From the Depths of Hell to the Western Land

This is a record of an interview with Ye Langqiu (also known as Ye Chenghui), the grandmother of Lay Practitioner Li Jianping, who sought deliverance 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 transition from the depths of the hells to the light of the Buddha. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on April 18, 2025.

Ye Langqiu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today. It was the compassionate Practitioner Su who brought me here, and I am filled with such profound gratitude!

I truly never imagined that I would one day be rescued. During my time in the hells, I suffered so intensely—it was a pain so deep that I eventually seemed to lose all sense of it, becoming completely numb. Every single day was a repetition of the same horrific punishments. I closed off my heart. At first, I would scream, but eventually, I stopped. I simply endured the agony and continued to suffer.

A Glimmer of Golden Light

My heart was truly in despair. I believed that I was destined to live like that forever, with no chance of change. My heart had become ice-cold, so cold that I felt nothing at all, which is why I stopped crying out or seeking help. Yet, not long ago, I suddenly saw a golden light ahead, and then I heard someone calling my name.

I heard it very clearly. But because my heart was already so numb, I initially thought it was just another official or jailer sent by King Yama to torment me. After thinking about it, I realised it could not be—the voice was different. Moreover, the moment that golden light appeared, I felt a warmth—a gentle, compassionate power that enveloped my entire being. Even as I was in the midst of my punishment, all the suffering stopped in that very instant. Very quickly, I was taken out of the hells. I did not walk out; I simply vanished from that place and found myself sitting on a lotus seat.

The Transition to the Western Dharma-Nature Land

I was brought to the Western Dharma-Nature Land where Practitioner Su resides. At that time, I did not know where I was, but compared to the hells, I knew it was a wonderful place—a place that could truly help me.

I allowed myself to slowly calm down. I began to hear the Buddha-name being chanted and listened to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su. The more I listened, the clearer it became, and the more it resonated within my heart.

Letting Go of the World

Regarding the world of the living, I have chosen to let go and forget. After all, it is now a distant memory. The difference between having a physical body and not having one is immense; they are two completely different worlds. Things I once cared about so deeply, once I no longer had a body, I did not care about at all. All those feelings were tied to the physical body. Without it, those sensations and emotions simply faded away.

I later learned that it was my granddaughter in the human world who helped me, which gave me the opportunity to be rescued by Practitioner Su. I am so grateful to her. Without my granddaughter's help, I would still be suffering in the hells. I am truly, truly thankful to her.

I am doing very well now—far, far better than I ever was before. I will apply myself here, chanting the Buddha-name and listening to the Dharma talks, so that I may start anew and never again fall into the cycle of rebirth and suffering.

Ye Langqiu bows in reverence.

Namo Amituofo."