Searching for the Exit of Life

This is a record of an interview with Huang Sique, a spirit who served as a prison guard in the underworld before seeking Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon her life and her eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on October 2, 2022.

Huang Sique speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. What kind of life can endure and exist permanently? The answer lies in the world of the spirit. This is the question I have been searching for my entire existence. How, exactly, can one find the exit to life and attain spiritual liberation?

I am Huang Sique. I grew up in an ordinary world, yet I possessed an extraordinary heart. I felt a deep, burning desire to pursue the Truth, and I was determined to find a way to achieve liberation. Everyone around me thought my ideas were impractical, even delusional, but my heart told me that this Truth was real. I am profoundly grateful today for the compassion of Practitioner Su, who helped us reach the ultimate liberation of the spirit. On behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Heart That Never Settled

"I grew up in a very typical family—a father, a mother, and a younger sister thirteen years my junior. My home life was mundane, with little change from day to day. Even as a child, I knew that this family would eventually separate; I understood that nothing in this world could last forever.

Because of this, I was always searching. I was looking for a chance to change the trajectory of my life. At that time, I did not know any method for liberation; I only knew that I wanted to break free from the shackles of fate. Because I held this intention, I did not develop deep attachments or obsessions with the things of this world. I knew they were fleeting, and I was searching for something that could offer a permanent possibility.

I did not know where the goal of life lay, but I wanted to try. I wanted to transcend myself. Many people are content to settle for the status quo, but I could not. I wanted to change. I even possessed the awareness to recognise the dilemmas within life, and I was determined to break through them."

A Life Spent in Pursuit of Truth

"Throughout my life, I worked very hard to find the Truth. Even while I was immersed in the red dust of the world, I never forgot to keep searching. I did not lose my direction because I knew that only the Truth was truly real. From the moment I was born to the process of growing up, my life was no different from most people's. From learning to speak to becoming an adult, I experienced all the various changes of life. I also observed the people around me with great sensitivity. From the lives of every individual, I could see different fates unfolding. It seemed as though these fates were guiding us, yet no one knew how to break through them.

When I was a child, I made a vow: when I grew up, I would find the exit to life. At the time, many people laughed at me, calling it a fool's dream. I ignored their ridicule. I only knew that I had to fulfil this vow. I did not want my life to be lost in such a volatile and changing fate; I wanted to know the method of liberation.

My heart was always searching, so when I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks in the underworld, I knew immediately that everything was real. The principles Practitioner Su spoke of were the true Truth, capable of helping all beings attain liberation. I am so grateful for the compassionate heart of Practitioner Su, which allows countless beings the opportunity to be saved."

The Illusion of Worldly Ties

"During my life, I never gave up hope because I believed that as long as I did not become lost in the world, I would eventually find the answer. Like most women, I married, but the marriage was arranged by my family, and I had no way to oppose it. After the wedding, I told my husband about my thoughts. He did not object, but his only condition was that I bear him children. After much consideration, I agreed to his request. A year later, I gave birth to our first child, and eventually, we had four children in total.

My husband wanted to use the children to bind my heart and will, but I remained clear-headed. I knew these were just temporary roles we were playing. I did my best to raise the children, but I also taught them to manage their own lives and to be responsible for their own existence. I had no deep attachments to my family. Even in my life as a wife, although there were physical pleasures, I did not let my body become addicted to those sensations. I was very clear that these were fleeting and not the Truth.

Once the children were grown, I decided to leave home and embark on the path of searching for the Truth alone. Although I did not know the direction, I believed that as long as I remained clear-headed, I would eventually find it. I visited many ancient temples, but after participating in their practices, I still could not find the Truth. I began to enter a period of temporary confusion and doubted myself. My thoughts were filled with uncertainty, but in the end, I chose to persevere."

The Final Act of Compassion

"Because I was searching for the Truth, I travelled to many places and explored many different customs. I sighed at the diversity of life, yet I realised that in the end, it was all just a dream, a bubble, a shadow. After visiting many temples, I finally chose to believe in the Buddha’s teachings. I practised diligently on my own, hoping to find the Truth within the Dharma.

The Buddha’s teachings are a magnificent method. I believe they can lead all life to liberation. So, when I heard the principles explained by Practitioner Su, I believed this was the method of liberation—the path that all beings should strive to follow. I am truly grateful to Practitioner Su. In my own life, I had not yet found the method of liberation. My life ended in an accident. I was trying to save a child who had fallen into a river. I managed to pull the child to the shore, but because I had exhausted all my strength, I fell back into the water. I was swept away by the current and lost my life.

In my life, apart from searching for the Truth, I seemed to have no other achievements. But my spirit remained clear throughout. I arrived in the underworld and spoke with the King of Hell; I was very lucid. I had no attachments regarding my accidental death. The King of Hell reviewed the cases of my many lives and ultimately gave me the opportunity to serve. I am very grateful for the King of Hell’s compassion."

Finding the Exit in the Underworld

"Being able to hear the magnificent Dharma proclaimed by Practitioner Su in the underworld is truly my greatest blessing and Causal Condition. This is the sound of the true Dharma, and I cherish it deeply! Today, being able to step onto the path of liberation, I am truly filled with gratitude. I have waited for this day for a very long time. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su. On behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. I will practise diligently, hoping that one day I, too, can help other beings.

The Truth is real, and this path of liberation is truly real. I hope that more people will realise that this world is illusory. Do not forget to step onto the path of liberation, break through this impermanent fate, and take control of your own life.

Namo Amituofo.

Huang Sique, with palms joined."