From Celestial Wanderer to Pure Land Resident

This is a record of an interview with Han Enfu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his journey from a celestial being to a human, then a hell guard, and finally his deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on June 15, 2025.

Han Enfu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to the compassionate Practitioner Su, who today led us, sixty prison guards from the underworld, to step together into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. That moment felt truly like a dream. We were rescued from the sea of suffering and finally found a place to rest in the pure Buddha-land, no longer bound to the cycle of reincarnations and suffering. This Dharma grace is something I could never repay, no matter how many lifetimes I might have.

Having experienced so many kalpas of reincarnations, we truly understand what suffering is. Yet, in every lifetime, I could never find the way home. Now, under the guidance and acceptance of Practitioner Su, we have finally found it, and we have truly returned."

A Celestial Wanderer's Fall

"I am Han Enfu. It may make you laugh to hear this, but my identity... I was originally an old immortal in the heavens. I spent thousands of years there, living a life of ethereal grace, free from all worries. But I was not the type of immortal who followed the rules; I had a particular fondness for sneaking down to the human world to play.

Since I came down in secret, I had to leave in secret. I loved the thrill of being 'unseen by gods or ghosts,' feeling that this was the only way to live up to my status as an immortal with spiritual power. At first, I descended simply for the novelty of it. I saw the myriad states of human life—the sour, the sweet, the bitter, and the spicy—which were far more vibrant and lively than the heavens. After looking at the clouds, immortal fruits, and jade palaces of the celestial realm for so long, I found myself more moved by the rising smoke from human chimneys, the aroma of home-cooked meals, and the laughter of children.

I assumed no one in the heavens knew of my actions. Who would have guessed that I played too recklessly and was eventually caught? That day, I was preparing for another 'incognito visit,' but before I could even descend, the heavenly soldiers and generals reported me. The Jade Emperor summoned me to the palace immediately. That was the first time I truly felt a chill in my heart."

The Agony of the Human Realm

"In the great hall, stack upon stack of records were presented—the exact times, locations, and activities of my secret descents were all listed in detail. I could not even argue. The Jade Emperor asked me in a deep voice, 'Is this true?' I was speechless and could only lower my head in acknowledgment.

On the spot, I was demoted. It was not a standard reincarnation; I was 'dropped' directly into the human world, my soul entering the body of a five-year-old child who was terminally ill. This child was riddled with sickness. In that moment, I truly understood what it meant to have 'hells on earth.' The body was so fragile that even a breeze caused pain; my internal organs felt as if they were burning, my skin was ulcerated, and my bones were twisted. Once I entered that body, I could not move. There was only suffering, suffering, and more suffering.

However, I still retained my memories. I knew I was not the original soul of this child, but that I had fallen due to heavenly crimes and had to endure this karmic retribution. Yet, I thought to myself: 'Since I am here, so be it. I cannot let this suffering be in vain.' Since I was living in this child's body, I would take his place and live out a meaningful life."

Finding Purpose in a Broken Body

"I began to learn how to nurture this body. Although I no longer possessed celestial powers, I remembered some healing methods and could faintly sense the energy of medicinal herbs. When my foster parents brought me herbal soup, I would focus on absorbing its essence, and even in my dreams, I would guide the body's energy channels to slowly adjust. If the pain was severe at night, I would silently chant the Buddha-name to soothe myself. Most importantly, I remembered one thing: I must perform Goodness.

Although the body was weak, as long as I had this shell, I still had Causal Conditions. I observed every corner of the village. I kept in mind who was poor, which children were hungry, and which elderly people were lonely. Although I lacked the strength to help them personally, I would 'guide' others to do so. I trained this child's body to become a tool of compassion and perception. I learned to use words to comfort others, and I would occasionally say things that sounded 'beyond my years,' helping the adults resolve their conflicts.

The villagers began to be surprised by how the child had changed, saying I was no longer as melancholic as before, but rather possessed a certain 'spirit.' They only thought the illness was clearing up, never suspecting that the soul within the child was no longer the original one. While I helped the child's body improve, I still faced many interference issues."

The Path of Compassion and Chanting

"Because this child had been a general with heavy karma in a past life, having killed countless people, there were many spirits seeking revenge the moment he was born, hoping the child would pay their debts and their lives. The body had been growing weaker due to this constant tug-of-war. I could clearly see these karmic creditors, and from the perspective of the laws of karma and cause and effect, I could understand them. But since my soul was now in this body, I made a vow to help these victims find light and a way out.

The child's grandmother chanted Buddha's name, and I saw that every time she did, bright energy radiated from her, and many beings followed that light to leave. Thus, I knew that sincere chanting could help these beings. Once I realised this, I began to chant while in the child's body. At first, my chanting was not focused, and I faced much interference. But I knew this method was effective, so I started to practise continuously. During this process, I found that more and more beings orbiting the body were purified by the Buddha-light, and their desire for revenge was no longer so intense.

In addition, I continued to use the child's body to help more people. Through this accumulation of merit, the beings received the benefits of that merit and, purified by the Buddha-name, gained the conditions for deliverance. I knew the child's life would not be long, so whenever I had the chance to help others, I did so with all my heart. The rest of the time, I chanted. I hoped to use the power of the Buddha-name to help more beings attached to the boy find liberation."

From Stone Guardian to Hell Guard

"When I acted this way every day, I unintentionally formed good connections with many beings. Because of this, the child's body became healthier, and the neighbours were delighted and praised the child for his initiative in helping others. The spirits attached to me also calmed down due to my chanting. Seeing all this, my heart was joyful. In the process, I also saw the many sufferings of the human world; everyone was struggling so hard for their livelihood and for this human body, yet they did not always achieve good results. Seeing this, I deeply wanted to help more people.

When the child was seventeen, it was fated that a group of very intense beings would take his life. Despite my efforts, I could not resolve their grievances, and they took the child's life. As the child's life came to an end, my spirit departed and drifted naturally into a large stone. Within that stone, I naturally emitted a magnetic field that protected the surroundings, giving those nearby a sense of peace and security. When I did this, many people could feel it. They tied red ribbons on the stone and brought incense and fruit to pay their respects. I communicated with everyone who came or passed by in a spiritual way, bringing them peace and joy.

One day, I saw a monastic, and I suddenly remembered the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo' that I had chanted while in the child's body. When I sincerely chanted 'Namo Amituofo,' a warm force suddenly carried me out of the space within the stone. I saw the Jade Emperor appear before me, saying, 'The karmic obstacles you originally created have been cleared because you performed good deeds. Now, you may choose to return to the heavenly realms or report to the King of Hell? The King of Hell has given you the opportunity to serve as a prison guard to help beings.' I did not hesitate and decided to report to the underworld to serve beings."

The Final Deliverance

"I arrived before the King of Hell. As I knelt and recounted my past, the King of Hell, seeing my heart to help others, compassionately granted me the position of a prison guard, allowing me to use my abilities to serve beings. I am very grateful to the King of Hell. Seeing that many suffering beings in hells could not escape due to their own personalities, I took it as a warning for myself.

When I came to serve in hells, I had the opportunity to hear Practitioner Su give Dharma talks, which introduced me to Namo Amituofo and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Whatever I learned while listening to the Dharma, I shared with the beings suffering in hells, though many could not take it in. Because of this, I began to chant, holding tightly to the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo,' hoping that one day the Buddha would lead me. I am grateful that the day finally arrived, allowing me, along with sixty prison guards and many other beings, to follow the Buddha-light to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am so grateful. Thank you to the Buddha, thank you to Practitioner Su, and I hope that even more beings can benefit.

Namo Amituofo.

Han Enfu bows in reverence."