The Journey to the Western Pure Land: Reflections of Lay Practitioner Nan Huai-Chin

The Completion of a Life's Circle

Namo Amituofo. I have arrived. My life, which began in the vast lands of China, was a journey of both ordinary moments and legendary encounters. From my early days in mainland China to my time in Taiwan, and eventually my return to my ancestral home in Zhejiang, I have traversed many paths. If one were to view a human life as a circle formed by the joining of many segments, my own circle remained incomplete at the moment of my passing. It was only when Practitioner Su called my name, drawing me forth from the side of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, that I was guided by a brilliant golden light to this place. Here, I continued to listen to the Dharma, and only then was the circle of my life truly brought to a perfect, complete state.

It is a profound blessing to have achieved this. In this world, there are countless beings who, after cycling through many lifetimes, still struggle to find that final, perfect destination for their spirits. They continue to search, lost in the cycle of rebirth, unable to fill the gaps in their own life's circle. I am deeply fortunate to have been guided to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, where the journey finally finds its true home.

The Living Truth of the Sutras

Like many who lived through times of war and upheaval, I experienced the deep pain of separation from my mother, my wife, and my children. Yet, it was this very life that allowed me to develop a keen sensitivity toward religion, education, and philosophy. I wrote many works, and I am humbled that they resonated with so many. These experiences have proven to me, time and again, that the sutras are not mere ancient texts; they are living, breathing truths. They are not dead words on a page. The secret lies in whether one can grasp the key within the teachings. Once you find that key, you must apply it diligently.

This is the secret I share with you: if you can recognise this, then we share a profound Dharma affinity. The value of the sutras does not diminish with the passage of time; rather, they become more precious and authentic as the years go by. They are the Truth itself. My role was simply to translate these profound truths into accessible language and examples, hoping that readers would understand the subtle meanings and be inspired to learn and change. I do not claim to have transformed anyone's destiny, but if I helped you find Dharma joy, or if I helped you step outside the narrow framework of your life to see a broader horizon, then my work was worthwhile.

The Test of Death and the Reality of the Underworld

My life was met with both praise and criticism, which is the nature of the world. I learned to smile through it all. I lived for over ninety years, and I am grateful to the Heavens that I remained clear-headed until the very end. However, I must confess something important. Despite sharing the methods of chanting Namo Amituofo with others, when I reached the final moments of my own life—when the breath was fading and the transition was imminent—I found myself unable to chant clearly. My mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, and the meditative concentration I had spoken of so often vanished in an instant. How could such fragmented chanting lead to being received by Namo Amituofo? It became clear that I had not yet passed the ultimate test of life and death. I needed further study, and thus I was guided to the side of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in the underworld.

The underworld is a place most people are reluctant to discuss, yet understanding what happens after death is vital. If you do not plan your destination before you pass, you will spend your life in a state of busy confusion, only to find yourself in a miserable state after death, unable to change your circumstances. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su, who lives in the human world, and to Lay Practitioner Liu and Lay Practitioner Cao Rudi, whose recommendations allowed me to leave the side of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I offer my deepest gratitude to you all.

The Advanced Learning of the Underworld

One might think of the area near Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva as a high-end residential district of the underworld. It is a place where you are provided with food, clothing, and shelter, all for the purpose of allowing you to study and prepare for your next life. You can focus on the areas where your practice was lacking. You will see many beings there—some are diligent, reading sutras, meditating, and chanting Namo Amituofo, while others are restless and distracted. If you need materials, books, scriptures, meditation cushions, or writing supplies, the attendants will provide them. Whether you make progress, however, is entirely up to you. The teacher may open the door, but the practice must be done by the individual. Your performance there determines your next destination.

The Magnificence of the Western Pure Land

Now, I reside in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and there is truly no place more magnificent. The term 'Ultimate Bliss' is not an exaggeration; it is a reality that defies imagination. It is a world of absolute beauty and perfection. What is written in the sutras is but a glimpse. The most magnificent aspect is that everywhere you go, you are in the presence of the Buddha, listening to the Dharma. The entire environment, from the ten directions, is a natural manifestation of the teachings.

In the human world, I spent much of my time lecturing, using my voice to convey ideas through books, recordings, or images. But here, the Dharma is taught everywhere, at every moment. The fragrance of the flowers and the sound of the wind carry the name of Namo Amituofo. When the wind sings the Buddha-name, the flowers release a soothing, pleasant scent, and as your body feels at ease, you naturally begin to chant along. The sound of the flowing water and the birds singing in the trees explain the scriptures to you. The water in the Seven-Jewel Pools, reflecting the golden sand at the bottom, creates a shimmering, golden light. Walking into the water, the temperature is perfect—neither cold nor hot—refreshing the mind and sharpening the senses. You suddenly understand the deep meaning of the sutras, and your Wisdom grows. There is no comparison, no evil, and no conflict here; there is only supreme goodness and purity, a gathering of the highest beings.

A Story of Compassion

I would like to share a small story. One day, as I sat under a tree listening to the wind singing the Buddha-name, I saw a little Bodhisattva approaching. He was adorable and dignified, but his face was filled with sorrow. I looked at him and asked in my heart, 'Little Bodhisattva, what is wrong? Why are you so sad?' He looked at me with his large, round eyes and replied, 'Suddenly, I remembered my mother!' Two lines of tears fell from his eyes. At that very moment, the wind that had been singing the Buddha-name changed its tone: 'Qing-er, Mother is in the Buddha-name, in the name of Namo Amituofo. As long as you chant, Mother will never leave you!' The little Bodhisattva's tear-filled eyes suddenly lit up with a smile. His mother was here too! This was the very thing his mother had told him before she passed away. He had been so ill, and in his final moments, he had clung to those words, chanting Namo Amituofo with all his might, ignoring everything else. Because of that, he had brought Namo Amituofo to him, and the Buddha had brought him here.

The Path to True Completion

Namo Amituofo is always present in every corner of the Western Pure Land, caring for everyone. It is just as it is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where Practitioner Su cares for and nurtures everyone, helping them fulfill their wish to return to the Western Pure Land. No matter what your life has been like, only rebirth in the Western Pure Land can truly complete your life. A human life is like a sandcastle; no matter how magnificent or glorious it may seem, when the tide comes in, it is washed away, leaving no trace. You must let go of the past and grasp the present. Anything that helps you achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land is worth doing with courage. Do not cling to the illusions of this world, for you will end up with nothing. Cherish your human life, for it is precious.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is preparing to build an Amituofo Village, a place where the elderly can find a true home, and where, when their time comes, they may be guided by Practitioner Su into the Western Pure Land. This is a peaceful and serene land, made radiant by the presence of Practitioner Su and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. If you have the opportunity to hear this, do not let it pass you by. I, Nan Huai-Chin, welcome you to join us in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.

Postscript: After Practitioner Su reviewed this text, she expressed her wish to invite the wife of Lay Practitioner Nan Huai-Chin, Madam Wang Cuifeng, to complete his wish. Through the messages received by Venerable HaiZe, it was discovered that Madam Wang Cuifeng is currently in the third heaven of the Desire Realm. Practitioner Su struck the bell to invite Madam Wang Cuifeng to enter the Western Land of Dharma Nature of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to listen to the Dharma. As long as she makes the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, she will have the opportunity to do so.