This is a record of an interview with Lay Practitioner Xu Awei, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on March 31, 2023.
Lay Practitioner Xu Awei speaks:
". I am Xu Awei. From the time I was young, my elders taught me that to be a person of integrity, one must be honest and one's heart must remain kind. These were words that served me for my entire life. I took them to heart, and I have kept them there ever since. In those days, I observed so many people who, in their struggle for survival, cared only for themselves and their own immediate families. The final outcome for such people was rarely good. I saw far too many examples of this in my own life, which is why I always hoped that my children would never grow up to be selfish individuals."
A Legacy of Honesty and Kindness
"Think about it—life passes by in the blink of an eye. A whole lifetime is over before you know it. To be able to speak in this way now, from where I am, is truly inconceivable. Today, my wife and I have both decided to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We made this choice after hearing Practitioner Su deliver talks, which helped us realise that it was time to let go of all our lingering concerns and worries regarding our descendants. Originally, after we both passed away, we were in different places; it was only after coming here to Practitioner Su that we were reunited. Today, we have chosen to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss together, precisely because we do not want our descendants to worry about us any longer."
A Message to My Descendants
"I hope that as members of the Xu family, all of our descendants will continue to keep their hearts pure and kind. Do not let yourselves be polluted by the harsh realities of this modern society. If you have the ability, always remember to extend a helping hand to those in need. This is what I hope my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will strive to do. I know that in the current world, survival can be difficult and there are many unavoidable frustrations, but I truly hope that my descendants can maintain right . I hope that this can be passed down from my grandchildren to my great-grandchildren, and even to the generations beyond. If more people can hold onto right mindfulness, the world will be a more stable and peaceful place."
A Personal Debt of Gratitude
"I am now in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I know that several members of our Xu family have already arrived here as well. It was because Yishan encountered Practitioner Su that we were able to be helped. Yishan, you are a good girl with a kind heart. There are many things in this world that you should not grasp onto so tightly. Do not be overly calculating about the affairs of this world; instead, allow yourself to live with a free and open spirit. Work with your husband and children to contribute more to society. Life passes by so quickly. You must persist on the path of liberation; otherwise, how will you know where you might wander in the future? Since you understand these truths, you must let more people know about them, so that you can help more people avoid further suffering. If my family is willing to believe what I have said, I will be very happy. If they are not willing to believe, then I will simply let it be, according to the Law of Cause, Condition, and Effect."
"Please, on my behalf, express my deepest gratitude to Practitioner Su and to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Namo Amituofo."
