From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Li Ruichuan, who sought Chao Du 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 transition from the suffering of the hell realms to the purity of the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on June 5, 2026.

Li Ruichuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Li Ruichuan. I have truly arrived at the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. While I was residing in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I constantly heard Practitioner Su speaking about the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He urged us all to chant Namo Amituofo and to make a sincere vow to be reborn in the West. I followed his instructions faithfully. Although I was a bit confused at first—not fully understanding the distinction between the Western Dharma-Nature Land and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—I knew in my heart that what the Buddha said must be the absolute truth. So, I simply followed the path."

A Transformation of Spirit

"Now, my entire spirit feels as though it has been elevated. I feel incredibly light, agile, and clear-headed. I have gained the ability to perceive so much more than I ever could before. This is something that every being in the Western Land can achieve; we can look back and see the various events of our past and present lives, and we understand clearly which path we must take in the future. It is a feeling of profound stability and Dharma-joy—a state of being that I believe is very difficult for those still in the human world to truly comprehend.

You have all stayed in this Five Turbidities and Evil World for far too long. Sometimes, it is truly difficult to distinguish right from wrong, black from white, or to see the reality of many situations. The Buddha’s teachings speak of the 'Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.' How many people in this world can truly persist in upholding these? When I was alive, I was considered a 'good person' by most standards. Yet, even someone like me ended up spending over thirty long, agonizing years in the hells. Even now, when I think back on it, my heart still trembles with fear. I am incredibly fortunate to have encountered Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su today. If I had not, I truly do not know how much longer I would have been trapped there. To remain in that darkness for hundreds or thousands of years—that would have been truly miserable."

The Compassion of the Buddha

"I have no desire to look back at those past experiences anymore. Before me lies the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have been kneeling before the Buddha, offering my deepest gratitude. Aside from being overwhelmed by the Buddha’s compassion, I do not know how else to express my reverence. I know that the Buddha is the most wise being in the entire universe. Both Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su are Buddhas; the only difference is that Namo Amituofo is the Buddha who created the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and he speaks to me in the form of a spirit. Practitioner Su, while in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, also teaches us the Dharma in a spiritual form, yet he still possesses a human body and resides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. The Western Dharma-Nature Land and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are intrinsically connected.

I can see everything very clearly from here, and I know exactly what Practitioner Su is doing. He leads everyone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies, and he teaches us to observe the process of Chao Du. I watched these ceremonies very earnestly. As I watched, my heart filled with joy. I knew that this must be something truly miraculous—something that only a Buddha has the power to accomplish."

A Debt of Gratitude

"My heart is now completely at peace. I have come to the right place. This is not a place one can simply choose to enter; it is only because the Buddha is in this world, delivering us suffering spirits, that I was able to escape the sea of suffering in hell and arrive at the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I am filled with such emotion. I watched as Practitioner Su loudly chanted my name. It turns out that my daughter-in-law, Wang Jingzi, had registered me for the Chao Du. I am so grateful to my wonderful daughter-in-law. You have truly saved my life; the suffering of hell is simply too unbearable to describe.

I have been away from the human world for over thirty years. Now that such a massive transformation has occurred, I truly do not know what else to say. Aside from gratitude, there are no other words. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is such a pure world that if you asked me to say too much, it would seem out of place. However, regardless of anything else, now that I have reached the Western Dharma-Nature Land and arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I vow to follow the Buddha’s footsteps throughout my many lives. I will never go astray again. It was because I did not understand the Buddha’s teachings in the past that I developed twisted thoughts, which ultimately led me to hell."

A Final Word to My Family

"I see that people in the human world are all the same; those who fall into the hells are not a small number. Many people appear to be good, but their inner thoughts are skewed. They harbour selfishness and dissatisfaction. These things, when accumulated in the heart, are exactly what lead a person to hell. Even many 'good people' fall into this trap. Therefore, to be a truly good person, one must follow the Buddha’s footsteps—do exactly what the Buddha teaches. I am very honest now; when I am told to chant the Buddha’s name and seek rebirth in the West, I immediately chant and make that vow. It is only because of this that I am able to give this report to everyone today.

I also advise my family members not to worry about me. After so many years, you have likely forgotten about me, haven't you? Haha. In truth, I cannot remember the past very clearly either, because the suffering of hell caused me such torment. I only know that every second, I longed to live, but my will to live could not overcome the weight of my karma. No matter how much I struggled in hell, it was useless, because my own heart was in sync with the hell realms, which is why I experienced such a result. I accept this willingly; I consider it a way to clear away my disasters and karma. It is a natural process.

Well, I have said quite a lot. I urge my family members to let go of this world. Do not be overly attached. Whatever happens, let it pass. Every day is a new beginning. Think good thoughts, speak good words, and do good deeds; then, there will be no more afflictions. To chant the Buddha-name 'Namo Amituofo' is enough to ensure rebirth in the Western Pure Land. What a wonderful thing! Everyone must seize this opportunity.

Namo Amituofo."