The Compassionate Journey of Underworld Official Liu Haitong

This interview was recorded on April 9, 2023, by the chief writer, Shi Fa. It features Liu Haitong, a former underworld official who sought deliverance through the guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Having served in the underworld for centuries, Liu Haitong shares his profound transformation from a compassionate forest guardian to a soul now reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Underworld Official Liu Haitong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. In my past, I made a solemn vow to help sentient beings throughout my many lives. For a long time, I believed that simply helping others overcome their immediate difficulties was the true meaning of saving lives. It was not until I encountered Practitioner Su that my entire perspective was transformed. I finally realised that to truly save sentient beings, one must guide them to liberation from the cycle of rebirth, allowing them to leave suffering behind and gain ultimate happiness.

I am deeply grateful for the compassionate heart of Practitioner Su. Today, sixty of us who served as underworld officials have been granted rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is truly due to the compassion of Practitioner Su. On behalf of all the underworld officials and the sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Life Dedicated to Service

"Several hundred years ago, I lived in a small, quiet village. I was always eager to help others; I found great joy in assisting those in need, solving their problems, and helping them lead better lives. Helping people escape their pain and suffering was the thing I loved most in this world.

My childhood was exceptionally simple. My parents were honest, hardworking farmers, and our family lived a modest, rural life. There were no complications in our days—we simply followed the rising and setting of the sun, tending to our crops and enjoying our humble, unadorned meals. From a young age, I had a deep passion for learning. I frequently studied skills that could benefit others, such as medicine and the cultivation of medicinal herbs. I also studied many principles and teachings so that I could educate the children in our village."

The Plague and the Forest

"As far back as I can remember, our village was always peaceful. That changed one day when a massive plague suddenly descended upon us. Many people fell ill, and the village doctors were completely helpless. When I heard the news, I did not hesitate for a moment. I walked straight into the heart of the village to treat the sick. Using the wisdom and techniques I had acquired, I successfully treated one patient after another. Within just a few days, the plague was gradually brought under control, and the villagers began to feel hope once again.

However, just as the village began to recover, the forest nearby faced a severe crisis. The influence of the plague had spread into the woods. The trees began to wither and die in large numbers. The animals not only lost their habitat, but many of them also contracted the plague, and every day, countless creatures perished. When I heard this, I made a firm decision to enter the forest. Everyone else was terrified to go near it and tried to persuade me not to risk my life, but I was steadfast in my resolve. I wanted to save these poor, suffering beings. I began a one-man rescue mission.

I used my own hands to clear away the dead trees and dig out the roots. I dug wells to provide fresh water for the animals to drink, and every day, I shared my own food with them. After several months of tireless effort, my work finally restored the forest's ecosystem to its original state. The animals, sensing my kindness, began to approach me and show their affection."

The Sacrifice of a Tree Spirit

"I stayed in that forest for a very long time. However, one day, while I was patrolling the woods, I was tragically attacked by a hunter. I tried to protect the creatures of the forest, but in doing so, I lost my own life.

After my spirit left my body, I was drawn by a powerful force. I felt myself moving forward continuously, and when I awoke, I discovered that I had become the spirit of a tree. This tree stood within that very same forest. As the tree spirit, I guarded that forest for hundreds of years. Watching the many creatures thrive under my protection filled my heart with profound emotion. Looking back, from the moment I became a tree spirit, my life was inextricably linked to that forest. I continued to use my power and wisdom to protect the woods and its inhabitants, watching them grow strong. That feeling is impossible to describe with words; I was truly happy.

But this peace did not last forever. One day, I sensed a powerful, toxic gas appearing in the city, poisoning many people. When I received this information, I decided to use my own power to absorb the poison, hoping to protect the people who were being harmed. After unremitting effort, I finally succeeded in absorbing all the toxic gas, but my tree body was poisoned in the process, and it died. My life of several hundred years came to an end right there."

From the Underworld to the Western Pure Land

"When my spirit left my body once again, I walked along the path leading to the underworld. I could not help but think back to the moment I became a tree spirit; life is truly filled with inconceivable events. When I arrived before the King of the Underworld, he smiled and invited me to have a cup of tea. He then invited me to serve as a civil official in the underworld, and I nodded in agreement.

The environment of the underworld was different from when I was a tree spirit; it was darker and the atmosphere was cold. During my years of service, I witnessed many issues related to the laws of karma and cause and effect, which led me to re-evaluate the nature of reincarnation. I constantly contemplated these principles, which helped me understand the suffering of sentient beings in the cycle of rebirth and the problem of their deep-seated delusions. I am very grateful that in recent years, I was able to encounter Practitioner Su teaching the Dharma. The principles explained by Practitioner Su completely resolved the questions in my heart. I am deeply thankful for the compassion and the vows of Practitioner Su; I finally understood that I, too, needed to seek liberation and escape the cycle of rebirth.

I am so grateful that today I have this opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I will continue to learn, hoping that in the future, I will have the chance to help even more sentient beings. I, Liu Haitong, on behalf of all the underworld officials and sentient beings with karmic affinity who have attained rebirth today, bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Liu Haitong, with palms joined.