From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land: The Deliverance of Lay Practitioner He Ganyuan

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of He Ganyuan, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Having been rescued from the suffering of the hells, he now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his profound transition from the depths of torment to the light of liberation. The interview was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on June 17, 2022.

He Ganyuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Venerable, I have troubled you so much with my presence!"

Venerable HaiZe:

"Not at all, it is my duty to assist. Please, do not be so formal; you are most welcome here."

He Ganyuan speaks:

"When I was alive, I did not know how to cherish the gift of life. I was completely ignorant of the preciousness of having a human body. I was foolish, reckless, and squandered every opportunity I had. After I died, I fell into the hells to endure unimaginable suffering. It was truly, truly painful! I did not even have the chance to cry out for help or to beg for mercy. Even now, when I look back upon those moments, I still feel such intense, searing pain! It was absolutely terrifying to be trapped in such a state of despair.

A Dream Awakened

Today, all of that is finally in the past. My heart is filled with such overwhelming gratitude! I am so deeply grateful that Namo Amituofo exists in this world, that Practitioner Su exists, and that my niece, Huiping, exists. If it were not for all of you, I would still be suffering in the hells right now. I would not be the person I am today, standing here—in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I truly never imagined that I, He Ganyuan, could ever be worthy of entering such a magnificent place.

Everything from my past life feels like a nightmare from which I have finally woken up. I do not want to dream those dark dreams ever again; I want to stay here in this light forever. A while ago, I was thinking that I never wanted to leave the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, as the temple served as my safe harbour. When I was alive, I never experienced such peaceful and tranquil days. After I died and suffered in the hells, the temple was the only place that allowed my heart to finally find rest and stillness.

The Importance of Dharma Education

I began to learn how to repent for my past actions. Because of the profound peace found at the temple, I was able to see my past self clearly for the first time. Suffering in the hells was the consequence I deserved, yet no one would ever willingly send themselves to such a place. It was only after listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks at the temple that I realised how many things I had done wrong, how many things I had thought incorrectly, and how many harmful words I had spoken throughout my life. I finally understood that listening to the sutras and receiving the Buddha’s teachings is so incredibly important—it can prevent so many people from falling into the hells!

A Debt of Gratitude

Huiping, I am so deeply grateful to you! Among all the younger generations, you were the one who had the wisdom to seek Practitioner Su to perform Chao Du for your uncle. You did the right thing! If it were not for Practitioner Su’s great cultivation and merits, I believe no one could have saved a soul as heavy with sins as mine. Now that I have attained liberation, I have no way to repay this immense kindness. I can only express my heartfelt gratitude here, word by word, to ensure my voice is heard.

The Splendour of the Western Pure Land

Before this, I saw many, many beings coming to the temple’s Dharma assembly, requesting Chao Du to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. At the time, I truly could not comprehend it. Is the Western Pure Land really that good? Why do so many beings want to go there? I also saw many celestial beings, and even what we call 'alien spacecraft.' I used to think such things were absurd—how could there be alien spacecraft? I never expected that I would see them with my own eyes here, and they, too, were requesting to go to the West.

Because I was living so well at the temple, I did not have the immediate desire to go at that time. But now, I finally understand. The temple is indeed wonderful, but the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is far superior in both brightness and clarity. It is filled with golden light—it is too beautiful, simply too beautiful to describe in human language!

A Call to Practice

Huiping! Practitioner Su is a practitioner with true cultivation and real power. To put it plainly, if she were not a Buddha or Bodhisattva who had come to the human world, how could such a person exist—someone who could save me from the hells and send us to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? You must follow Practitioner Su closely and practise chanting Namo Amituofo diligently. Only then can you save yourself and save everyone else!

In closing, please allow me to express my deepest gratitude once more to Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, Huiping, and all the Venerables and lay practitioners at the temple. I am forever in your debt."

Namo Amituofo.