reincarnate as a human, and certainly unable to find liberation from the cycle of rebirth. I was in constant agony, yet I had no way to save myself. I want to earnestly advise people in the world: do not engage in wrongdoings while you are alive. Be extremely careful with your mental notes and thoughts. Do not allow evil thoughts to take root; you must stop them immediately. Otherwise, every bit of karma you create will eventually have to be repaid!

Reflections on a Life of Regret

In my past, I harboured many improper thoughts and committed many wrong actions. In the end, these actions attracted my karmic creditors, and I suffered greatly as a result. I feel deep remorse for my past. I have come to realise that one must change their personality traits. Being stubborn and overly insistent on one's own way is not the path; you must truly change, or else you will only invite more suffering. Nianci, you are truly blessed to have met Practitioner Su. You have a kind heart, but you must learn not to be too subjective or stubborn at any time. Now that you are older, you should focus on your well-being. It would be best to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to practise. If you take good care of your own practice, your life will be secure. I have seen and experienced so much in my lifetime, and I have come to realise that worldly matters are truly insignificant. The principles Practitioner Su teaches are excellent and correct. We should all walk this path to save ourselves and, in turn, save other beings.

A Final Message to the Living

You have raised your children very well. If you can encourage them to also take up this practice, that would be the best arrangement for their future. Believe me, this is far more valuable than any worldly career or status. I do not know how much my family will believe, but I only hope you will convey this message to them for me: I am doing very well now because I have the Buddha, and only through Him have I found peace. I hope that everyone will seek the Buddha. We are all destined to meet again in the Buddha's world, the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. My words end here, and I hope that everyone can believe that these things are all true. Namo Amituofo. Yao Guowei, with palms joined in reverence."