The Forest Guardian Turned Underworld Jailer

This is a record of an interview with Hong Baosen, who sought spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life as a forest guardian and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on September 18, 2022.

Hong Baosen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Hong Baosen. I am filled with such profound gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. Thank you for this incredible opportunity, for the Causal Conditions that have allowed us to embark upon the path of liberation. I am overwhelmed with thanks; we will cherish this chance deeply, and we will engage in diligent practice, hoping that one day we, too, may be able to help other sentient beings. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and for the compassion of Practitioner Su."

A Childhood in the Whispering Woods

"I was born in the heart of a beautiful, lush mountain forest. In that place, I was surrounded by the most breathtaking natural scenery. We lived our lives immersed in that environment, wandering through the vast, wild world every single day. It was a life of such happiness and freedom, a life that felt truly boundless.

My grandfather was a woodcutter who lived in those mountains. Every day, long before the sun had even thought of rising, he would head up the mountain to gather wood. When the light finally touched the peaks, he would walk down to the marketplace to sell it. It was never an easy life, but for the sake of feeding our family, my grandfather worked with such tireless dedication. He never once complained of the hardship; he poured every ounce of his strength into caring for us.

My grandmother stayed at home, tending to the children and managing the household. I never knew my parents. When I was small, my grandfather would always tell me that they had been taken by the great wolves in the mountains. He warned me never to wander off, or I would meet the same fate. I was a very obedient child; whatever the adults told me, I followed without question. I never had my own opinions, and I certainly never talked back. Deep in my heart, I missed the parents I had never met, but I kept those feelings hidden. I did not want to cause my grandparents any worry. I simply wanted to be a good, filial child."

The Truth Behind the Forest

"It was only after I had grown up that I realised my parents had not been eaten by wolves at all. They had been lured away by the desires of the world, choosing to abandon their child and leave the mountains behind. My grandfather had harboured such resentment toward them that he had lied to me, telling me they were dead to protect me from the pain of abandonment. I could understand his heart, though. I did not blame him for the deception; instead, I felt an even deeper sense of gratitude for the love and care they had shown me in raising me.

When I was seventeen, I ventured out into the dusty world to search for my biological parents. I spent so much time following every lead, searching for any clue, until finally, I found them. They were living the wealthy, comfortable life they had always craved. When they saw me, they did not even recognise me. From the moment I was born until I was a grown man, we had never met, and this single encounter would be our last. I chose not to reveal my identity to them. Looking at them felt like looking at two complete strangers. I let go of the longing I had held for them in my heart, and I returned to the mountains, back to the life that truly belonged to me."

A Life of Duty and Solitude

"As I grew older, I began to follow my grandfather into the forest to cut wood. Eventually, when he became too old and his legs could no longer handle the steep mountain paths, he stayed home to keep my grandmother company. I took on the responsibility of the family, heading into the mountains and to the market all on my own.

Over those many years by my grandfather's side, I learned so many truths about life and the skills needed to survive in the wild. I learned to face the dangers and tests of the forest independently, and I learned how to find my way out when faced with difficulties. I owe all of this to my grandfather's careful teaching. It was he who taught me everything, giving me the ability to survive in the heart of the forest.

My name is Baosen, a name my grandfather gave me. It means 'protecting the forest.' He often told me that this forest provided us with a home, that it nurtured countless lives, and that it was a home for so many others. He taught me that we must protect the forest, never allowing it to be destroyed, and that we must guard the home that belongs to every living creature."

The Unexpected Call to the Underworld

"The forest changes every single day, though not everyone can see these changes clearly. Those with impure hearts see a distorted version of the forest, but those with pure hearts see it as it truly is—natural, peaceful, and a cradle for life. Naturally, such people develop a sense of respect for the forest, rather than the greed that leads to over-hunting or excessive logging, which only destroys the natural flow of life.

After my grandparents passed away, I continued to guard the forest, ensuring it remained untouched. I hoped that everyone would have the chance to witness the natural beauty of the woods, but I also prayed that they would never develop a greedy heart toward any blade of grass, any tree, or any living thing within it.

I lived my entire life in those mountains, and at the age of sixty-nine, I passed away peacefully. When I left this world, the forest was so quiet and still. I had enjoyed such a life, and I closed my eyes feeling completely satisfied, having fulfilled my purpose.

I felt no pain when I passed. After I died, I arrived in the underworld. The judge of the underworld examined my record and summoned a jailer to lead me before the King of Hell. The King looked at me and smiled, saying, 'There is a position available in the world right now. If you are willing, you can take up the post immediately. I am sending you back to the mountain forests of the world to serve as a jailer, specifically to guard the order of the forest and manage all the creatures within it.' I happily accepted the King's command and immediately set off to begin my duty."

Witnessing the Cycle of Samsara

"In this role, I have been constantly learning, and I have seen the true state of life. In the continuous cycle of samsara, no one can truly be the master of their own fate. We are all pushed along by the arrangements of reincarnation, dying and being born again, suffering in ways that are truly unbearable. Whenever I see the suffering of beings in samsara, my heart aches, yet I have been powerless to save them, for this is all the result of their own laws of karma and cause and effect. No one can help them but themselves.

When I first heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks, I knew that sentient beings could be saved. This is the true path to liberation. As long as beings can listen, take the teachings to heart, and break through their own delusions, they can escape the cycle of samsara and leave the suffering of birth and death behind. I am so grateful for the compassion and the Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su, which helps us break through our delusions and attain enlightenment. When Practitioner Su performs spiritual deliverance and his energy passes through the forests, I also do my part to help the beings there break through their own barriers, so they can follow the salvation team led by Practitioner Su and find liberation from suffering."

A Path to True Liberation

"This is such a magnificent Dharma. I am so grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su, who brings hope to all sentient beings in the Dharma realm. On behalf of all the jailers 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."

Hong Baosen, with palms joined in respect."