From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land: The Journey of Jiang Naichu

This is a record of an interview with Jiang Naichu, 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 journey from the depths of the brain-gouging hell to his eventual deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 15, 2026.

Jiang Naichu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Jiang Naichu. Today, I have come from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to share my story with all of you. Coming here, I must first express my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. Without the guidance of the Buddha, we ordinary people would never have the strength to reach such a magnificent world on our own. Many of us spirits who have been delivered are filled with such joy, finally knowing that there is a path forward. Only upon arriving here have I realised what the true home of the spirit really is.

In the past, I had only a vague, hazy concept of what the spirit was. Now, I finally understand that this physical body of mine was so fleeting—once it passed, it was gone forever. Yet, my spirit has existed throughout all time."

The Agony of the Brain-Gouging Hell

"My spirit has endured so much suffering throughout countless lifetimes, yet I was completely unaware of it. Now that I have finally received the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land, my heart is filled with clarity and joy. I have nothing left to cling to in the human world. Looking back, the life I lived ten years ago feels like it belongs to a distant, forgotten age. But the days of suffering—especially the ten years I spent in the brain-gouging hell—were truly, unimaginably painful. I am so relieved that all of that is finally over.

It was only because my child, Jiang Xiaoqing, discovered the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre that I, an old father, had the chance to be saved by the Buddha! This was an act of true filial piety from my child, and I am deeply moved by it. Here, I can see the circumstances of all my past lives, and I have realised that in previous incarnations, I was not just a stranger to my child; we were all fellow practitioners within the Buddha’s gate. This time, it was my child who first encountered the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and registered me for Chao Du, pulling me from the agony of hell and guiding me to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

The Universal Principle of Cause and Effect

"At that time, I was suffering in the brain-gouging hell. My head was in constant, excruciating pain—it was a sharp, unbearable agony. Even when I was first brought to the Western Dharma-Nature Land, it took quite some time for me to settle down because the pain in my head was still so intense. I later realised that it was because my thoughts during my life were skewed; I was filled with selfish and self-serving intentions, which resulted in such karmic retribution. I never understood before that being selfish was wrong. I never imagined that even the slightest selfish thought or action could lead to such a terrifying manifestation of cause and effect.

Do not think that falling into hell is an uncommon occurrence. Let me tell you honestly: many of us, after we die, may find it impossible to avoid the punishments of hell! If your thoughts are still filled with such a rigid sense of 'self' and such a stubborn desire to put your own interests first, how could you possibly avoid the suffering of hell? Therefore, it is vital to keep your thoughts righteous. It was only while I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land that I realised my thoughts had been so misguided, leading to such a tragic end. Since then, I have been working hard to maintain righteous thoughts, telling myself that I must cleanse my old personality completely. To arrive in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss without the baggage of a stubborn personality—that is the greatest blessing of all."

A Final Warning to the Living

"I have been diligently chanting the Buddha-name, because Practitioner Su always says that if you cannot change your personality, then you must chant. Chanting Namo Amituofo can gradually calm your personality, suppressing it so that it does not flare up again. This is a crucial part of changing one's nature, and I hope everyone remembers this.

I, Jiang Naichu, was also driven by my personality back then. There was a massive 'self' inside me; I felt that everything I thought and did was correct. I do not complain, however, because I know this was the retribution I deserved. Furthermore, before I died, so many karmic creditors came to seek revenge and take my life. It was then that I realised it was not just the karma created in this life, but the karma accumulated over many lifetimes that had to be repaid. When my thoughts were impure, they naturally awakened and came to claim their due. This is what the Buddha’s gate calls the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way; there is absolutely no escaping it.

Every person is born into this world carrying an immense amount of karma. This is why we have been reincarnated for so long and have been unable to escape the six realms of rebirth. I want to tell everyone in the human world, especially my child, that I hope you can maintain righteous thoughts at all times. It is even better if you are willing to study the Buddha’s teachings. Just chant one Buddha's name to the end, and you will succeed. I did not understand these truths before, which is why I missed so many excellent opportunities for practice, but it is not too late for you. The fact that my child can still accomplish so much in the human world is something that brings me great comfort today.

Having said all this, I hope you can understand the truth about the spirit. The world after death is filled with such suffering. While everyone’s experience may not be identical, there are far too many similarities. I hope you will take my story as a warning and not walk the same old path that I, Jiang Naichu, once walked.

To my family and my child, you must wake up and truly recognise the Buddha. Gratitude to Namo Amituofo, gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo."