The Silent Cries of the Famine

This is a record of an interview with Yuma Dan, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life during the Indian famine under British rule approximately two hundred years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 24, 2026.

Yuma Dan speaks:

"Namaste! Today, Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su called my name, 'Yuma Dan,' allowing me to represent the people of India—especially those suffering spirits from the great famine—to share our story with you all.

I am filled with such immense joy and deep, heartfelt gratitude for the boundless compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I have only been in the Western Land of Dharma Nature for half a day, yet I have already begun to grasp the profound nature of this Buddha-land and everything that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre represents. It is truly beyond words."

The White Mist of Waiting

"It is a long, painful story. This morning, there were layers upon layers of white mist surrounding the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. We knew we were among the beings gathered there. Many spirits from all corners of the world, and from many different dimensions, were gathered in that mist, waiting patiently for Practitioner Su to perform the act of Chao Du for us. We were one of those groups, waiting for a chance at salvation.

In the Buddha’s teachings, we are referred to as the 'Indian Famine White Bone Pile.' That is absolutely, hauntingly accurate. The name alone makes me shiver, instantly dragging me back to those dark days. It is a fitting description; many of us who arrived here still look as we did back then—thin, gaunt, and withered. But at least, by the grace of the Buddha, we are no longer part of that tragic pile of bones left to rot on the ground."

Darkness Under Colonial Rule

"Looking back, it has been over two hundred years. India was under British rule at the time. It was a dark, miserable, and suffocating period in our history. People in Britain today might feel smug, believing that their centuries of rule brought development and progress to India.

But we, the common people, knew the truth: the British came only for their own benefit. To get what they wanted, how could they possibly care about us, the lowly Indians? Perhaps they would pay us a glance when they needed to collect more grain, or when they wanted to sell us their 'precious' goods. They would do a few small favours to make us feel happy, only to then squeeze even more grain from us to satisfy the insatiable needs of the British Empire."

The Loss of Self-Sufficiency

"Our generation of farmers suffered immensely. I remember my ancestors saying that life was much better before. Before the British arrived, we were self-sufficient. We lived in the northeast of India, where the land was incredibly fertile and rich in natural resources. The water from the Himalayas irrigated our fields, allowing our rice and other crops to flourish, which in turn sold very well.

Once the British arrived, much of our grain was forcibly confiscated. They claimed that since they were ruling us, they needed subsidies to continue bringing us 'welfare' and 'benefits'—even promising to bring the most advanced British technology to India for our use. We heard these empty promises time and time again, but they were never fulfilled. At most, they built railway tracks to bring trains into our villages, but we never had the chance to see the outside world. The trains were only used to ship our grain away. It was truly a great tragedy, a theft of our very livelihood."

What is particularly striking is that although our society at that time was relatively homogeneous, from the space of that pile of white bones, one could still see people from all walks of life within it. As a member of the spirit realm, I had a small degree of sensitivity, and I could discern that this pile of bones contained all kinds of Indian people, including those from every different caste—whether they were the highest-ranking practitioners or the lowest-ranking slaves, all were included. Does this not clearly demonstrate that, in reality, there is no distinction between people?

When I was a ghost, I truly thought about this. Because when everyone is reduced to a pile of white bones, who would still care about what caste you belonged to or which space you could exist in? Indians have long emphasized the division of castes, but all of this was created by humans and has nothing to do with the essence of things.

The Search for Liberation

I thought this in my heart at the time, yet I did not know how to depart from that space. I had also seen practitioners of that era in this space; many of them sat in meditation together, though I did not know what they were practicing. However, looking at their appearance, their eyes were bright and spirited, not like ordinary ghosts—perhaps they were souls with higher spirituality.

I do not know how many years I spent in that space; it felt very, very long, perhaps over two hundred years. We could see all the changes occurring around us in that space, but as far as the spirit realm is concerned, the world of spirits only becomes increasingly crowded.

India later experienced many famines, natural disasters, and man-made catastrophes. The sentient beings accumulated in this space were no longer as simple as they were when we first left the human world. At that time, the number of beings was relatively small, but today, the number of beings is vast. Moreover, the world of the spirit realm seems to have become increasingly complex, with more and more demons existing within it; it is not like the simple state it was in at the beginning. As members of the spirit realm, we could see everything around us very clearly.

A Message of Hope

The spirit realm has one advantage: whenever something good happens, everyone seems to tell each other by word of mouth. Not long ago, we beings heard that there was a place where we could receive Chao Du, so we would no longer have to be a member of this vast pile of white bones. Upon hearing this news, I felt very amazed—could such a good thing really exist? I did not know where this news originated.

However, many beings said one after another that we could go to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, to seek Spiritual Deliverance. Hearing this string of names, we immediately knew it came from a distant country. With the abilities of the spirit realm, many of us were already prepared to call upon our friends and companions to go to that place. Sure enough, we arrived here this morning and saw many, many beings just like us, with the same purpose.

After arriving at this place, we felt much more at ease, knowing that this place must possess a special divine power to save us. Since so many beings could come, they must have also known this news. Indeed, everything proceeded very smoothly. We sought Spiritual Deliverance here and received the illumination of a golden light. This light was extremely warm, and our identity and state of over two hundred years quickly came to an end.

The Compassion of the Buddhas

It turns out that Namo Amituofo is here, as well as a Buddha in the human world called Practitioner Su. They can save deceased spirits, sentient beings, and demons from all over the Earth and the entire universe right here. Without any discrimination, everyone followed this golden light and entered the Western Land of Dharma Nature, a very bright and luminous world.

