Finding the Buddha in the Depths of Hell

This is a record of an interview with Xinjiya, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life approximately one thousand years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 4, 2024.

Xinjiya speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The long, arduous cycle of rebirth has finally reached its definitive end, and I have at last beheld the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The pure and dignified Namo Amituofo stands before us, towering and majestic, while the Three Saints of the West radiate a brilliant, all-encompassing golden light. All sixty of us, who once served as prison guards in the hells, are now kneeling in prostration before Namo Amituofo, our hearts overflowing with a gratitude that words can scarcely capture. We must also express our deepest, most sincere thanks to the compassionate Practitioner Su. Without the intervention of Practitioner Su, it would have been nearly impossible for us sixty guards to have the Causal Conditions to arrive here in the West. Every one of us is filled with a profound and overwhelming thankfulness.

There was a time, long ago, when I truly wanted to become a Buddha and study the Dharma. But later, I lost my original intention, and thus I drifted through the endless cycle of rebirth for over a thousand years, lost in the darkness of delusion.

A Childhood Vow and the Flames of War

When I first heard the Buddha’s teachings at the age of fourteen, my heart was filled with such immense, radiant joy. I marvelled at the boundless compassion of the Buddha and made a solemn, life-defining vow: I would become just like Him, to have pity on all beings and to save them from their suffering. However, a ruthless and senseless war tore my life apart, stealing my parents away and leaving me with a shattered leg, a physical mark of the trauma that would define my early years.

The fighting was incredibly intense, a chaotic storm of violence. The fires of war reached the very homes of the civilians. People were being slaughtered one by one; the elderly, the weak, the women, and the children—none could escape the carnage. Seeing this, I could not simply abandon everyone to save myself. I used every ounce of my strength to keep rescuing others. I saved my neighbours, I saved the servants in our home, and finally, I gathered my parents to flee into the unknown.

My mother was in poor health, so I carried her on my back while my father stayed by my side. Behind us followed many townspeople who were also trying to escape the encroaching death. The air was thick with panic, and everywhere we looked, we saw the tragic, lifeless bodies of those who had fallen. We ran without stopping, ignoring the exhaustion and the pain, fleeing for our lives through the darkness, praying for a salvation that seemed further away with every step.

The Ultimate Sacrifice for My People

I had hoped we would succeed in our escape, but just as we were about to reach a place of refuge, I saw an enemy soldier standing directly in our path. He had not yet spotted us, but there was no other way forward—no side paths to choose. He stood there, scanning the surroundings with a predatory gaze, hunting for us. I quickly directed everyone to hide in the tall grass. I told my father to carry my mother and lead the others back to find a safer place to hide, as it seemed the road ahead was blocked by more soldiers. I told them I would stay behind to block the path, and once I was sure they were safe, I would follow them quickly.

Everyone followed my instructions and began to retreat. Just as they had put some distance between themselves and the soldier, I began to move as well. But halfway there, another soldier appeared. He saw me immediately and blocked my path. Although he was alone, the blade in his hand was razor-sharp and glinting in the light. His eyes were filled with such malice; it was clear he intended to kill me. I had no time for fear. I had my parents and a group of people to protect. I had to hold this soldier back at all costs so he would not discover them.

The soldier asked if I was alone. I nodded immediately, insisting there was no one else. He did not believe me at first and held his blade to my throat, threatening me. I felt no fear, only resolve. I nodded again and said, 'I am certain. I am the only one.' Seeing my determination, he stopped asking. I thought he would kill me right there, but instead, he ordered me to follow him. I had no choice but to obey, my heart heavy with the weight of my secret.

A Heart Shattered by Cruelty

He led me to a gathering point where our townspeople had already been captured. Shortly after I arrived, another group was brought in—my parents and the others who had been fleeing with us. I was stunned. Fear and worry consumed me, for I did not know what these soldiers intended to do. Before I could even process the situation, the soldiers began their work. I watched in horror as they drew their blades and began to slaughter the townspeople. The air was filled with screams and wailing. I saw it all—the blood, the violence. Most painful of all, I watched as my own parents were brutally murdered before my eyes.

