This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Xu Lixia, the mother of Lay Practitioner Tan Meiling. She sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang 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, Fa Ning, on February 6, 2026.
Lay Practitioner Xu Lixia speaks:
". I, Xu Lixia, have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss! It has been less than a few hours since I made that sudden, miraculous leap into this magnificent place. The contrast between this realm and the place of suffering where I previously resided is like heaven and earth—the difference is truly immeasurable!
Back when I was trapped in that state of suffering, I suddenly became aware that someone was coming to lead me to a better place. A brilliant, radiant light shone upon me, and I heard my name being called: 'Xu Lixia, Xu Lixia.' I was completely stunned, my entire being trembling in awe. My heart surged with a single, desperate thought: 'I must follow this light! I must go with it!'
Entering the
Shortly after, I found myself entering the Western -Nature Land, a Buddha-Pure Land that is equally beautiful and filled with dignity. At that moment, I was still in a state of bewilderment, not fully grasping what had transpired. It was only as I gradually became more purified and clear-headed day by day that I finally understood the truth: Namo Amituofo is present here. Furthermore, I learned of a female lay practitioner who has realised her true nature and attained Buddhahood while in a human body—Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. It is truly astonishing that she possesses such profound skills, enabling her to guide us all the way to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Unveiling of the Laws of and Cause and Effect
Living here, I have slowly come to understand why my life ended in such a way that I fell into the hells, and I have also realised why I was granted this precious opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is all due to the laws of karma and cause and effect. This was something I had never truly understood before. Now, I finally realise that human beings must only harbour thoughts of Goodness; we must not allow evil thoughts to take root. I now see that every single thought I have influences my future destination. Thoughts of Goodness naturally lead one to a place of beauty, while negative thoughts inevitably lead one to a place of suffering. When I was alive in the human world, I did not know what constituted an 'evil thought.' I thought it was perfectly normal to be self-centred and to always put my own interests first.
A Message to My Daughter
My child, you must be shocked, thinking, 'Mother was a good person, how could she have ended up in the hells?' My dear child, the truth is that throughout our many lives, we have all performed countless deeds, both good and bad. If, in this lifetime, negative thoughts arise, they naturally trigger the corresponding negative laws of karma and cause and effect. Consequently, there is no way to reach a better destination. Everything is governed by these laws.
One of the most detrimental thoughts I held was the belief that it was acceptable to always put myself first; that selfishness was simply a part of life. I did not know then that because of my selfishness, I had offended and harmed many people throughout my many lives. Thus, in this lifetime, because of the accumulation of so many negative thoughts, I naturally became ill as I grew older. My illness was the result of these coming to find me. They came to collect their debts, causing me to fall ill and slowly leading me toward death.
The Path to Transformation
Oh, my daughter, please do not follow in your mother's footsteps! I am telling you all of this now because I hope that after you have come to know the Buddha, you will be even more diligent in your practice and strive to improve yourself. There is not a single person who does not have a personality or ego; you must first acknowledge your own flaws before you can truly change them for the better.
Do not worry that you are too old to change; there is no such thing. When Practitioner Su gives Dharma talks, she always says that her skills can be learned by anyone from the age of one to one hundred. You are not yet one hundred years old, are you? Of course not! You can certainly learn. The better you learn, the more beings you will be able to help!
Well, I must continue on with my new life here. You will eventually arrive here as well. You must believe in yourself and stay firmly connected to the Buddha—that is the only way!
