The Filial Son Who Carried Waste

This is a record of an interview with Shen Tianci, a venerable who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He currently resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 2,200 years ago. The interview was recorded on January 23, 2019, and transcribed by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing.

Shen Tianci speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Shen Tianci. My life began in a time of great hardship, yet it was defined by the deep, abiding love I held for my parents. Before I was even born, my mother faced a life-altering trial. A fortune teller had predicted my arrival, and my mother was overjoyed, having waited for so many years to bring a child into this world. On her way home to share the news with my father, she encountered a vicious, charging wolfhound. Seeing innocent children in the dog's path, she did not think of her own safety for even a fleeting moment. She rushed forward with all her might to protect those children, and in that act of selfless courage, she lost her leg. She never once regretted her choice, for she believed that a single leg was a small price to pay for the lives of five or six children. I was the child she brought into the world despite her immense suffering, and my father wept with profound gratitude for her sacrifice and for the gift of my life."

A Childhood of Hidden Sacrifice

"I grew up knowing the crushing weight of our poverty. I never once complained of hunger to my parents, even when my stomach ached with the sharp pangs of starvation, because I did not want them to worry about our family's survival. I told my mother, 'I will be your other leg,' and I meant it with every fibre of my being. By the age of five, I would wake at the first light of dawn, prepare food for them, and head out to work. I took up the arduous task of carrying waste for others. I was small and lacked the strength of a grown man, so I trained by tying heavy stones to my body as I ran to build my endurance.

"I was often ridiculed and insulted by villagers who called me a 'waste-pit child' because of the pungent smell that clung to my clothes and skin. I endured it all in silence, for I knew our family depended on that meagre income. If I lost that work, we would have nothing. I would often fall, covered in filth, and suffer the cruel mockery of other children, yet I persisted. My parents never knew the true nature of my work. Before returning home, I would wash myself thoroughly in the river and change into clean clothes I kept hidden. My father would often speak pityingly of the 'poor waste-carrying child' he heard others mocking, never realising that the child was his own son."

The Monk's Compassion

"One sweltering day, while carrying two heavy loads of waste, I felt a sharp, unbearable pain in my stomach. I sought a hidden place to rest, but I collapsed and lost consciousness. A passing monk, drawn by the smell, found me lying in the waste. He did not turn away in disgust. Instead, he carried me—and my two loads of waste—all the way back to his temple. When I awoke, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. He held my hands and told me, 'The filial son is protected by the celestial deities.' It was true; I had survived many injuries throughout my life, and this time, the monk had saved my life.

"The monk introduced me to the Buddha's teachings. He told me, 'Carrying waste to support your parents is filial, but they are growing old. If you learn the Dharma and bring them to the Buddha, you can change your destiny and ensure they are reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the only way to truly repay their kindness.' I took his words to heart. I began to practise diligently, chanting Namo Amituofo and listening to the sutras. I brought my parents to the temple so they, too, could learn the way to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

The Golden Discovery

"After I made a great vow to dedicate my life to saving suffering beings, a miracle occurred. A wealthy family hired me to carry their waste. Under the sunlight, I discovered gold hidden within the waste. When I returned it to the wealthy man, he laughed and told me to keep it, saying his family had so much gold that even their waste contained it. I used that gold to help the poor in our town. This act of generosity brought me more blessings, allowing me to care for my parents even better. Eventually, with their blessing, I left home to become a monk, fulfilling my lifelong dream to save sentient beings.

"Twenty years later, I returned as a monk. The villagers who had once mocked me were filled with regret, but I held no grudges. I taught them the Dharma, hoping they too would chant Namo Amituofo and leave suffering behind. I spent my life walking the earth, my feet worn and tired, but my heart was at peace. At the moment of my passing, I guided countless spirits to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, all through the compassion of the Buddha."

Gratitude to Practitioner Su

"Now, in the vastness of the universe, I see the work of Practitioner Su. Through her help, I have been able to open spaces for connected spirits to hear the Dharma. I am once again saving beings, just as I did in my past life. I cherish every moment of this deliverance. I chant the name of Namo Amituofo, I hold the beings in my heart, and I pray that more and more may leave the sea of suffering. I am eternally grateful to the Buddha, and I am eternally grateful to Practitioner Su for this opportunity. Namo Amituofo."