From Flower Spirit to Prison Guard: A Journey of Awakening

This is a record of an interview with Nagelia, 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 long journey through various realms and her eventual transition into the human world and beyond. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on December 4, 2022.

Nagelia speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Throughout the entire process of my life's transformation, I have always been in a passive state. I had no way to choose my own origins, yet my spirit remained relatively clear. I have always been striving to find an exit from these constant changes; I have been seeking true liberation.

I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today. I will cherish it dearly, for I know how incredibly difficult it is to wait for such an opportunity. I am especially grateful for the compassionate heart of Practitioner Su. On behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and for the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Flower's Transformation into Human Form

"I was once a flower, but after my original spirit underwent a series of changes, it took on a human form. I became a young woman, yet I had no father and no mother. When I walked alone on the streets, I did not know where I belonged; I could only keep walking forward.

I saw that the human world was severely polluted and complex, all stemming from the human heart. This level of complexity was entirely different from the space where I originally existed. In the world of flowers, there were no such suspicions or struggles. It was a simple world, vastly different from this human world. I spent some time trying to comprehend the human world, attempting to see through the character of every person I encountered.

The human heart is ever-changing. Some people perform Goodness, while others commit evil, but in truth, the hearts of many are filled with suffering. They simply do not know how to find liberation."

Navigating the Human World

"When I arrived in the human world, I had no family or friends, yet I did not feel lonely. I knew how to communicate with the spiritual realms, and I became accustomed to the changes of the human world. I lived within it freely, unaffected by worldly dust, knowing that I had to live a life of meaning.

This was the first time in the ten thousand years since I became a flower spirit that I had attained a human body. I wanted to find a way out of the cycle of reincarnation. Once, when a sage monk passed by me, he performed the refuge ceremony for me. I still remember that single Buddha-name; it instantly filled my entire body with energy. It was because I kept that Buddha-name in my heart that I was able to attain this human body when the Causal Conditions matured.

Although my human body appeared to be eighteen years old, my character remained like that of a child—unpolluted. This allowed me to see through human nature while retaining my original spiritual power. During the day, I would travel everywhere, wanting to see this world more clearly. At night, I did not need to sleep, for my energy was still abundant. I would sit under a tree, purifying my heart and chanting that Buddha-name—Namo Amituofo."

The Tangled Vines of the Demon Seed

"The human world is filled with endless disturbances, and many worldly problems originate from this human heart. I saw that when the world began to experience an abundance of material comforts, the human heart also began to change. People's hearts started to want, to crave, and even to possess and cling to things.

This is a terrifying power; it is the seed of the evil demon. From the moment it appears to the moment it sprouts, it happens in an instant. However, most people do not notice it and allow the demon seed to grow. That is a terrifying situation, for the demon seed grows vines that tightly entangle people's hearts. Unless everyone cuts these vines, their own hearts will be completely controlled, leaving them unable to be the master of their own lives.

I saw that many people in this world cannot be their own masters. Everyone is trapped within their own emotions, feelings, and desires. They even harm others or forcibly seize the interests of others for their own sake. This makes the world impure and leads to constant changes. All beings, for the sake of themselves, are trapped in these changes and cannot wake up."

A Mission of Compassion

"Seeing these things in the world made my heart very sad. I tried many methods to help the people of the world, but in the process of helping them, I was often hurt instead. I felt sad for a long time, but soon I gathered my spirits again. I hoped that I could do my best to do more, to help the people of the world as much as I could.

I used most of my spiritual power to disguise myself as an old woman, and I went to the mountains to pick healthy wild vegetables to sell at the market. I hoped that in the process of selling vegetables, I could have more contact with the people at the market. I would try my best to share the truth with them. Later, as Causal Conditions arose, I also tried to educate children. I worked hard to tell everyone not to let their hearts change, but the number of people who could truly listen was limited.

Being able to help even one more person is good, because it represents one more opportunity for this world to change. I am very grateful that I was able to meet Practitioner Su in this lifetime. Seeing Practitioner Su's vow to save the world reminded me of my own past experiences of wanting to save people. The current world is a Five Turbidities and Evil World; saving people is no longer an easy task. I deeply admire the spirit of Practitioner Su in saving the world, which has allowed me to renew my own vows and hope that I can follow in the footsteps of Practitioner Su."

The Path to Liberation

"In this human body, I saw all the states of the world. Finally, because my time in the world had come to an end, I left the human world. But this time, I did not return to my original space. I chose to come before the King of Hell, hoping for an opportunity for liberation. Because I had seen too much in the world, my heart was already awake, and I wanted to seek a way to be liberated.

The sutras taught by Practitioner Su are excellent! I have learned a great deal from them and have benefited immensely. The King of Hell, in his compassion, assigned me the work of organizing documents. At the same time, I worked hard to listen to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks and practised myself. Finally, today, I have been able to obtain this opportunity for liberation, and my heart is filled with Dharma joy.

Although saving the world is not easy, it is truly the most important thing! We all should have this responsibility, knowing that we must be like Practitioner Su, making vows and setting our hearts to save the world and deliver beings. This is how we can save ourselves and also save all sentient beings.

Nagelia, on behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, bows in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and for the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Nagelia, with palms joined."