Drifting on the Waves of Karma: A Jailer's Awakening

This is a record of an interview with Zhou Taishan, a spirit who served as a jailer in the underworld before seeking deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now reflects upon his long journey through the cycle of rebirth and his eventual encounter with the Dharma. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on March 31, 2024.

Zhou Taishan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am profoundly grateful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su for their immense compassion and virtue. If not for the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, we would all still be drifting aimlessly on the waves of karma, with no idea when that suffering might ever end.

I am deeply thankful for the great vows and powerful efforts of Practitioner Su, which have allowed us to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss today. We will truly cherish and seize this opportunity. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

A Soul Shaped by Samsara

I am Zhou Taishan, a soul who has experienced many lifetimes within the cycle of rebirth. My story encompasses the entire spectrum of existence—from the depths of poverty to the heights of wealth, and from the darkness of delusion to the light of awakening. Every experience in each of my past lives has been a precious treasure for my soul's growth, and a key to understanding life and the laws of karma and cause and effect. Let me recount my story from the beginning—a long chronicle of reincarnation, karmic retribution, and eventual awakening.

In one distant lifetime, I was a beggar, living at the very bottom of society. My status was humble, and I spent every day scrambling for a morsel of food; my life seemed utterly miserable. Yet, even in such dire circumstances, I kept a sense of purity and goodness within my heart. I understood deeply that material poverty does not equate to spiritual poverty. True wealth comes from helping and caring for others.

I would often pick up trash on the streets, hoping that this small act would prevent passersby from tripping. Although my actions were insignificant, I believed that even the smallest act of goodness could bring a glimmer of light to this world. When that lifetime ended, I had no material accumulations, but I possessed a heart of contentment and peace—something no amount of wealth could ever compare to.

The Trap of Material Wealth

When I stepped into my next life, everything changed. I was born into a wealthy family. From childhood, I had no worries about food or clothing, living in a state of luxury that others envied. For a time, I became lost. I began to pursue more material pleasures and craved higher social status. I forgot the lessons of my previous life; I forgot that true happiness and satisfaction come from spiritual abundance, not from external possessions.

I gradually became selfish and cold, lacking the most basic care and compassion for the people and events around me. Although my life was rich and colourful, it was hollow and boring; my heart could find no satisfaction. When death came again, I lay on that magnificent bed, reviewing my life, and felt only deep regret and emptiness. I had possessed everything, yet I had lost the most important thing: inner peace and contentment.

The Call of the Dharma

After long cycles of rebirth and searching, through countless dark nights and confusion, I finally heard the sound of chanting Namo Amituofo coming from a temple. That distant, clear sound was like a call from another world, awakening my long-slumbering soul. I began to reflect on my past and started to search once again for that simple, kind self. In this process, I experienced the pain of repentance and felt the joy of awakening.

When I returned to the human world again, I became Zhou Taishan—an ordinary person, but one with an extraordinary heart. From childhood, I was taught to treat every life with compassion and to use my actions to warm others. I began to actively participate in social welfare activities, helping those in need. Whenever I saw the smiles on their faces because of my help, my heart was filled with incomparable joy and satisfaction.

The True Meaning of Life

I once again realised the lesson from my past life: true happiness does not lie in how much one possesses, but in how much one gives. I understood that every life deserves to be respected and cherished, and every act of help is a purification and sublimation of one's own soul. In this life, I no longer pursued material wealth, but rather spiritual abundance. I strove to do good and remained positive, filling my life with meaning and value.

Until the very last moment of that life, my heart remained simple and kind. I am grateful for all my experiences and for every opportunity for learning and growth that the cycle of rebirth provided. I know deeply that all of this was part of my practice, a necessary path toward awakening.

As that life came to an end, I embarked on the journey of reincarnation once more, filled with satisfaction and peace. I believe that no matter what I am reborn as in the next life, I will carry this enlightened heart with me to continue my learning and my practice. Because I understand that the true meaning of life does not lie in external gains, but in the awakening and elevation of the heart.

Service in the Underworld

Namo Amituofo. I pray that on the road of reincarnation, I can continue to move forward and awaken until I finally achieve spiritual liberation and freedom. When I arrived in the underworld, I knew I still had to continue my efforts. Later, I was fortunate enough to receive this opportunity to serve sentient beings in the underworld. I am very grateful and cherish this chance, and I have been actively working within it.

After several years, I finally had the opportunity to hear Practitioner Su give Dharma talks in the underworld. This is truly a magnificent Dharma. The principles explained by Practitioner Su are all aimed at helping sentient beings leave suffering behind and truly escape the cycle of rebirth.

I am very grateful to have this opportunity to learn and practise. Every day, outside of my service, I diligently listen to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks and strive to cultivate myself, because I hope to truly grow and help more sentient beings.

Every day is very fulfilling. I thank Practitioner Su for his great compassion and vows, which have enabled countless sentient beings to leave suffering behind and find liberation.

On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Zhou Taishan, with palms joined."