From Wandering Sands to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Zhong Huayi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his spiritual journey and his eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on August 26, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Zhong Huayi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am filled with gratitude—so much gratitude—to have arrived at this sacred Buddha-land. I am deeply thankful that my granddaughter, Lay Practitioner Feng Shinuo, was willing to place her faith in this place, and that she truly succeeded in saving her grandfather. If it were not for the help of the Buddha, I would have had no way to turn my life around. I would still be rolling about in the yellow sands, drifting aimlessly with the wind, without a fixed place to call home."

The Weight of Unspoken Desires

"The reason I became those yellow sands is that they mirrored my own state of mind. Although I had a family, for much of my life, my heart was always in a state of pursuit. Whenever I could not attain what I desired, my heart could never truly open up. I kept so many things buried deep within, never speaking of them. I longed to have ambitions that were different from the life I led, but in the end, I had to bow down to reality. So, I buried those thoughts in the deepest recesses of my heart, almost never mentioning them to anyone.

This feeling within my heart—just as my life was ending and my soul was preparing to leave this body—manifested as a vast, boundless expanse of yellow sand. When I looked at this desert, my heart felt strangely open, yet I did not realise that this vision was drawing me in. I became a single grain of yellow sand. I did not know that I had transformed into sand; I thought I was simply wandering everywhere, searching for a place to settle. I even believed I was experiencing different landscapes, when in reality, I had already become a body undergoing karmic retribution."

Awakening to the Light

"It was that sudden flash of light before my eyes that reached out and pulled me up. It allowed me to gradually regain my consciousness and return to my original self. Upon arriving at this Buddha-land, my heart, my mind, and my entire being became filled with energy. My body felt full and strong, and my heart was no longer bound by the chains of the past. I am so grateful to have been restored to this clear, bright state of being.

After listening to the sutras, I finally understood that I had been trapped in the cycle of reincarnation all along. I saw clearly the suffering of my past lives and my present existence. In this Buddha-land, I witnessed so many spirits being guided to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Every single spirit who made the decision to go to the Western Land was filled with a look of complete satisfaction and joy. After observing this for some time, and reflecting on my own past experiences, I decided to let go of everything, to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and to seize the present moment."

A Final Message to My Family

"To my family: I have departed, and I have reached the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am writing these words to tell you that the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss truly exists. I hope that all of you will cherish this rare and precious good cause and condition. Shinuo, thank you for helping your grandfather. I hope that you and the rest of the family will have the opportunity to study the Buddha-Dharma diligently, so that you do not have to wait until you have suffered as I did before you finally wake up.

Now that I am in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I have looked upon you one last time. It is time for me to let go and follow Namo Amituofo wholeheartedly. I hope that you, too, may one day reach this place. Namo Amituofo."