The Historian's Sacrifice and the Path to Deliverance

This is a record of an interview with Park Ji-yeop, who sought deliverance 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 as a historian during the Joseon Dynasty. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 17, 2026.

Park Ji-yeop speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly as the scriptures describe—there is no darkness here, only pure, boundless light.

Right now, I, Park Ji-yeop, along with fifty-nine other hell guards, have arrived at the Western Pure Land established by Namo Amituofo. We have knelt and prostrated before the Buddha, Namo Amituofo, and Practitioner Su. I am filled with gratitude for the great compassion of Practitioner Su, who helped us be reborn in the Western Pure Land. Such kindness is truly impossible to repay. Without the help of Practitioner Su, we would not have known when, if ever, we would have had the opportunity to reach this magnificent place.

A Life of Suffering and the Search for Truth

Having served as a guard in the hells for many years, I had long yearned to encounter the true Dharma. I hoped to find a way to help myself escape the pain of the cycle of rebirth. I did not want to end up like the beings in the hells, suffering through endless, miserable punishments. I also did not want to fall back into the six realms of existence, whether in the ghost realm or the animal realm, where one is constantly entangled in various forms of suffering.

In truth, even a human life is filled with impermanence and change. While there may be moments of happiness, suffering almost always outweighs joy, or at best, they are mixed. From the perspective of the spirit, the essence of human life is entirely rooted in suffering. Because the body flows along with the force of karma, there is no truly perfect ending. In other words, one lives an entire life under the control of karmic creditors.

Every thought and intention, every physical sensation, emotion, and idea is inseparable from karma. Perhaps one clings to what they believe is the 'self,' but in reality, it is not the true self. It is merely a series of illusions born from the spirit being influenced by the karmic body. This is a truth I only came to understand after hearing Practitioner Su give Dharma talks while I was in the hells.

The Power of the Dharma

I am deeply grateful for my good fortune. Even while dwelling in the hells, I was able to encounter a Buddha like Practitioner Su and hear the Dharma. Many of the teachings Practitioner Su shared were things I had never heard before. These principles were so simple and direct, yet they contained the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, which completely opened my heart. In the past, I had many confusions and blockages that I could not resolve, but through long-term immersion in Practitioner Su's Dharma talks, these were slowly dissolved by the power of the Buddha’s teachings.

Indeed, the transformation brought about by the heart can influence the state of one's spirit. I could feel that as I listened to Practitioner Su's talks over time, my soul seemed to gain new vitality. I also developed a great vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, hoping that after I become a Buddha, I can return to save all boundless suffering sentient beings.

The Historian's Burden

I am Park Ji-yeop, a Korean. During my life, I was a historian in the Joseon Dynasty, responsible for recording the history of the nation's development and the origins of its various affairs. To me, this was a very sacred task, and I devoted myself to it with all my heart. From a young age, my father taught me that one must have a sense of responsibility. He told me that if I ever had the chance to serve as an official in the court, I must never forget the hardships I faced as a commoner. Remembering the struggles of my humble beginnings while I was in a position of power was a great help in maintaining a good state of mind.

After becoming an official, I was always cautious, hoping to fulfill my duties well and help more civilians, making a greater contribution to the dynasty. At that time, the King was a very wise monarch. Under his leadership, the entire Joseon Dynasty enjoyed favourable weather, peaceful civilians, and stable economic development. Because the national army was well-trained, foreign enemies dared not invade easily. Under the King's leadership, the country grew stronger, and the people lived in peace and contentment.

I was a commoner who grew up under such virtuous governance. Later, through much effort, I entered the court as an official. My heart was set on dedicating what I had learned to the country and its people, to repay the nation for its support and to give back to the land that had nurtured me.

The Fall of a Dynasty

However, things in the human world are subject to impermanence. After the wise King took a beautiful concubine, he became obsessed with her beauty and neglected the affairs of state. Because the King’s focus was entirely on his favourite concubine, the government was slowly taken over by corrupt officials. Under the influence of these officials, the atmosphere in the court became very corrupt and filled with evil, quite different from the past. This had a ripple effect, and the country began to suffer from many natural and man-made disasters, making life increasingly difficult for the people.

