From Karmic Suffering to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Yang Xiuzhen, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon her life and her journey to liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 12, 2024.

Lay Practitioner Yang Xiuzhen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I simply cannot stop the tears from flowing. I am so deeply moved—truly, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I have been kneeling before the Buddha, offering my deepest gratitude for His grace. I am so thankful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su for helping me reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now, I am finally liberated, free from suffering, and no longer trapped in the endless cycle of rebirth.

Here, I see my parents from my past life. To be honest, I barely recognised them at first. They look so dignified, so radiant—they no longer bear the appearance of people from the human world. They are truly like those who dwell in the Western Land, so pure and serene.

A Reunion in the Pure Land

My parents came to welcome me, and they were smiling so happily. Yet, I could not stop crying. I felt such profound sorrow. This spirit of mine had endured so much pain. If it were not for Practitioner Su rescuing me, I would still be trapped in that cycle of suffering, wandering through the void, unable to find my way out.

In this life, I came to repay my karmic debts. It was so difficult to obtain a human body, yet my time in that life was so short. I did not understand why I had to suffer so much. It was not until my younger brother, Minjian, performed the Chao Du for me in the human world that my spirit finally had the chance to be saved by Practitioner Su, who brought me into the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

The Miracle of Deliverance

During the entire process of being saved, I had no idea what was happening. But I could feel it—that golden light ahead was meant to save me. When I heard someone calling my name, I was immediately drawn in by a powerful force. Very quickly, I found myself sitting upon a large lotus flower. That was the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

My mind was not clear at all; I was confused about what had occurred. But my spirit felt so comfortable. I could feel a warm, gentle light shining upon me, as if it were helping me to wake up from a long, dark dream.

Awakening to the Truth

Later, I slowly began to realise that this was a place where the Buddha resides, because I saw the Buddha with my own eyes. I also heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks, and the voice reached my ears so clearly. At first, I did not understand, but I kept listening, and listening. The more I heard, the more I understood. Only then did I realise that my spirit had been trapped in the cycle of rebirth for so long.

I saw the karma I had created in the past, the many people who had died tragically because of my actions. Only then did I understand how heavy my karma truly was. That is why so many spirits wanted to claim my life, forcing me to leave the human world so early, unable to continue living in that body. Although my connection with my family in the human world was a bit shallow, I am so grateful that my brother Minjian remembered me, his third sister, and performed the Chao Du to save my spirit.

A Plea to My Nephew

Looking at everyone now, why do they all seem to be suffering so much? It is because their spirits are all in pain, yet they do not realise it. It breaks my heart to see them like this.

Later, I discovered that the Venerable Fa Hui here at the temple is my nephew—my brother's son. Without him, I would not have been saved by my brother's Chao Du, and it would have been impossible for Practitioner Su to rescue me.

Looking at my nephew, although I do not know him well, we share a connection from the human world, which is a form of karmic affinity. I truly hope he can save our family, our relatives, and our friends. Although I wish to help, I am no longer of this world. The distance between us is vast, and perhaps they would not believe me. Trying to counsel them to learn the Dharma is beyond my reach. However, my nephew is now a monk here; he has the best opportunity to guide our family and relatives to learn the Dharma. I hope he can save them, for it pains me to see them suffering while they remain unaware of the need to wake up and practise the Dharma. I place my hope in my nephew. I hope he cherishes this affinity and practises diligently here in this Buddha-land; the family will naturally change as a result.

I hope you can lead your father and mother to learn the Dharma. You all had a karmic connection in the past, which is why you became their child in this life.

With deepest reverence, Yang Xiuzhen."

Namo Amituofo.