From the Depths of Retribution to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Lin Zheng Yujin, the mother of Lay Practitioner Lin Qiuzhen. She sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition from suffering to liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on April 21, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Lin Zheng Yujin speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Yujin. I am so deeply grateful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. I have arrived safely in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and my heart is filled with gratitude.

Before I came here, I lived in constant fear. I was terrified that I would never make it up to this pure realm. I had created so much heavy karma in my past, and my karmic creditors were all waiting to seize me. I could often see them, even though they could not see me. That was the only reason they had not dragged me away yet. I knew that if they ever discovered my location, they would stop at nothing to drag me down to suffer the retribution I was owed. It was absolutely terrifying."

The Weight of Unresolved Karma

"I never imagined that the karma I had not yet repaid—the debts I owed from the past—would continue to haunt me into this life. That is exactly why I was dragged into the brain-gouging hell to suffer my retribution. It was only by the grace of my daughter, who saved me, that Practitioner Su called out my name. That call gave me the chance to be lifted up, sparing me from having to endure that agony any longer.

In this life, I did not perform any great deeds of merit, nor did I commit any heinous crimes. I simply did not understand the Law of Cause and Effect. I did not know how to repay my debts, so the karma I had accumulated in the past never had a chance to be resolved. Every day, my heart and mind were entirely consumed by my home and my children. This self-centred focus only made my karmic creditors more resentful. They saw me as selfish, caring only for my own family, and their hatred for me grew deeper. Even before I passed away, they were already looking for opportunities to seek revenge, which is why I fell ill."

A Sincere Plea for Forgiveness

"Before I was to depart for the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I summoned all my courage and sincerely knelt before my karmic creditors to apologise. I begged them to forgive me. I realised how much they were suffering, so I counselled them to accept the memorial tablets and join me in seeking rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I pleaded with them not to continue this cycle of reincarnated suffering just for the sake of vengeance.

During this time, I listened to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su, and I suddenly understood what it truly means to have compassion. In the past, I did not understand. I only knew the difference between good and bad, or right and wrong, but I had never learned how to use a heart of compassion to help others or to help sentient beings. Now, I understand. I have begun to follow Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, slowly working to repay my own karma."

The Transformation of a Karmic Debt

"I was not used to wearing these white clothes at first, but now I have grown accustomed to them. Back at home, I always had chores to do, and it would have been impossible to wear such pristine white garments without getting them dirty. Now, I have no chores; I only need to chant Namo Amituofo and help sentient beings. I chanted and chanted, until I could see my own past and the heavy karma I had created. In particular, there was a poisonous snake I had beaten to death. It was so unwilling to let me go and had been waiting all this time to take its revenge. While it was alive, it had been inside my brain, and after it died, it remained in the space around me, still waiting. I kept chanting Namo Amituofo to it, begging for its forgiveness.

Today, before I left, I saw it again. It told me that our enmity was not just from one lifetime; in the past, I had even stolen its partner. I felt so heartbroken when I heard this. I repented and apologised to it, urging it to let go and come with me to the Western Land. Later, I watched as it walked into the memorial tablet for my karmic creditors from many lifetimes. The poisonous snake transformed into a beautiful woman. I shed tears as I chanted for her, hoping that she, too, could reach the Western Land."

A Final Message to the Living

"I want to tell everyone, and especially my children in this life, that each of us has karma waiting for us. We must do more good deeds, help more sentient beings, and perform Chao Du for our own karmic creditors and those sentient beings with whom we have an affinity. Only then can we help them achieve liberation and leave suffering behind as soon as possible.

Lin Zheng Yujin bows in reverence."

Namo Amituofo.