From the Depths of Hell to the Lotus Throne

This is a record of an interview with Ji Zhongcheng, the father of Lay Practitioner Ji Zhenglin, who sought Chao Du 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 journey to liberation and his deep gratitude for the path of practice. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on January 2, 2026.

Ji Zhongcheng speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. That is the phrase that is constantly on my lips now, the most important sound in my existence! I kneel before Namo Amituofo, listening with the utmost reverence as the Buddha delivers teachings. The sensation of my wisdom suddenly opening—of the fog clearing from my mind—is something truly difficult to describe in human language. I feel as though, in the mere few hours I have been here, I have gained more clarity than I ever possessed in my entire life. Compared to the chaotic events of my past, I finally feel that I am the one in control of my own heart. Looking back at the things that happened before, it feels as if I was a puppet, completely controlled by forces I did not understand."

The Complexity of Past Lives

"It was only when I arrived in the Western Dharma-Nature Land that I could finally see the truth of my own history. Throughout my many lives, my journey has been incredibly complex. I have performed many acts of Goodness, yet I have also committed deeds that were truly unforgivable. In this most recent life, I possessed a heart that genuinely wanted to practise, but when my karmic creditors came knocking at my door, my faith in the Buddha and in myself was simply too weak. I was indecisive, wavering like a reed in the wind. My own heart was at war with itself, leading me to commit such terrible acts. Do you understand? I even fell into the hells. The memory of that experience is still so painful, so deeply distressing to recall.

If it were not for the existence of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss established by Namo Amituofo, and if it were not for the presence of such an extraordinary figure as Practitioner Su here in the human world—someone who can realise their true nature and attain Buddhahood, and who has the power to guide us to rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—I truly do not know how much longer I would have been forced to endure such unimaginable suffering."

A New Life in the Western Pure Land

"Now, I reside in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Beneath my feet, there is a lotus flower, and all around me, there are lotus flowers of every size, stretching as far as the eye can see. The fragrance of these lotus flowers is so refreshing, so incredibly comfortable! This is a reality so vastly different from my previous circumstances that it is like waking from a nightmare into the light of day. This experience has made me even more determined to practise diligently. Only by achieving success in my practice will I be able to repay the great compassion and grace of Namo Amituofo.

I feel a profound sense of shame when I think of my past, so as soon as I arrived here, I kept kowtowing to the Buddha, saying I was sorry, and expressing my deepest gratitude. The Buddha is so compassionate; the Buddha does not dwell on my past. Since I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I have been told to simply let go of everything from before. There is nothing left to argue about, nothing left to hold onto in the depths of my heart. The past was truly like a dream; it has passed, and it has left no trace behind."

A Message to My Son and Family

"Therefore, I sincerely hope that my family and my son will hear my words. And yes, I am so deeply grateful to my son for arranging my Chao Du. You have such wonderful blessings to have encountered Namo Amituofo and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. To be able to believe without a shred of doubt—this is the result of your good roots, your blessings, and your Causal Conditions. It is your great fortune! This is something difficult to encounter in millions of years. Since you have encountered it, you must cherish it dearly. After all, this is the first time the Buddha has descended into the human world in this way. You must seize this opportunity; do as much as you can, and chant Buddha's name diligently. There is nothing in this world that cannot be resolved by chanting Namo Amituofo. You must remember this! Namo Amituofo is always by your side, always with you, as long as you are willing to chant.

Finally, I hope that more people will learn the Dharma. I am here, waiting for you all to come. Bring more beings with you so that we may all return together. If you do this, your life in the human world will not have been in vain.

Namo Amituofo.

Ji Zhongcheng"