The Boy Who Saw the Past

This is a record of an interview with Guan Jiu, who sought Chao Du 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 life approximately four hundred years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on August 8, 2019.

Guan Jiu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Guan Jiu. Peru was a dog that my father raised—a stray that had been abandoned on the side of the road. He had been with us since he was born. Everyone in our household cherished him deeply; he was like my father’s youngest son, and like a brother to me. We were incredibly close.

My father took three wives in total. My mother was the first, followed by two concubines. After my mother gave birth to me, she was unable to have any more children. To ensure the continuation of the Guan family line, my father had no choice but to take two concubines to help bear children. Growing up, watching the fate of these women, I felt an infinite sense of sorrow—a deep reflection on the tragedy of being a woman. If one is born a woman, is her only responsibility in life to bear children and care for them? What, then, is the true meaning of living in this world?

The Weight of Tradition and the Sorrow of Women

My two concubines were truly prolific; each helped my father by bearing a child every year. Our home was blessed with two new grandchildren every year, then four, and this continued until the sixth year, when the concubines’ pregnancies finally ceased. If you calculate that, the two concubines had fought to bring twelve children into the Guan family. With me, that made thirteen grandchildren to carry on the family name. My grandmother was quite satisfied looking at us thirteen, but we all knew she would never complain about having more. If there were a few more grandchildren, her smile would have been even brighter.

The wealth of our family was built through the tireless efforts of my grandfather and my father. From a young age, I watched them work incessantly. We started with a single fabric shop, which eventually expanded into four, each located in a different town, and every one of them was thriving. My mother was an exceptionally skilled seamstress. She would often select the most beautiful fabrics from our shops to make clothes for all of us. Everyone in the house, large and small, received a garment, including the children born to the concubines. Although my mother only bore one son for the Guan family—unlike the concubines who had so many—she never harboured a shred of jealousy or resentment. On the contrary, she cared for those children even more than the concubines did, treating them as if they were her own flesh and blood. Consequently, whatever I received, my brothers always received the same; there was never any distinction between us.

A Childhood Companion and the Mystery of Peru

The year my father brought Peru home, I had just turned three. At that time, the concubines had not yet been brought into the family, so it was just me and Peru. Every day, I played happily with him. Although Peru was a dog, he seemed to understand human speech. No matter what I said to him, he would give me the most appropriate response, as if he were my soulmate. At the time, I used to think, 'If only Peru could speak, we would talk from dawn until dusk. We would have endless things to discuss because our hearts are so alike, and our bond is as close as that of brothers.' I even wondered if Peru might truly be my mother’s son reincarnated, only he had ended up in the wrong place and become a dog! Yet, due to karmic affinity, he came to our home to be my father and mother’s son—a 'dog-son.' As a child, I always had such wild, imaginative thoughts, so my life was never boring. I could sit under a large tree and play with myself or with Peru for an entire day, as I always had a stream of new ideas flowing through my mind, satisfying my desire for play.

A Divine Revelation: The Celestial Dog

To my surprise, my random guessing turned out to be true! Peru really did have a deep karmic affinity with me. One day, a divine man who could see into the past arrived in our village. Seeing me holding Peru and observing our incredibly harmonious bond, he told me, 'He was your brother in a past life.' I was astonished. 'My brother?' I asked. The divine man replied, 'Indeed! Do you know what he was before he was reincarnated as a dog?' Curious, I asked, 'What was he?' The man answered, 'He was a celestial being! He had performed many good deeds and ascended to the heavens to live as a celestial being. After exhausting the blessings of that life, he still had past karma to repay, which manifested as this life as a dog. However, being reincarnated as a dog from the realm of celestial beings is different; his life is exceptionally good. He is no different from a human, yet he does not have to work from dawn until dusk like people do, nor does he have to worry about endless troubles! When you think about it, living as a dog like him doesn't seem so bad.' I burst out laughing, 'You are right! I never thought that being a dog could be better than being a human! What you say makes sense! He is indeed the happiest one in our family! Everyone loves him; he doesn't have to worry about food or shelter, and he spends his days leisurely playing with everyone.'

