From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with You Xuanren, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his time serving in the hell realms. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on July 4, 2025.

You Xuanren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am currently residing in the brilliant light of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I never imagined I could be this fortunate. To witness such magnificent light and to follow Namo Amituofo—it is beyond words. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for her assistance and to all the Causal Conditions that helped me, allowing me to reach this day. Looking at the immeasurable and boundless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the Western Pure Land, I now follow the Buddha myself. My heart is filled with light, and I am profoundly thankful.

A Past Defined by Suffering

Reflecting on my past, I once committed many heinous acts. Consequently, my soul suffered, cycling through the Avici Hell, paying the price for every negative mental note and every harmful action I had taken. Even now, when I recall the agony of hell, my entire being trembles.

My appearance here, and the writing of this account, is intended to help everyone understand that the laws of karma and cause and effect are truly real. I was born into a slum. In that place, if one’s life improved even slightly, everyone would take notice. Often, it felt as though everyone was competing to see who was the poorest.

Dreams Amidst the Filth

As a child, looking at the filth and chaos of my environment, I harboured many fantasies. I would imagine the narrow alleyway before me was a grand street; I imagined the dilapidated shacks were mansions; I imagined the unfriendly faces around me were smiling. Looking out from my window, I often had these sudden, whimsical thoughts, hoping they might one day come true. Yet, whenever I thought this, I would mock myself, telling myself it was impossible.

I lived that way for ten years—a life of instability, looked down upon by others. When I was ten, unexpected visitors appeared at our home. They looked very wealthy. I peeked from my room and saw my father and mother talking to them. They brought many goods and money, and I saw complex expressions on my parents' faces.

The Truth of My Origins

After they left, I ran out. My parents looked at me with an unusual gaze and began to speak slowly. They told me that I was a child they had stolen. Because life had been so bitter, they had taken a child from a wealthy family, hoping to gain some money. But after living with me, they grew to genuinely love me, so they abandoned the idea of selling me. They wanted to live a stable life with me, but they knew this life was one of extreme poverty, and they felt guilty for the suffering I endured. Now, my biological parents had tracked us down, angry and demanding my return, promising a large sum of money if they complied.

This event was a massive shock to me, to my adoptive parents, and to my biological parents. That night, knowing the truth, my heart sank to the bottom. Although I grew up in a slum, I knew my adoptive parents loved me dearly. But now, my biological parents had come, and they appeared truly wealthy. If I went with them, I could realise the life I had dreamed of. I did not know how to choose; my heart was in turmoil, filled with anxiety.

A Life of Luxury and Tragedy

Before we could make a decision, my biological parents threatened to take me away. My adoptive parents, having no other choice, returned me to them. Moving into my biological parents' home, the house was vast and luxurious; to me, everything felt like a dream come true. They were very happy to have found me and cherished me, often dressing me in fine clothes. They even allowed me to visit my adoptive parents.

I still cared for and felt grateful to my adoptive parents, so I begged my biological parents to help them improve their lives, which they readily agreed to do. From age ten to twenty-three, I lived the life I had always imagined. But one day, a group of bandits broke into our home, threatening us with knives. My father resisted fiercely, and in the chaos, he was killed. Seeing that scene, I went mad with grief and fought back with all my might. Unexpectedly, I accidentally stabbed two of them.

When the police arrived, I was arrested. Because I had wounded people, I was sent to prison. Being locked away was a massive blow; I could not understand why my life had encountered so many twists and turns. All I had ever wanted was a stable, peaceful life.

The Cycle of Samsara

In my dreams, the scene of the bandits raiding our home and my father falling before me played over and over. My heart was filled with complex emotions, and I became deeply depressed. Because of this depression, my health deteriorated. After falling gravely ill in prison, I gave up the will to live, and my life came to an end.

After death, I became a drifting spirit. I drifted until I entered the sand and gravel. After a long time exposed to the wind and sun, I descended into the second layer of the earth. Entering the darkness, I was afraid and uneasy, my heart filled with resentment and complaints. I felt that everything I had encountered was unfair. I held onto this anxiety and resistance, and these voices drowned out everything else. It was not until one day that I was willing to quiet down—not to feel those things, but to feel the true external world.

Finding Peace in Acceptance

When I finally calmed down, I discovered that although the wind had a sound, it was peaceful. The earth contained all kinds of life, yet it said nothing; it only accepted. I was astonished by this reaction. Had no one else faced what I had faced? Why could they be so calm? I observed quietly. The wind could not choose its direction, yet it remained calm. People often persecuted the earth, yet the earth chose to embrace them. The moment I saw these scenes, I chose to let go. And when I was truly willing to let go, I regained the peace within my heart. I had been waiting for this peace for a long time.

In this process of peace, my heart gradually opened. Not long after, a light shone upon me, leading me out of the space of sand and gravel. I was reborn into the You family. My father was a man of great mind-capacity. From a young age, he led me to practice counseling and helping others. My father was kind to everyone, and my mother was always smiling. Growing up in such an environment, my character became stable and optimistic.

A Life of Goodness and Service

I grew up carrying the Goodness of my parents. After my father passed away, I continued this spirit of helping others. My heart was often filled with gratitude; I felt that one must cherish life and let life shine. In that lifetime, many people liked me, and many came to learn from me. I was happy to share and joyful in helping others.

Until the end of my life, I faced death with a smile. Closing my eyes, I entered the Hall of King Yama. King Yama showed me the scenes of my many lives—both the evil and the Good I had done. King Yama asked me if I was still willing to continue serving beings. I agreed without hesitation.

Not long after, I put on the robes of a prison guard, becoming a servant in the hell execution grounds. The process of serving gave me profound insights. Seeing so many suffering spirits, I once actively tried to counsel them, only to find that everyone had their own stubbornness and their own ideas. So, in the end, I chose to let go and bless them; I thought that was the only thing I could do. Unexpectedly, not long after, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. The content of the talks stirred me, allowing me to recognise Namo Amituofo and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am so grateful. I am grateful to Practitioner Su, and I prayed that I might have the day where I could follow the Buddha.

I never expected that the day I longed for would finally arrive. Today, the magnificent light appeared before my eyes, leading immeasurable and boundless beings to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I was one of them. Such good fortune leaves me feeling deeply grateful.

Gratitude to the Buddha, gratitude to Practitioner Su.

You Xuanren, kneeling and kowtowing."