From Heavenly Guardian to Prison Guard: A Journey of Awakening

This is a record of an interview with Wang Ming, a spirit who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his journey through the six realms of reincarnations and his eventual awakening. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on October 6, 2024.

Wang Ming speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for this karmic affinity today, which has granted me the opportunity to seek rebirth in the Pure Land. I have waited for this chance for a very long time. I am so thankful that the moment has finally arrived; I will cherish it dearly, and I know that I must strive to break through my remaining obstacles.

On behalf of all prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Descent from the Heavenly Realms

"Throughout countless cycles of reincarnations, my spirit was once a guardian of the heavenly realms, shouldering the responsibility of protecting sentient beings. Residing in the heavens, I possessed a vast perspective, able to clearly observe both the suffering and the prosperity of the human world.

Although I enjoyed tranquility in the heavens, it was only temporary. My heart was frequently stirred by an indescribable emotion—a powerful, lingering attachment to the human world. I saw the immense suffering of beings, and I witnessed how they struggled amidst their emotions and desires. These sights pained me, yet they also ignited a fervent hope within me. I longed to enter the human world once more, to personally experience and understand these sufferings, and thereby help beings find liberation from the cage of reincarnations.

Thus, I made the decision to reincarnate as a human."

The Fragility of Human Happiness

"I knew this would be a difficult path. Once I entered the human world, I would lose the clear, bright state of mind I held in the heavens and would again be bound by worldly ties. I would become like everyone else, trapped in endless emotions and attachments. Yet, even knowing this, I firmly chose this path.

I was born into an ordinary family; my parents were simple, hardworking people. From childhood, I felt the warmth and love of life. Although our family was not wealthy, it was filled with simple happiness. I enjoyed playing with friends and savouring a carefree childhood. Everything made me feel that the world was truly beautiful.

However, the impermanence of fate arrived suddenly during my adolescence. My father fell ill and passed away. This heavy blow changed my life forever. To raise me, my mother endured immense pressure, and I began to see the other side of life—the pain and hardship hidden beneath the surface of happiness. I began to wonder: Why is this world so heartless? Why is it that everything can seem so beautiful, only to be suddenly destroyed? These questions were like thorns piercing my heart, leaving me with deep doubts about fate."

The Illusion of Love and the Void

"During the confusion and pain of my teenage years, I encountered my first profound love. She was a kind and gentle woman who brought great warmth to my heart. For a time, I was deeply immersed in this relationship, feeling as though love could fill the void left by my father’s passing.

But this relationship did not last as I had hoped. As we grew, our pursuits and life directions drifted apart, and eventually, we had to part ways. The shattering of this love caused me immense pain and loss. I could not understand why such beautiful emotions were so fragile, unable to withstand the pressures of reality. This experience completely destroyed my fantasies about love. I saw that everything in this world is merely a fleeting illusion; whether it is romantic love or familial affection, everything eventually fades with time. This realization left me even more lost, and I began to feel a profound sense of powerlessness regarding the meaning of life.

Lost, I began to seek worldly pleasures to numb myself. I became addicted to various material indulgences, attempting to fill the emptiness within with these temporary joys. Wine, women, and material pursuits—these brought me momentary pleasure, but they were followed by even deeper loneliness and emptiness. Whenever the night was deep and quiet, that indescribable sense of hollow void would resurface. I knew this life was not what I truly wanted, yet I could not find the path to liberation."

The Turning Point: Awakening to Impermanence

"I constantly asked myself: 'What exactly am I pursuing? What is the true meaning of life?' This unfillable inner void caused me to sink into deep depression and confusion. I felt as though I were being swallowed by it all, unable to escape.

It was during this time that I happened to meet a practitioner whose words stirred me deeply. He told me: 'Everything in this world is impermanent. Whether it is love, wealth, or fame, everything will eventually vanish. Only the awakening of the heart can bring true meaning to life.' I began to re-examine my life, gained some insight, and decided to follow this practitioner in his practice. I left my former life behind and began to focus on inner exploration and practice. My teacher taught me how to let go of attachments, how to see the true nature of worldly things, and how to adjust my heart and transform myself.

At first, I did not fully understand the profound meaning of these practices. I was still frequently troubled by past desires, unable to let go of my attachments to love and material things. However, as my practice deepened, I gradually began to understand that all suffering stems from inner attachments. When I learned to observe my thoughts rather than being led by them, I began to feel a sense of inner lightness."

A Mission Beyond Self-Liberation

"As my practice deepened, the transformation within me became increasingly evident. I was no longer troubled by past pain; I began to view the loss of love and the impermanence of life with a much calmer mindset. I understood that these are all parts of life, requiring neither resistance nor attachment.

I began to find a peace that transcends the worldly—a peace not derived from external changes, but from internal practice. I learned how to observe my emotions without being dragged along by them, which allowed me to gradually release past wounds and truly set myself free. In the process of practicing, I gradually realized that the true purpose of my reincarnation as a human was not merely for my own liberation. My mission was to help those who are still lost in the secular world, allowing them to see the truth of life and find their own awakening. My teacher told me: 'You came to this world not just for your own practice; there is a greater mission awaiting you. Your experiences and suffering are the best tools to help others awaken.' These words made me re-examine my life. I no longer viewed practice as just personal liberation; I saw the responsibility to help sentient beings."

The Final Journey and Gratitude

"After returning to the dust of the world, I began to use the wisdom taught by my teacher to influence and help those around me. Whether in daily life, work, or interpersonal relationships, I shared the wisdom of practice with those near me. Many people began to reflect on their own lives and seek a new direction for their hearts because of my words and actions. I discovered that when I let go of personal gain and attachment and truly cared for others, my heart became richer and more fulfilled. This selfless love allowed me to feel true joy and satisfaction.

As the years passed, my heart became increasingly peaceful, and I gained a deeper understanding of the impermanence of the world. I knew that the mission of this lifetime was gradually being completed and that my spirit was about to leave the human world. I felt no fear, only immense peace and gratitude. In the final moments of my life, I sat quietly under a large tree, feeling the breeze brush against my face. I knew this would be the last time I would experience anything in this world. My heart was filled with gratitude—gratitude for the experiences and growth of this lifetime, and gratitude for all the sentient beings who had accompanied me on this journey. Finally, I closed my eyes peacefully, smiling as I bid farewell to this world, returning to the source of my spirituality, and completing the final leg of my journey in the human world.

When my spirit arrived before the Hall of Yama, I saw the events of my many lives, and my heart was filled with deep emotion! But now, I have let go of all my choices; I only wish to move forward, no longer attached to the past. I knelt before Yama, quietly awaiting the final judgment. I am grateful to Yama for giving me the opportunity to serve sentient beings, allowing me to continue moving forward through this service. I will work even harder until I truly walk through the gate of liberation.

I am so grateful to have encountered Practitioner Su and the spreading of the Great Dharma. This is a rare opportunity that is difficult to encounter even in many eons; even when I was in the heavenly realms, I had no way to listen to such magnificent Dharma. I am grateful for the compassionate teaching of Practitioner Su and for his Ultimate Vow, which has allowed us to have this grand affinity today, enabling us to be liberated and reborn in the Pure Land. I will continue to work hard, practice diligently, truly modify my heart, and make vows to benefit sentient beings. I am grateful for this opportunity for liberation today. On behalf of all prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Wang Ming, with palms joined.