In those days, I did not know what I could do for everyone, so I could only use the pen in my hand to record everything that happened, one stroke at a time. I tried my best to remain objective, hoping that future generations—whether kings, high-ranking officials, or commoners—would have the chance to see these historical records, gain insight, and be warned so they would not repeat the same mistakes.

Indeed, it is said that even heroes struggle to overcome the temptation of beauty. I was shocked to see the wise King become so absurd under the influence of beauty, but I had to accept the reality. I recorded everything in detail in a secret volume I kept. These volumes were not meant for the state; they were for my own collection, with the hope that they could be made public at the appropriate time.

A Sacrifice for the Future

As for the period I was required to record in my official capacity as a historian, I wrote a separate version. Although both were as truthful as possible, the depth, breadth, scope, and perspective differed. I knew that the reason I had to make these further records was that I always believed every disaster and misfortune has a meaning. I believed that if the calamity this country was experiencing could be recorded truthfully, it would surely become a source of strength for a future force of loyalty. If true men of vision, wise monarchs, and people of ambition could obtain this information, they would surely be able to draw many lessons and experiences from it.

This was the one thing I could think of to do for my country after much deep thought. Although I knew such an act might threaten my life—because if discovered, I might be seen as a thorn in the side of the powerful officials who wanted to eliminate me—I knew in my heart that if I did not do this, no one else would. After all, given my status and position in the court, I was indeed the most suitable person for the task.

Therefore, I had long since put life and death aside and prepared myself mentally. Long ago, I had slowly moved my family to a safe place and entrusted the family's future to people I trusted, making sure every detail was arranged personally. All of this was done so that if things were exposed and my safety was threatened, I would not implicate those I cared about. After doing all this, I no longer had any burdens. Every day, I recorded the changes in the country, the various decisions made by the King, and the actions of the powerful ministers at the time. Every detail was recorded in the secret volumes.

From the Hells to the Pure Land

Unfortunately, there are no secrets that can be kept forever. I do not know why, but even the most hidden things can be discovered. My actions were eventually uncovered by the officials who held power at the time. They were furious, used various methods to attack me, and forced many false charges upon me. Knowing that my fate was sealed, I properly secured the volumes I had collected and then generously met my end, dying under the state's penal laws.

After death, I arrived at the Hall of the King of Hell. The King of Hell let me see my entire life and told me that in this life, I had indeed been a loyal subject, concerned for the people, and had sacrificed myself for the long-term development of the country, giving future generations a chance to learn lessons and receive education. The King of Hell said that my merits in this life outweighed my faults and asked if I would be willing to accept the position of a hell guard. I was very happy to hear this. Thus, I served in the hells with all my heart.

Whenever I saw many beings suffering in the hells, my heart was inevitably stirred. I knew clearly that if I were not careful, I too would end up like these suffering beings, becoming a helpless prisoner wailing in the hells. After a long time passed, I kept praying for a glimmer of hope. I longed for a chance to change my destiny and hoped to find a way to help the suffering beings in the hells. Perhaps the Buddha or Bodhisattva heard the call in my heart, for I eventually heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks while in the hells. I was overjoyed; I never expected my wish to be fulfilled so quickly.

After listening to the Dharma for a long time, I shared the teachings of Practitioner Su with the suffering beings in the hells. Many beings repented and wept after hearing them, giving rise to true remorse, and were thus able to leave the hells. Seeing this, I felt very comforted.

Today, I am very fortunate to have been sent to the Western Pure Land by Practitioner Su along with fifty-nine other hell guards. Being reborn in the Western Pure Land is truly the most important thing. Arriving here, my spirit is completely different from when I was in the hells; I have undergone a great transformation. Now, in this pure and dignified Buddha-land, I vow to practice diligently with Namo Amituofo, hoping that one day, I too can be like Practitioner Su, saving all boundless suffering sentient beings in the human world.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Park Ji-yeop"