Opening a Closed Heart

This is a record of an interview with Che Hyun-woo, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life in Korea and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 9, 2021.

Che Hyun-woo speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have always held a deep affinity for the Buddha’s teachings. From the very first moment I laid eyes on Practitioner Su, I knew in my heart that this place—the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—would be the site of my ultimate liberation. I am profoundly grateful to Practitioner Su for bringing such a magnificent Dharma to all of us. Thank you for granting me this precious opportunity to participate in this deliverance. On behalf of sixty fellow prison guards from the underworld, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Childhood of Silence

"I was born and raised in Korea. My mother, who came from Taiwan, married into a Korean family and it was over a decade before I was born. When I was a young child, I struggled to speak; I would often mix Korean and Chinese, which made me a target for the other children. They would tease me relentlessly. Over time, I simply stopped trying to connect with others. I became a child who preferred the shadows, someone who did not care for the world around me or the people in it. I retreated into a state of mild autism, finding comfort only in my own solitary activities."

"Because of those early, painful experiences, I learned to hide my emotions. I wanted my own space, free from the intrusion of the outside world. By the time my mother realised the depth of my withdrawal, it was already difficult to reach me. She tried everything to help me open up, eventually deciding that we should travel together, hoping that a change of scenery might heal my spirit."

The Weight of Expectations

"Our first stop was Seoul. My mother hoped that being surrounded by people would stimulate a reaction, but my fear of the outside world was already so deep that I could not bridge the gap. Living in Seoul was agony for her. Every day, she would try to take me to crowded places, hoping to spark some curiosity in me, but every day ended in disappointment. I simply refused to step out of my shell. At night, I would hear her crying as she spoke to my father on the phone in fluent Korean. I could not understand every word, but I knew she was expressing her disappointment and frustration with me. It made my heart shrink even further. I felt that the world was not a friendly place; it was a place that did not want me."

"I felt so much sorrow, which only made me resist the world more fiercely. We stayed in Seoul for about two months before my mother decided to move on, hoping another environment might cure what she saw as a lifelong illness. My panic regarding social interaction meant I had no friends. My family was my only company, and even my father seemed to reject me. I was incredibly sensitive to the reactions of adults; because my heart was so closed, even the smallest sound or the slightest strange look from a stranger felt magnified. I could not bear to be seen, for I was terrified that everyone would dislike me."

A Glimpse of Serenity

"When we arrived in the second city, I saw a temple. The stillness within its walls brought me a sudden, unexpected joy. I loved the feeling of that place. My mother had brought me there because it was said to be very efficacious for blessings, and she was desperate for a change in my fortune. As she knelt devoutly before the Buddha, I secretly lifted my head, glancing around at the temple’s architecture. This place stirred a curiosity I had kept locked away. The quietude was deeply magnetic, and a thought suddenly bloomed in my mind: I wanted to live here for a long time. I was frightened by my own desire, but I could not help but want to linger. When my mother finished her prayers, we left, but that day’s Causal Conditions remained with me. I would often find myself thinking back to the peace of that temple."

"After we left, my mother tried many more methods, but nothing could unlock my heart. I remained silent, living entirely within my own world. Eventually, she had no choice but to take me home. But when we returned, we found that my father had taken a new lover, and she was already pregnant. He brought her into our home. My mother was furious, and the house became a battlefield of shouting and conflict. I was terrified, hiding in my room day after day. One night, I finally gathered the courage to slip away. I had only one goal: to find that temple again. I wanted to return to that space of stillness, the only place where I felt safe."

Finding a Home in the Dharma

"It took a great deal of effort, but I finally reached the temple. The master there recognised me, prepared a room for me, and contacted my mother. When she arrived that night, she was initially anxious and angry, but the moment she saw me, all her emotions vanished. She found me sitting quietly under a large tree, happily talking to the master. She burst into tears of joy; it was the first time in years I had spoken to anyone, and I was wearing a relaxed, genuine smile. I was no longer the closed-off, repressed child she had known."

"My mother was overjoyed by my transformation. After speaking with the master, she agreed to let us stay at the temple long-term. She helped with the cleaning, and I stayed by the master’s side to learn and practise. Everything began to improve. My mother finally decided to leave my father, ending a marriage that had brought her nothing but pain. Seeing my change, she felt at peace leaving me in the master’s care and dedicated her own life to the Buddha."

