Rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss — Zong Shutang (Grandfather of Shi Siheng)

Interview by Chief Writer: Fa Ning

July 10, 2026

Lay Practitioner Zong Shutang:

I have truly been reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Everything happened so quickly that I could not react; I was suddenly led by Practitioner Su to this wonderful world. I thought the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss might be similar to the Western Land of Dharma Nature, but it is actually quite different. After arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I feel my Body-Mind-Spirit to be even more relaxed, peaceful, and expansive.

The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly vast. Since Namo Amituofo established this world, He has led immeasurable and boundless beings here, and I am very fortunate to be one of them. Therefore, I am deeply grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I know that without the Buddha or Bodhisattva, I would not have had such a wonderful opportunity.

Upon entering the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I joyfully bowed to the Buddha and happily bathed in the eight virtues water. The eight virtues water makes one feel so cool and pure, as if it has washed away the pollution accumulated throughout my many lives. Under the Buddha’s light, we beings of the Western Land who have just arrived here have all been greatly elevated. I never imagined that this is truly the Buddha’s world!

For decades, I was a ghost, and it was only recently that I had the opportunity to leave. I thought I would always be a ghost because I had heard that one must be a ghost for a hundred years before it is possible to be reborn elsewhere.

In order to be reborn in a better place, I worked very hard in the ghost realm, helping others. I thought that would be enough to elevate my spirits and allow me to go to a better place. The world of the ghost realm is actually not much different from the human world; the biggest difference is that it is dark and sunless, always gloomy, which makes one feel low and depressed, though it is not as painful as the three lower realms.

For these decades, I had long been accustomed to the life of a ghost and felt it was fine; after all, decades pass quickly.

But I never expected that I would have such tremendous blessings to be able to come to the Western Land of Dharma Nature and then to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am deeply grateful to the Buddha or Bodhisattva, and I am also very happy and grateful for the Chao Du that my grandson arranged for me.

I saw that he seemed to have performed Chao Du not only for me but also for himself and many others in the family, which surprised me a little. He is truly blessed to be able to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia as a monastic.

Although he has not yet set foot on this land, I really want to tell him that being able to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia early and witness this Buddha-land with his own eyes would be of great help to him. If he is willing to listen, it will certainly allow his Body-Mind-Spirit to gain greater elevation and growth.

Because the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a bodhimanda where the Buddha abides, it is vastly different from all other bodhimandas outside. Those who can come here to practice are also people with tremendous blessings.

If he can come here, I would be very happy, and I sincerely wish him well as he walks the Buddha's path, walking ever more broadly, and returning to our old home in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss sooner. How wonderful it would be if we could meet here, be fellow practitioners, and walk together on the path to becoming a Buddha!

I also advise my family members in the human world: if anyone still remembers me, I hope you can learn about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia sooner and learn how to find yourself again.

Do not continue to linger in this world; it is very, very painful.

The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a place of eternal purity and beauty. I hope everyone will come to witness it together.

Gratitude for the compassion of Namo Amituofo, and gratitude for the compassion of Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo

Words of Zong Shutang