From the Slithering Earth to the Lotus Seat

On June 12, 2020, Mr. Chen Jinlong, the uncle of Practitioner Su, was delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Following his arrival, he accepted an interview to share his journey from the depths of the lower realms to the light of the Buddha’s compassion.

Mr. Chen Jinlong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. My name is Chen Jinlong, and I am the uncle of the one you call Practitioner Su—or as I have always known her, Ah-E.

A Reunion Beyond Time

Ah-E! I never imagined that you, who were just a child back then, would grow up to be such a remarkable person. You have achieved so much and have taken on the heavy responsibility of being the master of such a grand temple. It is truly extraordinary! It is precisely because of your great spiritual success today that you were able to save your uncle. Who would have thought that I would be saved by Ah-E?" (He wipes away tears.)

"You brought me here, and the power you displayed just moments ago truly startled me. You appeared as a magnificent, radiant figure, glowing with light. The moment you reached out and took my hand, we were instantly transported here. This is the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—the very same Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss established by Namo Amituofo at the temple! I see your father, your mother, your grandmother, your grandfather, and our other relatives. Are those your brothers? I cannot quite recognise them all, but they look so familiar, and they are all smiling at me. Everyone is here! Even your uncle is here! I hardly recognise them because they are all beaming with such light. They look so relaxed, so incredibly happy. I cannot help but shed tears of joy."

The Agony of the Serpent Realm

"I feel truly ashamed, yet at the same time, I am filled with such happiness. I am ashamed because, after I passed away, I fell into the realm of snakes. I did not even realise I had become a snake; I only knew that my body was constantly crawling along the ground. Whenever I saw people approaching, I would instinctively flick my tongue and slither away to hide under piles of grass or beneath rocks. I do not know how long I lived like that.

Then, one day, a brilliant light shone upon me and pulled me here. I was told to shed my clothes, and as I did, the snake skin finally fell away. It was as if I had just woken up from a long, dark dream. Afterward, I was drawn into a beautiful, fragrant lotus seat that glowed with immense light. As I slowly began to recall my past, I realised that the golden light that had saved me and brought me here was none other than Ah-E! I could hardly believe it, yet I feel so happy for her. I have been listening to Ah-E give Dharma talks, and she speaks so wonderfully! When I was alive, I had a difficult personality. I was stubborn and held onto grudges, which is why I fell into the snake realm after death. I never had the chance to listen to a master teach the Dharma while I was alive; I did not understand the laws of karma and cause and effect. That is why my fate after death was so miserable.

A Debt of Gratitude

I just saw how everyone feels so sad about the pain in your legs. I know that you are bearing so much suffering for the sake of all beings. I understand now that if it were not for your sacrifice, this temple would not exist, and we would never have been able to reach the Western Pure Land. Thank you, thank you so much.

Thank you, Namo Amituofo. Thank you, Ah-E. Thank you to everyone!"

Interview recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.