This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Zhang Yafang, the mother of Lay Practitioner Zhu Liyun. She sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her transition from the cycle of rebirth to the Buddha-land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on December 20, 2024.
Lay Practitioner Zhang Yafang speaks:
". I am Zhang Yafang. Standing before the great Namo Amituofo, I could not help but weep openly. From the very moment my spirit entered the Buddha-land, a powerful, cooling stream of light washed over me, instantly making my mind clear and bright. Now that I have truly seen Namo Amituofo, I simply cannot hold back my tears. These are not tears of sadness, but of profound release; deep within, I finally felt the crushing weight of the cycle of rebirth that I had been trapped in for so long. Every single life I lived was just a prelude to the next cycle of suffering. I was caught in a relentless loop, and I could not stop it—until now. I have finally reached the end of that long, weary road. If it were not for the Buddha, and if it were not for Practitioner Su, how could I have ever found my way out?"
The Weight of Past
"When my soul first arrived in the Buddha-land, I was confronted with the reality of my past. I saw the immense amount of karma I had accumulated, life after life, and it was all laid out before me with terrifying clarity. I saw my , still suffering in the darkness, waiting for a resolution that I had been unable to provide. I wept many times while in the Buddha-land, for my heart was heavy with the burden of not knowing how to repay those debts. I felt so helpless, so utterly lost in the face of my own past actions."
"My heart has always been tethered to my family. Even as a spirit, I could not let go of them; I wanted to stay by their side, to protect them, to remain connected. Every time I thought of the debts I had left unpaid, and every time I thought of my family, my heart ached with a pain that is difficult to describe. In those moments, I felt the true, stinging bitterness of the human world. I know that there are many who have suffered far more than I, but the attachment I felt was a heavy chain that kept me bound to the cycle of rebirth."
A Path to Liberation
"Amidst this internal turmoil, I am so deeply grateful that the Buddha did not abandon me. The Buddha-light shone upon me, constantly cleansing my spirit, layer by layer. It was only when I finally understood the truth—when I was truly willing to let go of my attachments—that I realised what I needed to do. My only path forward was to seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, to study diligently under the guidance of the Buddha, and to eventually find a way to repay my karmic creditors. I understand now that without a physical body, the material things of the world are gone forever. I have finally come to terms with this, and I know that I must seize this magnificent opportunity to learn and grow."
"I am profoundly grateful to my child for arranging this Chao Du for me. Without that act of , I would never have had the chance to reach this level of understanding, nor would I have been able to find this peace. The suffering and pain of the cycle of rebirth are universal; every single person carries them. The only question is whether one has awakened to this reality, whether the Causal Conditions have matured, and whether one can truly understand the nature of existence."
A Message of Hope
"I am so thankful for this magnificent Causal Condition. Now, I feel my spirit becoming clearer and more refreshed with every passing moment. I hope that those who knew me, and even those who did not, can find some insight in these words I share today. I truly hope that more people will come to know the Buddha and understand the truth of the . I am now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I hold onto the hope that one day, I will have the chance to be reunited with my family. My gratitude is beyond words. Namo Amituofo."
