From Darkness to the Lotus Throne

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Chen Xingyi, 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 transition from the darkness of the afterlife to the light of the Buddha. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on September 16, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Chen Xingyi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Xingyi. Looking back on the days of my life, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for every single person I encountered along the way. I had so many deep feelings and attachments during my time in the human world—so many things I simply could not let go of. But when I passed away, I found myself staring into a vast, suffocating darkness. It was only then that I truly woke up. I realised that everything I had in the world was gone; I could not take a single thing with me. Everything was stripped away, and I was left as nothing more than a solitary spirit drifting into the void.

The Long Drift in Darkness

I spent what felt like an eternity in that darkness. I lost all sense of time—I had no idea what year or month it was, and I had no goal, no direction, and no hope. I had even forgotten how to look for an exit. I was completely lost until, finally, I heard the voice of Practitioner Su. When I regained my clarity, I found myself sitting amidst a vast, magnificent sea of lotus flowers. The lotus I was sitting on was radiant, shimmering with countless colours and brilliant light.

I began to hear the music of Namo Amituofo, and I listened to the sutras that Practitioner Su speaks every single day. Slowly, my mind became clearer and clearer. Memories of my many lives throughout the cycle of rebirth began to surface, and I was struck by the realisation of just how long my soul had been wandering through samsara.

A Sanctuary for the Lost

It was truly this place that reached out and saved a lost, ignorant soul like me. I am filled with gratitude for the great heart and the Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su. It is because of this that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia exists—a pure land on earth that helps beings to practise the Dharma and finally step onto the path of liberation.

I have spent much of my time here repenting for the things I did not do well in my past lives. I have a deep desire for my own liberation, but I also want to help all the beings who are connected to me by karmic affinity to leave their suffering behind. The cycle of rebirth is truly, truly exhausting! My grandson, Xiangbin, and all my family members who are still in the world—you must understand that choosing to walk this path of practice and choosing to transform yourself is the only reality. You must seize this opportunity while you have it!

A Message from the Western Pure Land

Right now, the only thing I can do is leave this message for you. We are now people of different worlds. If it were not for this centre, you would never be able to see me, you would never be able to find me, and you would never have known that I was suffering in the darkness. We must all be grateful for this chance, and we must cherish it deeply. I will be waiting for you in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I hope that none of you have to suffer anymore. Come here, follow Namo Amituofo, and you will be able to help all beings and attain true liberation from suffering.

With endless gratitude, Namo Amituofo.

Chen Xingyi, with palms joined in reverence."