The Ghost-Catcher’s Revelation

This is a record of an interview with Chen Zhongguan, who sought 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 Taoist practitioner and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on December 18, 2022.

Chen Zhongguan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Zhongguan. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for this incredible opportunity. Practitioner Su has helped countless sentient beings find liberation and leave suffering behind, and we are all filled with gratitude. We know that we must continue to practise with diligence. Today, I represent all the prison guards of the underworld, as well as all sentient beings with karmic affinity, to express our deepest thanks for the Buddha’s grace and the compassion of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

In my past life, I was a Taoist practitioner. I captured countless spirits, and people in those days called me the 'Zhongguan Taoist.' Many people are terrified of ghosts; they feel a deep, instinctive fear toward these unseen beings. But I want to tell you the truth: these spirits are not truly terrifying. What is truly terrifying is the human heart—that which remains hidden from view."

The Truth Behind the Fear of Ghosts

"The human heart is incredibly fickle and ever-changing. Sometimes, for the sake of their own selfish interests, people will commit acts that are truly heinous and contrary to all morality. These spirits I encountered were merely beings who had lost their physical bodies. Because people cannot see them, they feel fear. I have met so many spirits who were consumed by hatred. They hated this world, and they hated the people who caused their deaths. They clung to their desire for revenge, waiting for an opportunity to settle their scores. But in truth, these spirits were trapped in a state of constant, agonising suffering.

I could understand the inner voices of these spirits. Whenever I was invited to capture a ghost, my hope was always to help them find liberation so that they would stop the cycle of karmic retribution. The most foolish ones are those spirits who persist in seeking revenge. The people in the human world have long since moved on, yet the spirit remains stuck in the same place, waiting in vain. I would always counsel them to let go of their hatred, hoping they could finally be free from their suffering."

The Complexity of Human Emotion

"In this world, there are so many invisible bonds and entanglements between people. Even after death, they remain trapped in these spaces, finding it incredibly difficult to escape. This is a common scene in the world today, and it is why so many sentient beings are unable to walk out of their darkness, suffering endlessly within it.

As a Taoist, although I had the ability to capture ghosts, I never did anything foolish. While I sometimes performed services for others, I always followed the laws of heaven and never acted in a way that violated the laws of karma and cause and effect. I often encountered cases of 'red-clothed female ghosts' seeking revenge. These women had been deeply hurt in their relationships, and in their despair, they took their own lives while wearing red, transforming into fierce spirits to haunt their former lovers. Such cases are common, and they are extremely difficult karmic problems to resolve.

Emotion is often the most difficult puzzle in the human world. These red-clothed spirits usually felt both love and hate for their former partners. They wanted revenge, yet they could not let go of the love in their hearts. They would cling to their lovers with all their might, and their resentment was incredibly heavy. Sometimes, if I intervened in such cases, I would end up being injured myself. Therefore, I was always extremely cautious. I would first investigate the karmic causes, and only then would I try to communicate with the spirit. If the spirit was willing to resolve the conflict, I would offer my help. Otherwise, no matter how much money I was offered, I would never interfere with the laws of karma."

The Peril of Ignoring Universal Principles

"I have seen many Taoists in the world who, for the sake of money, commit acts that violate the universal principles. This is truly not good. I have seen these practitioners eventually being dragged away by the very spirits they tried to manipulate; their ends were absolutely miserable. If one does not follow the universal principles in their actions, there will come a day when they are held to account.

Every day as I went about my work in the world, I was very clear about what I was doing. I came to understand many truths about the world: every person is trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. If one does not find a way to leave this cycle, they will continue to rotate in suffering, with no end in sight. Seeing this, my heart ached, but the human heart is so difficult to change! Whenever I witnessed these karmic events, seeing how the deceased clung to their attachments, I became even more clear-headed, knowing that I had to seek a path to liberation for myself."

A Long Search for Truth

"Walking through the world for so many years, I was constantly searching for the Truth, searching for a way to liberate my life. I did not want to remain in the cycle of reincarnation. Seeing so many karmic problems, I knew in my heart that I could not come back to this world again! Yet, after all those years, I still had not found the method for liberation. I could not break free from this cycle of reincarnation. I could only remind myself to do good, to practise Goodness, and to avoid creating evil consequences.

Throughout my life, I witnessed all kinds of changes. Life is fleeting, and I saw many people lose their lives in the blink of an eye. Facing such changes, we are powerless to control our own destiny. This is a truly terrifying reality, yet very few people realise it."

Finding the Path to Liberation

"I once tried very hard to save people. I attempted many methods, but I could not change the fickle nature of the human heart. Modern people are even more complex; compared to those of past generations, their hearts are filled with even more hidden agendas. I saw people repeating the same karmic patterns over and over, life after life, yet they remained unaware.

I captured many spirits during my time in the world, and this allowed me to see the many different states of the sentient heart. I hoped that I could escape, that I would no longer be trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. After my body died, my consciousness remained quite clear. I actively sought a way to leave, but eventually, I arrived in the underworld. I first worked in the Yama Palace, assisting with various tasks. It was only later that I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. I listened several times, and finally, I understood the Truth that Practitioner Su was teaching. I was deeply moved, because I knew I had finally found the way to liberation. I wanted to actively seek my exit.

Today, I have finally received this opportunity for liberation, and I truly cherish it. I will continue to practise with diligence, hoping that I will have the chance to help other sentient beings. I, Chen Zhongguan, represent all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity to express our deepest thanks for the Buddha’s grace and the compassion of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Chen Zhongguan, with palms joined in prayer."