Maintaining Order: A Prison Guard's Journey to Liberation

This interview was conducted by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on August 15, 2021. It features the testimony of Jiang Qingze, a former police officer who, after a tragic death in the line of duty, served as a prison guard in the underworld. Seeking deliverance, he turned to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and Practitioner Su, ultimately finding his way to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Jiang Qingze speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for granting me this opportunity for liberation today. I am truly moved, and I cherish this day immensely. In the past, I never imagined that I would one day come close to the Buddha’s teachings, nor did I ever think I would be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. These are things I never could have foreseen. I am truly grateful to Practitioner Su, whose work to save the world has helped immeasurable and boundless sentient beings, allowing us to finally depart from our suffering today. On behalf of the sixty prison guards and other sentient beings with karmic affinity who are being reborn today, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace and for the grace of Practitioner Su."

A Life of Duty and Sacrifice

"I am Jiang Qingze. During my life, I was a police officer. However, I lost my life unexpectedly while on duty. After I died, I entered the underworld and took on the role of a police officer there—a prison guard. Throughout my life, I was always impartial and dedicated to my duties. When executing a mission, I often set my own life aside, making the protection of the people and the apprehension of criminals my primary goals. Throughout my career on the front lines, I suffered countless injuries, both minor and severe. My body was covered in scars, but I never felt the pain, nor did I ever care about these wounds. The only thing that truly caused me suffering was failing to protect the lives of the people. Seeing innocent people sacrifice their lives before my eyes while I was powerless to stop it—that was the most painful thing of all."

The Hidden Dangers of the Human Heart

"In this world, there are no shortage of people with antisocial personalities. Some manifest this openly, committing criminal acts, harming others, and disrupting social order. But there are others whose darkness is hidden deep within their hearts. They are like ticking time bombs planted inside, waiting for a trigger or a situation they cannot handle to detonate. Regardless of the type of criminal psychology, these are immense hidden dangers in society. You never know if the person standing next to you might cause you harm in the next second.

Some might think this is alarmist, but it is necessary to have such preventive psychological assessments. As police officers, our duty is to protect the safety of all people. While everyone may be presumed innocent before the law, they may also be guilty. To ensure that everyone can live happily in a peaceful and safe environment, maintaining social order is the responsibility and obligation we carry on our shoulders."

The Night of the Final Mission

"I truly hope that one day this world can achieve a zero-crime rate, but the chances are slim. As technology and media advance and human civilization evolves rapidly, the human heart is becoming increasingly profound and complex. Many people's psychological states have become even more unpredictable.

I still remember the night of the incident. I was not supposed to be on duty; it was my day off. I was taking my eighty-year-old mother to the mall to celebrate her birthday. We happened to pass by the scene of the incident. Because of my years of experience in environments filled with gunfire, I was particularly sensitive to the sound of shots. I sensed a multi-person gunfight taking place nearby. I reacted immediately, taking my mother away from the scene and finding an excuse to put her at ease. I then quickly left and quietly entered the fray.

I observed the situation and realized it was a gang fight. No police had arrived yet, meaning the station had not yet received a report. I quickly contacted the force and joined the fight, waiting for an opportunity to act. The conflict lasted for a very long time and only ended when the police finally intervened. A dispute between people is often just about interests, yet the price paid is precious life. This fight happened over a decade ago; many people died, and many were severely injured. In the end, I was shot and killed while trying to cover for my teammates.

The person who fired the shot was a seemingly delicate young girl. No one would have expected such a simple, harmless-looking girl—who appeared to be a minor—to open fire on the police. Because I had joined the mission temporarily, I was not wearing a bulletproof vest. The bullet pierced my chest, and I died on the spot. My mother, unable to wait for my return, rushed out to find me, and the scene she witnessed was me lying on the ground, struck by the bullet. My mother passed away on that same day."

Beyond Vengeance and Karma

"My sacrifice had a significant impact on the police force, and everyone came to see me off. I knew that my life belonged to the country; sacrificing my life for the country was not a pity. The girl who fired the shot was imprisoned. Later, when I was serving as a prison guard in the underworld, I encountered her again. When we met, my heart held no hatred, because I knew she was being controlled at the time; she was no longer the master of her own actions. I saw that she was possessed by many sentient beings. Her actions were not her own intent; a large number of Asuras and demons were controlling her thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. She was not herself, so I did not hold a grudge against her. I knew that the karmic retribution she was due would be inescapable.

Having seen through everything in the human world, I realise that all worldly affairs are bound by the laws of karma and cause and effect. Many people are entangled in karmic retribution, with sentient beings taking revenge on one another without end. Now, I deeply understand these laws, and my perspective has shifted. Originally, I sought social peace and stability, and I actively maintained social order. But now I know that this is only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. The root lies in the human heart—the heart must be taught and transformed. Since listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks, I have deeply felt the power of the Buddha’s teachings. This is the Truth that can truly change the lives of sentient beings. If everyone could live by these truths, society would naturally be stable, and the hidden dangers in every person's heart would vanish. That is the true way to maintain social order!"

A Call for Education of the Heart

"Young people in today's society lack proper education, especially as psychological problems grow increasingly severe. We must pay attention to the dark side of these issues. Many children are addicted to the internet, especially the violence in online games and movies, which has a profound impact on them. The human heart needs the guidance of Truth, allowing everyone to learn to change themselves from within. Especially during the growth process of young people, focusing on the development and education of the human heart is crucial, so that they do not lose their way or cause harm to society.

I am so moved to have met Practitioner Su, who changed all my old ways of thinking. Practitioner Su is truly an awakened being. Thank you, Practitioner Su. I look forward to seeing you transform this world.

I am grateful to Practitioner Su for taking me to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss today. I will study diligently and join the salvation team. On behalf of the sixty prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace and for the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Jiang Qingze