From the Ghost Realm to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with the younger brother of Wang Chunming, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his spiritual journey and transformation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on October 6, 2023.

The younger brother of Wang Chunming speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When the light of the Buddha finally shone upon me, I could not hold back; I burst into tears. I knew, in that very moment, that I had finally been saved. Upon arriving at the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I wept for a long, long time. It was only after my tears subsided that I could truly hear the sound of the Buddha-name. The resonance of the Buddha-name cleansed my spirit, and for the first time, a genuine smile spread across my face. I began to look around at my surroundings with a light heart, and there, I saw the Buddha.

The Path to Clarity

Initially, I had so many things I wanted to say to the Buddha, so many burdens I wanted to unload. But the Buddha had already allowed me to feel such profound peace and joy that I decided to simply let go of my own internal feelings. I chose to be still.

I began to listen to the sutras. At the very beginning, I did not understand much; sometimes I would just sit there, foolishly gazing at the Buddha. Yet, to my surprise, day after day of purification passed, and I began to develop the thoughts of a mature adult. I started to recover the wisdom I had possessed in my past lives.

Confronting the Karmic Debt

Deep within my heart, a voice urged me to look clearly at my many lives—to wake up. The moment I made the vow to be clear-headed, I saw a massive crowd of my karmic creditors. They were the ones I had brutally killed; many of them were children who never had the chance to grow up. In that instant, I was truly awakened. Before, when I was wandering in the ghost realm, my heart was filled with regret. I even harboured resentment that my connection with my family had been so short, and that after death, I had become a wandering spirit, forced to grow up and survive within the ghost realm.

Now, I finally understand. This was the price I had to pay for the karma I created in the past. This price, when compared to the lives I had once harmed, is truly nothing. I saw so many scenes from my past lives that I wept bitterly. I repented, and I made a firm vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I will follow Namo Amituofo and practise diligently, so that in the future, I will have the opportunity to save the sentient beings with whom I share a karmic affinity.

A Debt of Gratitude

I am deeply grateful to my sister, with whom I did not have the affinity to spend much time in this life. It was her efforts that helped me receive Chao Du, allowing my spirit to be reborn and to return to the Western Pure Land.

Sister, seeing your faith in the Buddha makes me so happy for you. I hope you can persist in following the Buddha and continue your practice diligently. I also know that you have the heart to spread the Great Dharma widely, helping even more people find their way.

Finally, I offer my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I kneel and kowtow in thanks. Namo Amituofo."