When we first arrived, we were a bit bewildered, but because our desire to leave suffering behind was so urgent and pressing, we quickly settled down and placed ourselves on the lotus seats in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. Everyone had their own lotus, and we did not affect one another. This vast space suddenly became clear and bright. We were originally densely packed, existing in a very crowded space, but now it has suddenly become such a vast space, complete with lotus flowers. This truly made us feel amazed and joyful!

Here, Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su told us that this is a world of the Buddha. "Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo." We began to learn to chant the Buddha's name here. Many of us knelt down and loudly chanted Namo Amituofo, expressing our gratitude to the Buddha. Practitioner Su is truly capable of countless manifestations; in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, we saw Practitioner Su, and suddenly, many, many Practitioners Su appeared. This scene left a very deep impression on me; these many Practitioners Su can save many, many beings, just as they brought us here.

A Path to the Western Pure Land

This place is truly wonderful. In addition to being very vast, it is also very bright, completely different from the space I was in before. Everyone felt deeply moved and grateful, knowing that we had truly heard a great piece of news and found the right place. Everyone kept this Buddha-name in their hearts, fearing that if they were to lose the six-character name of "Namo Amituofo" for even a moment, they would be abandoned by the Buddha. Haha, actually, that would not happen. We are listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma here, beginning a new journey—a path that can lead to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

This place is truly special. Besides our group, we saw suffering people from all over the world gathered here, listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma together, without distinction or hierarchy. There are no restrictions based on race or caste here, nor are there differences between nations; everywhere, the word "equality" is manifested.

In this Buddha-land of the Western Land of Dharma Nature, although we have not yet reached the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, everything I see before my eyes has already broadened my horizons. Here, Namo Amituofo is constantly telling everyone about the beauty of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, urging everyone to chant this Buddha-name so that one day they can be reborn in that place.

Gratitude and the Universal Principle

I, Yuma Dan, as an Indian, represent all my Indian compatriots in expressing my gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. No one has ever had such a great heart and capacity to accept us spirits, let alone the fact that we come from distant India and include people of different castes. Yet, the Buddha seems to turn a blind eye to all of this; castes do not exist here.

This confirms the realization I had when I was a member of that pile of white bones: isn't this exactly how the world after death is? Everyone is just a pile of white bones; what distinctions could there possibly be?

Of course, in terms of the Buddha's teachings, I now know that if we practice better and better—meaning we become kinder and our hearts become purer—we can be reborn in higher-level spaces, and that is a different matter entirely!

At that time, we were all people who died in famines, without distinction, and some were white-boned people who died from being exploited as forced laborers. Today, we all arrived at the Western Land of Dharma Nature together, full of joy. We have long since let go of the hatreds of the past. Whether British or Indian, we are all one family.

Only here did I gradually understand that all things have causes and effects. I will not resent those who once caused us oppression and suffering; they are actually also undergoing their own karmic retribution. These British people treated us so cruelly—do they not have to face retribution after they die?

Whether based on the Hinduism I believed in at the time or the Buddha's teachings I am learning now in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, everything has a cause and an effect. They will also go to corresponding spaces and receive equal treatment, which is retribution. The Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way that Amitabha Buddha teaches everyone here are truly real.

The Magnificence of the Dharma

What is said in the Buddha's teachings is more thorough than the Hinduism of that time. Although Hinduism also mentions the six realms of rebirth, it does not explain it as thoroughly; it only taught us how to elevate our spirituality.

It was only through the Buddha's teachings that I learned that, besides elevating one's spirituality, one can also be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. That is a world where you are free from aging, free from illness, and your spirit never dies. In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, everyone can spend their lives learning, practicing, and becoming a Buddha, never having to return to the six realms of rebirth to suffer. If one returns to the human world again, it is only to save sentient beings.

I heard these things clearly and understood them, and I felt very joyful. People in that space were mostly still focused on Hinduism, so they were relatively unfamiliar with the spiritual world, understanding only the surface. But in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, Practitioner Su is always giving lectures to everyone, allowing us to understand many truths.

What makes me feel most special is that after arriving here, I happened to encounter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre conducting "Thrice Yearning Ceremonies" under the leadership of Amitabha Buddha and Practitioner Su. This is truly a magnificent Dharma assembly—a great Dharma assembly for the human world and, even more so, for the spirit realm. With the eyes of the spirit realm, I saw the densely packed beings in the space coming in batch after batch to seek Spiritual Deliverance, especially the demon crowds, whose numbers were vast. Demon crowds from different places can all come here one by one to seek liberation, which shows that Practitioner Su's skills are not something an ordinary person can reach.

I look at Practitioner Su here, this elder who is said to be eighty-three years old, and I also look at the sky full of little Practitioners Su—the so-called "countless manifestations." This is truly amazing! This term is also one I just learned; it means that Practitioner Su's Dharma Body can manifest many, many little Practitioners Su to save immeasurable and boundless beings.

In just half a day, I have learned so much. My way of speaking is very different from before, and the vocabulary I use has become much more profound. I am now particularly moved and particularly grateful; my heart is full of respect and gratitude for the Buddha.

Yuma Dan represents all Indians here in thanking Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su! I am grateful to the two Buddhas for bringing us such a wonderful place, allowing us to no longer wander and no longer suffer in the cycle of rebirth. We are now members of the Western Land of Dharma Nature, and we will certainly listen well to the Buddha's teachings, listen to the sutras, hear the Dharma, and purify ourselves.

We hold the sincere hope that one day, upon reaching the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, we will certainly be able to expand our capabilities even further and extend our help to countless more beings.

Namo Amituofo.

Yuma Dan