TeachingArticleUncategorized

From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land

A Testimony from Huang Renzhong

Recorded by Venerable Haize on August 16, 2018

Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre4 min read0 views

The Illusion of Worldly Success

I am Huang Renzhong. If you recall a man who was famous for his extravagant lifestyle—a man who even had gold-plated toilets—you might remember me. For many years, I lived a life of immense wealth, surrounded by beauty and luxury. Yet, despite all my possessions and influence, I was constantly plagued by illness. When my time came to leave this world, my passing was far from peaceful.

In the human world, we often mistake material abundance for true happiness. We chase after the —wealth, sex, fame, food, and sleep—believing they will satisfy our hearts. However, I learned the hard way that these pursuits are merely fleeting shadows. My life was consumed by the pursuit of pleasure, and I did not realise that every action carries a karmic consequence.

The Agony of

After my death, I fell directly into the Copper Pillar Hell. The suffering there is beyond what any human language can truly describe. I was stripped of everything, left completely exposed, and forced to embrace a massive copper pillar that burned at thousands of degrees.

This agony was a direct reflection of the burning fires of lust that consumed my heart while I was alive. The consequences were unbearable: my spirit was fused to the scorching copper pillar, unable to escape. The pain was far more intense than being burned by fire, yet I could not die to find relief. I was trapped in a cycle of endless, agonizing screams, living through the results of my own past actions.

I wish to counsel all people in the human world: of all the evils, lust is the foremost. The fleeting pleasures of wine, beauty, and sensual indulgence are not worth the eternal suffering that follows. It is a path of profound sorrow and regret.

The Compassionate Rescue

I endured the torments of hell for what felt like an eternity. Then, through the boundless of the Buddha, Practitioner Su reached into those dark depths to save me. Even after being rescued, my karmic habits were still deeply ingrained. I found myself reborn as a soft, white worm, trapped in a cycle of mindless mating and instinctual behaviour, devoid of any true feeling or awareness.

Again, I was lost in the cycle of rebirth. Yet, Practitioner Su did not abandon me. Through his immense compassion, he rescued me once more from that lowly existence. Standing before the Buddha, I felt a deep, overwhelming sense of repentance. I was terrified by the contrast between my former worldly glory and the wretched suffering I had endured after death.

Practitioner Su’s compassion is unique; it is a stern yet inclusive guidance that offers a chance to every child who truly recognises their mistakes. By repenting and focusing my heart on chanting Namo Amituofo, I was finally able to leave my past behind and be reborn in the of Ultimate Bliss. It was Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su who saved Huang Renzhong.

The Splendour of the Western Pure Land

In the Western Pure Land, all the evil habits and desires that once plagued me have vanished completely. This is a kingdom of pure goodness, brightness, and . The environment and atmosphere here are so pure and elegant that it is difficult for the human mind to fully grasp.

Consider the value of gold in the human world. People treasure it, lock it in safes, and hold it in their hands. Here, however, the ground itself is paved with gold. It is not something to be hoarded; it is the very foundation upon which we walk. While the human world is covered in dark asphalt, the Western Pure Land is radiant and golden.

The beauty of this place is adorned with precious treasures: pearls and agate are used to decorate the houses and palaces; amber and glazed glass are used to embellish the lecture halls; crystal is used to line the sides of the paths, reflecting the light of the Buddha; and the trees are magnificent and tall, grown entirely from these precious gems. This is a world that sparkles with dignity and comfort—a world created by the infinite compassion of Namo Amituofo.

The Path to True Liberation

This magnificent and supreme place is accessible to everyone, but you must make the effort. You must chant Namo Amituofo and make the sincere vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Those who have cultivated strong skills can even know the time of their departure in advance. They can leave this world with , whenever they choose. This is what we call 'living migration'—moving to the Western Pure Land while still in this body.

However, this requires the guidance of a true spiritual friend. Such teachers are rare in this world, but Practitioner Su is one of them. If you wish to find the right path, come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to seek the guidance of Practitioner Su. The Centre is preparing to build a 'Mituo Village,' a place where residents can focus their practice and ensure their rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I hope you will all join in this magnificent endeavour, so that we may all be reborn from the lotus flowers in the Seven-Jewelled Pond. I look forward to seeing you all in the Western Pure Land! Namo Amituofo.

IN THIS COLLECTION

More from Uncategorized

View collection →

More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

Interview

The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang

A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

14 min read
000
Interview

The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi

This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance 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 life and his journey to the Pure Land.

31 min read
300
Interview

A Reflection from the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance 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 life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.

18 min read
000
Interview

The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing

Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

7 min read
000
Interview

The Burden of a Historical Name

This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, 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 life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.

25 min read
000
Interview

The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land

A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.

8 min read
200

About the Author

Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library