From the Underworld to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This is a record of an interview with Pan Anzun, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his time as a prison guard in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on January 10, 2025.

Pan Anzun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When the heavenly music of the Buddha-name began to resonate through the vast expanse, a boundless, brilliant golden light suddenly manifested before me. I was guided, along with countless other sentient beings with karmic affinity, towards the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Buddha stood right before my eyes, surrounded by throngs of radiant Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The sight was so magnificent and overwhelming that I was moved to the very depths of my heart.

Upon entering the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I finally made the firm decision to let go of everything—to release all my lingering attachments to the mundane world. It was only when I was truly willing to let go that I realised my spirit had become so clear, transparent, and luminous. This, I understood, was the original, pristine face of my spirit, unburdened by the dust of existence.

I am filled with profound gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Without this magnificent Causal Condition, there is no way I could have ever transcended the cycle of rebirth to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A Past Life as a Lion

"In my past cycles of rebirth, I was once a terrifying lion, a king of the wild. I stood majestically on the vast, sun-drenched grasslands, and every creature in my domain had to show me respect. I revelled in that glory, basking in the reverence and fear I commanded from all who crossed my path.

I had nine lionesses by my side. Though their personalities differed, they all obeyed my every command. To them, I was their entire world, their protector and their master. Even when they competed for my favour, I maintained my regal dignity. In my presence, they were as docile as kittens, never daring to challenge my authority.

These nine lionesses bore me twelve cubs. On the grasslands, I believed I had no natural enemies, so I hunted whatever I pleased, driven by my own desires and the arrogance of my strength."

The Trap of Vengeance

"One day, I spotted an antelope and marked it as my prey. As I sprinted towards it with all my predatory might, just as I was about to strike, a massive, unseen force stopped me in my tracks. I looked down and saw a cruel metal trap. One of my paws was caught deep within its jagged teeth. I struggled with all my might to pull it free, but the harder I pulled, the tighter the trap clamped down, biting into my flesh.

I went from fury to agonising, piercing wails. My trapped paw was bleeding profusely, and the pain was unbearable, radiating through my entire body. In the end, I could not tell if I died of hunger, exhaustion, or the sheer intensity of the pain. Before I finally succumbed, I was filled with a toxic cocktail of resentment and profound anxiety.

Afterwards, I entered a dark, suffocating space, spinning endlessly in the void. I spun and spun until I was completely dizzy and disoriented, lost in a state of perpetual confusion. I do not know how long I suffered in that cold, oppressive darkness before I finally turned towards a distant, beckoning white light."

A Childhood of Insecurity

"I entered a mother's womb, beginning a new life. During that time, I constantly felt my mother's fear and deep-seated unease. When I was born, I was easily startled by the slightest sound, my nerves always on edge. I lacked any sense of security, so I cried often, and my mother had a very difficult time raising me, her own heart heavy with worry.

Not long after I was born, my mother left my father. He would often beat her in fits of uncontrollable rage. When I was five, she could no longer endure the violence, so she took me and left. Life became incredibly hard without a father. My mother often had to leave early to work at the fish market, leaving me in the care of neighbours while she struggled to put food on the table.

At first, I would cry, begging for my mother to stay. But after the first, second, and third time, I realised that crying was useless. I could only wait for her to return. Waiting became my daily routine, a heavy burden for a child. I deeply longed for my mother's warmth and care, but I never spoke of it because I knew she was already exhausted. To survive, she was often worn out. Even when she picked me up, she was frequently too tired to say much, and the silence between us grew heavy."

The Mask of Arrogance

"Growing up in such an environment, my heart was profoundly lonely. I had endless longings that were never fulfilled. The more I grew up this way, the more stubborn and defensive I became. No one could persuade me or tell me what to do. I had my own rigid ideas, and I demanded respect from everyone. Anyone I deemed disrespectful, I simply ignored or treated with cold disdain.

Many people asked why I was so arrogant when I had achieved so little in life. But to me, it was a form of self-protection—I did not want to be hurt again, so I built walls around my heart. This lonely lifestyle changed when I was thirty-nine. I met a girl I adored, Ma Wei. In front of her, I was willing to lay down all my pride, let her into my heart, and finally feel a flicker of warmth.

