From the Life of a Sow to the Western Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Chen Mei, the maternal grandmother of Lay Practitioner He Yanping. She sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her harrowing experience in the cycle of rebirth as a pig. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on June 6, 2025.

Lay Practitioner Chen Mei speaks:

"I was crying so hard that I could not even speak. Not a single word would come out. It took me a long time to calm my heart, and finally, I managed to squeeze out one phrase: 'Gratitude—'. After that, I just kept making prostrations to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

I have suffered so much, truly, an unimaginable amount of suffering. If Practitioner Su had not reached out to pull my spirit from that wretched existence, I would still be a sow right now. And think about it—I had just given birth to a litter of piglets. Those were my children, and I was trapped in that cycle of misery."

The Endless Cycle of Suffering

"I cannot even count how long I was trapped in the body of a pig. There were times when I grew particularly fast, becoming very fat and large, but that only meant I was sold by my owner all the sooner. Then, I would be slaughtered to be eaten as pork. It was a cycle of terror and pain that never seemed to end.

My spirit was in constant agony, but I was completely powerless to save myself. My animal body was so dull and stupid; every day, I knew nothing but the urge to eat. If a boar showed interest in me, I would be with him, and soon enough, I would give birth to another litter of piglets. That was my entire life. My pig body could not perceive that there was anything wrong with such an existence, but my spirit knew. My spirit knew how deep the suffering was, and I desperately did not want to be a pig anymore."

The Weight of Attachment

"I never expected that my excessive attachment, my ignorance, my greed, and my intense love during my human life would cause me to be reborn as a pig after I died. If my granddaughter in the human world had not performed Chao Du for me, I would still have no chance to escape. I would still be a pig, and I do not know how much longer I would have been forced to endure that life.

That is why I am so incredibly grateful to my granddaughter. We are separated by such a great distance, yet she still remembered me and took the time to perform Chao Du for me. I am truly fortunate to have encountered such a blessing. What my granddaughter has done is a great merit for her as well. I later learned that she did not just save me; she also performed Chao Du for many other family members."

A Miraculous Reunion

"After we all passed away, we were scattered to the four winds, each lost in our own cycle of rebirth. To be brought together again like this—it is truly inconceivable. All of this merit belongs to my granddaughter. She possesses such great Wisdom and has accumulated such vast blessings. We are all deeply grateful to her.

Now, my heart is finally at peace. I kneel before the Buddha, making my prostrations, and I continue to offer my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su.

Chen Mei, offering my deepest respects.

Namo Amituofo."