From the Depths of Suffering to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Chen Gang, the father of Lay Practitioner Guo Rui. He sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the cycle of rebirth to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on March 20, 2026.

Lay Practitioner Chen Gang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I, your disciple Chen Gang, offer three bows to the Buddha. Now, I truly, genuinely understand the preciousness of Namo Amituofo, and I understand the preciousness of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and Practitioner Su. Here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I have finally let out a sigh of relief. My entire being feels so comfortable, so at ease, as I enjoy everything that is pure and beautiful here. I fear that no matter how much I say, it would be impossible for you all to truly comprehend the beauty of this place. Therefore, I hope that all of you who know me—especially my family—will simply practise chanting the Buddha's name diligently. One day, when you return to this place, you will naturally understand the state of mind I am in at this very moment.

A Transformation Beyond Human Understanding

The 'me' of this moment is so vastly different from the 'me' who lived in the human world. It is true: when one is in the world, one is completely unable to be the master of one's own fate. The person you once knew and the spirit that presents itself to you now are truly two completely different beings. Upon arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart is filled with nothing but immense gratitude; I have no more worries or afflictions. Having reached this point and attained such tremendous blessings, I know I must sincerely work for the Buddha. Namo Amituofo, You are truly so magnificent! To be able to arrive in Your Buddha-land—I honestly do not know what else to say. Is it an honour? Is it joy? Is it anticipation? All kinds of goodness and virtue are visible at this very moment; everyone's heart here is so pure and so full of Goodness. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a world of pure purity and pure Goodness. I have finally come to understand this.

The Extraordinary Compassion of Practitioner Su

Furthermore, I must express my gratitude to Practitioner Su. Practitioner Su is a personage I could never have imagined. Although there were those in my family who studied the Dharma, I had never truly known how profound Practitioner Su’s skills were until now. Having experienced this for myself, I now realise that Practitioner Su is not merely the ordinary person we see with our eyes. After all, we are human—or at least we were—and our vision is far too limited. It is because Practitioner Su’s heart is truly identical to the heart of Namo Amituofo that she is able to perform such world-shaking deeds, such as easily guiding deceased spirits to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. However, all of this is also an arrangement of Causal Conditions. Those spirits who possess good roots, blessings, and Causal Conditions will naturally have the opportunity to reconnect with the Buddha after death and receive such magnificent salvation.

The Reality of Retribution and Impermanence

Of course, I also suffered briefly; it was a past that was truly too tragic to look upon. Although it did not last long—perhaps I spent only a few days, I cannot even count, suffering retribution in the hells—I have experienced that kind of suffering. Only now am I more clearly aware of the impermanence of life. I know that one truly must not think poorly, nor can one harbour evil thoughts. These various evil thoughts may seem insignificant, but over time, they awaken the many beings within your own body to whom you owe debts. They come to seek revenge, gnashing their teeth at you. Do you think our physical bodies can withstand that? This is why humans cannot avoid the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. It is just that the timing is different for everyone, and the severity of the suffering varies, but that does not mean one can escape this ordeal.

A Final Plea to My Family

I have deeply experienced birth, aging, sickness, and death. Although I did not live to be very old, the suffering and the struggle within sickness and death—you may not understand it yet. But since you currently possess a human body, you should cherish it well. This is what I hope for my family. If you encounter the Buddha and still do not know how to cherish this opportunity, then you are truly wasting this human body.

Finally, I once again congratulate my family on having the opportunity to study the Dharma. Do not follow in my footsteps, and do not walk the painful path of birth, aging, sickness, and death again. While you still have your bodies, change your personalities; there is still time, everything can still be changed! These are my most sincere words, and I hope you can take them to heart. After all, I am someone who has walked out of such a dark place, so all the realisations I have at this moment are true and earnest. Once again, I thank Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I will practise diligently and will not let down the great grace and virtue you have shown me by guiding me up here.

Namo Amituofo.

Chen Gang speaks."