From the Mire to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Cheng Jiancheng, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing, on May 19, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Cheng Jiancheng speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I want to tell my family that I have finally arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am so incredibly grateful to the compassionate Practitioner Su for reaching out to guide me. It is only because of her intervention that I, Cheng Jiancheng, have been given the precious opportunity to be here today.

In the past, I simply did not understand the Dharma. I never had the opportunity to study it, and even if someone had tried to tell me about the importance of learning the Buddha's teachings, I would not have listened. I was too preoccupied with the daily grind, believing that just getting by in life was far more important than studying the Buddha's teachings. I was blind to the truth of existence.

The Weight of Past Karma

Looking back on my life now, I realise it was truly filled with suffering. People live in this world, and it is essentially a place to endure suffering, yet many do not realise this—I certainly did not fully understand it at the time. I was merely drifting through life, unaware of the currents pulling me under.

The karma I created in the past meant that many karmic creditors were waiting to seek revenge. They never let me go. They started targeting me when I was just a child, affecting The Head, then interfering with my body, and finally, they made me fall ill. I did not understand how I was being controlled. I had no concept of these things; I only knew to take medicine and see doctors, hoping for relief that never came. Now, I see it clearly: it was all karma. Every single sin, every single debt, had a karmic creditor demanding repayment. How could I ever pay them back? It was impossible. I was trapped in a cycle of debt I did not even know I owed.

Dragged into the Mire

When I was on the verge of death, a massive group of karmic creditors came for me. They were all so fierce and cruel, their faces twisted with the pain of their own past grievances. They pressed down on my spirit, refusing to let me leave. They dragged me into a deep, dark, suffocating mire, telling me they wanted me to taste the suffering they had endured. I had no strength to resist. The moment my lifespan ended, my entire spirit was dragged away by them, pulled into that mire, unable to escape. It was a terrifying, hopeless darkness.

I never imagined my life would end like this. I lived a simple life, just an ordinary, honest civilian—I never stole or robbed. How could I have known that the karma from my past was still waiting for me, ready to grab me and make me suffer the moment I took my last breath? I had no strength to fight back. I was trapped in that mire, and they kept pressing down on me, over and over. I wanted to leave, but I could not. It felt as though I would be stuck there for an eternity.

The Golden Light of Salvation

Fortunately, a golden light appeared, and someone called my name—it was Practitioner Su. When I heard my name, I struggled with all my might, but the karmic creditors knew I had a chance at salvation, so they pressed me down even harder, trying to drown me in that darkness. Thankfully, the Buddha is truly powerful, and she still managed to save me from their clutches. It was a miracle that I did not think possible.

After I was rescued, it took me some time to wake up. When I realised it was the Buddha who had saved me, my heart was filled with such profound gratitude. I also want to thank my family in this life for helping me so much at the very end. Because of their efforts, I am now able to be in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, free from suffering and pain. I am finally at peace.

Seeing the karma I created in the past—so many lives lost at my hands—I am now in the Western Land, but I know they are still suffering. I know my family in this life lacks the ability to perform Chao Du for these beings, as they are also struggling to get by in their own lives. I can only hope that one day I will have the chance to save them. I also hope my family will study the Dharma. Life is truly full of suffering; you must return to the Western Land. Namo Amituofo. Cheng Jiancheng bows in gratitude."