The Long-Sought Peace of the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Ruan Yanqun, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition and her final message to her loved ones. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on May 30, 2025.

Lay Practitioner Ruan Yanqun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Ruan Yanqun. Throughout my entire life, I was constantly searching—searching for a sense of true stability, a place where my heart could finally rest. Now, I have finally found it. It turns out that the feeling I had been waiting for, the very thing I had been seeking all those years, is exactly this state of being. After arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and seeing the Buddha, I have finally felt the true, overwhelming power of the Buddha’s compassion. It is a power that treats every single being with absolute equality; every being is, in essence, a Buddha. I am so deeply grateful that I have finally been able to settle into this world of ultimate beauty, where every wish is fulfilled and every thought manifests instantly."

A Moment of Awakening

"Once I made the decision to truly let go of the past, it was as if everything within me opened up. It was a profound release. I am incredibly grateful to the Buddha for granting me this precious opportunity to wake up from the long, confused dream of my life. The clarity I feel now is something I could never have imagined while I was still trapped in the cycle of worldly concerns.

Today, I have the opportunity to share this message because of the karmic conditions that led to my Chao Du. I want to express my deepest gratitude to my sister-in-law, He Yanping. Although we were not extremely close in life, I know in my heart that you are a truly kind and virtuous person. It is precisely because of that goodness that you were able to help me reach this point today. You are my benefactor, and I want to offer you my heartfelt blessings from here. I pray that your future path is smooth and filled with light. I hope that you will continue to follow Namo Amituofo with a sincere heart, so that you, too, will never have to suffer again."

A Final Gift to My Loved Ones

"This is the final letter I leave behind while my memory is still fresh in your minds. My primary purpose in speaking to you is to tell you that I am doing very well. I am currently learning under the guidance of the compassionate Namo Amituofo, so I want all of you to be happy for me. If you ever think of me, you need only chant one 'Namo Amituofo,' for I am right there beside the Buddha.

I have departed from that world, but I leave this Buddha-name with you as my final gift. I hope that the Buddha can reside within your hearts, providing you with a source of strength and a pillar of support whenever you face difficulties in your lives. This would be the greatest blessing I could ever bestow upon you."

The Smile of True Peace

"Right now, as I speak to you, there is a smile of complete peace upon my face, for I have finally left behind all the suffering of that world. I truly hope that all of you, and everyone I care about, can also find that same sense of lasting peace and security.

I am so profoundly grateful to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Without this karmic connection, I would still be wandering in the darkness, not knowing where I was destined to drift in the cycle of rebirth. I am grateful for everything. As you continue to chant the Buddha’s name, I wish for every one of you to be well. Namo Amituofo."