The Journey of Yueyue: From Animal Realm to Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Yueyue, the dog of Lay Practitioner Wang Yingmei, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Yueyue now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his long cycle of rebirths as an animal and his eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 25, 2024.

Yueyue speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Yueyue. Before, I was still barking, but now I have stopped completely. I have stopped because I have finally, truly awakened. I am filled with such profound gratitude for the compassionate Practitioner Su, who brought me here to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is only through his help that I was able to shed this dog body and finally be free from the life of a canine.

Think about it—I have been reincarnated as a dog for more than just one lifetime. It all began so long ago, in a past that feels like a distant, hazy dream. It started the moment I committed the grave error of stealing offerings from a temple altar. Who would have expected that such an act would lead to such a long, arduous cycle of rebirth? I truly do not know how many centuries have passed since that day."

The Silence of Awakening

"For lifetime after lifetime, my spirit has endured such immense suffering. Living within the body of a dog, I often felt a strange, haunting duality. I was aware that I was a dog, yet at the same time, I felt as though I were still living in the space of a past life, a human life. It is a sensation that is difficult to put into words; it is incredibly profound and mysterious. My spirit was trapped, watching the world through eyes that were not my own, feeling the instincts of an animal while my consciousness remained tethered to a deeper, more ancient memory.

In this lifetime, I was given the name Yueyue. But deep within my heart, I was often filled with a profound, aching sadness. I did not always show it, of course. How could I? My physical body would not obey the 'me' that existed deep inside. My body was constantly being interfered with by so many external forces, so many unseen pressures. Because of this, I often found myself performing actions that I never truly intended to do. It was as if I were a passenger in my own skin, watching helplessly as my body acted out of instinct rather than intent."

The Weight of Karma

"All of my past karma was heaped upon this dog body. Every ounce of suffering I endured—including the illness that eventually claimed my life—was inextricably linked to the karmic debts I had accumulated. There were so many karmic creditors surrounding me, pulling at me, demanding their due. It was a relentless, exhausting struggle.

My true spirit is so different from the appearance of a dog. I often wonder if my owner, Lay Practitioner Wang Yingmei, ever sensed that? Did she feel the soul beneath the fur? Perhaps she did. In a distant past, I was once a practitioner of the Dharma myself. It was only because of that specific karmic affinity that I was fortunate enough to find my way back to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today. It is the Law of Cause and Effect that has brought me to this moment of salvation."

A Debt of Gratitude

"I am so incredibly happy to see that my owner has come to know Namo Amituofo. She treasures this connection, and I treasure it just as much. I have been waiting for many lifetimes to return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. In this lifetime, my wish has finally been fulfilled. I am so deeply grateful to my owner for her care and for leading me toward this path.

As I kneel before the Buddha, I am still shedding tears. I cannot stop the surge of emotion within my heart; I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude. I will wait in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss for my owner to return. When that day comes, I will be there to greet her personally, to thank her for everything she has done for me. Namo Amituofo."