From the Depths of Samsara to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Zou Ziliang, the uncle of Lay Practitioner Sun Liping, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the cycle of rebirth to the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on June 3, 2022.

Lay Practitioner Zou Ziliang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Liping, thanks to your merit, your uncle has finally arrived in the Western Pure Land. Looking back at my life in the human world, I did not do much good, nor did I understand how to practise the Dharma. It was only after my life ended that I felt the weight of regret, but by then, it was already too late. I cried out incessantly, yet there was no one to save me. I was trapped, waiting to be reincarnated again, and the suffering was truly unbearable. It was a darkness that seemed to have no end."

The Darkness of the Void

"There was no light, no hope in sight. I was trapped in a cycle of endless torment, suffering in ways I cannot describe. I felt as though I were drowning in a sea of my own past mistakes. Then, suddenly, a golden light appeared before me. I heard a voice calling my name, 'Zou Ziliang,' and in that moment, I was saved. It was a light so brilliant and warm that it pierced through the very fabric of my despair.

I did not know who was calling me, nor did I understand who had rescued me. My spirit was pulled away from that agony—it felt exactly like being 'extracted'—and in a single instant, I left that dark space and arrived in a world that was incredibly bright, tranquil, and peaceful. At that time, I still did not know where I was, but the terror that had gripped my soul for so long simply vanished."

A Lotus of Peace

"I found myself sitting on a lotus flower. It emitted a pure, refreshing fragrance that calmed my heart more and more. It felt as if all the suffering I had endured before that moment was merely a dream. It was truly inconceivable. The peace here is not like anything in the human world; it is a profound stillness that heals the spirit completely.

Later, I learned that it was Practitioner Su who had saved me. I knelt in gratitude to Practitioner Su for his great compassion. I began to listen to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su, and after hearing them for the first time, I could not help but weep. The words resonated with a truth I had never known in my lifetime."

A Message to My Niece

"Liping, it is your uncle. From the moment I passed away until I was rescued, I suffered so deeply! This experience of suffering has made me cherish the teachings here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre even more. The Dharma talks by Practitioner Su have helped me to wake up and see clearly what the cycle of rebirth is truly about. It is a cycle of confusion and pain that we must strive to break.

I know that physical illness has been tormenting you, but I hope you can find clarity. This human body is fragile; once the breath stops, everything ends. Why let the entanglements of this world weigh you down? It is better to let go of your heart, focus on chanting Namo Amituofo, and one day we will reunite in the Western Pure Land. It is truly wonderful here. Namo Amituofo."