From Darkness to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Zhou Yu, the father of Lay Practitioner Zhou Yancai. He sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his long journey through the spirit realms and his eventual deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on March 20, 2026.

Lay Practitioner Zhou Yu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Ha! I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the very first thing I did was let out a hearty laugh. Of course, this is not exactly what everyone does here, but I had not yet fully adjusted to this new reality, so I used laughter as my way of expressing the overwhelming joy I felt.

The Purity of the Western Land

However, after arriving here and being bathed in the Buddha-light, my heart very quickly became calm and still. Everyone in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly this pure, dignified, and filled with auspicious characteristics. We are just like the lotus flowers here—so pure, so white, and so clean. There are no afflictions, no wandering thoughts, no emotional entanglements, and no desires. There is certainly no need to look back at the various events of the past. This is the daily reality for those of us in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Everyone simply possesses a heart that wishes to follow Namo Amituofo, to learn, and to save the world. It is so simple, so clear, and yet so profoundly important.

My name is Zhou Yu. I truly... ha! It has been so many years; my lifespan in the human world ended a long time ago. I never expected that after all these years, such a massive transformation would occur just recently. Right now, I am kneeling before Namo Amituofo, pouring out my heart to the Buddha. I am sharing my joyful heart, telling the Buddha how incredibly grateful I am, and expressing my gratitude for the guidance of Practitioner Su. At this moment, all the Causal Conditions have come together perfectly. It is truly inconceivable.

Lost in the Shadows

Many years ago, after I passed away unexpectedly, I never saw light again. I did not know what a world of light looked like. I assumed that after death, one naturally goes into a world of darkness. Unless, perhaps, I had been a remarkably good person, in which case I might have ascended to the heavens. But I never did anything particularly great in my life; I was just an ordinary person. I thought that, like all other spirits, I would simply be left to wander in the world of ghosts.

I did not know before that there were so many levels to the cycle of rebirth. I only had a vague concept that people could go up or down, toward the light or toward the darkness. I had heard the name 'Namo Amituofo' and heard of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, but I never understood them deeply. But the past is the past; it is not important anymore because everything is illusory. There is nothing that can truly be held onto.

The Cycle of Attachment

After I died, I did indeed tell myself: 'I must keep moving forward. If I am to be a ghost, I should be a happy ghost!' I could not spend every day with a bitter face, living in the same dark, gloomy environment forever. Of course, my situation at the time was quite muddled; I was not truly awake. I just drifted and drifted, not knowing where to go, constantly walking in circles, unable to break free from that cycle.

Later, when I was learning in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I heard Practitioner Su speak about 'entering a space.' Perhaps I was trapped within a certain space, unable to pull myself out. This is a very real possibility, because as long as a person has attachments, they will enter a space. This natural phenomenon happened to me. Therefore, I do not feel any regret. There were simply too many things I did not know. Acceptance is the key. Accepting my past and then striving to move forward—this is what I am able to do now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Son's Filial Piety

I am sincerely grateful to my son. He performed Chao Du for his father and also for his wife. It seems he has truly recognised the precious land that is the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su; this is truly his tremendous blessing! I am genuinely happy for him.

Now, after so many years, he is no longer the person he once was. I can see that everyone in the human world is also growing in their own way. During the years I was not in the world, everyone continued living their own lives. This shows that there is no need to be attached to familial affection; after all, when a person dies, there is truly nothing left. Memories of the past are merely memories; there is no need to dwell on them too much.

Here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I speak these words with a heart that is completely at peace. I hope that everyone can be like me—even if you are not yet in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, you can let your heart live as if you were already here: peaceful, tranquil, happy, and free from afflictions. I believe this is something everyone can strive to do.

Well, I have said enough for now. I hope that everyone can complete this life perfectly and arrive perfectly in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. When that time comes, we shall meet again.

Namo Amituofo.

Zhou Yu speaks."