Deliverance to the Western Land: Lay Practitioner Mai Peizhen

This is a record of an interview with Mai Peizhen, the mother of Lay Practitioner Wu Zhiqiang, 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 life and her transition to the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 30, 2025.

Lay Practitioner Mai Peizhen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. If it were not for the blessings I cultivated in my past lives, how could I possibly have arrived here today in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? It is truly a miracle of the Dharma.

I have come to know Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I understand clearly that it was Practitioner Su who guided my spirit to this Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and for this, my heart is filled with profound gratitude. I struggle to find the words to express it; I can only continue to chant Namo Amituofo in deep appreciation for this salvation."

The Debt of a Mother's Heart

"I now realise that it was my son and daughter-in-law in this life who arranged for my Chao Du, which allowed Practitioner Su to save me. I feel such shame when I think of it—I did not take care of them as I should have, yet they were the ones who saved me. I am deeply moved. It is truly a blessing that they were there to help me, sparing me from the endless cycle of rebirth. Without their intervention, I would still be wandering in the darkness of samsara, lost and suffering.

In this lifetime, I have tasted all the flavours of life—the sweet, the sour, the bitter, and the spicy. I have come to understand that human life is defined by suffering. One's life is so often tethered by emotional attachments, and we spend our days living solely for the sake of our families, never realising that these attachments are the very chains that bind us to this world of pain."

The Burden of a Strong Personality

"I never once considered where I would go after I died, because I simply did not know. I did not commit any major evil deeds in this life, but as Practitioner Su often explains in his Dharma talks, I had a 'strong personality.' It is true that having a strong personality brings suffering upon oneself. I cannot deny that I had one; everyone has their own temperament. At times, my personality was quite rigid, especially when I was determined to insist on my own way of thinking. Ah! But all of that is in the past now. It is no longer important. I have let go of those burdens, and I am finally at peace.

I want to say this to my children and grandchildren: 'You must chant Namo Amituofo.' I know that for the younger generation, they may not yet know the Buddha, and they may not understand the importance of chanting. But I still want to tell them: 'You must chant Namo Amituofo.'"

A Final Plea for Deliverance

"Now that I am here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I finally understand the compassion of Namo Amituofo. I understand that once a spirit leaves the physical body, it must have a destination—and that destination must be the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Otherwise, one is forced to continue in the cycle of rebirth, over and over again. It is so painful—truly, it is so painful! I have seen the suffering of those still trapped, and I pray that my descendants will not follow that path.

In closing, I must express my gratitude once more to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I know that my sins were heavy, yet I was still able to come to the Western Land. I owe everything to the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for saving me. Namo Amituofo. Mai Peizhen bows in reverence."