Returning Home: The Deliverance of Lay Practitioner Fang Jun

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Fang Jun, 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 recent transition to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing, on November 8, 2024.

Lay Practitioner Fang Jun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss! I am so incredibly happy right now that I feel like singing—singing the songs of Namo Amituofo. The Buddha-name is so beautiful here; it sounds especially magnificent in this realm.

Ever since I passed away, I have rarely thought about the things from my past life. I have witnessed the suffering of so many spirits, and it terrified me. While I was alive, I had no idea that the cycle of rebirth was such a frightening thing. Fortunately, I did not commit any major evils during my life; I was just an honest, ordinary civilian. Seeing so many wealthy business owners suffering retribution in the hells, I feel so lucky that I was not a powerful tycoon. If I had been, I surely would have created a mountain of negative karma and would certainly have ended up suffering retribution in the hells as well.

The Harsh Realities of a Working Life

There are so many things that people in the human world simply do not understand. I did not understand them either when I was alive. Every day was just the same routine; I never chanted the Buddha-name, and I did not know that I needed to. Looking back, I do not see many people from my generation who practised Buddhism. In our era, we worked so incredibly hard just to survive. Many people were struggling to support their entire families; it was very difficult to ask them to chant the Buddha-name. For them, ensuring that their families could survive was the most important thing. They simply did not have the time to chant.

A Heartfelt Reunion with Namo Amituofo

Now that I have the blessings to be here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss of Namo Amituofo, I must repay the Buddha's kindness. This is something I am determined to do. That is why I want to tell the people in the human world: everyone must chant the Buddha-name, have faith in the Buddha, and listen frequently to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su. You must change your temperaments, chant the Buddha-name, and seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. What makes Namo Amituofo the happiest is seeing us, His wandering children, finally come home. Just a moment ago, I saw the compassionate smile of Namo Amituofo, and I knelt on the ground, weeping. I have been lost in the cycle of rebirth for so long that I had almost forgotten who I was. Yet, Namo Amituofo was still waiting for me. I feel so ashamed.

Gratitude for Deliverance and Final Advice

In this life, my name was Fang Jun, and I am so blessed to have been saved by Practitioner Su. I also want to thank my family members in the human world for still remembering this old man. Thank you for performing Chao Du for my karmic creditors and for saving me. Thank you, thank you so much.

I want to say to my relatives in the human world: how fortunate we are to have the karmic affinity to be family in this life. If I had gone off to be reincarnated as someone else, I would not even know whose child I might be now. Fortunately, I still have the blessings to speak to you here. I hope that all of you will be diligent. You must chant the Buddha-name, listen to the Dharma talks, and change your difficult personalities. Do not let your bodies suffer, and do not let your spirits suffer. Everyone must seek liberation so that you do not have to wander in the cycle of rebirth anymore. Furthermore, you must do more good deeds and help others whenever you can.

Every one of us is a child of the Buddha. We all must return to the Western Land; do not continue to wander anymore.

Fang Jun bows in reverence."

Namo Amituofo.