The Truth of the Soul Revealed After Death

This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Yang Yongyuan, who sought spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the human world. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 27, 2023.

Lay Practitioner Yang Yongyuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Yang Yongyuan, and I have finally arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The moment I arrived, I beheld the magnificent, towering presence of Namo Amituofo. I immediately fell to my knees before the Buddha, tears streaming down my face. I felt such profound gratitude—truly, a gratitude that words can barely express. I am so deeply thankful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su for their boundless compassion.

The Heavy Weight of Karma

In my past life, I was ignorant. I did not understand that when karma comes to collect its debt, it is a truly terrifying and serious matter. It is not something to be taken lightly. Now that I have endured such suffering myself, and after spending a significant amount of time listening to the Dharma teachings under the guidance of Practitioner Su, I have finally seen the truth clearly. I now understand exactly how it all works.

A Life Spent in Vain

If I were given another chance to be reborn, I would never, ever live the same life again. I spent every single day living only for this physical body, living only for my family. And in the end? It was all for nothing—a complete void. I left the human world with empty hands, accompanied only by my karma, which followed me to endure the suffering. There was no one by my side to help me. I was so lonely, so incredibly pained. But now, I understand what this is—this is what we call the cycle of rebirth. I can even say it clearly now: it is exactly as the Infinite Life Sutra describes, 'alone in birth, alone in death, alone in coming, alone in going.' I spent a long time chanting and studying the sutras every day just to grasp this one truth. It is absolutely correct. I have experienced it firsthand.

The Hidden Suffering of the Soul

Everyone is like this; it is not just me. Everyone is suffering deeply, but because they still possess a physical body, they are unaware of how much their own soul is suffering. I wonder if my own children understand the suffering of their souls. Looking at them now, I suspect they still do not understand. After all, they have been using these physical bodies for decades; it is so easy to be deceived by the sensations and desires of the flesh. It is so difficult for them to realise that deep inside the body, there is a soul that is suffering.

A Final Plea to My Family

However, I truly hope that my children and all my family members can come to understand this. Once you die, the physical body is gone, and it is this soul that emerges from within. Where will that soul go? No one knows. I certainly did not know. If you end up in a place of suffering, who knows when you will ever find liberation? But if you start now—if you start chanting Namo Amituofo, seeking rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, listening to the Dharma, and working hard to change your personality—perhaps you can secure your path to the Western Land. I hope you will all strive for this.

I am eternally grateful to Namo Amituofo. I am eternally grateful to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo."