From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is an interview with Yue Zhizhong, 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 harrowing journey from the depths of hell to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 29, 2026.

Yue Zhizhong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have opened my heart and am ready to accept this interview.

In truth, I knew for quite some time that this interview would take place. However, while I was in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I felt a moment of hesitation. I was not entirely willing to speak. The reason was simple: I did not want my family to know that I had fallen into the hells. It was a source of deep shame and lingering anxiety that I carried with me."

The Courage to Confront the Past

"Yet, as I have walked this path, my heart has become increasingly open and clear. After coming to understand many profound truths, I realise that the fact of my descent into hell is something that my family and friends should actually know. Only by sharing this can others take it as a warning. They need to understand what actions are permissible and what are not. Only then will they grasp why so many people fall into the hells.

Among our group who came from the Western Land of Dharma Nature to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I believe about half of us were companions who had ascended from the hells. We have endured unimaginable suffering. Some of us spent five, ten, or even more years in those dark realms. The suffering there is not something an ordinary person can comprehend. If you have never been to hell, no matter how I describe it, you simply cannot understand the depth of that agony."

The Compassion of Deliverance

"At that time, I was suffering intensely, praying in my heart every single moment, hoping that someone could save me and lead me out of that space. But I waited and waited, and that wait lasted for over a decade. Thankfully, all of that is now in the past. While I still felt a lingering fear when I was in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, after undergoing purification, my heart has become much more peaceful.

Having said all this, I almost forgot the most important thing. I am filled with gratitude—deep, boundless gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for their compassionate deliverance. If there were no Buddhas or Bodhisattvas who had realised their true nature and attained Buddhahood in the human world, and if Namo Amituofo were not manifesting here, how would I have ever had the chance to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? This is such a rare and precious opportunity. Therefore, I cherish every single second of this moment. I know how difficult it is to attain this, especially considering the blessings I received when my family registered me for Chao Du."

Wisdom and the Path of the Heart

"When I saw the words 'Cousin of Wang Huizhong' written out, my heart was filled with astonishment. Oh, so it turns out that Huizhong is not only dedicated to practising the Dharma, but he also remembered me, his cousin, and registered me for deliverance. I want to tell him: 'Huizhong, your decision to study the Dharma is absolutely the right choice!'

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the only place in the world that can truly lead deceased spirits to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Because Namo Amituofo is residing here, everything appears to be simple and effortless, but this is something that cannot be achieved anywhere else. Huizhong, I truly admire your great wisdom. To encounter the Great Dharma and to recognise the Buddha is no small feat!"

A Warning to the Living

"In this vast human world, people are lost, not knowing where they are going. I was the same way. In the past, I was confused and aimless, and I committed many mistakes, both large and small. The greatest mistake among them was that my mental state went wrong. In reality, everything is governed by the heart. When this heart becomes corrupted, one cannot escape the suffering of hell. I did not know before that it was wrong to only think of myself. In the process of constantly prioritising my own interests, I stepped further and further into error.

As someone who has lived as a human, I sincerely advise Huizhong, and I advise everyone else: you must maintain your Body, Speech, and Mind. With your body, do not commit evil deeds; with your speech, do not speak harmful words; and with your mind, do not dwell on negative thoughts. If you look at everything from a positive perspective and move towards the good, things will naturally improve. You will not fall ill, and you will not meet such a painful end."

The Purity of the Western Land

"Right now, I am soaking in the Eight Meritorious Waters of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is so pure! If it were not for this interview, I would not have a single wandering thought. In this pure Buddha-land, I am simply chanting Namo Amituofo, listening to the sutras, and hearing the Dharma in a state of cool, carefree joy. This is the original state of every being, and I believe this to be the absolute truth.

Now that I have come to this place and look back at everything in the human world, I realise how truly polluted it is. People have so many thoughts, and they are so often focused only on themselves. This is truly dangerous, and it sows the seeds for falling into hell. I hope that everyone will stop living this way. To study the Dharma, one must genuinely change from within the heart. Only then can one be a true practitioner of the Buddha's teachings.

Having said all this, I have finally unburdened my heart. I will say no more. I am filled with gratitude—gratitude to Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, and Huizhong.

Namo Amituofo.

Yue Zhizhong"