From the Depths of Despair to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Huang Caiyu, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her life and her transition to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 11, 2024.

Lay Practitioner Huang Caiyu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am filled with boundless gratitude. I do not know how to express the depth of what I feel in my heart. I find myself constantly crying, yet laughing with joy, and I cannot stop myself from making prostrations to the Buddha. It is all I want to do.

Now that I am here, witnessing the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss with my own eyes, I cherish every single moment. It is truly magnificent to be here! I never imagined that I could reach such a wonderful place. And yet, here I am. I am so incredibly happy!"

The Agony of the Cycle of Rebirth

"I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for guiding me to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; it is only through his intervention that I have found liberation. If Practitioner Su had not saved me, no one else could have rescued me from my plight. For so long, I was trapped in the space where I had ended my life. The intense emotions and the crushing weight of that pain never faded; they followed me, tormenting me without end. It was so painful!

Being a human is a life of suffering. My heart was filled with total despair. I felt hopeless, trapped in a dead end with no way out. That feeling of being unable to find an exit was truly unbearable. I often questioned why I had come into this world. My heart was filled with bitterness and complaints, and my thoughts were constantly negative. I often felt stifled, as if struggling to breathe, suffocated by the weight of my existence."

Controlled by Karmic Creditors

"No matter how those around me tried to counsel me, I could not take their words to heart. Now, I see why: my ears were covered by karmic creditors. They sat upon my heart, making decisions for me. Even the words I spoke were often not my own; they were the karmic creditors speaking through me. Only after I passed away did I realise how severely I had been controlled by these beings. That is why I lived a life that felt so unlike my own, trapped and unable to find my way out.

After Practitioner Su saved me, I was placed upon a lotus seat in the Western Land of Dharma Nature to listen to the Dharma. At first, I was still caught up in my suffering. However, after listening to the teachings, I understood what a selfish person I had been. If I had not been so obsessed with my feelings, if I had not put myself first, how could I have suffered so much? Listening to the Dharma brought me immense joy. Many things I had never understood became clear. I let go, stopped clinging to my attachments, and decided to come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A Debt of Gratitude

"I want to express my deepest thanks to my sister-in-law. She is a truly kind person. I thank her for performing the Chao Du for me, for saving me, and for helping me see the Buddha-light through the darkness that had consumed me. I am so grateful to her. When the opportunity arises in the future, I will repay her kindness.

Huang Caiyu bows in reverence. Namo Amituofo."