The Hidden Reality of Sudden Death

This is a record of an interview with Luo Ji'en, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his transition into the afterlife. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on February 19, 2023.

Luo Ji'en speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Luo Ji'en. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Practitioner Su and to everyone who has helped us. That we are able to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today is truly a magnificent Causal Condition, and we cherish it beyond words. On behalf of all the prison officers in the underworld, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

I was born in 1991, so I would be about thirty-two years old today. I am so happy to have been called upon to share my story here. In truth, I passed away when I was very young—nearly ten years ago now. I was only twenty-one or twenty-two when I died. The cause of death was listed as unknown; the forensic report stated that it was likely a sudden cardiac arrest due to heart-related issues, and foul play was ruled out. My parents were absolutely devastated throughout the entire process. Facing such a sudden and tragic loss, none of my friends or family could accept that I was gone.

A Life Cut Short

During my life, I was very popular. I was never short of friends, and people genuinely enjoyed my company. I had an outgoing and cheerful personality, and I never made enemies, so my relationships with everyone were always excellent. When I left so suddenly, I knew that everyone was filled with such sorrow and reluctance to let me go.

Life is truly filled with impermanence. I was physically healthy and exercised regularly; no one could have expected that I would suddenly die at home. From the moment the incident began until I left this world, only a few hours had passed. I was separated from everyone I loved in an instant. I was completely unprepared, and I remember the entire process being incredibly chaotic and confusing. At the time, I did not even know what was happening. I had no strength to resist, no way to break free. I could only let my life slowly slip away, helpless to do anything about it.

The Truth Behind Sudden Death

It is absolutely terrifying! I only learned later that there are so many people today who, just like me, encounter karmic creditors coming to claim their lives, leading to sudden death. They are often young and healthy, just as I was. I kept exploring the reasons behind this, and finally, I began to see a glimmer of the truth. It turns out that our karmic creditors from accumulated lifetimes are always by our side, waiting. They are waiting for an opportunity—a chance to seek revenge. The moment they find that opening, that is the moment your life is taken, or you are left severely injured, falling into a coma, or suffering from a disability. This is a problem that everyone frequently ignores, yet it is of the utmost importance. Impermanence is not just random; it is often the result of karmic retribution that has been waiting in the shadows all along.

Let me tell you about my childhood. I was an only son with two older sisters. There was a significant age gap between us; my eldest sister was fifteen years my senior, so I was showered with love from the moment I was born. Our family was quite well-off, so whatever I wanted to do, everyone would support me. Although I was raised as a pampered child, my character was not spoiled. On the contrary, my optimistic and cheerful nature helped me make many friends, and I was always out having fun with them.

The Final Leap

I was passionate about extreme outdoor sports—surfing, diving, cliff jumping, canyoning, rock climbing, mountaineering, and cycling around the island. These were my interests. I had friends who shared these hobbies, and I lived a very passionate life, enjoying every single day. I was a healthy, energetic young man, and in the eyes of my family and friends, I was a good person. Who would have expected that I would suddenly die at home?

That day, I had just returned from cliff jumping at a large waterfall in the mountains with my friends. I was always so happy after outdoor activities, and that day was no exception; I could not hide my excitement. When I got home, I went into the bathroom to wash up. After I came out, I felt a bit hungry, so I went to the kitchen to find something to eat. As I was preparing to heat up some noodles, I suddenly saw a different scene appearing before my eyes. It was the exact same large rock where my friends and I had been jumping earlier that day. I felt a bit strange because there was a voice under the waterfall telling me to jump. It felt as if many people were urging me to jump down. My consciousness began to blur, and I could not distinguish between reality and the space I was in. I struggled for a long time, but in the end, I followed that calling voice and chose to jump. At that moment, I felt such a rush of joy, as if I were leaping into the water. I was so excited, not knowing that in reality, my body had already collapsed on the floor. My body convulsed for several minutes, the movements gradually weakened, and finally, my breathing and heartbeat stopped. My life had vanished just like that.

From Darkness to the Western Pure Land

Looking back on this process now, when that voice was calling me to jump, I truly had no ability to wake up. The scene felt just like the times I went out with my friends, and my heart was slowly drawn into it. I chose to jump, thinking I was just out having fun with my friends, unaware that my life had already ended. This is the reality of how karmic creditors come to claim a life. Medical examinations in the world could not find the cause of my sudden death. If I had not had this opportunity today, I would never have been able to tell the truth, and no one would ever know how this death occurred.

It is truly inconceivable, and it is hard to believe, isn't it? If I had not experienced it myself, I certainly would not have believed it either. I lived a life of luxury, never worrying about food or clothing, and I was often the one paying for everyone when we went out. I was always playing and having fun, but I never thought to pay attention to my own issues—such as being overly obsessed with outdoor activities and the thrill of excitement. Most importantly, I had my own attachments and hobbies, which gave my karmic creditors the chance to find me.

I often wondered why I was targeted by karmic creditors at such a young age. Later, I realized that it was at that very place where I went cliff jumping that I encountered my past karmic creditors. While I was obsessed with the thrill of the jump, they quickly followed me and swiftly took my life. These things seem unbelievable, but they are all connected by Causal Conditions—retribution for retribution.

The laws of karma and cause and effect in this world are truly terrifying. If people do not understand these laws, then impermanence can strike at any time. Even if you have great abilities, no one can resist the retribution of karmic debt. If I had known how to perform Chao Du for my karmic creditors in the past, I might still be alive today. As long as you can resolve the conflict with your karmic creditors, different groups of creditors will not interfere with you. When they are willing to accept deliverance, you can be spared from impermanence.

These are my true experiences, and I hope that those with karmic affinity can hear them. I saw that the karmic creditors waiting for me were not just those few. If I had not died suddenly due to this specific Causal Condition, other accidents would have occurred later to take my life. People who know about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia are truly fortunate because you understand the laws of karma and have the opportunity to perform Chao Du, which allows you to resolve conflicts with your karmic creditors. Everyone has so many karmic creditors; only by performing Chao Du for them can you have a chance to wake up, and only then will you not be controlled by them or have them come to claim your life.

It is truly inconceivable. After I died, I was quickly taken into a space that was dark and sunless; it was very painful. Later, I heard the sound of Practitioner Su chanting the Buddha's name, and that was how I was able to emerge from that space. I then went to the Yama King's palace in the underworld to report, and I experienced many changes within those spaces. Later, the Yama King was compassionate and gave me the opportunity to serve, which is why I am able to speak to you all today.

I am so grateful for the sound of the lectures and Dharma talks that Practitioner Su transmitted to the underworld. I listened to them very carefully, and they helped me wake up significantly. I know that I must practise diligently and aspire to help all beings in the future. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today. We will cherish this, work hard to grow, and save ourselves while saving others. On behalf of all the prison officers and sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Luo Ji'en, with palms joined."