From the Depths of Hell to the Western Land

This interview was recorded on October 13, 2019, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It features the testimony of Guan Chonglian and his wife, Guan-Huang Shi, who were saved from the torments of the hells through the compassionate Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su. They now reside in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Guan Chonglian and Guan-Huang Shi speak:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Guan Chonglian. I started my life with nothing, building my own business from the ground up. Through sheer effort, I eventually gained a modest reputation in the local area and earned enough money that I truly believed I could provide a comfortable life for my wife and children. While the latter half of my life was relatively prosperous, I never imagined that after death, I would be dragged into the hells to face judgment. It was because some of the wealth I had accumulated during my life was obtained through illicit means. These were things that no one in the world knew about, yet before the halls of the underworld, every single detail was recorded with absolute clarity. I had no way to defend myself. I was cast into the hells to suffer punishment; my body was hung upside down and whipped, forced to 'spit out' the ill-gotten gains. It was truly a life of unbearable suffering!"

The Darkness of Retribution

"I endured this relentless, cruel torture for what felt like an eternity. There was no light, only absolute darkness, the smell of blood, and the constant, piercing sounds of wailing. It was a miserable, wretched existence. Why am I speaking of this so clearly now? It is because I want my descendants to understand this truth: when you earn money, you must ensure your conscience is clear. Any wealth obtained through illegal means will inevitably result in karmic retribution. Think about it—is a moment of greed worth an eternity of such agony? I have come to realise that the weight of one's actions follows the soul long after the physical body has perished."

A Miraculous Deliverance

"Now, my heart is much more peaceful. Is this truly the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? It is such an incredibly wonderful place—so bright, so magnificent, and so glorious! I never expected that after suffering such profound torment, I would be able to arrive here. The transformation is so sudden, so vast! I have truly left suffering behind! It was the great benefactor, Practitioner Su, who reached out to save us and lead us here. My descendant, Guan Jun, was already waiting here to welcome us. We met with hearts full of joy. To have such a descendant, we are completely satisfied and at peace."

The Journey of the Ancestors

"Your grandmother has also entered with me. She had bound feet, so she walks quite slowly. It is fortunate that Practitioner Su was there to guide her, otherwise, who knows how long it would have taken her to reach this place. We are deeply grateful to the great benefactor, Practitioner Su, and to our granddaughter-in-law, Xingying, for their compassion. We hope our story serves as a reminder to all who hear it to live with integrity and to practise the Dharma with sincerity. Namo Amituofo."

This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Buddhist disciple Venerable HaiZe.