From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Li Huitang, the father of Li Shuyun, 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 journey from the depths of hell to the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Ning, on May 29, 2026.

Li Huitang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Today is truly a magnificent day. I am the first one to be called by Practitioner Su and, in a single instant, transported from the Western Land of Dharma Nature to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss! In truth, I should have arrived here last week, but I wanted to linger a little longer in the Western Land of Dharma Nature to observe everything there and to see how my daughter and grandson were faring.

Actually, that was just my own unnecessary attachment. Here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I can see them quite clearly. Yet, my state of mind now is truly different from before. Having arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss for only a brief moment, I no longer have any lingering attachments or thoughts about the past. It is as if I have quickly merged into this place. I am quite puzzled myself; perhaps I have been to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss before, as I feel a profound sense of familiarity here, just like returning home."

A Sudden Awakening from the Depths of Hell

"The beauty of this place lies in the fact that my heart is incredibly stable and peaceful, free from any afflictions or messy thoughts. Everyone here is the same, which is completely different from the human world. I am deeply grateful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for enabling me to come here. If the Buddha were not here today, we would have no chance to escape suffering. From here, I can see the beings trapped in the six realms of rebirth, and it is truly miserable! Moreover, I spent a very long time in hell, and that was filled with nothing but agony.

Looking back, it was about a few weeks ago when I was in hell that I felt a light shining upon me, calling my name: 'Li Huitang.' I had actually almost forgotten my own name. In an instant, I was jolted awake. I hesitated for a moment, but quickly followed the light, because hell was simply too painful. As long as I could leave that place, I would have gone anywhere.

Arriving at the Western Land of Dharma Nature was already a massive shock to me. I never imagined I would reach such a beautiful world. I suffered in hell for over forty years; the pain was so prolonged that I was completely dazed. When I first arrived at the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I could not open my eyes for a while, nor did I know what the world looked like. Perhaps because I had spent so long in darkness, it took me some time to adjust to the bright world."

The Power of Filial Piety and Deliverance

"There, I closed my eyes to rest properly, listening to the sound of the Buddha-name. Aside from the six-character name 'Namo Amituofo,' which brings such peace to the heart, there were no other sounds. Once I calmed my mind and slowly regained my senses, I finally understood my situation.

Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su were incredibly compassionate toward me. There was nothing here to cause me any worry; I simply listened to the Buddha-name, learned to chant, and gained much wisdom from listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma. Later, I realised that besides the guidance of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, it was my daughter, Shuyun, who had registered for the deliverance ceremony on my behalf.

It has been decades. I never expected that my daughter Shuyun would be all grown up, and even showing signs of age. To be honest, when I left the human world, she was still just a little girl. Time truly waits for no one. Even my grandson, whom I had never met in person, is now so grown up. The first thing they did upon arriving at the Buddha-land was to hold these eight deliverance ceremonies for me, their old father. It allowed me to be spared from the suffering of hell and to enter this world of light. I am overjoyed.

Such an event is truly rare. Where on earth did my daughter hear such good news, that she could lead her deceased relative to such a wonderful place? This is her tremendous blessing, and it is my blessing as well."

A Father’s Final Counsel to His Children

"I have slowly come to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and I know that my daughter has been leading her son to volunteer here. Although it has only been three months, I have watched them during this time, and my heart is filled with much surprise and reflection. I never expected that there would truly be a place in the human world where the Buddha resides, where people can realise their true nature and attain Buddhahood, and where I could see Practitioner Su deliver so many beings to the Western Pure Land. I am happy for them, and I hope they can make the most of their time here.

First and foremost, one must truly know Namo Amituofo and understand the Buddha's compassion. Every being and every person who comes here has a deep affinity with the Buddha. This includes myself; although I suffered for so long in hell, I am deeply grateful to the Buddha for giving me this opportunity to continue my Buddhist affinity.

If there were no Practitioner Su in the human world who had realised their true nature and attained Buddhahood, reaching the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss would be far too difficult. I do not know how much longer I would have had to suffer in hell. To be honest, at the time, life was truly worse than death. My heart was sliced open time and time again. In my repeated states of unconsciousness, I would wake up only to have my heart sliced open once more. This repetitive process was so painful that I became numb; I do not know how many times I died or how many times I was reborn."

