The Final Lesson of Lay Practitioner Huang Rui

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Huang Rui, who sought Chao Du 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 spiritual journey and her eventual deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on January 9, 2026.

Lay Practitioner Huang Rui speaks:

"Namo Amituofo! Today, I, Huang Rui, am smiling so broadly I can hardly close my mouth! I have truly arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is magnificent here—truly magnificent. The best part is being right beside the Buddha, where there is no need to think of anything at all, just as I am now. Upon arriving here, I immediately prostrated before Namo Amituofo. I am filled with gratitude to the Buddha for bringing me here, to Practitioner Su for his compassionate guidance, and to my granddaughter, Huiyuan, for arranging my deliverance. The power of the Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is truly inconceivable! When I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I saw this very clearly. I was already within the Buddha's realm, but here, everything is even better, even brighter, and everything has become so much clearer."

The Trap of Half-Hearted Practice

"Huiyuan, my dear, when your grandmother was alive, I was a person who loved to chant the Buddha's name. Because my husband passed away early, I lived alone, and because I had deep faith in Namo Amituofo and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my life was quite peaceful. Even as I grew old, I never forgot the Buddha. However, I say this with shame: although I chanted the Buddha's name with my mouth, I did not truly put the Buddha's teachings into practice. If I had, I would not have ended up as a ghost who knew how to chant! I should have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss long ago.

I used to think that I would definitely be reborn in the Western Pure Land because I chanted and because I was a good person. But if you do not have absolute certainty, when the end of your life arrives, everything becomes unpredictable. I am the perfect example: when my life reached its final moments, I failed to strongly invoke the Buddha-name."

The Importance of Letting Go

"I am sharing these reflections now so that my children and grandchildren may understand the importance of rebirth in the Western Pure Land and the magnificence of the Buddha-name! You must listen to the Buddha's words in your daily life. Whatever you need to let go of, you must let go of it now. Otherwise, when the time comes to leave, it is very difficult to be sure whether you have truly let go of everything. Before I died, I accidentally thought of my family, and emotional entanglements arose. In that instant, my chanting was no longer sincere, and my mind became chaotic.

At that moment, being weak and riddled with illness, it was very easy for my thoughts to deviate, which in turn awakened the karmic creditors within my body to rise up and seek retribution. These are common truths that I learned while I was in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, following the teachings of Practitioner Su!"

A Life of Dharma Joy

"Looking back today, it is indeed exactly as I have said. Very well, let this all serve as a reminder to everyone! I truly hope that you will all keep the Buddha-name in your hearts and take the opportunity while you are still young to let go of your attachments and change your ways! Now that I am in the Western Buddha-land, I see everything very clearly. I can see all the good and bad, the merits and the faults of my past life if I wish to look, but at the moment, I really have no other thoughts. I simply listen quietly to Namo Amituofo giving Dharma talks. I am filled with Dharma joy and feel so light. From time to time, I just chant, perform prostrations to the Buddha, and say 'thank you' to Him. When the Buddha is right before your eyes, naturally, everything is wonderful!

Very well, I sincerely bless Huiyuan and all my family members. Thank you for not forgetting me. After so much time has passed, I still had the chance to continue my Buddhist affinity and follow the Buddha. I am so grateful! You must also chant the Buddha's name more in the human world; it is truly beneficial for you!"

Namo Amituofo.

Huang Rui speaks.