The Coffin Maker's Journey to Liberation

This is a record of an interview with Guan Youcai, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life as a coffin maker and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 22, 2021.

Guan Youcai speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Guan Youcai. I am so incredibly grateful to Practitioner Su for leading us to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today. I am overjoyed to have arrived in such a magnificent place; it is truly a world beyond compare. Thank you, Namo Amituofo, and thank you, Practitioner Su. On behalf of sixty other prison guards, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace and for the compassion of Practitioner Su.

I have always been a simple, honest man. In my past life, I never had the opportunity to pursue much formal education. From a very young age, I followed the elderly gentleman who lived next door to learn a trade. He was a master woodcarver, and every single day, he would carve the very thing that every person eventually needs at the end of their life: a coffin."

A Life Spent Crafting the Final Journey

"Because I was a coffin maker, my entire existence was defined by the realities of death. When someone passed away, their family would need to purchase a coffin to collect the bodies of their loved ones. Of course, there were those who were so impoverished they could not afford a proper casket. In those cases, they would choose to wrap the deceased person in straw mats or other simple materials before burying or cremating them.

In that line of work, I encountered so many different situations. I remember families knocking on our door in the middle of the night, desperate to order a coffin. Others would come to us in tears, begging for help because they had no money to handle the funeral arrangements. Because this profession is so intimately tied to the final chapter of a human life, I witnessed the full spectrum of human nature and the many different states of the world. I learned my skills from my master from the time I was a child, and I watched closely how he handled these varied and often heart-wrenching circumstances. He was truly the guiding light of my life, and I learned so much from his example."

The Master's Compassion

"Although I was not a man of great learning, I never dared to forget a single thing my master taught me. In fact, I strove to put his lessons into practice to the best of my ability. Even as a boy, I could see the warmth in his heart. No matter what kind of personality or attitude our customers brought to the shop, my master was always courteous. Even when people were short-tempered or rude, he never once lost his temper. Instead, he would serve them with even greater humility. He would tell me, 'Why do we do this work? We do it to help people complete their final journey, to ensure they can depart in peace. Why should we ever argue with them? Every single person will eventually reach this final step in life. What is there to fight about? Let us simply do our best to ensure every life can depart with dignity.'

My master had such a kind heart. While working by his side, I often saw him secretly helping families who could not afford the funeral costs. He would craft coffins for them for free. When times were tough for us, he would find straw mats to ensure the deceased person could at least have a respectful final arrangement. He was always thinking of others before himself. Watching his actions, I knew that I wanted to be just like him. I studied hard, hoping that one day I would have the capacity to help others just as he did."

Carrying the Torch

"My master passed away at the age of eighty-five. His departure was incredibly calm and peaceful. Before he left, he instructed me not to prepare a coffin for him; he wanted to save those resources for people who needed them more. I understood his heart, and in accordance with his final wishes, I wrapped his body in the worn-out straw mat he had slept on during his life. We cremated him in a nearby clearing, and I scattered his ashes in the forest.

He was truly a wonderful human being. Throughout his life, he had worked tirelessly on a single, intricately carved coffin, covering it with beautiful patterns using all the skills he had mastered over a lifetime. I understood his intention—that coffin was not for himself. He intended to sell it for the highest possible price so he could use the money to buy more wood, allowing him to provide free coffins or straw mats for the poor. His heart was always focused on the well-being of others. I was so fortunate to have met him. I cherished every moment I spent learning by his side. After he passed, I did not dare to slacken for a moment. I worked hard to manage the shop, designing various types of coffins so that wealthy families would be willing to buy them. I then used those profits to continue crafting simple coffins to help those in need, ensuring they too could have a peaceful final journey."

From the Coffin Shop to the Underworld

"This life, whether long or short, passed by in the blink of an eye. Before I knew it, my own life was drawing to a close. I had spent my entire existence crafting coffins. Having seen so much of life’s fragility, I had long ago come to terms with death. I understood that it is a path everyone must eventually walk. I accepted it with a calm heart. As long as I could live with a clear conscience, being fair to myself and to society, then my life was complete.

I passed away at the age of ninety. The coffin shop effectively closed with me, as I had waited many years but never found a young person willing to learn the trade. It was not an easy job, and it certainly did not bring much wealth. I accepted this outcome as well. Before I died, I made all the necessary preparations, including arranging my own funeral. I knew that after I was gone, there would be no one to manage the shop. So, before I passed, I entrusted everything to a family living nearby who were known for their kindness. I gave them clear instructions on how many coffins and straw mats remained and asked them to distribute them to anyone in need. I also gave them the remaining money from the shop, asking them to renovate the small space so it could be used as a place to teach children or to help others. If there was any money left over, I asked them to simply cremate me."

A New Path to Liberation

"I passed away peacefully in the middle of the night. I left with a calm heart, knowing that I had settled all my affairs and had no lingering attachments. That night, I arrived before the King of the Underworld. After he reviewed the deeds of my life, he had me stay to work in the underworld. I studied diligently, and before long, I was able to handle the tasks assigned to me.

I have been working there for over a hundred years. I am so happy to have met Practitioner Su today. I truly cherish the sutras that Practitioner Su has shared, as this is the first time I have ever heard such profound truths. Every word spoken by Practitioner Su has shaken my heart to its core. I am deeply moved, and I have complete faith. Only after hearing these teachings did I realise what it truly means for a life to be complete. I finally understand that at the very end of one's life, there is a path to true liberation.

I am deeply touched, but even more so, I am filled with A Heart of Gratitude. I treasure this Causal Condition today. I will study the Buddha’s teachings with all my heart, hoping that one day, I too can be like Practitioner Su and save the world. Guan Youcai offers his deepest thanks. 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 compassion of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Guan Youcai