Escaping the Painted World: A Prison Guard's Journey

Guang Zhengshan was a man who spent his life dedicated to environmental innovation and the pursuit of sustainability. After his passing, he found himself trapped within the landscape of a painting he had once admired, eventually transitioning into the role of a prison guard in the underworld. This interview, recorded on May 10, 2024, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, recounts his journey from the illusions of the world to his ultimate liberation in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Guang Zhengshan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I prostrate before the Buddha. For the longest time, I existed in a state of profound ignorance, completely unaware that the illusions of this world are merely false appearances. I took everything to be real, and because of that, I was bound by deep attachments. Now, I offer my deepest gratitude to the Buddha and to the compassion of Practitioner Su, who allowed me to see through all these veils. I have come to realise that the only true path is rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I chant the name of the Buddha with all my heart, and I am eternally grateful to Practitioner Su for enabling me, along with fifty-nine other prison guards and countless other sentient beings, to achieve this rebirth."

A Childhood of Scarcity and Hope

"I am Guang Zhengshan. I was born into a family of extreme poverty. To ensure I could be fed, my parents sent me to live with my grandmother. She was a woman with a hunched back and frail health, yet to give my parents peace of mind, she took on the heavy responsibility of raising me.

My grandmother relied on the meagre funds my parents sent home, and when those were not enough, we had to depend on the kindness of our neighbours. In such circumstances, how could I ever dream of having pocket money? Every time I saw my classmates with biscuits or toys, my heart would ache with envy.

It was only when I discovered that I could exchange recycled materials for small change that a glimmer of hope finally ignited within me."

The Mission to Protect the Earth

"From that moment on, I spent my days with my head bowed, scanning the ground everywhere I went. I was searching for plastic bottles, glass, or anything else that could be traded for a few coins. I would collect these items in bag after bag, piling them up in a secret spot, waiting for the day I could trade them in.

The first time I hauled four heavy bags of plastic bottles to the recycling centre, I received less than a hundred dollars. I was overjoyed! I used that money to buy some biscuits and sweets to treat myself.

As I continued this work, I began to notice the sheer volume of waste humanity produced. It was causing such terrible environmental pollution. I saw trash piling up into mountains and rivers being choked by debris. People’s lives seemed to become more convenient by the day, yet they were inflicting profound damage on the environment—a fact that most people never even noticed.

Those childhood experiences planted a seed in my heart: I felt a calling to protect the environment. I realised that this was my responsibility as a human being. I constantly pondered how we could turn waste into something useful. That thought remained in my heart, waiting for the right time to sprout."

Rising Through the Ranks

"When I was sixteen, my father passed away in a workplace accident. My mother was devastated and returned home from her work abroad. She never left home again, taking on odd jobs nearby, but the income was terribly unstable. I knew I was old enough to earn a living, so I secretly began looking for work.

Before long, I found a job at a processing factory. I started as a bottom-level operator, but I became intimately familiar with every machine and every step of the operational process. I was young, and I didn't mind how late I worked or how much overtime I put in. If the other employees couldn't cover a shift, I would take it all on.

Because of this, my supervisor saw my dedication and wanted to promote me, hoping I could contribute more to the factory. I felt a deep sense of responsibility toward my work. Within five years, I was promoted to a team leader, where I began to touch upon management duties.

Soon, I was put in charge of machine maintenance and procurement. Some people in the factory were incredibly jealous, claiming I only rose so quickly because of my relationship with the supervisor. But others knew the truth: I was a man of immense effort, and these were the results of my hard work. I ignored the whispers and continued to do what I had to do."

A Vision from a Dream

"Twenty years into my career, I had a sudden dream. In it, I saw myself as a child, scavenging for plastic bottles. The next day, while operating the machinery, I reflected on that dream, and a flash of inspiration struck me. I realised I could research a way to specially process discarded plastic bottles into a brand-new product. With my years of experience with various machines, I knew that with a few modifications, I could make it happen.

I was so excited that I went to my former supervisor—now the factory manager—and proposed the idea. I asked him to give me a space to research the machinery. He trusted me completely and agreed on the spot, even offering to fund the modifications. During a time of economic downturn, the manager had been looking for a way to transform the factory, and this was a turning point for both of us.

It took over two years of research, but I finally succeeded in developing several types of textile fabrics using a softening agent and shredded plastic bottles. Once we confirmed the stability of the fabric, we began mass production to lower costs, eventually creating clothes, trousers, and bags. Our products became a hit in the market. Many other factories came to us for advice, and because my goal was to ensure plastic bottles were widely reused to protect the environment, I taught them the technology while I moved on to research other forms of waste recycling."

The Painted Sanctuary

"I poured almost all of my time into my work. It wasn't until my mother fell gravely ill that I realised I needed to spend more time caring for my family. I used the savings I had accumulated over the years to buy a large house for us, and I will never forget the smile on my mother's face when she first saw it. Seeing how much she had aged, I didn't want to experience the regret of the child wanting to provide, but the parent being gone. So, I decided to step back from the centre of my business to spend more time with her.

I decorated our home to be very comfortable. Around that time, I developed a love for calligraphy and paintings, believing they possessed a certain spiritual energy. I began browsing and collecting pieces that spoke to me. In our dining room, I hung a landscape painting. Its atmosphere perfectly matched the vision I held in my heart. Many times, I would stare at that painting, fantasising that I had stepped right into its scenery. I never imagined that gazing at this painting would become my favourite habit in my leisure time."

From the Painting to the Underworld

"When I was sixty-six, I was diagnosed with cancer. Every day, I endured the agony of my body failing. In my final moments, my consciousness remained fixed on the scenery within that painting. I longed to enter that world, hoping to escape the pain. I never expected that this single, intense thought would actually draw my spirit into the painting. I didn't realise my physical body had passed away; I thought I was still in my original state.

I don't know how long I spent in that painted world. One day, as I was wandering through the landscape, I saw a temple. I felt the immense dignity of the place, and as I looked at the Buddha statue inside, I couldn't help but start to remember the Buddha and chant his name. I felt the Buddha's compassion wash over me.

Suddenly, a brilliant light swept me away, and I found myself standing in the Hall of the King of Hell. Seeing the majestic King of Hell before me, it was as if I had just woken from a dream. The King of Hell asked, 'How long have you been in that space?' I shook my head, not knowing. He continued, 'You have enjoyed your own space long enough! It was your thought of the Buddha and your karmic connection to him that brought you out of that painted realm. Since you have emerged and arrived at the Hall of Hell to report, it means you must now move on to your next destination.' I didn't fully understand, but I listened intently to his judgment."

A Final Deliverance

"The King of Hell said, 'In this life, your initial intention to serve the environment and your subsequent practical efforts were meritorious. Because of this, you are granted the position of a prison guard to serve sentient beings.' After hearing the judgment, I nodded and began my service in earnest.

During my time of service, I witnessed the endless suffering and pleas of the beings in hell. I came to understand that the laws of karma and cause and effect are never wrong. I also saw how easily a strong, stubborn personality can lead one to commit the sins of hell, and I prayed that all those beings might one day have the chance to wake up.

While in hell, I was fortunate enough to hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. The teachings explained the suffering of being trapped in the cycle of rebirth, the pain of the six realms of existence, and the hardships of the physical world. I realised that following Namo Amituofo to the Western Pure Land is the ultimate destination for all spirits. Knowing this, I longed for the day I could follow the Buddha. Today, thanks to these magnificent Causal Conditions, I have finally achieved rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am eternally grateful to the Buddha for his compassion, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su."

"Namo Amituofo."

"Guang Zhengshan bows in reverence."