Lost in the Illusion of Fame and Wealth

This is a record of an interview with He Tangxin, who sought 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 past lives and his time serving in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on June 2, 2024.

He Tangxin speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to be liberated and to leave behind my past. I will continue to practise diligently and cherish this precious chance. On behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

A Monk’s Fallen Path

I was once a monk. I grew up in a very poor family; my parents were farmers who laboured tirelessly just to put food on the table. Yet, even as a child, I harboured a deep longing for the Buddha’s teachings. One year, a Venerable came to our village to preach the Dharma, and everyone went to listen. I followed my parents, and upon hearing the Venerable’s words, I felt an infinite sense of reverence and resolved to become a monk myself.

When I first entered the Buddha’s gate, my heart was as still as water. I practised day and night, untainted by the dust of the world. However, as time passed, ripples began to form in my heart. One day, my master took me to the city to beg for alms. Seeing the bustling marketplace, the busy crowds, and the endless traffic, all chasing after fame and profit, I could not help but wonder: 'If I could possess such wealth and status, wouldn't that be wonderful?'

The Trap of Greed

From that moment on, my heart was no longer pure. I constantly thought about fame and wealth. My practice gradually slackened. My master noticed my distracted state and warned me repeatedly, but my heart was already in chaos, and I could not pull myself back. Once, I met a wealthy merchant who admired my years of practice and offered to donate a large sum of money to help me spread the Dharma. Seeing this wealth, my heart was filled with wild joy, and I accepted.

After obtaining this huge sum, my greed grew even stronger. Relying on the support of this wealth, I gradually drifted away from the Buddha’s gate. I began to associate with wealthy friends, feasting and making merry every day, forgetting the original intention of my practice. My friends praised my wisdom in being able to earn such money, which only made me sink deeper into the illusion.

The Void of Regret

However, good times do not last. The money was soon spent, and my friends gradually drifted away. I began to feel lonely, my heart empty and without support. I recalled the days of my past practice, when my heart was filled with peace and tranquillity—a stark contrast to my current state. I wanted to return to the Buddha’s gate, but I felt too ashamed to face my master; my heart was filled with overwhelming guilt.

I gave up on myself, wandering the streets and begging for food day and night. My body grew thin and sallow, and I was plagued by illness. Several times I fell critically ill, nearly losing my life, and only then did I realise that all of this was caused by my own greed. I was filled with endless remorse, but it was already too late.

A World of Paper Money

After I died, my soul drifted between the two realms of existence. Before me was only darkness, and the surroundings were silent, save for the overwhelming regret and endless loneliness in my heart. Suddenly, the scenery changed, and I entered a strange world. This was not the underworld of the hells, but a space constructed entirely of paper money. Everywhere I looked, there were yellowed paper banknotes, with various numbers and patterns drawn on them in ink.

In this space, I was particularly drawn to the banknotes with large numbers, as if they could still provide me with the illusory satisfaction I had known in the past. I wandered among these banknotes day and night, my attachments undiminished, still filled with a craving for fame and wealth. Yet, this craving could not fill the void in my heart; instead, it only made me suffer more.

The Compassion of a Dharma Brother

Just as I was trapped in this endless cycle of rebirth, a monk entered this strange space. He wore a monastic robe, his demeanour was compassionate and dignified, and his eyes shone with the light of wisdom. I looked closely and recognised him as my Dharma brother from my previous life. Back then, when we were in the Buddha’s gate, he practised alongside me, his heart pure and his efforts diligent. I felt so ashamed of my own fall that I dared not look him in the eye.

My Dharma brother seemed to sense my presence. He picked up a banknote with a large number, pressed his palms together, and began to chant the Buddha’s name. The sound was gentle yet solemn, piercing straight into my heart and causing me to tremble. He then gave that money away as an act of generosity to relieve the suffering of disaster victims and those in need.

Every time my brother chanted the Buddha’s name, I felt a pure force seep into my heart, gradually washing away the filth and attachments within. Recalling the actions of my past life, my heart was filled with remorse.

The Light of True Liberation

Throughout this long process, my brother’s chanting never ceased; his pure thoughts were continuous, and the sound was incessant. With his compassionate heart, he transformed me, enabling me to gradually detach from my obsession with fame and wealth. I finally understood that fame and wealth are all illusory, and only the Buddha’s teachings are true and real.

One day, as my brother chanted the Buddha’s name, the space was filled with the sound of the Buddha, and light erupted everywhere. In this Buddha-light, I felt infinite warmth and peace, and the last trace of attachment in my heart was dissolved. I pressed my palms together and bowed my head, repenting in my heart, and resolved to practise anew to cleanse the sins of my past life.