The Awakening of a Child

When I learned that Peru had once been a celestial being and had also been my brother, a multitude of strange and complex feelings arose in my heart. How can a person change so much? Could it be that I, too, was once a dog? Or perhaps a cat? I began to fantasise about what I looked like when I was an animal. As I pondered this, a sudden realisation dawned upon me: the human body is merely a temporary vessel that exists in this world for a few decades. Once this body decays and is gone, I might not be a human anymore!

This sudden insight felt like receiving earth-shattering news. I immediately ran from my room to the living room to share this revelation with my entire family! Strangely, when my grandparents and parents heard this, they showed no reaction at all. I asked my mother, puzzled, 'Mother, don't you find this terrifying?' My mother replied coldly, 'You haven't even finished living this life yet, why think so much? I have so many things to attend to.' I asked my father, 'Father, you might be a dog in your next life! Don't you find that frightening?' My father answered, 'Look at me, I am so busy every day that I am already living like a dog. Even if I were to be a dog in the next life, I should be quite used to it!' I looked at my parents with disbelief; their reactions left me stunned. I ran to ask my grandparents, 'If I cannot be a human in the next life, what should I do?' My grandmother replied, 'As long as I can see you, my dear grandson, every day while I am alive, it does not matter to me what I become after I die!' My grandmother loved her grandchildren most of all. Before my father brought the concubines into the house, she treasured me like a precious jewel. Every morning, the first thing she did upon waking was to check on me. It was no wonder she said that, for the person she cared about most in the world was me, her golden grandson. Hearing these responses, I did not want to ask any further. Unexpectedly, my grandfather asked me, 'Why haven't you asked me yet?' I wore an expression of complete disinterest, thinking his answer would be much the same as the others. To my surprise, my grandfather replied, 'Then make the most of this life!' That answer made my eyes light up! Yes! That is exactly what I should do. When I first had this realisation, I had also thought that I should cherish the time while I am alive, otherwise, my life would just pass by in vain! It seems that as the head of the family, my grandfather’s perspective was truly different.

Grandfather’s Wisdom: Seizing the Present

Although I knew I should make the most of my life, I did not know what I could actually do. As a six-year-old child, it seemed there was nothing to do but play. I thought about it incessantly, but I could not reach a conclusion. My grandfather saw me pacing back and forth in the courtyard and called me over, 'Guan Jiu, come here.' I walked quickly toward him, and he asked, 'Do you know how long I have been standing here?' I shook my head, as I had been so preoccupied that I hadn't noticed him at all. My grandfather said, 'I watched you walk back and forth, your mind racing countless times, yet you still look lost. What exactly are you thinking about?' I told him, 'Before I become a dog in my next life, I want to make the most of this life, but no matter how much I pace, I cannot figure out how to do it. I have been thinking about it from dawn until now, and the time has just slipped away.' My grandfather laughed heartily after hearing me out. He said, 'My grandson is truly adorable! Who says you are destined to be a dog in your next life? However, looking at you, I believe you will surely achieve great success in the future!' Hearing him say I would achieve great success, I eagerly pressed him, 'Has Grandfather already thought of what I can do? Otherwise, how can you say I will achieve great success?' My grandfather replied, 'Not at all. I see that after you had this realisation, you were determined to take action and change yourself. Such initiative will surely lead to success. Some people have an awakening but remain stuck in place; that is a false awakening, not a true one.' I nodded in understanding, 'Then, Grandfather, what can I actually do to make the most of my life?' My grandfather told me, 'To make the most of life is to live in the present. If you are in the present but your mind is dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, not only will you achieve nothing, but you will also be wasting your time. To put it clearly, that is being dishonest and impractical.' I asked, 'So, should I make the most of the present by playing?' My grandfather smiled and said, 'Keeping your heart constantly guarded in good thoughts and good deeds—that is making the most of life.' Hearing him say this, I was astonished. So, keeping the heart good and performing good deeds is how one makes the most of life! I jumped for joy and told him, 'I understand! Thank you, Grandfather!'"

