From the Suffocating Depths to Eternal Peace

This is a record of an interview with Wang Xiutang, the paternal grandfather of Lay Practitioner Wang Fengxia. He 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 transition from the suffering of the underworld to the peace of the Pure Land. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on December 12, 2025.

Wang Xiutang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. My name is Wang Xiutang. The changes I have experienced over these past few days have been profound—truly life-altering in the most beautiful way. I feel such immense joy and happiness. It is a brand-new beginning for me. I am only able to be here, in this glorious Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, because my granddaughter, who is a lay practitioner in the human world, performed the necessary Chao Du for me. I was able to come here today because, during the Dharma assembly at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su personally reached out and guided me in. Practitioner Su’s speed was incredible; it felt as though the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss was right there before my very eyes."

The Suffocating Weight of the Underworld

"My heart is filled with such peace right now. There is truly nothing in existence that could compare to the joy of being here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have lived through so many trials in my life, but the most harrowing was the agony of my final moments. I could not catch my breath; I was suffocating, and that terrible, gasping pain followed me even after I passed away. I remained trapped in that same state of suffering within the underworld, and I honestly believed that this was my eternal fate—that I would be gasping for air forever. I thought it would just continue on and on, endlessly.

But then, everything changed. When the brilliant Buddha-light finally shone upon me, I had not even had a moment to collect my thoughts or realise what was happening before I suddenly found myself at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It was only after I arrived that I understood I had finally left that dark, painful place behind. Now, I am completely free from all suffering. My breathing is smooth and effortless, my entire body feels light and rejuvenated, and I have even regained my youth. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss possess such immense, transformative power—they have truly restored my vitality."

The Joy of the Dharma

"In truth, from the very moment I was rescued and brought to the temple, my illness vanished, and the suffocating sensation disappeared entirely. Every single day at the temple, I find myself smiling. I spend my time listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks, and at any moment, I can hear the holy name 'Namo Amituofo' echoing through the halls of the temple. I chant along with the others, and my heart feels so incredibly fulfilled. Only those who have truly tasted the bitterness of suffering can understand what it means to be free from it, and only then can one truly feel such deep, genuine gratitude from the very depths of one's heart.

When a person passes away, no one truly knows where they will end up. It is only because my granddaughter possesses the great merit to have encountered Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su that she knew the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre was the only place that could save me. This is my great fortune as well. Such a thing is truly extraordinary. As I sit here listening to Practitioner Su’s teachings, I have come to realise that encountering Namo Amituofo is a rare and precious blessing. I knew before that Namo Amituofo was compassionate, but I never imagined that the grace of the Buddha could be this profound.

Now that I have personally received the boundless grace of Namo Amituofo, I must express my deepest thanks—not only to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, but also to everyone who has helped me along this journey. Namo Amituofo."