The Guardian of the Jade and the Lesson of Greed

This interview was conducted by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on October 9, 2022. The speaker, Zhuo Zhonghai, served as a village elder in his earthly life and later as a jailer in the spirit realm. He recounts his journey from a life of service in a jade-rich village to his eventual understanding of the Dharma and his successful quest for liberation in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Jailer Zhuo Zhonghai speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for the Causal Conditions of today, which have helped us attain liberation and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am filled with gratitude for the compassionate heart of Practitioner Su. We cherish this opportunity dearly, and we will practise diligently, hoping that one day we, too, will be able to help other sentient beings."

"Change is never an easy task, especially when it comes to one's karma and deep-seated habits. One must summon twelve-thousand percent of one's strength to break through these barriers. Only then can one truly overcome the shackles of karmic habits and achieve genuine transformation."

A Village Blessed by Jade

"I was born in a small village in Shaanxi, China. In our village, everyone knew that jade has the power to nourish and sustain human life. Our village was a precious land rich in jade deposits. Because of the energy emitted by these stones, the physical health of everyone living there was naturally purified. The villagers cherished this rare and precious land. Even though we knew the village was filled with abundant jade mines, no one ever gave rise to greed or attempted to exploit them for profit. We all understood that it was the jade that nourished us all."

"In my own family, we possessed an heirloom—a piece of superior-quality jade that had been passed down for a thousand years. It was crystal clear, luminous, and breathtakingly beautiful. Its energy was incredibly potent; it served as a guardian for our entire family and, indeed, the entire village. With the help of this jade, our family lived in peace and prosperity for generations. Our bodies were strong, and the village atmosphere was one of profound harmony—free from worry, disturbance, or chaos. We all believed that it was the energy field of the jade that helped us; it was the jade that nurtured every one of us."

The Crisis of Spoiled Upbringing

"If not for the greed of humanity, everything would have remained beautiful. The trouble began with a domestic crisis within our family. The second branch of our family had a son—my nephew by rank. From a young age, he was incredibly pampered. The family provided him with an excellent living environment, and almost everything he desired was granted to him. Consequently, he became incapable of enduring 'dissatisfaction.' Because he was not raised with proper discipline, the family eventually faced a major crisis."

"As the boy was able to satisfy every whim, his desires grew increasingly insatiable. Often, even the best things could no longer satisfy the cravings in his heart. His heart became hollow. Even though he had the best food and the best living conditions, he did not know how to be content, nor did he know how to be grateful. He felt that nothing was enough to satisfy his needs. His family did not know how to teach him otherwise; they only knew how to try their best to satisfy his desires and keep him happy, fearing his displeasure."

The Theft of the Sacred Heirloom

"This educational failure was noticed by others in the family, but because his parents were too indulgent, they frequently yielded to him and continued to provide him with the finest luxuries. As a result, the boy saw no reason to change, and as he grew older, he became unwilling to change at all. His parents were oblivious to the severity of the situation, obeying his every word without considering the consequences. Eventually, the boy wanted more and more, and he remained ungrateful for what he already possessed. He always coveted what he did not have, and eventually, his parents reached a point where they could no longer satisfy his empty heart."

"Finally, one day, the boy set his sights on the ancestral jade heirloom. Even though his parents pleaded with him repeatedly, telling him that it was a family treasure that no one was permitted to touch, they could not extinguish the desire that had taken root in his heart. Because he could not get his parents' support, he began to throw tantrums, even striking and scolding them. Other members of the family could not stand by and began to reprimand him, but the boy’s ego-attachment was too strong. He cared for no one’s teachings; he was determined to seize what he wanted."

A Legacy of Regret

"He never thought of the kindness he had received while growing up, nor did he thank anyone for what he possessed. This was the character the boy had developed. The jade he coveted was eventually stolen by him. After obtaining it, he did not know how to cherish it. He quickly lost interest and sold it off, completely unaware of the crisis he had triggered."

"It was several days before everyone discovered the jade was missing. Faces were filled with anxiety as people searched everywhere. When asked if he knew the whereabouts of the jade, the boy acted flippantly and denied any knowledge. Without the jade to guard the village, the people became fearful. The elders, unable to bear the blow, fell ill. The entire family faced unprecedented turmoil, and the village was deeply affected. Everyone believed this was the harm brought by the theft. The villagers' lives were no longer calm, and their once-prosperous existence gradually became impoverished."

The Confrontation and the End

"The boy’s life was no longer what it used to be, which he could not accept. However, when he sold the jade, he had received a large sum of money. So, while he was dissatisfied, he did not let his own life suffer; he began to spend his stolen wealth. He constantly had new clothes and new collections, which made his parents suspicious. Upon investigation, the truth was revealed, and everyone was furious. The boy was taken to the ancestral hall to be punished with the rod. The elder in charge asked him where the jade was. The boy replied nonchalantly, showing no sign of repentance, which enraged the elder further, leading to fifty more strokes. Having been pampered since childhood, the boy could not endure the punishment. He began to roar and scream, causing everyone to shake their heads in disappointment."

"The boy shouted, 'My parents never taught me that I couldn't take it myself!' As the beating continued, he yelled again, 'I wanted something, so I took it myself. What did I do wrong?' The elder retorted, 'Do you not see the suffering you have brought upon everyone since you took the jade?' The boy replied heartlessly, 'That is their problem.' Upon hearing this, everyone was thoroughly disappointed in him, including his parents, who finally woke up to the fact that they had failed to raise their child properly."

A New Beginning in the Spirit Realm

"The boy’s parents could not shirk their responsibility. They voluntarily offered to leave the village with their son and promised to compensate the villagers for all their losses. Having lost their life savings and their dignity, they chose to leave quietly in the dead of night. The boy’s later life was miserable. He still did not understand his mistakes, spending his days blaming his parents and harboring hatred for the villagers. Eventually, he died an unnatural death, ending his life at the age of only sixteen."

"This was a major transformation for our village, but it became a lesson for every family. After they left, I became the new elder. I did not want such a tragedy to happen again, so I broke the attachment to the jade. To prevent anyone else from harboring improper thoughts, I shattered the jade and buried the pieces throughout the village, believing its spiritual energy would still protect us. The village slowly returned to peace, and no one ever felt greed for the jade again. I passed away thirty-nine years later. When I left, the villagers were still living in peace and contentment, which left me with no attachments. I had fulfilled my life's purpose."

The Truth of Life and Liberation

"After I died, I arrived in the underworld. King Yama reviewed my life, noting that I had mostly harbored good thoughts and often helped others. Consequently, I was assigned to manage the space containing the village's mineral resources, which were related to the jade. It was then that I realized there were so many sentient beings within the energy of these stones—something I had never known before. I saw countless spirits in that space, a reality beyond what the living can imagine."

"During my service, I had many realizations and saw the truth of life. I am grateful to King Yama for giving me this opportunity. In recent years, I began listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks. The principles Practitioner Su speaks of are powerful and resonant; only then did I finally understand that life must seek liberation. I am grateful for the compassionate heart of Practitioner Su. Without the principles taught by Practitioner Su, I do not think I would have ever awakened."

"Today is a truly magnificent moment. I am grateful for this Causal Condition that allows us to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and attain ultimate liberation. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. I will stay by the Buddha’s side and practise diligently, hoping that one day I will have the opportunity to help other sentient beings."

"Namo Amituofo."

Zhuo Zhonghai, with palms joined.