The Journey of Lay Practitioner Ye Zhicheng to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Ye Zhicheng, 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 transition from the human realm. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on October 27, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Ye Zhicheng speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Ye Zhicheng. When I first beheld the Buddha in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I could not help but fall to my knees in overwhelming gratitude. The Buddha is so magnificent, so vast! He did not speak, but He looked at me with a gentle, compassionate smile. All around me, there were lotus flowers blooming, and their fragrance was so pure that it instantly cleared my mind and opened my heart.

The Agony of Separation

Reflecting back on the moment my spirit was forced to separate from my physical body, it was absolutely excruciating! I did not want to leave my family. I still had so many things I wanted to accomplish, so many dreams left unfulfilled. For all these reasons, I tried to cling to my body with everything I had. But no matter how desperately I wanted to live, I could not fight against the arrangement of fate. I was pulled into a powerful, terrifying vortex, and I had no idea where I was. The darkness surrounding me was so thick, so frightening. I waited in that void, trembling, waiting for the moment I could finally escape that space.

A Glimmer of Light

Suddenly, I heard a voice calling out to me. I reached out and grasped for it, and then I saw a brilliant light. I took a deep breath, finally feeling a sense of relief. When my spirit entered the Buddha-land, I was still confused, not knowing where I was, but I knew, deep down, that I was finally safe.

The Buddha-light shone upon me, and I slowly began to wake up. It was only then that I realised my physical body was gone. I saw my family weeping for me, and my heart ached. Seeing you all in such pain, I felt so heavy with regret. I want to apologise to you for leaving so suddenly.

A Message to My Beloved Wife

Xiurong, I know your heart is breaking, but there always comes a time for separation in this life. Now that I am here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I truly hope you can find joy for my sake. This world is so beautiful, so perfect. I have made the firm decision to stay here, right before the Buddha, to study and practise diligently.

Not long ago, I saw my karmic creditors. So many of them were beings I had harmed in the past, and I had never repaid those debts. Seeing their faces, seeing the tragic state they were in, my heart was filled with such profound sorrow. That is why I made the vow to follow the Buddha and learn with all my heart.

A Final Plea for Practice

Xiurong, I hope that through the Causal Conditions of my rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, you and the rest of our family who are willing to believe can take up the practice of Buddhism seriously. If you do not, we will all just wander aimlessly after death, and we will never see each other again. I leave our home in your hands. Please, let go of your attachment to me and follow the Buddha with all your strength. I am so grateful for this karmic connection, and I know how incredibly difficult it is to live in the human realm.

Xiurong, I did not have the chance to save my own beings, but you still have that opportunity. If you can help perform Chao Du for your karmic creditors and resolve the conflicts with all beings, you will owe less debt in the future. When you eventually arrive here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, you will have no regrets.

Remember to keep the Buddha in your heart every single day. The heart that believes in the Buddha can overcome any difficulty. Please, remember what I have said.

I am so grateful to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su for helping me achieve rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo. Ye Zhicheng bows in reverence."