From the Flames of Despair to the Western Pure Land

You Kunbiao, a twenty-year-old university student from Hong Kong, tragically lost his life during the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court. Before his passing, he suffered from debilitating nightmares rooted in a past life as a crusader. He sought deliverance through the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo and eventually found refuge at the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This interview was recorded on December 15, 2025.

You Kunbiao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am You Kunbiao. I was a twenty-year-old student at the University of Hong Kong before my life was cut short by the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court. For a long time, I lived in a state of constant torment, trapped in a cycle of nightmares that I could not escape. It was only through the grace of Namo Amituofo and the deliverance provided at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre that I finally found peace.

A Past Life of Blood and Shadow

The fire drifts in the wind like red fireflies. I stand in the breeze, wearing a long, brown leather coat, waiting for my next opportunity to enter. Crystals fall to the ground and shatter; within the fragments are faint pink crystals. Countless people scramble frantically for these shards, for they contain the very essence of human souls.

In a past life, during the medieval Crusades, I was a commanding general. I wore iron-grey armour and carried a knight’s lance. I rode on horseback among rows of disciplined infantry, the sunlight glinting off the banners we held high, promising a noble future. Yet, the night was as dark as congealed blood. Before the crescent moon, I drank the blood of my enemies in a ritual sacrifice. Those cloaked in black were the external help we had summoned. We craved victory, yet it remained elusive.

Smoke billowed everywhere. From a high vantage point, I surveyed the battlefield, preparing for a final, decisive clash. Countless infantry, elephants, and warhorses collided amidst the thunderous roar of battle. The sorcerers we had hired began their dark arts; the earth cracked, and a sinister, bloody wind arose. The enemy fell in droves, but the price was the lives of many of our own soldiers and horses. That was how we secured our victory.

The Nightmare That Followed

‘Huff! Huff!’ This terrifying dream would surface again and again. I have lost count of how many times this horrific vision has tortured me. In the dream, I seemed like a madman, drinking the fresh blood of my enemies, selling countless lives to trade for victory. Whenever I saw those sorcerers in black cloaks, I was paralysed by their evil aura.

I would wake up drenched in sweat, bowing to the compassionate Namo Amituofo. Looking at the image of the Buddha hanging in my room, I prayed for Him to help me escape this suffering. Confusion, helplessness, despair, and fear would cling to me long after the dream ended. It took so much time just to return to a normal state. That is why I began to explore the Buddha’s teachings. I tried many paths—Esoteric Buddhism, the Spiritual Dharma Gate, Zen, mudras, meditation, and chanting mantras—but nothing helped. Just as I felt I was sinking into depression, I heard of the Pure Land Dharma Gate, which focuses on the Buddha, Namo Amituofo. When I first chanted ‘Namo Amituofo,’ I realised my heart was no longer so chaotic. I felt much more comfortable. I was astonished—it was so simple, yet so effective. I chanted incessantly, clutching onto it like a lifeline.

The Final Moments at Wang Fuk Court

I am You Kunbiao, a twenty-year-old university student. Many could not understand the pain of my nightmares, but when I encountered Namo Amituofo and chanted His name, I knew the Buddha understood my suffering and my pain completely. From that moment on, I resolved to follow Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I strove to chant according to the sutras and the methods taught by the patriarchs and venerable masters, hoping the Buddha would save me. I did not know how long I would have to endure, but I had no other choice. I once knelt before the Buddha, crying out, ‘Buddha! Please save me! Buddha, please save me!’ But the Buddha seemed not to hear my pleas; He only smiled at me, as if to say, ‘Child, just chant this Namo Amituofo well.’ I could only believe and continue to chant to survive.

On that day, after waking up in a panic, I chanted ‘Namo Amituofo’ for over ten minutes before I finally calmed down. This had been my daily routine for over a decade. I wanted to take a shower before my afternoon class, but halfway through, the power cut out. I rushed out to see what was happening. I saw many people fleeing in panic. Hearing their desperate cries, I realised there was a massive fire at Wang Fuk Court. The fire was already intense. I grabbed a flashlight and ran toward the exits. Although there was still a path, I saw flames raging above and below on both sides. I felt no fear, for having lived with nightmares for so long, I had often harboured thoughts of not wanting to live.

Deliverance and Purification

Watching the roaring flames, I stood motionless for a long time. I returned home, knelt before the Buddha, and decided to stay with Him. Only the Buddha had ever helped me, so I decided to entrust my life to Him. Either the Buddha would save me from this sea of suffering, or I would die before His image—at least the Buddha would be with me.

Amidst the sound of my chanting, the fire engulfed me. When the flames reached the Buddha statue, I felt as if the Buddha smiled. I chanted ‘Namo Amituofo’ loudly, hoping the compassionate Buddha would end my accumulated sins and take me away.

Because I was attached to my own tragic experiences, I forgot the Dharma joy of chanting. Thus, after I died, I remained in my room, still chanting. The fire continued to burn, and I remained kneeling before the statue. I do not know how much time passed, but a golden light emanated from the statue, filling the entire space. In an instant, I was drawn into a world filled with lotus seats. The light here was brilliant, and Namo Amituofo smiled compassionately, radiating great light. What was most remarkable was that the sound of the Buddha-name here was exceptionally beautiful and captivating. I had never heard such a beautiful sound—so relaxing, free, and without pressure. It was worlds apart from how I used to chant.

A Debt of Gratitude to Practitioner Su

I kept chanting, as if I had forgotten the past. After listening to the teachings on the Dharma-Nature Land, I slowly returned to the cheerful person I was before the nightmares began. It had been so long since I felt this relaxed and free. The Buddha truly saved me. Here, as I purify day by day, my spirit slowly elevates. I naturally saw that in the past, when I had those nightmares, many karmic creditors, including insect-like beings, were covering my head. Even after I woke up, they did not leave, continuing to influence my emotions. Fortunately, I knew to chant, which made them willing to retreat temporarily. However, because my chanting lacked sincerity, they were unwilling to resolve the conflict with me.

Now I know that it was Practitioner Su who, with Namo Amituofo, saved me and the other victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire. I am grateful to Practitioner Su. In the past, I thought that as long as I chanted, the Buddha would bless and save me. But after seeing Practitioner Su, I realised what ‘self-power’ truly means. I had always felt my life was a tragedy, unable to let go of my suffering. Now I know that my suffering is the suffering of all beings. My attachment to this ‘suffering’ prevented my chanting from being in sync with the Buddha-heart. Yet, Practitioner Su takes on the suffering of beings, enduring attacks from demon crowds while remaining filled with Dharma joy.

A Message to the World

Sitting on the lotus seat, I gaze at the boundless Dharma-Nature Land. This is the Buddha-land of Practitioner Su; her vast mind-capacity has created this boundless realm. Practitioner Su always teaches the fourfold assembly not to engage in ‘false bodies.’ It is so surgical in its precision. If only I had heard Practitioner Su’s teachings earlier, perhaps my fate would have been different. I can see that at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su invites spirits for the fourfold assembly every day through what is called spiritual healing. I see many spirits being drawn out from the bodies of the fourfold assembly. I admire the skills of Practitioner Su; this is truly the technology of technologies. If I had known about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre back then and could have received this spiritual healing, my nightmare problem would have been solved.

I hope my teachers and classmates can come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, to see me and speak with me. I also hope that all those who are ill, especially those with symptoms similar to mine, can visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This is where Namo Amituofo is healing the sick; it is the place that can truly solve everyone’s problems.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo, gratitude to Practitioner Su, and gratitude to the fourfold assembly of the temple.

Namo Amituofo.

You Kunbiao"