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

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner He Xingyun, 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 cycle of rebirth to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on December 6, 2024.

Lay Practitioner He Xingyun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am He Xingyun. I am so deeply grateful to the compassionate Practitioner Su; I, your disciple Xingyun, have finally arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I feel as though I am no longer my old self. I feel light, as if I am floating—it feels like a dream, yet I know in my heart that it is truly real. I know it is real, yet I can hardly believe that I could possess the blessings required to arrive here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This place is truly magnificent! There are colours everywhere, and every single one of them is luminous and translucent. It is so beautiful, beyond anything I could have imagined!

The Compassion of the Buddha and Practitioner Su

The Three Saints of the West are right here before me. I have been bowing to them continuously, over and over again. My heart is filled with such profound gratitude—gratitude to Namo Amituofo, and gratitude to Practitioner Su. Practitioner Su is truly extraordinary. He called me directly out of the hells. I did not even know what was happening; one moment I was trapped in the darkness of the hells, and the next, I had already been delivered from them.

In my life, I lived quite simply. I did not commit any major evils, but I know that I was a person who thought too much. In the life I led, it was very difficult not to let my mind wander. Sometimes I thought of good things, but often I thought of bad things—in truth, I thought of bad things far more often than good. I am aware of this, even if others might not have been. After all, the mind is one's own, and the heart resides within one's own body; one knows best what one has been thinking.

The Reckoning of Karmic Creditors

In the past, I created quite a bit of negative karma. Those karmic creditors who refused to let me go were always waiting, ready to seek revenge. When I was nearing the end of my life, they were already surrounding me. There were so many of them, and it was absolutely terrifying. Once these karmic creditors decide to collect their debt, no one can stop them. They had the power to take my life, ensuring I had no chance to survive. I saw them holding tokens in their hands—they truly had the authority to claim my life. It is no wonder they were able to take me away so quickly.

A Message of Hope for the Living

After I died, I suffered immensely. There was not a single day that I was not in pain. My niece, Chunming, is such a good, filial, and kind-hearted person. She was the one who saved me. I am so grateful to this child. I truly hope that she, too, will reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss in this lifetime so that she will never have to suffer again. I believe that now that she has encountered the Buddha, she has a goal and a sense of hope; she will not have to endure such bitterness anymore.

I hope that all children can learn the Dharma, but I also understand that one must follow the conditions of fate—this is not something that can be forced.

I am doing very well now. I am smiling so happily, and I wish for all of you to be well, too.

Namo Amituofo.

He Xingyun bows in reverence."