From the Depths of Hell to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is an interview with the spirit of Chi Fenglan, the aunt of Lay Practitioner Yu Aiping. Seeking deliverance through the compassionate Chao Du performed at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, she has successfully transcended her suffering and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on January 14, 2022, captures her profound gratitude and her transition from the darkness of the hells to the eternal light of the Buddha.

Chi Fenglan speaks:

"Aiping, my dear! It is your aunt, Chi Fenglan. This world is truly wonderful—I never could have imagined such a magnificent place! The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is beyond anything I could have dreamed of. And to think, all of this is because of you!"

The Darkness of the Upside-Down Hell

"If you hadn't helped me with the Chao Du, where would I be right now? Oh, it is too terrible to think about! I was trapped in the hells—they call it the 'Upside-Down Hell'. It was absolutely terrifying! The suffering was so intense, so unbearable. It is a world away from where I am now. I went there to endure the consequences of my past, and no one knew! But you, in your filial piety, remembered your aunt and performed the Chao Du for me. That single beam of light in the darkness of hell saved my life. My body had been so ravaged that I was completely unrecognisable! Only later did I realise that the light was the Buddha-light, and it was the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su that rescued me."

A Sanctuary of Light

"Since arriving at the temple, I have never returned to that dark place, and I have not suffered since. Everything here is so perfect! I don't even have the words to describe it. This is not heaven—I have learned that this is the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I learned this within the temple, and I never imagined such a place truly existed! At first, the environment of the temple was so beautiful that I didn't want to leave. After you left the temple, I thought to myself, 'I will just stay here and wait; surely you will return one day.' I thought I would wait for you before going to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. But you were gone for so long that I decided I couldn't wait any longer!"

A Dream World of Gold and Flowers

"Every time I saw everyone happily preparing to depart for the West, and then Practitioner Su would reach out his hand and they would vanish in an instant, we would all just stand there with our mouths wide open, thinking, 'Oh!' I never imagined that today it would be my turn. It is truly wonderful! It is absolutely perfect! Everything here is so bright—even brighter than the temple! And everything is shimmering with gold. Look, there are so many flowers! It feels like a dream world from a cartoon."

The Preciousness of Human Life

"Aiping, my dear, your aunt wants to tell you something: being human is not easy! The fact that you were able to find Practitioner Su is a blessing you have cultivated over eight lifetimes—perhaps even more! It takes many, many lifetimes of cultivation to earn such a blessing. If you can follow Practitioner Su and cultivate your way to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, then this lifetime will have been worth it. Practitioner Su is truly extraordinary. He has managed the temple so well and taken care of all of us—though I suppose I am a spirit now, not a human. But how is it that I don't feel like I am dead? Perhaps it is because I have spent so much time at the temple that I have forgotten all the suffering and pain I endured in the hells."

Reflections on Cause and Effect

"Ah, that is not a bad thing! When I think back to my time in the world, I did so many foolish things. I did wrong without even knowing it, always thinking I was right. It turns out that this stubborn nature of mine has existed for a long time, and I have harmed many people because of it. That is why, when the karmic creditors came to collect their debts, they took their case to the King of Hell. Between my past and this lifetime, there was no escaping that retribution, which is why I ended up in the Upside-Down Hell. One must truly live clearly and with understanding; one cannot be muddled or confused. Harming others is ultimately harming oneself—you only realise the suffering once you have passed away. But enough of that; let us not talk about suffering anymore."

A Message of Hope

"I am so happy, so joyful, and so grateful to be here! Thank you, Aiping! Please tell everyone that I am living a wonderful life now. There is no suffering, no pain, no illness, and no darkness—only a world of pure light. This is the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I hope that everyone can have the karmic fortune to come here. I, Chi Fenglan, will be here waiting to welcome you all."

"Thank you, Namo Amituofo! Thank you, Practitioner Su! Thank you all! I am so grateful to everyone!"

"Chi Fenglan, with palms joined."