From the Grey Realm to the Golden Light: The Journey of Huo Shufen

This is a record of an interview with Huo Shufen, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition from the spiritual realms after approximately thirty years of wandering. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 15, 2026.

Huo Shufen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Wow, the world before my eyes is truly brilliant! Everything is shimmering with golden light, and even the ground beneath my feet glows with radiance. My heart is filled with such profound gratitude. I forgot to introduce myself—I am Huo Shufen. Since this is the time for my interview at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I should share the story of my rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and offer some reflections, shouldn't I?

Yes, let me begin. I departed from the human world in the last century—it has been over thirty years now. Now that I have been granted this magnificent opportunity, I must first express my deepest, most sincere gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

A Personal Debt of Gratitude

Next, I want to express my infinite gratitude to my grandson, Zong Xueqin, who performed the Chao Du for me. He now goes by the name of a Venerable; it turns out he has become a monastic. It is not just that I have been saved; I have also seen others who, through his diligent efforts in performing Chao Du, have been able to reunite with our family in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a truly remarkable reality.

For the long time I spent away from the human world, I was in a state of constant confusion. I did not know what had happened, how much time had passed, and I had forgotten almost everything about my past life. Now that I have been reborn, I am filled with such deep emotion.

The Reality of the Spiritual Realms

To think that a human life ends up like this. Looking back at how I suffered in that space for decades—it was truly agonising! My world was grey and dim, so different from the human world. Now that I have arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I cherish every moment and feel such immense gratitude, because I know all too well what the world after death is like. In that space, I witnessed countless beings suffering just as I did, unable to find a way out. There were so many spirits there, far older than me, crowded together in that dense, suffocating space. Only then did I realise that after death, most people end up as spirits, and there is often no end to that cycle.

I am so incredibly fortunate. After suffering for a period in the realm where I existed, and after these decades have passed, I was still blessed by the Buddha’s light and granted the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land. I want to take this chance to speak to my family still in the human world, especially my grandson, now known as Venerable Siheng, and share my insights with him.

Letting Go of the Body

Let me tell you all: do not take the things of the human world too seriously. Everything is exactly as Practitioner Su says—it is all an illusion, it is false. Only after you have left all of this behind and are no longer bound by the physical body do you realise that every sensation and every illness you feel is actually created by your own heart, manifested by the karma you have created. Therefore, you must let go of your 'body'. Truly follow the Buddha, and you will have no more afflictions. Be lighthearted and do not worry so much about your own feelings.

As long as your heart is in alignment with the Buddha’s, everyone can attain clarity of mind and heart sooner. Even if you have not yet achieved rebirth in the Western Pure Land, you can still live a very comfortable, healthy life in the human world—healthy in Body-Mind-Spirit. It is a fact that humans do not have to be sick! If you are suffering from physical ailments—and I see that you, my grandson Venerable Siheng, seem to have some minor issues yourself—if you can change your personality and surrender yourself completely to the Buddha, you will not fall ill.

A Secret to Diligent Practice

As someone within the Buddha’s gate, it is an immense blessing to be able to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre; many beings in the spiritual realms know this. Since you have a human body and have the chance to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you must work twice as hard so as not to waste your duty as a monastic in this lifetime. Joining the salvation team at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to help promote the great Dharma where Namo Amituofo abides will surely bring you infinite benefits. Listen to me: surrender yourself to the Buddha.

This is what I have learned here, and it is a little secret. If I still had a human body, I would certainly practise diligently. It is a pity that I no longer have one, so I must practise here instead. Speaking of which, it is truly a wonderful thing. Every day, I am accompanied by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and I have the Buddha giving lectures and explaining the doubts in my heart. I will certainly be even more diligent in my practice here and dedicate the merits to all of you in the future.

Namo Amituofo."