From Emotional Entanglements to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Huang Lige, 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 experiences across many lifetimes, spanning over three thousand years. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa-xi, on April 7, 2024.

Huang Lige speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for her immense compassion, which has granted us this precious opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Every one of us here is filled with gratitude. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in thanks to the Buddha’s grace and to the kindness of Practitioner Su.

In a life as volatile and ever-changing as ours, maintaining a pure heart is an incredibly difficult task. It is something we must all learn to cherish—to truly grasp and hold onto the original Goodness of our own pure nature."

A Past Defined by Longing

"Looking back to the distant past, over three thousand years ago, I was born into an ordinary family in China. Throughout that human world, I never truly learned how to practise or cultivate myself. I had absolutely no resistance against the temptations of the world, especially the kind of deep, bone-piercing romantic love that consumes a person. I fell in love with a woman; her every move, her every smile, captivated me so deeply that I found myself unable to pull away.

From that moment on, my heart was completely occupied by her. Every thought I had revolved around her existence. Yet, fate is often cruel, and we were not destined to spend our lives together. When she passed away, it felt like the end of the world to me. My life instantly lost all its colour; without her, the world had lost all its meaning and flavour."

"I could not stop yearning for her. Day and night, my heart was filled with nothing but love for her, and my mind was constantly replaying scenes of our time together. Even when my life came to an end, I could not let go of those feelings. As I drew my final breath, she was still the only thing on my mind, and I hoped only to follow her into the next world."

The Cycle of Rebirth: A Life as a Bird

"After I died in that lifetime, I was reincarnated as a pigeon. This new identity led me to an unexpected discovery: even as a bird, one can possess deep, profound emotion. In this new life, I encountered a female pigeon, and her presence reawakened all the feelings I had carried from before. We flew together, spent our days side by side, and shared an unspoken, deep affection. We played and communicated just like lovers in the human world. I forgot the sorrow and regret of losing my love in my previous life; I had fallen in love all over again.

When spring arrived and all things began to flourish, we built a nest on a branch to raise our young. Our love continued to thrive in that simple, humble life. Every dawn, we would take flight together, soaring under the vast blue sky, enjoying the taste of freedom and love. At night, we would huddle together under the stars, 'talking' about the past and the future. It was a time of pure enjoyment, free from many of the world's burdens, with our lives inextricably linked. We raised our chicks together, watching them hatch from their eggs, feeling a joy that words cannot describe. Day by day, we cared for them, teaching them how to fly, fulfilling the most important task of life: the continuation of our lineage."

"However, this beauty was not without its challenges. Large birds would often circle overhead, and when storms struck, we had to hold our ground in the nest to protect our little ones. These hardships only made our bond stronger. We learned to rely on each other in the face of adversity and to cherish our existence even more."

The Monk and the Awakening

"I experienced several lifetimes as a bird, remaining deeply immersed in these emotional entanglements without ever truly awakening. That changed on a day that remains etched in my memory: my beloved mate passed away due to an accident. I stood alone beside her cold body, my heart feeling as though it had been pierced by a blade, utterly lost and helpless. Just then, a monk appeared. His presence was like a beam of light, illuminating the deep darkness within my heart.

The monk compassionately performed a simple funeral for my mate. Afterward, he spoke to me gently, counseling me to let go of my attachment to romantic love and guiding me toward the path of liberation. Under his teachings, I felt a glimmer of awakening—a sensation I had never experienced in all my previous lives."

"Later, I entered the cycle of rebirth once more, but this time I returned to the human world, carrying the memories of my past lives. In this lifetime, I cherished this rare awakening and memory. I knew deeply that in this life, I had to remain clear-headed. I had to liberate myself from the heart of emotional attachment and walk out of the trap of samsara."

A Vow to Help Others

"I made a vow to help more people realize this Truth, to show them how to escape the bitter sea of reincarnation. I chose to become a wandering monk, travelling everywhere to proclaim the way of liberation. I walked across the length and breadth of the land, leaving my footprints and teachings in bustling cities and remote mountain villages alike.

During my travels, I encountered many lost spirits. Some were unable to extricate themselves from emotional entanglements, while others were lost in the pursuit of wealth and fame. I patiently answered their questions, using my own past experiences as examples to show them how to face and let go of their attachments. This path was not easy to walk, but I persisted, knowing that this was my way to atone for my past sins and to explore the path to future liberation."

"Years later, many who had once been lost found their direction in life because of my teachings. They learned how to let go and how to face the various challenges of life. But I knew that everything I did was not just for my own liberation; I wanted to help more people find liberation, so that they too could find light and peace. My heart remained filled with gratitude for all the Causal Conditions I had encountered. Without those experiences that helped me achieve this, I would not be who I am today."

The Final Path to Deliverance

"In my later years, I chose to build a temple in the deep mountains, which I named the Temple of Liberation. This was where I practised in my old age, and it was open to all who sought peace of mind. The mountains were filled with the songs of birds and the sound of flowing streams; every corner radiated a power that could purify the heart.

My life, from obsession to awakening, from reincarnation to liberation, was a profound realization of love and letting go. I began to reflect on the meaning of life and reincarnation. I gradually understood that every birth and death, every romance, was merely a part of the endless cycle of samsara. My story is not just a love story between two pigeons; it is a phenomenon of the constant cycle of life. I am grateful for these reincarnated experiences; they allowed me to see the different faces of life and helped me understand the truth of reincarnation."

"Ultimately, when my life came to an end once more, I no longer felt regret or sorrow. I knew that whether one is human or a bird, every birth and death is part of the soul's journey, and we will all cross the threshold of life and death to continue into the next existence. But this time, I wanted to walk the path of liberation.

When my spirit arrived in the underworld, I was very clear that I wanted to pursue the path of liberation. I was fortunate to encounter the assistance of the King of Hell, which allowed me to serve and work in the underworld while learning more about the true reality of the Dharma. I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks recently, and it filled my heart with immense joy, for I knew this was the true path to liberation. Ever since I first heard Practitioner Su’s teachings, I have practised and adjusted myself every single day, because I know this is the path I have been seeking. I am so grateful to have the opportunity today to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity, and I truly cherish it. I am grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su, which has allowed us to be saved. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in thanks to the Buddha’s grace and to the kindness of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Huang Lige, with palms pressed together.