From the Depths of Samsara to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Cai Qiniang, the great-grandmother of Wang Quan, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her life and her subsequent transformation. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 22, 2026.

Cai Qiniang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am filled with such immense gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly, unimaginably beautiful! Although I have only been here for a few short hours, I have been diligently chanting Namo Amituofo, not wanting to let a single moment pass without the Buddha-name in my heart.

The Preciousness of the Buddha-Name

While I was still in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I came to realise just how precious this Buddha-name truly is. Whenever I listened to Practitioner Su’s lectures, I would keep the Buddha-name firmly in my heart, repeating it over and over again. I was so terrified of missing this golden opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. The Buddha once said: 'As long as you keep this Buddha-name unbroken, chanting with a single-minded heart, at the very moment of your passing, the Buddha will surely come to receive you and guide you to the West.'

And it was exactly as the Buddha promised. Today, amidst the continuous sound of chanting, Practitioner Su reached out and guided me directly to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—a place I have longed for, even if I did not know it, for so very long. When I was alive in the human world, I never truly understood what this Buddha-land was. I was not familiar with the name of Namo Amituofo, even though I had heard it mentioned in passing.

A Debt of Gratitude to Descendants

Today, I am overwhelmed by the Buddha’s great compassion and the incredible achievement of Practitioner Su, who has awakened to her true nature and possesses the profound skills necessary to lead us to the Western Pure Land. I never imagined that after being gone from the human world for so long, my descendants would still remember my name and register me for this Dharma assembly. I am so deeply grateful to my great-grandson, Wang Quan. You even registered many of our other ancestors for deliverance, including my husband. By registering everyone for this Dharma assembly, you have allowed us all to be guided to the West. The blessings and merits of this act are truly immeasurable! We are all so moved; none of us ever expected that such a day would come.

The Reality of Hell and Karmic Retribution

When I was young, I did not receive a proper education, and I had no real concept of the Buddha’s teachings. My life was a mixture of Goodness and evil. As the evil within me grew, and as the beings within me began to awaken to their own suffering, I found myself stepping closer and closer to the abyss of the hells. In my generation, it was quite common for people to end up in the hells after death. We were all filled with selfish thoughts, always thinking only of ourselves, and even resorting to unscrupulous means for our own benefit. With such a mindset, how could we possibly avoid the hells?

I left the human world carrying a heavy burden of regret, resentment, and a chaotic mix of emotions. That state of mind was exactly what summoned the suffering of the hells! Furthermore, I had buried so many disappointments and sorrows deep within my heart throughout my life. I lived my entire existence in a state of depression and unease—a common plight for many in the human world. Because I was unable to truly think for others or open my heart, how could I have escaped the suffering of the hells? I thought only of myself, which was essentially the same as waking up all the beings within me. Our bodies are densely packed with these beings, and it was only because I had once deemed myself too important, ignoring their interests and needs, that they held such deep grudges against me.

Transformation in the Western Dharma-Nature Land

I learned so much in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I studied and focused on purification with the utmost sincerity, not daring to waste a single second. In that realm, I felt as though I had an endless supply of energy. I did not need to rest, nor did I have to worry about mundane tasks like eating, drinking, or the needs of the body. I did not have to expend any effort on those things, which allowed me to be completely immersed in the world of the Buddha’s teachings. I never thought I could undergo such a massive transformation in such a short time.

In truth, everyone who arrives in that realm experiences the same thing. It is just that the suffering we have endured is buried so deep that we need a little time to adjust to all the beauty that surrounds us. At first, I was filled with distrust, doubt, and confusion. But under the purification of the Buddha-light, and through listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma time and time again, I gradually understood why this place exists and why rebirth in the Western Pure Land is so essential. By the time I arrived here, I understood the situation clearly. This is truly a different experience from the Cai Qiniang who lived in the human world, being led around by the nose by her own karmic creditors!

A Warning to the Living

It is not just me who was led around by the nose in the human world; I believe many of you sitting here have had similar experiences, whether you are aware of it or not. Very few people in the human world are truly the masters of their own destiny. At that time, I could clearly see the beauty of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I sincerely wanted to share it with everyone. I want to tell you all: this is the path that every spirit must take after leaving the human world. Please, do not take this lightly. The cycle of rebirth in the six realms of existence is absolutely terrifying. Once you fall, you may find yourself in a bottomless abyss from which you cannot escape.

When I was suffering in the hells, I never imagined I would have the chance to turn things around and escape. I suffered for such a long, long time, and finally, I waited for this day. I have seen many beings who suffered alongside me, and they are still suffering in the hells today. Some of them have been there for hundreds or even thousands of years. Everything there is just too painful. In reality, you do not need to go through such a painful process! As long as you are honest and straightforward, following the Buddha, everything will be fulfilled.

Finally, I, Cai Qiniang, sincerely bless everyone reading this interview: always keep the Buddha in your heart, let go of everything in the human world, and you will be able to step closer to the Buddha’s heart, one step at a time.

Namo Amituofo.

Cai Qiniang"