The Truth of Karma and the Path to the Western Pure Land

In the human world, the truth of reality is often only revealed after a person has passed away. Unfortunately, those who remain alive often prefer to cling to beautiful packaging and polished images rather than confront the stark reality of the laws of karma and cause and effect. As a result, many people lose the precious opportunity to use these experiences as a warning and a guide for their own spiritual journey.

The Illusion of Accomplishment

I am Li Muyuan. During my time in the human world, I served as the head of the Singapore Buddhist Lodge, and the community even honoured me by commissioning a bronze statue in my likeness. Throughout my life, I dedicated my heart and my remaining years to the Lodge, promoting the study of the sutras, encouraging the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo, and making vows to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

However, after I passed away due to illness, many people assumed that I had successfully attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land. In truth, I had fallen into the hells to suffer retribution. My past actions—such as my resistance toward Venerable Masters who came to Singapore to deliver lectures—prevented countless people from hearing the teachings of the Pure Land. These were actions taken in the human world, and they led to suffering retribution in the hells. It was Practitioner Su, now respectfully known as Practitioner Su, who rescued me from that darkness. She guided me to listen to the sutras at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre before finally helping me achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Pain of Unheeded Truth

I have written to the Singapore Buddhist Lodge on several occasions, hoping that they would understand my true situation. Even the Venerables and lay practitioners from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia travelled personally to Singapore to visit the Lodge, yet they were turned away at the door. This is truly heartbreaking. When the truth is revealed after death, the living often choose to ignore it, preferring to maintain a comfortable illusion. By doing so, they lose the chance to learn from the mistakes of others.

During my life, I was self-righteous. I believed that my way was the only way, but in reality, I was sowing the seeds for the evil consequences I later faced in the hells. Because I held myself in such high regard, no one dared to correct me or point out my errors. Yet, after death, the laws of karma and cause and effect are crystal clear. It is not up to one's own opinion to decide what is right or wrong. Good deeds bring good rewards, but wrong actions inevitably lead to the bitter fruits of suffering. I am eternally grateful for the life-saving grace of Practitioner Su.

A Vision for the Future

The beauty of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is described in the sutras and in the lectures of many Venerables. Attaining rebirth in the Western Pure Land is the ultimate goal for every practitioner who chants Namo Amituofo, even though very few in this world truly fulfil this wish in their current lifetime. Now, under the guidance of Namo Amituofo, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is preparing to build the Amitabha Village.

This has been the dream of so many, yet it has remained unfulfilled due to the many complex challenges involved. Today, if the necessary funding and human resources can be aligned, the Amitabha Village will finally manifest in this world. Those who come to reside there will have the golden opportunity to chant Namo Amituofo and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is such a magnificent endeavour that we should proclaim it to the world! I invite everyone to join the ranks of those in the Amitabha Village, to realise the dream of every practitioner, and to leave suffering behind and find happiness. I am waiting for you all in the Western Pure Land.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo