From the Depths of Hell to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Cairns, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on September 30, 2022.

Cairns speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Before this, I had never known that such a brilliant, luminous world existed. I had always hoped that I might go to heaven, but it was only after serving in the hells that I learned of a place called the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—a place that can truly take away all suffering. I am so joyful that such a place exists, and I hope that many, many people will be able to go there.

Today, I have been given the opportunity to travel there myself, and I am deeply grateful. My spirit feels so light. Both before and after my death, my realisations have been very clear. Seeing the chaos in the world, I have constantly wondered: how can we bring peace to everyone? I realised I could only start with myself, influencing as many people as I could. Even when doing so often put my own life in danger, my heart remained filled with joy."

A Tragic Origin in the Dust

"I am Cairns Bot—a name I chose when I arrived in the United States. In truth, I am not American; I am African. I spent the first three years of my life in Africa. I was born on a parched, barren land. My mother had to retreat into a primitive, thatched hut to hide, and it was only after a painful struggle that she brought me into this world.

I was the ninth child born to my mother. She had four children with her at the time, but several others had died shortly after birth due to a lack of nutrition; their bodies were simply discarded wherever a spot could be found. When I was born, my mother had no milk, so she could only try to find whatever water and fruit she could to feed me. I lived in constant hunger every day. At first, I would cry out in agony, but eventually, I did not even have the strength to weep."

The Kindness of Strangers

"When I had barely clung to life for over two years, my body suddenly began to burn with a high fever. My mother knew that my life could likely not be sustained, as several of my older brothers and sisters had suffered the same fate and had passed away. Knowing that I would likely not survive this crisis, she left me lying in the open. My tiny body kept fighting for survival, resisting the end.

A pair of American tourists had just arrived in our impoverished region to visit. They were heartbroken to see children and adults alike sitting aimlessly on the ground, surrounded by swarms of flies. As they passed by, they saw me lying on the ground, crying, with no adults to care for me. They looked back at me several times before leaving. That night, back at their hotel, they could not stop thinking about me, wondering if anyone had come to look after me. The next day, they returned and found me still lying in the same spot, my face already turning purple. Andi, the American mother who would later adopt me, rushed to pick me up. The others in their tour group tried to stop her, fearing I might carry infectious diseases, but Andi could not think of such things. She hurried me to the most advanced medical station available, had me treated, and wrapped my entire body to keep me warm.

Andi and her husband, George—my future adoptive father—had originally planned to stay for only a month. Unexpectedly, they stayed for three more months just for my sake, only planning to leave once they were certain my life was no longer in danger. Before they left, they asked, 'When we leave, where will this child go?' No one could give Andi and George a definitive answer. They knew that if they left, I would likely fall back into mortal danger."

A New Life and a Vow of Service

"Unable to bear the thought, they discussed it and decided to adopt me, bringing me back to the United States. I became the first child they could truly call their own. With my dark skin and curly hair, I looked nothing like Andi or George, so from the moment I was old enough to understand, I knew I was not their biological child. I cherished the love they gave me. They provided me with an education and allowed me to develop freely; in them, I felt only love and happiness. Andi and George later had three more children—two boys and a girl. Our family lived in great harmony; we were all Christians.

When I became a young man, I discussed my future path with Andi and George. My heart was filled with gratitude for the care they had shown me. I knew my native country was very underdeveloped, and I hoped to become a doctor to provide free treatment, helping everyone recover their health, just as Andi and George had done for me. I wanted to repay their kindness in this way, making my life as meaningful and impactful as possible.

Hearing this, Andi and George told me I was a good boy and encouraged me to pursue my dream. With their support, I was admitted to medical school, graduating in the top three of my class. I studied diligently, researching special cases because I knew that where I was going, I might encounter many situations and diseases I had never seen before. I had to be fully prepared.

Once these intentions were set, I finished medical school, graduating at the top of my class. After graduation, I entered several large hospitals to intern and accumulate clinical experience."

Returning to the Roots

"When all preparations were complete, I used my savings to buy medical supplies and bandages, intending to embark on my dream journey back to Africa. I was thirty-two years old—young and full of imagination and longing for the future. Andi and George gave me a sum of money to show their support, and I was deeply moved. They patted me, hugged me, and encouraged me to set off as soon as possible.