She changed me. Her presence filled the void of my insecurity. She was a wonderful, kind-hearted girl. But shortly after we married, my temperament changed drastically. I became irritable, suspicious, and possessive. I often spoke to her with an air of superiority. I did not know why I was like this. I knew I was destroying my own happiness, but I could not control the dark impulses that surged within me."

Seeking Answers in Service

"Often, when I calmed down, I felt how bitter and stifled my heart was. It was this stifling, suffocating feeling that led to my outbursts. I kept looking back, trying to understand why I was this way. I wanted to find the answer to the chaos within me.

But the more I tried to understand, the more intense that feeling of being out of control became. Later, I realised it was deep-seated resentment—a fear of losing the love I never fully received as a child. This inner conflict made me lose my mind. I did not like who I was, but I did not know how to escape it. For me, life was full of trials. Facing them was nothing but suffering.

I was trapped—trapped by my own heart. My life experiences were too real, so real that I could not face them. When I was in the deepest pain, my mother passed away, and I fell into a profound darkness. When my mother left, my neighbours invited a group of volunteers to help with the chanting. I was so grateful to them for their kindness."

A Glimmer of Hope

"That was when I met my noble person—a retired teacher who had spent her retirement volunteering, dedicating her life to those in need. It was the first time I had seen someone with such a full, gentle, and compassionate face. She radiated a calm that I had never known.

I was drawn to her voice—it was gentle, steady, and unhurried. She walked up to me and said, 'My condolences.' I was grateful to her, and I intuitively felt that this person could help me. She patted me on the shoulder and told me to find her if I needed help. To me, she was a glimmer of hope in a life that had felt entirely hopeless.

A few days later, we met. After she heard my story, I expected words of comfort, but she said nothing. She only said, 'Sometimes we need extra hands for our volunteer work. I will contact you.' One night, she called me to help with chanting. It was my first time. Seeing the family weeping, I realised that once life is gone, it never returns. For the first time, I learned to truly cherish life."

Finding Meaning in Giving

"I continued to join her for chanting. We visited many families—some so poor they could not afford a coffin, others wealthy but filled with discord. I once hoped for a perfect life, but I realised no one has one. Only by knowing contentment can one find true happiness.

After realising this, I began to counsel those in need during my service. I shared my life experiences, telling them that I had found a way out, and they could too. In doing this, I felt the meaning of my existence. I was grateful. My heart opened up, and my explosive temper rarely appeared. I realised that the transformation of life comes from not focusing solely on oneself. When you see how many people need help, you shrink your own ego and learn to cherish the present moment.

I am very grateful for the insights I gained during my service. I served until I could no longer move easily."

The Underworld and Deliverance

"When my body began to decline, I knew I was experiencing the process of death. I waited quietly, knowing this was the course of life. At sixty-three, I passed away peacefully. After my spirit left my body, I saw many people chanting for me, including those I had helped during my time as a volunteer.

I wondered where I would go. Forty-nine days later, I reported to King Yama. He showed me that every event in my life was destined by the laws of karma and cause and effect. He was moved by my sincerity in serving others and gave me the opportunity to serve as a prison guard, allowing me to continue helping beings.

I was grateful to King Yama and did my best. Seeing the suffering beings in the hells, I felt deep compassion. I wanted them to wake up and stop suffering, but I knew this was their own choice, as everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect.

During my service, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks and learned that I must follow Namo Amituofo to seek liberation. I joined the others in chanting 'Namo Amituofo'. The power of the Buddha-name made me feel so pure. I vowed that one day, I would go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I am so grateful that the Causal Conditions allowed me to fulfil my wish today. I am so grateful to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su for allowing me to truly escape and end the cycle of rebirth. The suffering of the cycle of rebirth is too great. So many people are still lost in it. Now that I have the Causal Conditions to escape, I am filled with gratitude.

I am grateful to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. I am grateful that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is now in this world, helping sentient beings with karmic affinity to truly understand the Buddha, the great Dharma, and the need to seek liberation.

With endless gratitude.

Namo Amituofo.

Pan Anzun, with palms joined."