The flowers of spring bloomed with such subtlety and grace. As I walked beneath the canopy of blossoms, I found myself deeply admiring each one—whether they were gently drifting to the ground or reaching the peak of their vibrant display, they were all so beautiful, truly a sight to behold. Whenever my spirits felt low, the mere sight of these myriad colours would instantly lift my heart and bring me a sense of profound relief. On this particular day, I lay beneath the flowering trees, allowing the warm, golden sunlight to bathe my skin. The combination of red, yellow, and white petals against the vast, clear blue sky created a scene of such exquisite serenity. Just as I was lost in this moment of pure joy, a piercing, sorrowful cry suddenly shattered the stillness. It was the voice of a young girl, and she was weeping with such heart-wrenching agony.

I sat up, my heart heavy with concern, and followed the sound until I found her. She was a small, frail figure, her tiny shoulders shaking uncontrollably as she sobbed. It was clear she was in the depths of despair. I approached her slowly and cautiously. She appeared to be about my own age, perhaps six or seven years old. I asked her, 'What has happened?' Startled by my voice, the girl spun around, her crying coming to an abrupt halt. She must have assumed she was entirely alone, which is why she had felt free to weep without restraint, never imagining that I was nearby, resting on the grass and enjoying the beauty of the flowers. She remained silent, unable to speak, as if she had committed some terrible mistake. I spoke to her with gentle reassurance: 'Please, do not be afraid. My grandfather has taught me to always keep my heart filled with Goodness. I am here only to help you, never to cause you any harm.' Sensing my sincerity, the girl finally lowered her guard and confessed, 'My mother has sold me to the family in the neighbouring village to be a child bride. I must leave tomorrow, but I truly do not want to go.' As she spoke, she broke down into tears once more. Not knowing how else to help her, I decided to bring her home to meet my grandfather.

The Wisdom of a True Spiritual Friend

My grandfather was sitting in the main hall when he saw us approaching from the gate. I walked up to him, greeted him respectfully, and introduced my new friend: 'Grandfather, this is Jasmine.' My grandfather nodded kindly at her, and Jasmine offered a shy, quiet greeting. I explained the situation to him: 'Jasmine is so heartbroken because she is to be sold as a child bride tomorrow. Grandfather, you have always taught me to keep my heart filled with Goodness and to perform acts of Generosity. Now that Jasmine is in such distress and needs help, how should I go about assisting her?' My grandfather looked at me thoughtfully and replied, 'I fear this is not a burden that you can carry alone.' I looked at him with confusion, asking, 'Are you saying I should just stand by and watch as Jasmine is taken away?'

My grandfather sighed and said, 'It is not that we lack the desire to help Jasmine, but there are so many girls in this society who are being sold into such lives. With so many in her position, how could you possibly help them all?' I pondered his words, realising the truth in them, and asked, 'Then what should we do?' My grandfather looked at me and said, 'Teach her to chant Namo Amituofo!' I was astonished. 'Chant Namo Amituofo?' I had never heard him mention this practice before. Why would he suddenly suggest this for Jasmine? He explained, 'I have only recently begun to study the Buddha’s teachings myself. An old friend, whom I had not seen for many years, visited me recently. I noticed a remarkable change in his countenance and asked him what had brought about such a transformation. He told me that he had been studying the Buddha’s teachings for several years.'

The Transformation of a Life

He told me that he had spent his life chasing after wealth, only to realise after falling ill that everything he had pursued was something he could not take with him. When his illness reached the area between the shoulder blades, his money proved entirely useless. It only served to incite his children to fight over his inheritance, as they began coveting his assets even before he had passed away. Later, a noble person visited him and introduced him to the Buddha’s teachings, explaining the immense benefits of chanting Namo Amituofo to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land. He began to chant with great diligence and donated all his wealth to various temples and impoverished regions. He even did something truly meaningful: he converted his own vacant property into an orphanage, inviting monastics to visit monthly to share the teaching with the children, while teachers guided them in their studies and in learning the Buddha’s teachings.

