The Awakening of Liu Yin-zhen

This is a record of an interview with Liu Yin-zhen, who sought deliverance 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 the cycle of rebirth to the Buddha-land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on December 23, 2022.

Liu Yin-zhen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Since arriving in this world of brilliant light, I feel as though my entire being has finally awakened. During that period in my life when my mind was no longer clear, I struggled constantly to recall the events of my past. But the more I tried to grasp those memories, the more blurred and distant they became. I truly do not know why it had to be that way. My heart was often filled with a profound sense of tension and anxiety, yet my physical body had become so frail that I could no longer express the turmoil within."

The Fog of Aging and the Weight of Attachment

"As time passed, I felt myself slowly growing older and my faculties beginning to degenerate. Eventually, I even lost the ability to think about my past at all. Every single day was a struggle, dragging this weary body through the motions of existence. Even then, I could not let go of my family. Deep within my heart, my only wish was that they could all live in peace and safety."

"I was so deeply attached, and I never imagined that even after death, when I entered the realm of the underworld, I would still be trapped in that same state of mind. I remained there, caught in that cycle, until I was suddenly met by a brilliant light. It was that light that changed everything. It guided me to meet the Buddha. It sounds almost impossible to believe, but the scene was so vivid and real, right there before my eyes."

A Light in the Darkness

"When I first entered this place of brilliant light, I still could not help but think of my family. I wanted to see how you were all doing, to know if you were well. But as I looked back, time and time again, I finally realised that I was completely unable to change anything. I could not help you, nor could I intervene in the paths you were walking."

"The challenges my family members must face are things they must confront themselves; the people I wanted to protect, I could no longer shield. It was a painful realisation, but a necessary one."

The Truth of Life and Death

"It was only after I arrived in the Buddha-land and began listening to the Dharma that I truly understood: in the matters of life and death, no one can truly help another. This path is one that we must all walk alone, and it is a path we must all face eventually. I kept counseling myself to summon the courage to let go, and finally, I succeeded. I made the sincere vow to seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A Debt of Gratitude to My Granddaughter

"In truth, the person I must thank the most is my granddaughter, Wang Hong. It was her devotion that gave me the opportunity to follow the Buddha. My child, thank you so much for your help. You have chosen the right path, and I hope you can persist in it. Please, share this wonderful news with the rest of our family and with as many people as you can. This is a great merit, a true act of compassion."

"Namo Amituofo."