I left with their full blessings and a heart full of confidence. On the road back to my birthplace, I felt a bit nervous. The further I moved from the airport, the more underdeveloped the scenery became. Following the location Andi and George had given me, I returned to the place where they had first found me. The area was still very backward, the sanitary conditions were still poor, and there were still many children with bloated bellies, unable to get enough to eat. Looking at the scene before me, I could not help but weep.

On my first day in the village, I observed the situation. Many people were suffering from health issues caused by eating unclean food. I spent my money to dig underground wells, creating many water sources for the villagers. Beyond the water situation, I also brought tree saplings suitable for planting in this region, providing the village with more food options.

I built some simple houses so the villagers could at least have shelter. Doing all this exhausted the savings I had brought from America, and I was wondering how I could continue to help. Beyond the villagers, I went to help in other parts of Africa. Once this intention arose, unexpectedly, people appeared to sponsor me; the local government allocated funds from various sources for me to manage. I was overjoyed, slowly filling in the gaps where help was needed."

The Burden of Compassion

"In the southern part of Africa, I discovered a region that was relatively more developed, yet many people were infected with AIDS. Once this disease spreads, it becomes unstoppable, often leading to a painful death with the body rotting away, all while remaining highly infectious. I gathered the infected people to manage them together, accompanying them through the painful stages of the illness and doing my best to find resources and medicine to help them. It took several months to stabilise the AIDS situation in that area.

Many people asked me if I was afraid that they would infect me with AIDS. In truth, I had thought about it, but whenever I remembered that I was born on this land and could give back to it, I felt satisfied and joyful in my heart.

Five years passed in Africa. I pondered whether to return to the United States. I wrote a letter to Andi and George, telling them about my experiences and the work I had done over those years. Not long after, I received their reply; they said everything at home was well and that they would support my decision.

I returned to the United States for a visit, established a foundation, and found some kind-hearted people willing to provide long-term support. Then, I flew back to Africa to help in various areas in need. In Africa, I found some bases and people willing to join me, and each person served in a different region. Although the help we could provide was limited, we did our best."

The Final Journey

"While serving in Africa at the age of forty-one, I contracted a local infectious disease. As I lay on the verge of death, many people felt sad for me, but my heart was very calm. I had completed the dream of this life and had done my best. Now, the 'Lord' was taking me home. I asked everyone to sing hymns for me to see me off. Ten days after contracting the illness, I departed from the human world.

After death, like everyone else, I walked the path of the underworld. Kneeling before King Yama, the scenes of my past and present karmic causes and effects played out before my eyes. King Yama said that in a past life, when I was a wealthy person, I had persecuted the civilians, leaving them in poverty; that was why I was born in Africa, destined to suffer from birth. But later, because I learned to repent and spared a life—the person I spared was the one who became my adoptive father, George, and my adoptive mother, Andi—they took such good care of me in this life.

King Yama then showed me many people in underdeveloped areas of Africa who were there to suffer the retribution for the sins and evils they had committed in the past, even though they had obtained a human body. Only then did I understand the laws of karma and cause and effect. King Yama also said that because I had done many good deeds in this life, giving back to the African people, he would appoint me as a prison guard to serve the beings in hell. Seeing the hells filled with beings, I desperately wanted to counsel them, but I did not know how. After hearing Practitioner Su give Dharma talks, I learned that there is a world even more eternal than heaven, and I hoped that one day I might have the chance to see it. Unexpectedly, today, in an instant, Practitioner Su reached out to us, and we arrived in this world of light. Many clear, crisp sounds echoed around me, my whole body felt comfortable, and I felt very warm. I hope that many people can have the same opportunity to come here as I did. I am grateful to the Buddha for creating this world, and I am grateful for the guidance of Practitioner Su."

"Cairns"

Note: Cairns, the prison guard, was delivered alongside his adoptive father George, who was a wandering spirit, and his adoptive mother Andi, who was a sheep. They were guided by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

Namo Amituofo.