The Lessons of Lay Practitioner Zheng Xibin and the Amitabha Village

The Vow to Save Others

On the 30th of August, 2018, Venerable HaiZe approached Namo Amituofo with a humble request. She asked if it would be possible to interview the spirit of Lay Practitioner Zheng Xibin. Namo Amituofo graciously granted this permission, noting that Practitioner Zheng was already waiting nearby. Venerable HaiZe expressed her deep gratitude to the Buddha and proceeded to ask Practitioner Zheng to share his story. She asked him to recount his experience of pre-knowing the time of his passing and his subsequent journey, hoping that his testimony would serve as a vital warning and a source of wisdom for all fellow practitioners.

Lay Practitioner Zheng Xibin began with a sense of deep humility. He explained that during his life, he was a student of the venerable Master Tanxu. Upon hearing his teacher speak of the magnificent Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he made a solemn vow to be reborn there. During those turbulent times of war, many people lacked the opportunity to hear the Buddha’s teachings. Driven by compassion, he made the resolute decision to close his business and dedicate his life to introducing the Amitabha Sutra to others. He travelled extensively, speaking to people about the beauty of the Western Pure Land and the suffering inherent in the human world, always encouraging them to chant the name of Namo Amituofo.

The Subtle Trap of Arrogance

Practitioner Zheng reflected on the mixed reactions he encountered during his travels. Some people praised his efforts, others were cold and dismissive, and many remained indifferent. Regardless of their response, he remained steadfast in his commitment, moving from place to place to share the Dharma. Over time, he began to connect with like-minded fellow practitioners, gathering wherever there was space to listen to teachings. However, he admitted with regret that, amidst this activity, a subtle sense of arrogance had unknowingly taken root in his heart.

A Misguided Departure

One day, he heard a voice telling him that he could pre-know the time of his passing and should prepare for his rebirth. He was filled with immense joy, believing that he would finally be liberated from his physical body and ascend to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He kept this news to himself, but as he was staying in someone else's home, he felt it was inappropriate to pass away there. He asked a close friend to help him find a place to stay so he could focus on chanting. To his surprise, his friend insisted that he stay at his home, believing it to be a virtuous act to host such a moment.

When the time arrived, Practitioner Zheng told everyone that his departure was near and asked them to chant Namo Amituofo to see him off. As the sound of the chanting filled the room, he saw a female friend from his past—a fellow practitioner who had been very kind to him—standing before him. She was smiling and waving for him to follow her. In that moment, he became distracted, forgot to continue chanting, and followed her with a smile. He then entered a different space. Within that realm, he continued to chant, believing he had reached his destination.

The Truth Behind the Illusion

Time passed until one day, he suddenly heard a voice calling out: "Zheng Xibin, Zheng Xibin, where are you? Please come out!" A brilliant light suddenly appeared, guiding him to Practitioner Su. The voice of Practitioner Su seemed to wake him from a dream. Only after reaching the Western Land of Dharma Nature did he regain full consciousness and realise that he had actually passed away without ever reaching the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The space he had been residing in was merely the energy field of the house where he had passed away. It was only through the compassionate intervention of Practitioner Su, who sent him to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss amidst the sound of chanting, that he was able to share this message today. By the time he left that space, the house he had stayed in had long been empty.

He realised with shock that in the human world, people had assumed he had successfully attained rebirth. It was a tragic misunderstanding. He had been deceived by the voice of a karmic creditor, mistaking it for a true sign because he had not actually seen the Buddha. He warned that one must be extremely cautious: true pre-knowing the time of passing comes only from Namo Amituofo. One must see the Buddha to be certain. Even if the Buddha appears, one must see Namo Amituofo arrive to lead the way before the spirit can safely leave the body, follow the Buddha and the lotus throne, and truly reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Path to True Liberation

Practitioner Zheng expressed his profound gratitude to Namo Amituofo, to Practitioner Su, and to Venerable HaiZe. He emphasised that it was only through the mention of his name by the Venerable that Practitioner Su was able to call him out of that trapped space and guide him to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He urged all fellow practitioners to be vigilant and not fall into the traps set by karmic creditors, which can prevent one from attaining rebirth.

He concluded by speaking of the Amitabha Village currently being established at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. He explained that those who reside there have the precious opportunity to be guided by Practitioner Su at the time of their passing. With the authority of his own experience, he confirmed that Practitioner Su possesses the true attainment and the ability to lead people to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He encouraged everyone to cherish this Causal Condition and become a member of the Amitabha Village at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.