The Simple Truth of the Dharma

"When I arrived at the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I began to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma. I learned to repent and understood why I had fallen into hell. It turns out that the hell I was in is called the Heart-Slicing Hell, because I harboured a selfish and self-interested heart while I was alive. My words and thoughts did not follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. I only thought of my own benefits without considering the feelings of others. Whether through actions or evil thoughts in my mind, everything influences where a person goes after death. Not to mention that I already had many karmic creditors on my body, waiting at any moment to seek revenge. When my thoughts deviated, they would naturally awaken and go to King Yama to lodge a complaint. The truth that the laws of karma and cause and effect are never empty does not just apply to this life or the previous one; it permeates throughout your many lives.

After understanding true Buddhist education here, I finally saw the light. However, it is not too late; at least I know the truth now. I can tell everyone that the Dharma is actually very simple: it is about guarding this heart and teaching this heart to be good. Do not think of bad things, do not think of others' faults, and do not harbour evil thoughts. A heart that is clean, flawless, and kind will naturally not end up in hell.

I died young because I did not change my personality, and my karmic creditors came knocking, dragging me into hell to suffer retribution very early on. In the cycle of birth, old age, sickness, and death, I did not seem to experience old age, as illness caused me to leave the human world very quickly.

To my family, I am truly sorry. I did not provide my children with a very good education or teach them the true principles of being a person. Of course, I did not understand these principles myself at the time. So now, as an old father who passed away many years ago, I urge my children to understand the education that the Dharma speaks of—that everything is rooted in the heart. Always keep a kind heart, speak kind words, do good deeds, and be a good person. Practitioner Su has spoken of these basic principles many times, but how many people can actually do it?"

A Message to My Grandson

"My children, except for Shuyun, are all still rolling in the secular world, experiencing many things, having their own thoughts and views, and wanting to enjoy everything the world has to offer. I see all of this, and I know that like everyone else in the world, they have grown up under worldly education. I cannot blame them; I have my own responsibility. But now, as a resident of the Western Land, I have a responsibility to tell them: do not place too much importance on everything in the human world, because time passes very quickly.

I have walked the path of birth, old age, sickness, and death. Your mother is also getting on in years. I have failed her, and I have failed you. But I sincerely hope you do not follow my old path, because that path is an endless abyss. You must never have a heart that only thinks of itself. When you are tempted by the pleasures of the human world, try to take a step back, calm your heart, and think about why you came to the human world in the first place.

At the same time, try to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma, and try to understand everything that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is doing. I hope you can gain some inspiration from it. Regarding how to walk the path of life, perhaps you will have different thoughts. I have benefited immensely here, listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma every day, listening to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su give Dharma talks. I have understood many principles, and I know that although I ended up with a bad outcome in that life, being able to come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss now is the most perfect ending for me.

I hope my sons and daughters in the human world can deeply understand what I am expressing now. If you can believe in the Buddha and learn the Dharma, then you have not come to the human world in vain. Otherwise, when the time for birth, old age, sickness, and death arrives, everyone will report to different places, and you will still have to suffer endless pain, life after life, without end.

Finally, I will not say too many long-winded words. I hope you can feel the intention I am trying to express at this moment. I am truly doing very well in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; please do not worry about me. The suffering of hell is long in the past.

I am a spirit who has been purified for a long time in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, and now that I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I will continue my practice in this life and will not forget the words of the Buddha. Because at this very moment, I have truly begun to walk the path of Truth; everything before was merely an illusion—it is truly so. What is past is past. I will move forward courageously, practising diligently on the Buddha's path, and perform for everyone to see. As a resident of the Western Land, everything I say at this moment is true and not false!

Lastly, I want to say a few words to my grandson, Honghao, whom I have never met. Although we have never met, I am watching you from here, and I can see you quite clearly.

Rest assured, I will not reveal what you are thinking in your heart, but I am sincerely happy for you that you have the opportunity to visit the temple at this age. No matter what path you choose in the future, you must remember that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, where I am now, is your true home. Wandering in the human world for too long will only make you lose your way. If you can return to the Buddha's gate sooner, it is a good thing for you, not a bad thing. Do not be too attached to your own body; this means do not take yourself too seriously. Shrink yourself, and place the Buddha and all beings in your heart. In this way, you will surely be able to learn more and realise more principles.

Namo Amituofo.

Li Huitang speaks."