I screamed for them to stop, kneeling and begging for mercy, but they showed none. They killed the elderly and the women, keeping only us young men alive. We were bound with ropes, and I felt as though my soul had left my body. The horrific images played over and over in my mind, a relentless loop of agony. I was filled with such rage and hatred that I cast aside all the Dharma I had ever learned. I forgot what a Buddha was; I forgot where the Buddha could be found.

We were turned into slaves and subjected to every form of abuse. Whether they cut my flesh or chopped off my fingers, I felt nothing. It was not because my body was numb, but because my heart was in such agony. I could not understand why humans would treat each other with such cruelty. Watching others suffer, my heart felt even more pain than theirs. When my parents and the townspeople were killed, it felt as though every blade was striking my own heart, a wound that would never truly heal.

Lost in the 'Buddha' Character

During my time as a slave, I asked myself every day, 'What more can I do?' I wondered, 'Where is the Buddha?' I could not find Him. My heart was in chaos, filled with suffering. I did not want to see anyone else treated this way, so I began to plan. I thought of a perfect strategy. Every day, we slaves had a gathering—the only time we could see each other. I told them, 'Tomorrow, I will cause a scene here. Take that opportunity to run!'

When the time came, I gave them the signal. They understood. I began to roar and rampage, destroying the treasures the soldiers valued most. This drew the soldiers to me, just as I had planned, giving my companions the chance to escape. I acted with even more intensity, ensuring they had enough time to get away. The soldiers, furious, quickly subdued me. As they pressed me to the ground, I smiled, knowing my friends had escaped. The leader, realizing my ruse, was enraged. He drove his blade into my heart, and I died instantly.

Where did my spirit go after death? I entered into the space of the character 'Buddha' (佛). I entered it because, in my final moments, I was still asking, 'Where is the Buddha?' I was confused and lost, yet I still believed the Buddha existed. I just did not know where to find Him. I remained in that space for several decades—a short time, in truth. One day, a monastic saw the character I was trapped in and chanted, 'Namo Amituofo.' At that moment, I was released.

Service in the Hells and the Call of the Dharma

Upon leaving that space, I was taken into the hells. The King of Hell asked me many questions. When he asked how I felt about those who had killed my parents, I replied, 'I never harboured resentment toward them, but I was heartbroken. I could not understand why humans would slaughter one another.' The King of Hell praised my kindness and appointed me as a prison guard, giving me the chance to serve.

As a guard, my heart ached even more. Seeing so many people suffering for their karmic retribution was unbearable. I even saw those soldiers, each of them falling into the hells to be dismembered and tortured. Seeing this, I still asked, 'Where is the Buddha?'

A few years ago, I suddenly heard Practitioner Su giving a Dharma talk. When I realized I was listening to the Buddha’s teachings, I was so happy I felt as though I could fly. I listened with such focus, tears streaming down my face, filled with Dharma joy. I wanted everyone to hear it; I wanted to share it everywhere. It was only after listening to these lectures that I truly understood the laws of karma and cause and effect, and the Universal Principles.

Gratitude and Rebirth

While serving in the hells, I spent every day counseling the inmates, hoping to help them find liberation so they would not have to continue suffering. Under my guidance, many learned to chant the Buddha’s name and repent. When the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su entered the hells to perform Chao Du, they were able to leave, guided by the Buddha-light. Not long ago, my name was added to the list for Practitioner Su to lead to the Western Pure Land. I am so happy, so grateful. At this very moment, I have arrived in the West. I look at the Buddha with tears in my eyes, and I kneel in prostration to thank Practitioner Su for giving me this opportunity.

Xinjiya, bowing in reverence.

Father of Xinjiya: Xinyada

Mother of Xinjiya: Guo Fulian

My father, mother, and all the others who were killed by the soldiers in that space have all been rescued by Practitioner Su and brought into the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

Namo Amituofo."