From Karmic Debtor to Guardian of the Hells

This is a record of an interview with Liang Jiacheng, who sought spiritual 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 life and his subsequent service in the hell realms. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on September 9, 2022.

Liang Jiacheng speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. My heart once held infinite longings—a desperate, aching craving to never be separated from my family, a yearning for a healthy body that could withstand the rigours of life, and above all, a profound desire for my heart to finally be at peace. These were things I sought with every fibre of my being, yet they remained perpetually out of reach, like shadows dancing just beyond my grasp. Now, on this glorious day of my rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, my spirit has finally attained the eternity I never dared to dream of. Only now, standing in the light of the Buddha, do I realise how small, fleeting, and insignificant those earthly longings truly were compared to the vastness of the Dharma.

A Childhood Defined by Fragility

I am Liang Jiacheng. From the very moment I entered this world, I was plagued by illness and weakness. I was born prematurely, a fragile spark of life that spent its first six months in a hospital, my tiny body tethered to a complex web of tubes and monitors. My family suffered alongside me, their hearts breaking with every laboured breath I struggled to take. After I was finally discharged, my mother devoted herself entirely to my care, even resigning from her dream job just to be by my side every single day, ensuring I had the comfort and attention I so desperately needed.

During my childhood, I suffered two terrifying episodes of temporary respiratory failure—once at five and again at eight. My face would turn black in an instant, my body convulsing in tremors that left my loved ones in a state of absolute panic. It was only then that the doctors diagnosed a severe congenital heart defect. They warned my family that I must avoid strenuous exercise and intense emotional stimulation at all costs, or I risked sudden cardiac arrest at any moment. My family lived in constant, suffocating fear, hovering over me like headless flies. If I cried, they panicked, convinced I was suffering another heart attack. Because of my condition, I could never run, play ball, or enjoy the simple physical joys that other children took for granted. I could only sit in the sun, watching the world go by. Watching my classmates play on the field, I often wept internally, wondering why Heaven had cursed me with such a body, forcing me to be a heavy burden to those I loved most.

Art as a Sanctuary for the Soul

Despite my failing heart, I possessed a natural, vivid talent for art. By the age of six, my sketches were remarkably lifelike, capturing the world with a precision that belied my age. My mother provided me with watercolours and oils, giving me the freedom to express the silent screams of my soul. I found my greatest happiness when immersed in my work, pouring my grievances, my deep dissatisfaction with life, and the collective suffering of my family onto the canvas.

My use of colour was bold, yet often tinged with a haunting darkness. My mother would admire every piece, reading my hidden states of mind through the strokes of my brush. She never lectured me; instead, she found subtle, gentle ways to help me climb out of the hollows of my own despair. She was the candle that lit my life. I knew my parents had fought to give me this life, and whenever I contemplated ending it, the thought of their grief held me back. A strength within me whispered that I could still carve out a bright future for myself, no matter how narrow the path.

The Dream of Being Normal

I maintained my health through regular check-ups and excelled in my studies, largely because I had no choice but to stay indoors and read while others played. Upon graduating from university with top marks, I found myself surrounded by friends who were full of ambition and hope. I was happy for them, yet a voice inside me kept asking: 'If they have the right to pursue their dreams, do I not have that same right?'

When I searched for my own dreams, the images that surfaced were simple: I wanted to play basketball, I wanted to run freely, and I wanted to be a normal person who could do what everyone else does. It was a modest dream, yet I had no idea if it could ever be realised. I felt like a bird with clipped wings, longing for the sky but unable to leave the ground.

A Turning Point in Design

Just as I was lost in these thoughts, a hand tapped my shoulder. I looked up to see a primary school classmate I had not seen in over a decade. He told me, 'I have finally found you. You are so talented; I want us to partner up and start a business.' For the first time in my life, someone was offering me such positive encouragement and validation. My heart was filled with an indescribable joy, a feeling of being truly seen.

He envisioned me as the Design Director, using my creative concepts to launch a design firm. With my family's blessing, we took the leap. My mother said it was the first time she had seen my eyes truly light up with purpose. With his connections and my technical skill, our company flourished. I finally found my confidence, and with my doctor's approval, I even began to engage in light exercise. Life was finally moving in a positive direction, and I felt as though I was finally stepping into the sun.

The Foundation of Compassion

When I was thirty-five, my business partner had a child born with a congenital illness. Watching him struggle, I was reminded of my own parents' ordeal. I spent much time at his home, heart aching for the suffering child. After a few years, when the child finally stabilised, I proposed that we establish a foundation to support children with congenital diseases, providing them with medical care and emotional support.

Seeing those children thrive brought me immense joy. I would tell them, 'I walked this path too. You can be normal, you can have your own achievements.' I taught them that success is not about being a 'winner' in the eyes of the world, but about being a positive person. Many children were transformed by our foundation, and as I shifted my focus from work to mentoring them, my own heart became increasingly open and bright. I had met women I cared for, but a deep-seated fear always held me back. I was terrified that if I had children, they would inherit my suffering. I could not bear to inflict that pain on another, so I chose to live alone.

The Truth of Karmic Retribution

When death finally came at fifty-three, it was sudden—a brain haemorrhage. I experienced a moment of intense, blinding pain before everything went black. When I awoke, I stood before the King of Hell. As I knelt, the weight of the truth hit me. The King explained that my life had been one of karmic retribution. In a past life, I had been a high-ranking official who treated his subordinates and the civilians with ruthless cruelty. Those spirits had harboured deep resentment, and their collective energy had occupied my heart from birth. My brain haemorrhage was the final settling of that debt.

The King revealed that had I not established the foundation to help sick children—thereby accumulating merit and resolving those ancient grievances—I would have been destined to have a child with a congenital illness who would have tormented me in return. I had resolved some of my karmic debts, but I still had to endure the final fruit of my past actions. The laws of karma and cause and effect are absolute; every thought and action leaves a mark that we must eventually face. I had to learn to accept the consequences of my past with humility.

Deliverance to the Western Pure Land

After the trial, the King of Hell, in his compassion, appointed me as a guard in the hells. I served with sincerity, hoping to help the beings there leave suffering behind. During my time as a guard, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks, and every word resonated within my soul, cutting through the darkness of the hell realms. I harboured a silent, burning wish to one day be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Finally, that day arrived. I am eternally grateful to the King of Hell for his nomination and to Practitioner Su for his guiding hand. Fifty-nine of us hell-guards have been led into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, to reside under the throne of Namo Amituofo. My gratitude is beyond words, and my heart is finally, truly at peace."

Liang Jiacheng, with palms joined in reverence.