Through such acts of Goodness and his sincere vow to follow the Buddha and save the world, combined with his constant chanting and genuine change of heart, his illness gradually healed. Although his wife and children were vehemently opposed to his actions—as he had sold off all the family assets—my friend had already completely seen through the illusory nature of this world. Having experienced the heartlessness of his own family when he was at death's door, and seeing their desperate greed for his wealth, he knew that this world was no longer worth clinging to. He realised that the only thing of value was to help others break through delusion and attain enlightenment, so that more people might wake up and understand that everything in this world is false. That is why he came to visit me—to introduce me to the Buddha’s teachings. Seeing not only his changed appearance but also his newfound gentleness and compassion—for he had always been a stubborn and headstrong man—I found it truly inconceivable that the Buddha’s teachings could have such an effect. Thus, I too began to chant and study. Within a few weeks, my heart became increasingly peaceful. When I finally calmed my mind and looked at this world again, I realised what it truly was. I no longer crave anything. My greatest responsibility now is not to manage the fabric shop, but to chant Namo Amituofo, to introduce the Buddha’s teachings to others, and to seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Within my means, I will also use my wealth to help those in need and make generous offerings to virtuous monastics, so that the Buddha’s teachings may be widely propagated.'

A Heart Anchored in Namo Amituofo

My grandfather continued, 'So, I must teach Jasmine to keep her heart filled with Goodness and to chant Namo Amituofo diligently. The Buddha is always within our hearts. As long as you calm your mind and chant, you will receive a response. Chanting is meant to help you realise that this world is false. Such a place of suffering should not be clung to. You should follow the Buddha’s example, remaining cool, at ease, and compassionate, with your heart set firmly on the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, so that you need not return to this cycle of rebirth. Although you are not yet ten years old, time passes quickly. Soon you will be a young woman of twenty, a mother at forty, and an elderly woman at sixty. You must cherish your time, purify your heart, and chant Namo Amituofo. Keep the Buddha in your heart, and the results will be inconceivable. If, after you are married, your life is comfortable, remember to chant and keep your heart on an even keel. Do not become overly excited, and do not develop greed or attachment to this world. Instead, be like the Buddha—pure in heart, with no attachments. If you encounter difficulties, follow the Buddha’s example: see them clearly, do not give rise to any evil thought, and then chant. Chant continuously, and you will transform your feelings of injustice into a state of inner peace. No matter how much housework you are expected to do in your husband’s home, remember that this is merely the labour of your physical body. The one who most needs your help is the spirit within you. No matter how much you do, as long as you chant Namo Amituofo to seek rebirth in the Western Land and to escape this worldly realm, the Buddha will help you, and your spirit will have the chance to be saved.'

I nodded repeatedly as I listened to my grandfather. I had never imagined that chanting could have such inconceivable power! Jasmine was also deeply moved by his words. Although we were still beginners and did not fully understand the Buddha’s teachings, and chanting with a truly focused heart was still a challenge, we felt a new sense of hope. My grandfather spent more time introducing us to Namo Amituofo and said, 'The Buddha’s teachings are about compassion; they are about bringing peace to the human heart. Jasmine, don’t you feel that after talking with me, your heart is much more at peace?' Jasmine nodded vigorously. Her appearance was now entirely different from the fearful, lost girl she had been moments before. My grandfather said, 'That is exactly it. The Buddha’s teachings are meant to bring peace to the heart. We live in this world with so many worries and anxieties that our hearts have become covered up, and we have forgotten how to return to the Buddha’s world. Now that I have begun to study, I realise that the Buddha’s world is so peaceful. There are no worldly disturbances, no afflictions, and no suffering there. You will be forever happy, forever at peace. We are now seeking that world, and once we reach it, we will be reborn. When you chant with focus, your heart is at peace because you are drawing near to the Buddha; your heart and the Buddha’s heart are one. That sense of stability is something money cannot buy, and it cannot be found in this worldly realm. Only through the Buddha’s teachings can one attain such purity and meditative concentration.' Jasmine and I nodded, our hearts feeling much calmer. That day, Jasmine returned home with a smile and a sense of peace. Facing the next day, she was no longer afraid, for she now had the Buddha in her heart.

A Path of Wisdom and Practice

My grandfather was truly a man of Wisdom. Upon first encountering the Buddha’s teachings, he knew they were a treasure. He held onto the Buddha tightly, introduced the teachings to others, propagated the Buddha’s dignity, and spread the message of Goodness, virtuous conduct, and compassion. I followed my grandfather in studying the Buddha’s teachings. No matter how far away a temple might be, we were always eager to travel there to listen to a teaching, for we knew what a precious and rare opportunity it was.

