The Bellflower's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Li Wenqing, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon her life and subsequent spiritual journey. Recorded by Venerable Facie on September 24, 2019.

Venerable Facie speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Would you be willing to come forward and share your story and your feelings? It is important for the public to understand that every form of life is a manifestation of a spirit. We must all be cautious and diligent in our practice, and always chant Namo Amituofo."

Li Wenqing speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. There is so much confusion, so much bewilderment, and so many things I simply cannot comprehend. Even I struggle to make sense of it all, but I will do my best to share my personal experiences with everyone.

My name was Li Wenqing. I grew up in a remote village where almost everyone shared the same surname; outsiders called it the 'Li Family Village.' Our lives revolved around the cultivation of flowers—rare, exotic, and beautiful blooms used for celebrations, birthdays, and festivals. Whenever a holiday approached, merchants would flock to our village to purchase our harvest. That was always the most vibrant and bustling time of the year.

A Life Bound by Fragility

From a very young age, my health was incredibly frail. I could not run and play like the other children; I was constantly susceptible to colds and chills. I spent long periods of time confined to my bed, resting in silence. My life felt so dull and monotonous. To keep my parents from worrying, I would sit quietly by the window, using that narrow frame as my only portal to explore the vast world outside.

Then, one day, my parents returned home with a batch of roses intended for a foreign merchant. Among them, I suddenly spotted a flower that looked quite different from the rest. It lacked the flamboyant, arrogant beauty of the roses, yet it radiated a quiet, resilient strength all its own. I looked at that unique flower and asked my mother, 'Why is this one so different?' My mother replied, 'Oh! That is not a rose; that is a bellflower. It must have been mixed in by mistake during the packaging process today.' She reached out to pull the bellflower away to discard it, but I hurriedly asked, 'Could you please give it to me? I really like it.' My mother looked at me, sighed, and handed the bellflower over, explaining how to care for it. I was overjoyed. I took it to my room, found a pot, and settled the bellflower inside. Looking at it, I felt as though I were looking at my own life—frail, yet holding onto a deep, inner persistence.

The Bellflower's Resilience

From that moment on, I began to learn from my mother how to cultivate bellflowers. My weak body limited how much I could work each day, so to ensure I could care for it properly, I carefully divided my tasks. I never worked for more than half an hour at a time, spreading my efforts throughout the day to complete the necessary work. Watching the seeds slowly sprout and grow made all my physical fatigue vanish. Seeing my dedication, my parents gradually began to support my efforts. Through my constant care and selective breeding, the bellflowers I grew began to develop a unique, refined temperament. Soon, they became famous throughout the village, and orders began to pour in.

However, my body eventually played a cruel trick on me. The long hours of work pushed me to the brink of collapse. As I lay in bed, gazing at that original bellflower, I saw the two contradictory qualities of fragility and persistence perfectly harmonised within it. I felt no regrets for the choices I had made. A faint smile touched my lips, and as I slowly closed my eyes, I drifted out of this world, accompanied by the gentle fragrance of the bellflowers in my dreams.

From Human to Flower

I drifted through darkness for what felt like an eternity, until I gradually saw a glimmer of light. Yet, I found I could neither move nor speak. It was then that I realised I had been reborn as a bellflower. I watched the flowers bloom and wither, not knowing how much time had passed. Then, by a stroke of fate, I arrived here. When I came to this place along with other flowers and greenery, I could immediately feel that the environment and the magnetic field were different. When I experienced the baptism of the Buddha-name chanting, I saw many tiny specks of light flying toward the brightness. I did not understand what they were. Beside me, a green leaf shouted in excitement: 'Namo Amituofo! Namo Amituofo!'

Curious, I asked, 'What are you doing?' The leaf replied quickly, 'Do you see those little specks? Look closely—they are spirits, just like us! The most famous thing about this place is its ability to deliver spirits to a beautiful world. I have worked so hard to earn this opportunity, so I must grasp it tightly.' I nodded, only half-understanding, and began to chant along: 'Namo Amituofo.'

A Plea for Deliverance

Suddenly, I heard the couple who had brought us here discussing whether they should use artificial flowers to save on costs. My heart sank with sorrow and anxiety. I desperately wanted to secure a chance for the companions who would come after me. Just then, the kind person standing in front of me invited me to speak. I took this opportunity to say, 'I hope you can give the partners who follow me a chance to reach a beautiful world. It would be a great act of kindness, and all the beings in the spiritual realms would be deeply grateful to you!'

Although I do not fully understand everything about that place, it must be a wonderful destination if everyone is striving so hard to reach it. I am now working hard to practise the mantra: 'Namo Amituofo.' I hope that everyone there can find the life and happiness they seek. Namo Amituofo."

Venerable Facie speaks:

"Thank you, Wenqing, for accepting this interview today. I will convey your request to them. I hope you will continue to practise the Buddha-name until it is second nature, so you can seize the opportunity when it arrives. At the same time, this serves as a reminder to the public that every form of life possesses a spirit. We must be cautious and diligent in taking charge of our own time. Namo Amituofo."

Memorial Tablet:

"Representing the immeasurable number of spirits, ghosts, and divine beings connected to the flowers, vessels, sponges, and flower markets replaced by Taiwan Jingpin Lianxiang: Li Wenqing (seeking purification, recovery, and to listen to the Dharma) (to be admitted to the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre)."

Namo Amituofo.