The Tears of Repentance and the Path to Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Chen Jingren, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her journey of repentance and rebirth. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on May 17, 2024.

Chen Jingren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Jingren, the sister-in-law of Lay Practitioner Huang Xiufang. Today, I have made the firm decision to seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. When I first beheld the radiant presence of the Buddha, I could not hold back my tears. They flowed uncontrollably, like a dam that had finally broken. I did not understand at first why my heart felt so heavy, why this sorrow was so profound. But as the clarity of the Dharma washed over me, I realised that I was weeping for the immeasurable and boundless suffering I have endured throughout my many lives in the cycle of samsara."

Confronting the Shadows of the Past

"The moment Practitioner Su reached out to guide me, my entire being trembled. In that instant, the veil was lifted, and I saw the scenes of my past lives playing out before my eyes. I saw myself holding a butcher’s knife, taking the lives of countless animals. I saw the harm I had inflicted upon others, the deep wounds I had left in the hearts of those I encountered. I had accumulated such immense, immeasurable karma. My tears were not just of sadness, but of deep, soul-wrenching regret. When I finally stood before the Buddha, the very first words that escaped my lips were, 'Buddha, I was wrong.' I poured out my repentance, hoping with every fibre of my being that my karmic creditors would hear my plea and find peace."

The Peace of the Western Land

"Now that I have arrived in the magnificent Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart has finally found a stillness I never knew possible. Yet, even in this state of grace, there remains a lingering concern for the beings I have yet to repay. I see now that my time in the world was merely a series of Causal Conditions unfolding, one after another. Every cycle of reincarnation is filled with such intense suffering, yet we are often so blinded by our own ignorance that we do not even realise we are suffering. We are trapped, unable to wake up. My heart is now overflowing with gratitude—gratitude to the Buddha, to Practitioner Su, and to my sister-in-law, Huang Xiufang, for creating this magnificent opportunity for me to be delivered."

A Message of Hope for My Family

"I have reached this beautiful, serene Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and all the agony of my past has been left behind. But when I think of my family still struggling in the world, my heart aches for them. I am now a Buddha of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, resting within a lotus. It is my deepest hope that my beloved family members will come to know the Buddha and study the Dharma because of me. It was the Buddha who saved me. If you miss me, please chant Namo Amituofo, for I am here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, chanting Namo Amituofo alongside you. I am eternally grateful for the Buddha’s compassion and for this magnificent, life-changing Causal Condition. Namo Amituofo."