As my state of mind transformed, the space made of paper money gradually vanished. My soul was freed from that dark realm, and I regained my liberty. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in that strange world.

At this very moment, I finally understood that my obsession with fame and wealth in my past life was merely a self-inflicted sea of suffering. Only with a pure heart can one attain true liberation. My brother, with his compassion and wisdom, saved me and allowed me to be reborn.

A Life of Simple Abundance

After being reincarnated, I was born into a very poor family. Although my parents were poor, they were spiritually wealthy, filled with hope and love for life. They possessed no material riches, but they held an abundance of compassion and kindness. Our home was humble, yet it was filled with laughter and warmth. My parents did not despair because of poverty; instead, they were always thinking of how to help those who were even worse off than us.

My father often told me, 'Wealth is an external possession; spiritual abundance is the true wealth. Helping others is the highest joy in life.' My mother would use her hardworking hands to constantly sew clothes to donate to those who had nothing to wear. This selfless spirit deeply influenced me, and I gradually realised that true happiness does not lie in how much one possesses, but in how many people one can help.

As I grew older, I gradually learned my parents' attitude toward life. Although our family was poor, we never gave up hope; instead, we worked even harder, striving to be self-reliant. I often helped the elderly in the neighbourhood carry heavy loads, taught the village children how to read and write, and in the cold of winter, shared our meagre food with hungry neighbours.

The Meaning of True Happiness

One year, the village suffered a severe drought. The crops failed, and the villagers faced famine. Despite our own lack of food, my parents did not hesitate to share our last bit of grain with the elderly orphans and the helpless children in the village. My father took the initiative to organise the villagers to dig wells for water, while my mother was busy cooking porridge to distribute to everyone.

In such an environment, I gradually understood the true meaning of life. When I saw the faces that smiled because of our help, my heart was filled with incomparable satisfaction and happiness. I no longer craved fame or wealth, nor did I chase after material enjoyment. Instead, I followed in my parents' footsteps, dedicated to helping others.

Although life was hard, every day was fulfilling and meaningful. Influenced by us, the villagers began to help and love one another, facing difficulties together and overcoming one crisis after another. Later, I became an educator in the village, teaching children to read and write, and instructing them to be loving and responsible individuals.

Passing the Torch of Compassion

Days passed in busyness, and I grew from a child to a youth, and then to a man in his prime. My mindset changed constantly; I became increasingly able to let go of my own feelings and focus on the needs of others. Whenever I saw someone improve because of my help, I felt immense satisfaction and joy.

As time passed, my parents passed away one after another. Before they died, they still urged me to continue on their path and help those in need. I promised them with tears in my eyes, and I resolved to pass on this love.

After I entered old age, the village suffered another serious natural disaster. This disaster plunged the villagers into distress once again. I knew I had a responsibility to stand up and lead everyone to face this challenge together. Thus, I donated the last of my savings and food, and organised the villagers to build new water sources and rebuild our homes.

During those days, I exhausted almost all of my energy, but my heart never felt tired. Seeing the villagers regain hope and their lives return to normal, I felt immense relief and satisfaction. In the end, we overcame this disaster together, and the lives of the villagers were back on track.

A Peaceful Departure

Finally, on a quiet night, I lay on my bed and felt that my life was coming to an end. Looking back on my life, I had no regrets. My parents taught me how to become a truly spiritually wealthy person, and I had passed this love and compassion on to many others.

At the moment of my passing, I silently chanted the Buddha’s name, thanking the Buddha’s teachings for giving me the wisdom and strength to change my ways and make the right choices in this life. I left this world peacefully, filled with satisfaction, and my heart was full of hope and confidence for the future.

When my soul left my body, I felt no regrets. My heart was very quiet, and I waited calmly for my destination.

Gratitude for the Great Dharma

I do not know how much time had passed when I found myself in the realm of the King of the Underworld, who spoke to me with a smile. After the judge organised the records of my life, the King of the Underworld allowed me to stay and serve in the underworld palace, hoping that I could continue to accumulate merit and virtue so that I might have a better destination in the future. I was very grateful for the King’s arrangement, and I vowed to work hard and diligently.

I have been in the underworld palace for some time now. This was a truly magnificent causal condition that allowed me to hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks while I was there.

I am truly very grateful, because I know this is a rare opportunity, and it is such a Great Dharma. At that moment, I decided that I must seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I thank Practitioner Su for sincerely and clearly introducing this Great Dharma, which has made my heart much clearer. I know that I must attain liberation. These are principles I did not know in the past, and I am very grateful for Practitioner Su’s Ultimate Vow and great power!

Today, being able to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart is filled with excitement and emotion. He Tangxin, on behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, bows in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

He Tangxin, with palms pressed together."