The Final Act of a Kind-Hearted Auntie

This interview features Zhao Minfang, a 54-year-old victim of the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. Seeking deliverance, she found refuge at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, where she now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Fa Jing, on December 2, 2025.

Zhao Minfang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zhao Minfang. If you were to call me a serious practitioner of the Dharma, I would truly be too ashamed to accept the title. I never really chanted the Buddha-name with much diligence, and I never managed to change the personality I had carried with me since childhood. I simply had a habit of wearing prayer beads on my wrist, and occasionally, when the thought crossed my mind, I would mutter a few lines of the Buddha-name. Was I a true believer? Not really. I wore those beads mostly just to give my heart a sense of comfort and peace.

In my daily life, I was always the one with the loud voice, the one who loved to chat with the neighbours and gossip just to pass the time. On the day of the fire, I was sitting in my rocking chair just like any other afternoon, holding a fan and taking a little nap, planning to get up later to cook dinner for my family when they returned home.

The Unforeseen Calamity

The maintenance work was being carried out quite far away from my home. It would have been some time before they reached our section of the building, but accidents are like that—they do not care about distance or timing. The ruthless fire spread rapidly, eventually reaching the home I had lived in for so many years.

I was jolted awake by a sharp, acrid smell that stung my nose. At first, I did not want to get up; I wanted to steal a few more minutes of sleep. But then, my heart told me that something was terribly wrong. I stood up, determined to find out where that smell was coming from. I opened my front door, and to my absolute horror, I saw flames already licking at the corridor. The fire was growing stronger by the second. I immediately raised my voice—that loud, familiar voice of mine—and shouted, 'Fire! Fire! Everyone, get out! Run for your lives!' I prayed that my voice would carry through the entire building, hoping that if I could help even one person escape, it would be worth it.

A Final Act of Courage

My neighbours, the friends I usually spent my time gossiping with, heard my cries and scrambled out of their homes. They grabbed only their most basic belongings and valuables. Those with children hurried to hold their little ones' hands, rushing toward safety. I, this busybody auntie, wanted to do just a little bit more to help others escape, so I stayed behind in the heart of the chaos.

Watching my friends and neighbours flee to safety filled me with such joy. I gave them my signature smile as I watched them go, telling them not to worry about me, that I would be right behind them. Just as the building seemed to be clearing out, I suddenly realised I had not seen the elderly gentleman from the next unit. I rushed toward his home, desperate to see if he had made it out. I dodged the flames, searching for a path that had not yet been consumed, but suddenly, the roof collapsed. I was struck on the head, and I do not know how much time passed before I finally woke up.

The Golden Light of Deliverance

When I came to, I was surrounded by a wall of fire. I knew then that I would not be leaving this place alive; I was going to be buried here. But I felt no regret for the choices I had made. I was willing to sacrifice my life if it meant that others—especially the children, the future pillars of our society—could be saved. Even though those children sometimes teased me for being a gossip or laughed at my plump figure, I knew they were innocent and kind-hearted. I had spent enough time with them to know their true nature. My only regret was that I had not truly studied the Dharma, or I could have led them to chant Namo Amituofo as well.

My physical body was consumed by the fire, leaving behind nothing but a charred, unrecognisable shell. But I knew then that this body was merely a temporary vessel. My spirit was now free, soaring without the limitations of that old frame. Just as I was wondering where to go to help others, a brilliant golden light appeared in the midst of the disaster. Many of the spirits who had lost their lives in the fire began to drift toward that light. We were all moved to tears; the pain simply vanished. It was the Great Compassionate Buddha—Namo Amituofo had truly appeared! He had come to save us, a group of lonely, helpless spirits. He had not forgotten us; He had come to take us home.

A New Beginning in the Pure Land

Whether it was the dogs, the cats, or even the objects we cherished, we were all His children. I could hardly believe my eyes until I found myself resting on a lotus seat. Only then did I realise that all of this was truly real.

Here, I listen to the sutras taught by a lay practitioner dressed in white. Everyone here calls her Practitioner Su. I decided to follow suit, though I felt a bit shy about it at first, as she looks so much younger and more vibrant than I do—certainly not like someone over eighty! But I decided not to stand on ceremony. Calling her Practitioner Su feels much more intimate and warm. I am sure she does not mind such small details.

Sitting on my lotus seat, listening to Practitioner Su explain the sutras, I am filled with such Dharma joy. I have never heard such wonderful teachings, explained so simply and accessibly. If only I had met Practitioner Su earlier! I would have changed my personality completely, becoming a true child of the Buddha so that everyone who saw me would want to practise the Dharma too. They would no longer see me as just a gossiping auntie. Even though I was not much to look at, I had a kind heart that loved to help others. I never liked to argue, and even when I suffered a loss, I would still laugh and stay happy. Perhaps it was these simple qualities that gave me the blessings to be saved by Namo Amituofo and to share my story today.

I want to tell my family that I am doing very well. Please, do not be sad or angry for me. This was a sacrifice I made willingly, and I believe those who knew me will understand the decision I made. I am so happy here, living with Namo Amituofo every day—something I never could have imagined while I was alive. Who would have thought that after losing this body, I would be with the Buddha? I want to urge my family to believe that Namo Amituofo truly resides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Please, believe the words in this interview, and if you have the time, come and visit. I am so grateful to have had this chance to speak. Namo Amituofo."

Zhao Minfang