From the Serpent's Coil to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Huang Qiuhua, 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 a state of deep suffering to her eventual rebirth. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on December 10, 2021.

Lay Practitioner Huang Qiuhua speaks:

"Sister, it is me, Qiuhua. I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss! Thank you, sister, for helping me with the Chao Du and for saving me!

A Heavy Heart and a Serpent's Burden

When I was rescued from the body of a serpent, my heart was filled with a heavy, suffocating energy—a weariness born from everything I had endured. Initially, my mind was too chaotic to find peace, even in this Buddha-land. I felt trapped, as if bound by the chains of my past. It took a long time before I was willing to open my heart.

When I truly opened my heart to listen to the scriptures, there were many times I could not help but burst into tears. I had never known that there was another way to live—that life did not have to be so incredibly difficult and painful.

The Path to Letting Go

During the time I spent listening to the Dharma, I constantly tried to let go of the past. I tried not to dwell on the things that had happened to me. Every time I was willing to let go of just a little bit, my heart became a little more peaceful. It was a slow process, but it was the only way forward.

Watching everyone in this Buddha-land work tirelessly to help other beings, I realised that life’s focus should not be on oneself. I discovered that only through letting go of the self and helping others can one find true happiness. I gained a perspective completely different from before, as if learning to live anew, listening to the scriptures with sincerity every day.

A Sudden Awakening

There were many moments when the Dharma entered my heart like a powerful, sudden impact, shaking me to my core and demanding that I wake up. It was a wake-up call for my soul.

When I finally made the firm decision to let go of everything and seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart felt like a bird that had finally been released from its cage. I felt a sense of freedom and satisfaction that I had never known before, and for the first time in a very long time, I found myself smiling again.

A Message to My Sister

All of these changes are thanks to you, sister. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come to this Buddha-land. This place is truly a gathering of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Sister, I know you have struggled throughout your life, searching for an exit and true liberation. I hope you will have the Causal Conditions to come to this Buddha-land. I know you still have things you cannot let go of, but remember: true letting go is about releasing the heart.

You are a person of great intelligence and deep good roots. I truly hope that you, too, can attain genuine liberation."