Deliverance to the Western Land: The Testimony of Lin Cheng-hung

This is a record of an interview with Lin Cheng-hung, 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 through the afterlife. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 11, 2024.

Lin Cheng-hung speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lin Cheng-hung. I am filled with deep gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su, for I have finally arrived safely in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

It was so painful—truly, it was unbearable. If I had not been rescued, my spirit would still be trapped in that cycle of suffering. I wonder if people in the world would even believe what I have been through. But it is true: whatever we do in any lifetime, there are laws of karma and cause and effect. What we owe, we must repay. There is no escaping it."

The Weight of Regret

"While I was at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I spent my time listening to the Dharma. My tears would not stop flowing. I felt such deep resentment and remorse. I kept asking myself: why did I sacrifice so much for things in this world that I could never take with me? I created such heavy karma, and I invited my own karmic creditors to come for me. That is why I suffered through illness, and why, after I died, I had to descend into the hells to continue paying my debts.

I am deeply grateful to my niece in the human world for saving me. It was through her that I was able to be rescued from the hells by Practitioner Su. My death was incredibly painful. The moment my spirit left my body, I was so terrified that I forgot everything. Even now, there are many things I cannot recall. The world without a physical body and the world with one are two completely different realms. You who are still living can hardly imagine it. Having walked the path from life to death, I finally understand that everything is different."

A Plea to the Living

"Now, I only know to be grateful to the Buddha—to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. My spirit suffered so much. When I was alive, I was tossed about by my karmic creditors. For the sake of money and greed, I created so much karma. If I have harmed any of my relatives who are still in the human world, I offer them my sincerest apologies. I beg for their forgiveness.

I hope that if my relatives in the human world see this message, they will believe what I am saying. I have walked this path myself, and it is full of suffering. I do not want you to follow in my footsteps. Please, let go of the things you desire in this world. You cannot take any of them with you. Only your karma will follow you, and you will have to repay it, over and over. It is truly, truly painful."

The Only Way Out

"Now that Practitioner Su has rescued me, I have the opportunity to speak with you all again. I have let go of many things; I no longer wish to dwell on them. Now, I only want to chant Namo Amituofo, to follow the Buddha closely, and to cultivate myself properly. I hope my relatives in the human world will take my words to heart: you must learn the Dharma. Without the Buddha, we are all trapped on the path of reincarnation. Therefore, you must learn the Dharma and chant Namo Amituofo. Hold onto the Buddha tightly. Do not let yourselves be reincarnated again. You must come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss so that you will never have to suffer again.

I am grateful to everyone who helped me. Thank you.

Namo Amituofo.

Lin Cheng-hung bows in reverence."