The Illusion of Wealth and the Path to Deliverance

This is a record of an interview with Lin Shuxian, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his transition from the cycle of rebirth. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on April 22, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Lin Shuxian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lin Shuxian. Looking back at my life, I am struck by how fleeting everything truly is. When I was alive, I was consumed by the pursuit of status and material success. I thought I was someone of great importance, but now, looking back from this vantage point, I realise that after death, none of that meant anything at all. It was all an illusion.

The people I once held so dear, the family I thought I was providing for—after death, they are nothing more than a faint, fading memory. The wealth I spent my entire life trying to accumulate, the money I was so desperate to possess—I could not take a single cent with me. Not one penny followed me into the afterlife.

The Vanity of Worldly Glory

I have so many regrets, so many sighs of sorrow. I lament the cold, unfeeling nature of this world. It is a place where we chase shadows, thinking they are solid, only to find ourselves empty-handed when the time comes to leave. I am truly fortunate that, in the depths of my despair, I received the help of Lei Hulan. It was her intervention that allowed me to see a ray of hope on the dark, winding road of the cycle of rebirth.

When I was first saved by Practitioner Su, my consciousness was still clouded and confused. I did not understand where I was or what had happened to me. But as I gradually regained my clarity and began to understand the nature of my situation, I actually felt a surge of anger. I was furious with my wife. How could she just let me go like that? Considering our past together, and all the wealth I had left behind for her, I felt she should have thought of me. I felt abandoned, left to wander the cycle of rebirth all alone in the cold darkness.

The Loneliness of the Cycle of Rebirth

That was my initial perspective, fueled by my own attachment and ego. However, as I continued to listen to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su, and as I witnessed so many other spirits coming to seek Chao Du, my understanding shifted. I finally realised the Truth: on the long, arduous road of the cycle of rebirth, we are all walking alone. No one can accompany us. No one can share the burden of our karma. We come into this world alone, and we leave it alone.

Now, what is left for me to desire? I have no more cravings. I have no more attachments to the things of the world. My heart is focused on one thing only: to chant Buddha's name. Today, I have made the firm decision to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I was hesitant at first, wondering if I should wait, but then I thought to myself: 'Why wait? It is time to go.' I have left all my past behind in the world, and I am taking nothing with me except for this sacred name: Namo Amituofo.

Regrets and the Truth of the Dharma

It is a profound regret of mine that, despite earning so much money during my life, I never had the Causal Conditions to meet Practitioner Su earlier. If I had encountered her sooner, if I had understood the Buddha’s teachings and the Truth of the universe, I would have known how to live my life differently. I would not have made those disastrous decisions that led me down such a painful path.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to Lei Hulan. Thank you for taking care of me for so many years. You are a truly good person, and I admire your heart. Meeting Namo Amituofo is the greatest blessing you could ever receive in this lifetime. I offer you my sincere blessings, and I have full faith that by following Namo Amituofo, you will certainly be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Your life has been one of immense value.

A Final Message to My Wife

I also want to say something to my wife: please, do not follow in my footsteps. Life is incredibly short, and impermanence can strike at any moment. No amount of money can buy peace of mind, and no amount of wealth can shield you from the reckoning of your own karma. This physical body will eventually decay, and this spirit will continue to wander in the cycle of rebirth unless you find the way out. The only true security, the only real guarantee, is to diligently chant Buddha's name.

Namo Amituofo."