From the Gloom of the Ghost Realm to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Hou Xiunü, 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 transition from the ghost realm to the Western Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on April 17, 2026.

Lay Practitioner Hou Xiunü speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have just set foot on the soil of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Looking back at the world I left behind, I feel a sense of trepidation, yet also a profound sense of reflection. I have arrived in a Buddha-land that is entirely different from the human world. Everything here is filled with such immense compassion and beauty. It is unlike anything I have ever encountered or imagined; it is truly extraordinary.

I spent quite a long time in the Western Dharma-Nature Land before arriving here. That place was also incredibly beautiful, but there is a distinct, indescribable difference in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is a place that brings such deep, absolute peace to the heart. You know, with every fibre of your being, that this is your only true home—a profound connection that anchors the soul completely.

The Clarity of the Dharma-Nature Land

Although I spent a significant amount of time in the Western Dharma-Nature Land and underwent much purification, I knew that deep within my heart, there were still remnants of the personality traits I had carried from my human life. Of course, I had already changed a great deal, but for those final, stubborn traces, I knew I had to put in the work. In truth, the concept of 'changing' one's personality does not really exist in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss in the way we think of it. Since arriving here, I have realised that it is impossible to even give rise to a single unwholesome thought. Every thought that arises is either 'Namo Amituofo' or a thought dedicated to helping other beings.

Everything here happens so naturally. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss was established by Namo Amituofo specifically to help all beings attain Buddhahood. I understood this principle while I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, but now that I have arrived here, I am even more certain that my heart truly dwells only within this one Buddha-name. It is so cool, so refreshing, and so incredibly free. Perhaps this is the very method the Buddha uses to guide us in changing our personalities: to chant one Buddha's name to the end. When you are fully immersed in the Buddha-name, there is nothing else left—so where could any 'personality' even come from? I could not fully grasp this while I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, but now, I feel it with absolute clarity.

A Release from the Ghost Realm

The 'me' of today is fundamentally different from the 'me' who lived in the world. Since shedding this physical body, my spirit has finally been able to become this clear and bright in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I no longer have to be bound by the constraints and sensations of a physical body; I am now interacting directly with the spiritual world. It is a beautiful and liberating experience. Especially because this is the world of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, it is naturally a world apart from the grey, gloomy ghost realm where I once lingered.

The ghost realm is not necessarily filled with intense suffering, but it is a place of constant, heavy depression and unease. You always feel as though you are never quite fed or warm enough. It is a dark, dim world, and I spent a long time living those grey, miserable days. It felt like a hazy, dreamlike state where I could barely remember anything about the human world. I was trapped there for so long, as if I were caught in a dream from which I could not wake up.

Gratitude for the Path to Deliverance

But the moment I was illuminated by the Buddha-light and brought to the Western Dharma-Nature Land, everything suddenly became clear. I knew immediately that the Buddha had come to receive me. The gratitude in my heart is beyond words; I could only keep saying 'thank you' to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I know in my heart that the reason I have such immense blessings is entirely due to Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, and my daughter-in-law, Hou Juli, who helped me achieve Chao Du to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am truly grateful to you, Juli. Thank you for helping so many people be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Your dedication and filial piety are truly worthy of admiration!

Although I cannot recall many of the details from my past, looking at everything from the perspective of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I feel deeply comforted. I am comforted by the fact that I have such wonderful family members who performed Chao Du for me, who learned the Buddha's teachings, and who follow Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. This gives me such peace of mind! No matter where you go, only by following the Buddha can one's life be saved. You are all so incredibly fortunate! If I had been given this opportunity back then, perhaps my fate would have been different. Regardless, you must seize the time while you are still healthy in this life to study the Buddha's teachings diligently and let go of all worldly attachments. Only then can you elevate your spirit higher and higher, ensuring a future that is filled with light. If you can chant the Buddha's name and be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss with ease, there is nothing better than that.

A Mother’s Final Advice

Mother has faith in you, and you must have faith in yourselves. You can accomplish so much in your lives; you can propagate the Dharma and share these teachings with those around you. These are all vital ways to accumulate merit and virtue. I hope my children will certainly do this!

Well, I have said so much, and now I wish to return to the Eight Meritorious Waters to soak for a while. It is truly so cool and joyful here. I will certainly continue to put in the work diligently in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, following the Buddha’s teachings. I will not let down the compassion of the Buddha, the compassion of Practitioner Su, or the filial piety you have all shown me. Thank you, everyone.

Namo Amituofo.

Hou Xiunü