From Prison Guard to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Ge Tian, who sought Chao Du 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 underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on September 29, 2019.

Ge Tian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Ge Tian. I have arrived." (Ge Tian kneels before the Buddha, followed by sixty other prison guards kneeling in perfect formation behind him.)

"I am here to represent these sixty prison guards from the hell realms to accept this interview. We are profoundly grateful for the compassion of the Buddha. Today, we have all received the grace of the Buddha, and through the immense power of Practitioner Su—who used the power of his Dharma Body to guide us individually—we have been led into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Life of Duty and a Quiet Departure

During my time in the human world, I served as a government runner and official guard. I performed my duties with unwavering loyalty for over twenty years. When I reached the age of fifty-two, I was struck by a severe illness that left me completely weak. I was bedridden for several weeks, and after a sudden, violent coughing fit, I fell into a deep, unconscious state. While in this state, I heard someone calling my name: 'Ge Tian! Ge Tian!' I opened my eyes and saw a man dressed in the uniform of an official runner. He looked at me and said, 'Come with me!' I did not ask any questions; I simply followed him. That was the moment my soul departed from my body. There was no pain at all. When my family found me later, I was lying on the bed, no longer breathing. My expression was peaceful, and there was no sign of any suffering.

The Path of the Underworld Guard

I never married during my life, living instead with my elderly mother and my brother and his wife. After I passed, I was brought before the King of the Fifth Hall of the underworld. The King knew my name and told me that because I had not committed negative karma during my life, had been filial to my mother, remained steadfast in my professional duties, and had practised Generosity by helping the poor, I was granted the position of a prison guard. It was considered a stable position, and I served in that capacity for two hundred and sixteen years.

The Grace of Deliverance

Today, because we encountered Practitioner Su in this world, he has compassionately performed Chao Du to help us achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Because I performed my duties well during my tenure as a guard—remaining selfless, diligent, and often counseling others to repent and change their ways—I was deemed to have a good record. After serving for two hundred and one years, I was given the opportunity to join the ranks of those waiting to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. I have been waiting in that line for over three years.

Today, sixty of us prison guards have been led to the Western Pure Land together by Practitioner Su. He is our greatest benefactor. Together, we kowtow in gratitude to Practitioner Su, to Namo Amituofo, and to the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

Namo Amituofo."

Closing remarks by Ge Tian and the sixty prison guards. Recorded by the disciple Venerable HaiZe.