Finding True Happiness: The Journey of Li Muzi

This is a record of an interview with Li Muzi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her life as a dedicated doctor and teacher, her subsequent time as a prison guard in the hells, and her ultimate deliverance by Practitioner Su. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on March 15, 2025.

Li Muzi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. We have never laughed with such genuine, unburdened joy as we do now. The very moment we arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, it felt as though every ounce of suffering we had ever endured—every heavy, crushing weight of the past—simply ceased to exist. All that remains is the incomparable beauty and peace of this Western Land.

I must express my deepest gratitude to the compassionate Practitioner Su. It was he who led us, this group of sixty prison guards, to the Western Pure Land. And I speak not only for myself but for all the other prison guards who arrived here before us; I wish to thank him on their behalf as well. We are eternally grateful for Practitioner Su’s great compassion. Because of him, we were granted the Causal Conditions and the precious opportunity to step off the wheel of reincarnation. We no longer have to taste the bitterness of the cycle of rebirth; we can remain here in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss forever."

A Life Lived Against the Grain

"My name is Li Muzi. In that lifetime, I was born a woman. In the era in which I lived, women were largely looked down upon. Most were expected to remain within the confines of the home as housewives; it was incredibly rare for a woman to venture out into the world to work. Yet, from a very young age, I felt different from the other girls. The things they enjoyed held no interest for me. Even the simple act of wearing a dress felt alien, and I preferred the practicality of a simple shirt and trousers. My family was quite open-minded, and my father, in particular, never had any objections to me being a daughter who did not act like one. He simply wanted me to be happy.

I had a deep love for reading, and fortunately, my family had the means to support my education. I set my heart on becoming a doctor. At the time, this ambition was met with laughter and ridicule. People thought it was impossible, as no female doctor had ever appeared in our region. But I did not let those mocking voices touch my heart. When I decide to do something, I am determined to see it through. It is not that I possess some supernatural ability to manifest my desires, but rather that I am willing to put in the necessary effort and take action. Even when there were many voices trying to distract or discourage me, they could never weaken my resolve or my willpower."

The Healer's Path and the Call to Serve

"I laboured for a long time, and eventually, I truly became a doctor. However, not long after I began my medical practice, I suddenly felt a desire to also serve as a teacher. Some asked me why I would want to take on such a burden when I was already a doctor. My answer was simple: 'I want both roles, because I want to help as many people as I possibly can.' Money was never a concern for me in that life; my family provided more than enough for my needs, so the income from my work was irrelevant. I never valued wealth, and most of what I earned was given to those around me.

When I finally attained my teaching qualification, I was overjoyed. Many looked at me with disbelief. In that era, living in such a remote place, no woman had ever achieved such things. Many other women began to look at me with newfound respect, seeing me as a role model. Yet, they felt they could not emulate me—not only because the environment did not allow it, but because they had been conditioned from childhood to accept their roles as obedient wives and daughters-in-law. I, however, was determined to spend my entire life doing what I felt was meaningful.

I loved children dearly, though I never planned to have any of my own. My appearance was somewhat androgynous, and I had no intention of finding a partner or marrying. I simply wanted to live my own life. As time went on, our household grew larger, as I began to take in children who had been abandoned. They were homeless, and whenever I encountered such a child, I would bring them home to care for them. These children were my treasures. I poured my heart into raising them, teaching them to read and taking them with me to help others in the community."

Healing the Heart and Mind

"Every morning, I would go to the village square to provide free medical consultations. As word spread, people from distant towns would travel for miles just to see me. Those I treated often said my ability to heal was profound—more effective than the doctors who charged high fees. I would not claim to be 'gifted,' but I was truly devoted to the work, wanting to help everyone suffer a little less. I took the time to understand the root of their pain, not just the physical symptoms. When I could articulate the specific suffering they were enduring, I would see a look of profound relief and gratitude on their faces—the look of someone who finally feels understood.

I avoided synthetic medicines whenever possible, relying instead on dietary therapy and natural herbs. More importantly, I taught them how to be happy. In my years of experience, I realised that 'joy' is the greatest medicine. I would try to understand the challenges in their lives and teach them how to face them positively, to reclaim their own happiness. I realised that the pressures, the repression, and the unhappiness caused by society and the environment were the primary reasons people fell ill. I could not change their destiny, but I could help them change their perspective, guiding them from negative thinking toward right mindfulness."

A Chance Encounter at the Temple

"When I was about thirty-two, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, my family decided to visit a temple to offer incense. It was our first time, as our neighbours had often invited my parents to visit, but we had never found the time. Upon arriving, I was stunned to encounter a former high school classmate. To my surprise, he had become a monk.

I remembered him vividly from school. He had always sat in the darkest corner of the classroom, friendless and silent. He appeared deeply insecure and lonely. Many times, I had tried to talk to him, but he would never respond; it was like speaking to the air. Despite this, I persisted, sharing bits and pieces of my life with him just so he would know he was not entirely alone. I had assumed he didn't care, and I hadn't given it much thought since. But that day at the temple, he was filled with gratitude. He told me, 'I always wanted to see you again to thank you. In class, you were the only one who spoke to me. I was so insecure that I couldn't respond, but your persistence touched my heart. It gave me the courage to slowly open up. Now that I am a monk, I speak the Dharma with confidence, all to help others walk out of their suffering.'

I was amazed by his transformation. My simple, unthinking acts had changed the course of his life. From that day on, I frequently visited the temple to hear him speak. As I listened, I finally understood: true happiness is not merely physical comfort. It is the liberation of the spirit. Once I grasped this, I cherished the Buddha’s teachings even more. I began to introduce the Buddha’s teachings to my patients, helping them find the true happiness that comes from spiritual liberation. I wanted to help everyone find that lost joy, which is nothing less than the freedom of the soul."

The Prison Guard's Awakening

"I lived until I was seventy-six. When I passed away, my spirit lingered for a while before entering a space defined by the character for 'Happiness' (Le). This was what I had pursued my whole life. Yet, I was shocked to find that at the final moment, it was not the Buddha I had reached, but this 'Happiness.' I had not yet attained the true liberation of the spirit. Even though I had been introducing the Buddha’s teachings to others, I had not fully imprinted the Buddha into my soul.

However, I did much good in that 'Happiness' space. I made everyone who saw that character smile. One couple even decided to name their unborn child 'Lele' because they felt such joy upon seeing it. Not long after, I was led by two prison guards into the Yama Hall, where I was assigned to serve as a prison guard myself. During that time, I witnessed the immense suffering of those in the hells. It was so painful, so incredibly painful. I desperately wanted them to leave their suffering behind, so I introduced the Buddha’s teachings to them, but my efforts seemed insufficient.

It was only when I began to hear Practitioner Su speaking the Dharma within the hells that I suddenly woke up. I was filled with Dharma joy. I marvelled at how clearly and thoroughly Practitioner Su explained the teachings, and I praised the great compassion of Namo Amituofo. I did my best to share the Buddha’s teachings with all beings, and I made a vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land.

Today, I have finally fulfilled that vow. Under the guidance of Practitioner Su, I have arrived in the Western Land. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and emotion; my tears are tears of pure joy. I pray that more beings may leave their suffering behind and find this path back to the Western Land.

Li Muzi bows in reverence.

Namo Amituofo."