A Grandfather's Journey to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with He Shimei, who sought 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 life and his eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on June 6, 2025.

Lay Practitioner He Shimei speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I offer my deepest thanks to the Buddha and my profound gratitude to Practitioner Su. It is only because of this immense grace that I, He Shimei, have been able to behold the Buddha and arrive here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Buddha looks upon me with such compassion, smiling at me constantly, and I find myself smiling back at Him in return.

A World of Radiant Gold

The flowers, grasses, and trees here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss sway gently in the breeze, and they are all made of gold. Everything sparkles and shines with a brilliant light. Looking at this scene is truly pleasing to the eye; it makes my heart feel exceptionally open and bright. My mood is wonderful, better than it has ever been.

To me, it feels as though it all happened in the blink of an eye—as if everything changed in an instant. Not long ago, I was still just a child, and then suddenly, I had a family of my own, facing the daily struggles of life, and finally, facing the reality of death. After death, there was only darkness, until now, when I have finally seen this vast expanse of light and encountered the Buddha.

The Dream of Reincarnation

Everything that happened in my life feels just like a dream; the changes were so incredibly fast. Now, at last, all of that is behind me. I have found a truly magnificent destination: the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I want to thank my granddaughter for all her help. Generation after generation, time passes by so quickly. Now, my grandchildren are grown up as well. You are all much luckier than I was, for you have the opportunity to know the Buddha. You must cherish this opportunity and hold onto it tightly.

A Legacy of Goodness

The fact that so many of us in the He family have been able to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss together shows that we have a deep karmic affinity with the Buddha, and it is also the result of the merits we accumulated in the past. As your grandfather, I truly hope that our descendants will continue to do many good deeds and learn the teachings of the Buddha.

The Buddha saved your grandfather, and He saved our entire family. Therefore, if we have the chance, we must help more people come to know the Buddha. Only then can we truly be said to be repaying the Buddha's kindness.

The Necessity of Liberation

Coming here to this Buddha-land, I have seen the cycle of reincarnation—the cycle that we are all trapped in. We can never predict what will happen next, and it is only now that I truly understand that one must escape this cycle. That is why my heart is filled with such gratitude, and I hope to use this opportunity to let all my descendants know the truth.

If you have the Causal Conditions and the good roots, please share what your grandfather has said with as many people as possible. Helping others in this way is a virtuous act. Having said what I needed to say, I now offer my final prostrations to the Buddha, with gratitude for everything. Namo Amituofo. He Shimei bows in reverence."