The Journey Home of Lay Practitioner Li Linrong

This interview was recorded on January 12, 2024, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Lay Practitioner Li Linrong, a devoted protector of Lay Practitioner Huang Zhisheng, shares her profound experience of finally attaining rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. After a lifetime of chanting, she describes the transformative power of the Dharma-Nature Land and offers guidance to those still seeking the path to true liberation.

Lay Practitioner Li Linrong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Li Linrong, and today is the day I truly attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Many who knew me might have assumed I had already reached the Western Pure Land, but in reality, today is the moment my spirit finally returns home. I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring about these Causal Conditions; without all of you, my spirit would still be unable to depart from the cycle of rebirth.

For a long time, I had been chanting the Buddha's name in one place, but when I was finally led to this radiant Buddha-land, I could not help but weep with emotion. The magnetic field of this Buddha-land and the compassion of the Buddha-light were overwhelming. I saw that the Buddha is truly here. After so many years of studying the Buddha's teachings, this was the first time I felt so close to Him.

The Power of True Deliverance

Every day since arriving at this Buddha-land, my heart has been deeply stirred. Within the space of the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I witnessed Practitioner Su performing Chao Du. The immense courage and power in his heart to help sentient beings achieve liberation deeply moved me. I also saw how a great practitioner conducts their practice to attain such magnificent achievements. The extraordinary scenes of deliverance in this space cannot be faked.

Upon arriving in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I began to reflect constantly. I realised that to study the Buddha's teachings—to truly embody the Buddha's heart—one must be willing to offer oneself selflessly. One must be willing to let go of even one's own physical sensations to enter such a transcendent realm. Only then can one truly have the certainty of liberation. This was a massive shock to me, and it completely changed my perspective on how to practise the Buddha's teachings. I realised that my past understanding was still framed by my own ideas and that I had not truly let go of my attachments.

The Essence of Helping Others

During this time, I have been listening to the sutras and reflecting deeply. I have come to understand that the true way to help sentient beings is to enable them to escape the cycle of rebirth. While in this world, we must help them wake up, help them understand the true meaning of following the Buddha, and show them how to honestly practise step by step.

Now that I have reached the Western Pure Land, the past no longer exists. To those who were connected to me in the past, I now address you all as 'Dharma brothers' from the perspective of a practitioner in the West. I am so grateful to the Dharma brother who helped me attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Message to a Dharma Brother

Dharma brother, after such a long and winding journey, you have finally found the true Buddha. I am so happy for you. I have always known that you are a young person with a very sincere heart for the Buddha's teachings. To understand the beauty of the Dharma at such a young age, and to have such grand aspirations to propagate the teachings, is truly rare. Seeing how you are doing better and better, and seeing more and more people supporting your work, makes me very happy for you.

Now that I no longer have a physical body, I can see the laws of karma and cause and effect much more clearly. There are sentient beings surrounding you. When you distribute the Dharma Jewels, you provide a glimmer of hope to the spirits in that space, which is why they follow you. However, if you cannot truly show them how to achieve liberation, they will remain waiting in a space of suffering. Therefore, Dharma brother, propagating a method that can truly allow everyone to achieve liberation is the most important task before you right now. Look at me and you will understand: I spent my whole life chanting, thinking that having the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss as a goal was enough. I did not realise that having a goal is not enough. Only by starting from the heart and truly adjusting one's mind can we get closer and closer to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I hope to share this realisation with you, and I hope you will share it with other fellow practitioners.

The Path Ahead

Dharma brother, I know you are still young, and it is natural for your heart to be focused on the work you are doing. But look at me—the future is unpredictable and cannot be truly controlled by ourselves. Even the most subtle thoughts can lead to different results. You are intelligent, and you know how to make the right choices. In this Buddha-land, I have heard Practitioner Su counseling you. Practitioner Su is a great practitioner who can see the past and the future; I hope you will take his words to heart.

Human beings come into this world because of karmic affinity. Having obtained this rare human body, you have already chosen to walk on the correct path. Hold fast to your original intention of helping sentient beings, but do not forget to return to your own practice. Adjust your body and mind so that you can walk a longer and more stable path.

As you advance on your own path of practice, your vision—both in this world and beyond—will allow you to know how to adjust yourself skillfully. You are a person of Wisdom; you will know how to apply it and you will know what is most important at any given moment. Through your years of hard work, you have met many people, all of whom are students of the Buddha with the goal of reaching the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss; yet, many have not heard the true Great Dharma and do not know how to ensure their own liberation. Therefore, I hope you will embody the teachings, influence others, and become a propagator of the Buddha's teachings, so that you may truly attain liberation in this lifetime.

We shall meet in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I also hope you will let those who knew me know that I am now truly in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, diligently practising under the seat of Namo Amituofo. I am grateful for all the good Causal Conditions.

Li Linrong"