From the Shadow of Despair to the Light of Deliverance

This is a record of an interview with Fu Guiling, the mother-in-law of Sun Fengge, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon her transition from the suffering of the ghost realm to the peace of the Buddha-light. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 8, 2026.

Fu Guiling speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am filled with such profound gratitude—gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. These two great beings have saved me, and my heart is overflowing with thankfulness. Even as I speak these words, my voice trembles slightly, not from fear, but because I am simply too overwhelmed with emotion to contain it!

I never imagined that after death, there could be such a magnificent world waiting for beings like us. I have seen the depths of suffering in the human world, and I have endured the agonising torment of the ghost realm. When I was first saved by Practitioner Su and brought to the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I stood there, completely dumbfounded, staring at my surroundings for the longest time. It took me a while to finally calm down. I did not understand what had happened, but I knew, deep down, that this was a place of supreme goodness. At that moment, I was at a loss, filled with a lingering sense of distrust. I could not believe that I had the blessings to arrive in such a wonderful place, nor could I believe that this place was real, for in my human life, I had grown so accustomed to a life of bitterness and hardship.

The Weight of a Lifetime of Suffering

This feeling of distrust was not new. It was a personality trait and a way of perceiving the world that I had carried for decades, long before I became a spirit. It was the collective suffering of the people of my generation. We were hardened by the struggles of our time.

My identity underwent a massive transformation. I went from living in a narrow, suffocating space where I endured the 'hanging days'—it is truly too painful to even speak of. When I say 'hanging days,' I mean that after I became a spirit, I was trapped in a tiny, dark space in the afterlife, endlessly repeating the final act of my life. Yes, it is true: I died by hanging.

Because of the way I died, my heart could not truly let go of the world, yet I was obsessively fixated on the fact that I was already dead. I could not let go, so I remained in that space, acting out that final moment over and over again. I suppose, in some desperate corner of my soul, I was still hoping that I could return to the time when I was still alive. I kept wishing that someone would see me, that someone would rush over to save me, that a loved one would pull me down and tell me not to die. I was trapped in that cycle of regret and longing.

The Fragmentation of the Spirit

At the time of my death, I was in a state of complete mental and spiritual fragmentation. That profound sense of division and agony continued long after my physical body had perished. It was only when I arrived here, in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, that I finally began to find peace. Under the illumination of the Buddha-light and through the teachings of Practitioner Su, I was able to purify myself and eventually recover my human form. It is truly a terrifying thing to reflect upon!

I, Fu Guiling, spent over half a century repeating that final, tragic act. When I think about it now, it is almost unbearable. If it were not for my family, especially my daughter-in-law, Sun Fengge—my wonderful daughter-in-law—who arranged for my Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I truly do not know if I would have ever found a way out. I am so deeply grateful to her. I know she has performed deliverance for many members of our family; her kindness is truly magnificent. To save a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda; this is something I firmly believe in now.

Reflections on a Turbulent Era

Although I did not have a malicious heart while I was alive—I always wanted to help others—I never expected to encounter such painful times. In that era, everyone was caught up in the struggle sessions and the Cultural Revolution, which were policies issued by Chairman Mao. While I was in that dark space, I could never understand why such things were necessary. Why did they have to create such chaos, causing so many innocent people to die in injustice and tearing so many families apart?

It was truly a time of immense suffering. If one has not experienced it personally, if one has only been the one participating in the struggle sessions against others, how could they ever understand the depth of that pain? My husband was subjected to such humiliating treatment, and it was the anger and injustice I felt in my heart that led me down that path of no return. Of course, he also left this world at a young age after falling gravely ill. I was in a state of absolute despair, which is why I acted as I did.

Finding Peace Through Dharma

While I have been in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I have paid close attention to everything happening at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Every day, I listen to Practitioner Su’s lectures. By chance, during one of those sessions, Practitioner Su spoke about the former leaders of China, including Chairman Mao. It was through these teachings that I learned that, in his own interview record, Chairman Mao expressed sincere repentance, apologising to those he had harmed during the Cultural Revolution and the struggle sessions.

At that moment, my heart finally found a measure of peace. I realised that he, too, was a person controlled by demons, which led him to commit so many negative karmic acts. This was the collective karma of all of us, and I realised that I, too, had to take responsibility and repay my share. With this understanding, my heart settled. Perhaps, by changing my perspective, I can walk out of the darkness myself and help other beings do the same, so they no longer have to suffer as I did.

A Message to My Family

My time in the Western Dharma-Nature Land has been a truly beautiful experience. Every day, my spirit has been purified a little more. When I first arrived, I could not even smile; my face was etched with bitterness, and I needed everyone’s help. But gradually, under the guidance of Practitioner Su, my heart has become much calmer, and I am now willing to open my heart to the world.

Finally, I want to say to my family, especially my daughter-in-law, Sun Fengge: Thank you all. I am so grateful that we were able to be a family; it was our good fortune and our good Causal Conditions. That you were able to encounter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre brings me such immense joy. I hope that you will all remain under the illumination of the Buddha-light and walk firmly on the path toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Do not hesitate, do not doubt, and do not let any attachments hold you back. Let go of this life, and work to save many more beings so that they may come here with you. That is the true mission for all of us!

Namo Amituofo. Thank you, Practitioner Su, and thank you to everyone.

Namo Amituofo."