The Price of Vanity: A Fur Merchant's Reckoning

This is a record of an interview with Chen Xiangping, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon her life and her passing in the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on December 14, 2025.

Chen Xiangping speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Xiangping, a fur merchant. When we speak of the laws of karma and cause and effect, I must confess: I was a person who lived on the cutting edge of fashion. I was obsessed with the latest styles and trends. My work was not limited to managing raw fur materials; I was deeply involved in the design process and had even established my own exclusive brand. My business in the Northeast was sailing smoothly, but I had been looking for an opportunity to take a holiday in the south. I had a distant cousin living in Hong Kong—a younger cousin, really—with whom I kept in occasional contact. One day, I happened to mention my travel plans to her, and she enthusiastically invited me to visit Hong Kong. I thought, 'Why not? I shall accept.'

A Fateful Trip to Hong Kong

I arrived in Hong Kong about a week before the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court. Initially, I had intended to stay in a hotel, but due to her warm insistence, I moved into her home. It was not exactly a luxury residence, but it was a case of 'the sparrow may be small, but it has all the vital organs.' It was quite comfortable and convenient enough for my stay.

Within that week, I had already visited almost all of Hong Kong's famous landmarks. I usually rented a car to get around, as my cousin could only act as my guide on the weekends. The day of the fire—it must have been a Wednesday—I was home alone again. I had originally planned to visit a new attraction, but it seemed I had already exhausted my list. I spent the day online, searching for hidden gems I hadn't yet visited or special Hong Kong-style restaurants I hadn't tasted. Searching and searching, it became lunchtime. Having been out for so many days, I thought, 'I shall just rest at home today.' After my meal, I took a short nap. I only intended to sleep for a moment, but when I woke up, it was already past four o'clock. I had not expected to sleep so late.

The Warning and the Illusion

I checked my phone and saw several missed calls. I saw they were from my cousin, so I called her back. Her voice on the other end was frantic: 'There is a fire! Why aren't you answering your phone? I thought something had happened to you!' I told her I was just taking a nap and that there was no fire here; it was perfectly safe. My cousin replied, 'I am looking at the news, and it has already reached our building! I cannot get back, you must escape immediately!' My cousin was always one to make a fuss. I told her, 'It is fine. I have great fortune and a long life. Look at how smoothly my business runs; you need not worry so much.' My cousin sounded displeased and told me that, regardless, I had to escape. She forbade me from dying in her unit, saying it would lower the property value if it became a 'haunted house.' Given my wealth, buying several of her units would not have been a problem, but I knew she was only saying that because she was worried about me. I had to promise her that I would flee to the ground floor and see how things went.

As I prepared to leave, I felt my feet grow heavy. I vaguely saw something dragging at my ankles, but when I looked closely, I saw nothing. I did not think much of it and walked toward the door. As soon as I opened it, waves of acrid smoke hit me. 'Is someone roasting skewers indoors?' I thought. 'These residents are too bold!' But then I realized something was wrong. This must be the fire my cousin was talking about.

The Agony of Retribution

I felt as though my reactions were slower than usual today, as if I had no energy—perhaps because I had just woken up. I went to the elevator, intending to go down, but it was out of service—no power. This was not good. My legs felt weak, and climbing down the stairs would be exhausting. 'It is fine,' I thought, 'I shall just walk slowly.' As I moved down, the thick smoke and flames grew more intense. It was truly choking, but I had no strength to climb back up. I tried to find a way to avoid the flames, but it was impossible. It was too hot. I used my clothes to cover my face, but I could not withstand the heat. Suddenly, the fire surged upward and sprayed onto my hands and feet. I screamed in agony. I felt the fire peeling the skin from my body. In the midst of the flames, I vaguely saw many minks. I suspected I was seeing things—perhaps it was a hallucination. I shook my hands frantically, trying to shake off the fire, but that only caused the flames to spread further. The area of my body engulfed in fire continued to expand.

In an instant, I clearly saw the dark shadows of many minks and other rare animals, each with a fierce, hateful expression. I did not understand what kind of hallucination this was; it was too terrifying. I felt absolutely horrified.

From Hell to the Dharma-Nature Land

Then, I stopped breathing. I do not know how much time passed, but I continued to suffer in a place filled with raging fire, mountains of knives, and ghost forks. I was filled with terror, hoping for my suffering to end early. I died from torture every day, only to be instantly revived. I truly did not understand what was happening, and I do not know how long this continued. Then, a light brought me out of that space of suffering and into the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia.

When I first arrived in the Dharma-Nature Land, my spirit was not yet clear. After I regained some clarity, I felt so resentful—why did I have to travel all the way to Hong Kong to die? It was only after listening to the Dharma in the Dharma-Nature Land that I understood: I had already been in hells long before the fire started. Once the fire destroyed my body and my spirit left the body, I went straight into hells to receive my punishment. Looking back on my life, I had indeed created immense negative karma. I had harmed so many beings, and in this lifetime, by engaging in the fur trade, the harm I caused to beings was immeasurable and boundless. I am repenting here in the Dharma-Nature Land.

A Final Plea to the Living

After listening to the Dharma at the temple for some time, I finally understood that I had created such heavy karma for the sake of this false body. Namo Amituofo used 'skillful means' to let me know that I was truly, terribly wrong. Cousin, if you can see this interview, please tell my family: the fur business must stop. Every single bit of the laws of karma and cause and effect must be repaid. This is a truth I only understood after dying in that fire, suffering in agony, and then enduring punishment in hells. It is fortunate that Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre saved me and brought me to the Western Dharma-Nature Land; otherwise, I would have continued to suffer for a very long time.

Life is only a few short years; it is not worth it to live just for one's own enjoyment. After listening to the Dharma for a while, I have slowly awakened. In truth, all beings are one. If this spirit were to be reborn, it could take any form, and harming one another is truly a tragic thing. In the past, I did not know how to study the Buddha’s teachings, nor did I have the opportunity to come into contact with them. I did not know that the laws of karma and cause and effect were so terrifying, which is why I was so ignorant and harmed so many beings. In fact, it is not just this business; eating non-vegetarian food also creates a great deal of karma. Without the Buddha’s teachings, one truly cannot understand these principles.

I am grateful to Namo Amituofo for saving me and teaching me. This disciple knows she was wrong. I hope that through this interview, I can let everyone know that every single action has its karmic consequence. I know now that the lifespan of a human body is very short, and every cause created must be repaid. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo."