From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land: The Testimony of Lay Practitioner Wei Guirong

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Wei Guirong, the mother of Lay Practitioner Yang Shoujie. She sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her journey from the hells to the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on April 10, 2026.

Lay Practitioner Wei Guirong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It has not even been a few hours since my arrival, and yet I am already here accepting this interview at the temple. My heart is overflowing with gratitude. Namo Amituofo is truly so magnificent! To be able to establish such a magnificent and dignified Buddha-land, and to unconditionally lead all beings here—this is something beyond what people in the human world could ever imagine. Yet, it is happening, truly and vividly, right here in this Buddha-land."

A Profound Sense of Relief

"I have finally let out a long sigh of relief. My entire being feels so comfortable, so cool and refreshed; I have never experienced such a sensation before. It is as if everything else has lost its importance. I no longer feel the need to overthink, nor do I have any more demands. Back when I was in the human world, I was always so attached to my personality, my desires, and the things I wanted to do. I held onto my attachments, my own opinions, and my own views. I wanted things to be 'this way' or 'that way,' and if I was not satisfied, I would lose my temper. When I think back to the suffering of the human world, it was truly agonizing! With so many emotions and such a complex personality, it is no wonder that after I died, I ended up suffering in the hells."

The Reality of the Hells

"In truth, the hells are a place that anyone could end up in; it is not just for those who have committed heinous crimes. How many people, in their daily lives, harbor frequent evil thoughts and think only of themselves? If one lives only for oneself, it is very likely that such a person has already been receiving retribution in the hells. At that time, I was exactly like that. I never imagined that after I died, I would really 'check in' to the hells and spend such a long, bitter time there. The good news is that this bitter time has finally come to an end."

A Debt of Gratitude to Practitioner Su

"I must be grateful for all of this. I am also deeply grateful to my child, Yang Shoujie, for encountering such a magnificent and precious land in the human world—the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. I have never heard of anyone in any other temple possessing such high-level skills, capable of leading the soul of a deceased person directly to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Aside from Practitioner Su, I do not think you could find a second person like this in the entire world."

"I have been watching Practitioner Su here, always rushing about, constantly seeking a successor to carry on these skills so that all beings can continue to be helped to leave suffering behind and gain happiness. One can imagine that this is truly not an easy task! Ha! I have not been here long, yet I have already started worrying for Practitioner Su. Thinking about it now, it is actually quite funny."

Facing the Past with Courage

"However, it is true that I have personally received the grace of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. The gratitude in my heart was already overflowing in tears back when I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. For a long time, I did not dare to face my own past. I felt that the fact that I had fallen into hell was very shameful and extremely painful. To speak of it to my family is not an easy thing to do."

"But today, I have summoned the courage to arrive in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, which means I have also summoned the courage to face my own past. In reality, there is nothing to be afraid of; this is a mirror of the laws of karma and cause and effect. If I can let the people of the world know the sins that lead to hell, and let them know that while living in this world, one should strive to 'let go' of the self—to not have so many personal feelings, thoughts, and attachments—then perhaps they can be saved. Otherwise, these various attachments are the very reasons that cause one's karmic creditors to awaken, and they are also the reasons why we continue to suffer in various places within the six realms of existence after we die."

A Mother's Plea to Her Son

"Speaking of this, my child, you are truly so fortunate. Mother feels so happy for you. It is not just happiness for myself; I feel happy and comforted for you and for all the beings connected to you by karmic affinity. If you are saved, think of how many other beings can also be saved."

"Of course, you must be diligent in your practice at this time. If you are half-hearted, or if you still have many attachments to the world—to people, places, or things—then it will not be easy to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, nor will it be easy to lead the beings attached to you to seek rebirth in the Pure Land. You must put in the hard work and 'let go' of yourself to make it possible! Look at me—after I died, I had nothing left, only suffering. So, tell me, is this physical body really worth it? Is it worth it to commit so many sins, only to end up with nothing but a lifetime of bad karma? That is truly too bitter. Please, do not follow your mother's path, and do not follow the path of many people around you. You must stand on your own feet and tell yourself: 'In this life, I will follow Namo Amituofo, and I will follow Practitioner Su. I will not follow or obey anyone else.' Only with such firm faith in following the Buddha can you have a day where you transform your karma."

"This is my sincere counseling to you. It is also something I can only say now that I have become very wise after my period of purification in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I hope you can believe your mother's words."

A Final Message of Peace

"Well, I have said so much, and my heart is full of gratitude! Now that I am living a wonderful life in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, everyone does not need to worry about me anymore. Just know that I am safe—not just safe, but living here with immense Dharma joy. Everyone will naturally feel happy for me, right?"

"At this moment, I carry a heart full of gratitude. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo, grateful to Practitioner Su, and grateful to all of you."

"Namo Amituofo."

"Wei Guirong speaks."