From Darkness to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Li Ronghua, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on December 15, 2023.

Li Ronghua speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I never imagined that a person's life could pass by so quickly. It feels as though I have just blinked, and it is all over. In truth, there were still so many things I had hoped to complete, so many loose ends I wanted to tie up. But some things are simply destined; when the time comes to depart, one must go. There is no bargaining with the inevitable.

Trapped in the Darkness of the Soul

After I passed away, I found myself in a place of absolute darkness. It was only after I was brought to this radiant Buddha-land that I finally understood so many things I had been blind to during my life. While I was trapped in that dark void, I spent every waking moment searching for an exit, but there was none to be found. I cannot say I was surprised by the state I found myself in after death. The space I entered was a reflection of the darkness I had carried within my own heart for years.

There were things in my past that I chose to bury, secrets I kept locked away. I would sit alone, ruminating over these memories, trying to find a resolution or an answer that never came. Whenever I was by myself, I would fall into this cycle of despair, thinking and thinking, until my mind drifted into the darkest corners of my consciousness. I was trapped in a labyrinth of my own making, and I simply could not find my way out."

The Weight of Karmic Creditors

"Now that I see the truth, the reality is even more harrowing. I realise now that at the time of my passing, I was surrounded by a multitude of karmic creditors. They were pulling at me, dragging me down, ensuring I could never find a moment of peace or stillness. The scene was so vivid, so terrifyingly real, that I dare not look back upon it even now. I have come to understand that both in my past lives and in this present life, I committed many wrongs. Even so, here I am, standing before the Buddha. I truly feel that I am the luckiest person alive, and I am filled with such profound gratitude. I am eternally grateful to my sister, Li Fengming, for her selfless help; it was her intervention that allowed me to find liberation.

Today, all that darkness has been stripped away. The Buddha-light shines constantly upon my entire being, and most importantly, it shines directly into my heart. It is as if my whole body is glowing from within, filled with a warmth I never knew existed."

A Transformation Through Buddha-Light

"Some time ago, my spirit remained here in this Buddha-land, and after I began to listen to sutras and hear the Dharma, I finally understood so much. I realised that many of the concepts and thoughts I held in the past were fundamentally flawed. They were not only harmful to me, but at times, they caused deep suffering to others as well. After I repented deeply and sincerely, I made a vow to the Buddha that I would change, that I would follow the Buddha and learn with all my heart. When I made that sincere vow, I felt a shift. I, who had been so dim and faded, suddenly became bright and clear. Under the blessing and empowerment of the Buddha, everything is truly inconceivable.

I am so grateful to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Both of them are my great benefactors, the ones who saved me from the abyss. Many people in the world might think that learning Buddhism is mere superstition, but I am here, residing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I want to bear witness to the truth. I want to testify to the Buddha, to the boundless compassion of Namo Amituofo for all sentient beings."

A Witness to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

"One should seek to transcend this world rather than clinging so tightly to this physical body. This body is far too transient, and the events that unfold around us are, in essence, fleeting illusions. Once you let go of these attachments, you can truly follow the Buddha and find your way to the Buddha-land. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is real—it exists! Do not remain lost and confused in this world of suffering any longer.

I am grateful for everything, and I am deeply thankful for the Causal Conditions that allowed me to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo.

Li Ronghua, with palms joined in reverence."