The Cucumber's Journey to Enlightenment
An Interview with the Spirit of Liz
Recorded on October 6, 2017
This is a record of an interview with a spirit who, after a series of tragic lives as a cucumber, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon her past human life and her subsequent experiences in the cycle of rebirth. The interview was conducted by the chief writer, Venerable Faxin, on October 6, 2017.
Venerable Faxin speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. Please, little cucumber, tell us about your journey. Share with us the story of your life, from your human days to your time as a cucumber."
The Cucumber (Liz) speaks:
"Oh, please don't call me 'you' so formally! I am still very young! My name is Liz. Like most girls, I was obsessed with being beautiful. My mother raised me like a princess, and everyone constantly praised my looks. Over time, I truly believed I was perfect. I spent my life chasing a man who could match my beauty, so even though I had many suitors, none of them were ever good enough for me. I was always looking for someone who could be worthy of my image."
The Obsession with Perfection
"As I aged, I became terrified of every little change in my face. The appearance of a single wrinkle would send me into a panic. I could not accept being anything less than perfect. I spent a fortune on skincare products, no matter how expensive they were, as long as they promised results. But after I turned thirty, my complexion started to look dull and grey. I was falling apart. I searched everywhere for a solution, and finally, I found it: the humble cucumber. I would buy a whole bunch every week, slice them up, and cover my entire face with them, along with expensive moisturising creams. I was obsessed. I became extreme in my pursuit of beauty. My family could not stand my behaviour, but I did not care what they thought. Maintaining a perfect image was the only thing that mattered to me."
A Tragic End in the Flames
"Then, one lazy afternoon, I met my friends for tea—my favourite pastime outside of work. We were gossiping, as usual, when disaster struck. A fire broke out in the restaurant. People were screaming and running everywhere. I was on the second floor, and there was no time to escape. My body and face were horribly burned. When I was taken to the hospital, I was too terrified to look in the mirror. I lost all my confidence. My life felt hopeless. I just wanted to die. I constantly reminisced about my beautiful skin. After the accident, I stopped using cucumbers because no matter how much I applied, the scars remained. I was so consumed by grief that I eventually passed away from the severity of my burns."
The Cycle of Suffering
"Before I died, I was still clinging to my past image. My spirit was lost, and I found myself reborn as a cucumber in a market. I hated it—the environment was so dirty and grimy. A plump woman from a Chinese family bought me and took me home. She sliced me up and pickled me with salt and soy sauce. I felt so salty, and my body turned a dull, greyish colour. That was one of my lives. In another life, I became part of a salad and was eaten. In my final life as a cucumber, I was bitten by a worm and started to rot. I withered away. I really hated that worm for causing my death. It is strange, is it not? Why was I always wallowing in self-pity? This was not the life a beautiful princess was supposed to have! I decided I needed to try and smile for once."
The Smiling Cucumber
"In my fourth life as a cucumber, I chose to be a 'smiling' cucumber. I smiled when I was growing, I smiled when I reached full size, I smiled when I was picked, I smiled when I was sold at the market, and I even smiled when I was moved to the fruit shop. Because I had become so cheerful, I got along perfectly with all the other cucumbers in the crate. The whole box became bright and happy because of my influence. When Practitioner Su appeared, I, being a sensitive little cucumber, knew that Practitioner Su was special. I told everyone to smile, to keep smiling, and to try and radiate a positive energy. Finally, we were chosen! When we were placed on the trolley, everyone was clapping. That is how we arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. We stayed for one night, and we knew immediately that this place was extraordinary. We are the luckiest cucumbers in existence, and this was the best moment of my life since becoming a cucumber. Thank you, Practitioner Su, for letting us come here. We are so, so happy."
"Namo Amituofo."
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library