A Life of Compassionate Service

"From the age of fifteen, I never left the temple. I stayed by the master’s side, following his instructions and completing the tasks he assigned. I did not become a monk, as I still preferred silence. My favourite thing to do was to sit under that great tree, quietly chanting the Buddha-name and enjoying the profound stillness of the space."

"Life at the temple brought me such happiness and security. I loved the Buddha’s teachings and spent my time studying the sutras and listening to the master’s stories. I learned that one must do Goodness, so I began to help small lives. I would move trapped ants to safety and nurse injured animals back to health. I also spent my time tending to the temple gardens. Later, the master gave me a plot of land to cultivate. Remembering his teachings on helping others, I decided to grow medicinal herbs. I hoped that the devotees who came to the temple suffering from illness could pick the herbs they needed. I eventually created a handbook to help people identify the right remedies. I was so happy to be of service; I never imagined I could be capable of such things. My heart was filled with gratitude for the Buddha’s teachings."

The Transition and the Underworld

"My mother passed away when I was thirty. She left this world with a smile, her heart at peace because of my transformation. I am so grateful to the master for his guidance. After she passed, I continued to serve the temple with all my heart, managing the daily affairs as best as I could."

"In the blink of an eye, sixty years had passed. On the day I left the temple, the weather was magnificent. I looked up at the cloudless sky and found myself smiling. I felt completely satisfied with my life there. I closed my eyes with a smile and departed from the world. I was seventy-seven years old. I was so grateful for the help the temple had given me, and I cherished the peace I had found."

"After I died, my spirit entered a place of rapid change. The space was filled with shifting, vibrant colours. I walked through it with extreme caution, fearing that one wrong step would lead to danger. Throughout this, I kept the Buddha-name firmly in my heart. The master had taught me: 'When you encounter disaster, terror, or unease, do not panic. No matter how chaotic things become, remember to hold onto the Buddha-name. The Buddha-name will help you stop your afflictions and suppress your panic. Gradually, your heart will settle, and with that meditative concentration, Wisdom will arise.' I kept his words close. I knew I had to settle my heart before I could find the Wisdom to navigate this realm. As I stabilised my mind, the shifting colours faded, and I realised I had left that place. I continued forward until I saw the Bridge of Helplessness and arrived at the Yama Palace."

A Chance for Liberation

"Yama looked at me and smiled, telling me it was time to review my life. Scenes from my existence began to appear—my most painful experiences, and the way I had eventually emerged through the Buddha’s teachings. Nothing was omitted. It turns out that everything we do in this world is clearly recorded in the invisible realms. Once I had left my body, I felt a desperate desire for liberation. After reviewing my life, Yama smiled and asked, 'What are your plans now?' I replied, 'I wish for liberation.' Yama responded, 'Very good! I can give you this opportunity, but your Causal Conditions are not yet fully ripe. You may serve the beings here first, and when the time is right, I will grant you the chance for true spiritual liberation.' I was so grateful for his help and began working in the Yama Palace, where I was responsible for organising documents."

"In the Yama Palace, I witnessed the karmic consequences of countless beings. I saw many who arrived still clinging to their personalities, their emotions, and even a total lack of repentance. Seeing the endless cycle of rebirth and the different forms beings take, I constantly reminded myself that I must escape samsara. So many beings in the cycle have lost their true nature and cannot be the master of their own lives—it is a truly grave problem."

"I am so grateful that I was able to hear Practitioner Su give Dharma talks while in the Yama Palace. The first time I heard them, I was deeply moved, for I knew that what Practitioner Su spoke was the Truth. It is the only path to liberation in this cycle of rebirth, the Truth of awakening to one's true nature. I know that Practitioner Su is an emanation of the Buddha, compassionately working to save the world. I am so thankful that Yama allowed me to wait for this opportunity; I cherish it deeply!"

"On this day, this magnificent day, I am so grateful to have received the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I treasure this Dharma affinity, and my heart is moved beyond words that I have finally attained liberation. I am grateful for the Buddha’s compassion and for Practitioner Su. On behalf of the sixty prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

"Che Hyun-woo"