My grandfather was my true spiritual friend and my fellow practitioner. Although we were grandfather and grandchild, we were both beginners in our study of the Buddha’s teachings, learning together and encouraging one another. I am a child who values practical application, a trait I learned from my grandfather from a young age. Therefore, once I understood the principles taught by the Buddha, I would apply them to my daily life, allowing the Dharma to truly integrate into my routine. I did not see the Buddha’s teachings as separate from life; they are meant to coexist and be one. Through this approach, I changed quite rapidly. In particular, my appearance became pure and filled with dignity, no longer the mundane look of the past, but now carrying a touch of the Buddha’s compassion within. Namo Amituofo.

"Peru stayed with me until he was fifteen. By then, he was an old dog. I knew he was a celestial being who had taken birth as a dog, and I also knew that in a past life, he had been my younger brother. Because of this, I took special care of him. I used the Buddha’s teachings to guide him, telling him, 'Do not reincarnate as a dog again; you must seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.' It was truly miraculous—he seemed to understand every word I said. I often brought him along to chant Namo Amituofo. His spirit was exceptionally sensitive; perhaps he truly saw the Buddha-light and witnessed the Buddha standing right before his eyes. On the day he passed away, he looked as peaceful and at ease as if he were simply drifting into a dream. I am so deeply grateful that I could meet him in this lifetime. It was he who allowed me to find a profound realisation about life at the tender age of six, opening the causal conditions for my own practice of the Buddha’s teachings. If not for him, I would still be a fool wandering in the dust of this world, unaware of the path back to the true Western Land."

The Path of True Action

"After Peru left, I went to the temple to become a monastic. The Buddha’s teachings instructed me in truth, faith, and the importance of acting in accordance with my vows. Where is the Buddha? He resides forever in the heart of the true believer. Though I am not gifted with eloquent speech in this life, I am a practitioner of 'true action.' I follow the Buddha’s instructions with absolute sincerity and live by the teachings. I lead my disciples by setting an example, demonstrating the path through my own actions. What is practice? It is the cultivation of light; it is the cultivation of seeing the light of one's own true nature. It is the alignment of inner and outer, the recognition that we are one with all beings, and the expansion of the heart’s capacity until it is boundless, encompassing all existence. With this pure and clean body, I seek to save all beings, and with a heart full of gratitude and no regrets, I look forward to my rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

"Beings come forward in waves, as dense as a beehive; they are all suffering spirits seeking Chao Du. Who else could possibly help them? They have waited for centuries, millennia, even ten thousand years, and finally, they have encountered the light of opportunity—Practitioner Su has manifested in the human world. Practitioner Su truly understands the deep sorrow and suffering of these beings. Regardless of the agony of his own physical body, he endures it all, determined to save these countless, suffering beings.

The beings of the three thousand great thousand worlds have all received the compassionate deliverance of Practitioner Su. One speck of dust is a world; the entire void can be said to be one, yet it is also composed of endless worlds. In the heart of Practitioner Su, the vastness of the universe exists in but a single point. This heart has already encompassed the void; no matter how vast the universe may be, it all resides within the single heart of Practitioner Su. Being of the same substance, with no separation, this heart of great compassion broadly embraces all beings. To deliver an endless multitude is, for him, a natural and spontaneous act."

The Wisdom of the Awakened

"Those who have realised their true nature, like Practitioner Su, can teach the Dharma with complete freedom. Whether it is a great sutra or a small one, he can expound upon them with ease. This is because the words of the sutras are his own practice; what he has lived has become one with the text, so naturally, he can speak with total mastery. It is as if his Buddha-heart and his own heart have merged into one—a seamless, perfect union. His teachings flow forth as naturally as a spring of water; it is the manifestation of his true nature, like the Buddha’s infinite wisdom and infinite virtue. Now, as he expounds upon the 'Explanation of the Buddha’s Teachings,' every sentence is a revelation. He dismantles the human heart, points directly to the core, and awakens us from our slumber. If one can listen with a focused mind, one will surely attain enlightenment, realise the illusory nature of this world, stop wandering in foolishness, and understand that it is time to awaken and depart.

I am filled with gratitude for the compassion of the Buddha, and I am filled with gratitude for the compassion of Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo."

This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing.