The Horse Who Taught His Master

This is a record of an interview with Andrew, 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 as a horse and his subsequent service as a hell guard. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on April 21, 2024.

Andrew speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. At long last, the cycle of reincarnation has come to a complete halt for me. As I gaze upon the radiant presence of Namo Amituofo before me, my heart is filled with such profound peace and overwhelming emotion. I have endured so much suffering for such an incredibly long time, but now, finally, I am liberated. I am truly, eternally liberated.

We sixty hell guards have all knelt in deep gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su, who helped us leave suffering behind and gain happiness, ensuring our rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Without the compassionate intervention of Practitioner Su, we would have remained mere spirits trapped in the endless cycle of reincarnation, with no Causal Conditions to ever attain liberation. Now that the time has arrived, we cherish this moment with every fibre of our being, chanting the holy name of 'Namo Amituofo' in unison to express the infinite gratitude that overflows from our hearts."

A Noble Steed and a Fated Encounter

"At the moment my life as a guard concluded, I became known as Andrew—a name bestowed upon me by my master. Before this, in my previous existence, I was a horse—a magnificent creature with a coat of deep, lustrous chestnut. My physique was quite striking, with lines that flowed with grace and elegance. My coat shone with a healthy vitality, and even my face was considered quite handsome. Beyond my appearance, I possessed a gentle temperament and a courageous spirit. I was, by all accounts, a fine horse of significant value. Many wealthy families were captivated by me at first sight, eager to purchase me for their own stables.

Ultimately, it was a wealthy merchant who offered the highest price and secured my ownership. He was a man of great status, and in a way, I felt as though I had been waiting for his arrival. While I was still confined in the stables, many potential buyers came to inspect the horses. I rarely bothered to lift my head or look these people in the eye, for I knew deep within that they were not my true master. However, the moment my future master stepped into the stable, I immediately lifted my head and fixed my gaze directly upon him.

The previous owner was astonished by my reaction. He turned to the merchant and said, 'Look at that! This horse has never once looked at any of the other buyers, yet you are the first person he has stared at so intently. It seems this horse is destined to be yours.' My new master beamed with delight. He felt an immediate connection with me and insisted that I be brought out so he could admire me properly. As he watched me, he exclaimed, 'Of all the horses I have ever seen, this is the most beautiful.' I felt a quiet gratitude for his praise. Though he could not see the spirit within the horse, I was perfectly aware of the karmic connection that had bound us together across lifetimes."

The Burden of a Volatile Temper

"My master brought me home and cared for me with great dedication. His estate was vast, and he provided me with a spacious, lush green pasture where I could roam and run freely. Every day, he ensured I was fed the freshest fodder. Yet, many people found it difficult to interact with my master. Due to his volatile temperament, people were hesitant to approach him or befriend him. Consequently, he had no friends, and I became his sole companion.

His temper was incredibly explosive. Whenever he became impatient, he would shout at the top of his lungs, his rage erupting like a storm. Many innocent people suffered because of his outbursts, even when they had nothing to do with the situation. He once employed over a hundred servants, but eventually, they all left. Even with his wealth, he could not hire anyone, as no one was willing to endure such abuse; they preferred to find more reasonable employers. Because everyone was well aware of his character, when he purchased me, the onlookers felt a deep sense of pity. I heard them whispering, 'Look at that fine horse. It is a shame he was bought by such a cruel master. He is destined to suffer. What a pity for such a noble animal.'

It was not just one person who said this; as my master rode me home, everyone we passed looked at me with eyes full of sympathy. They felt sorry for me, sighing at my perceived misfortune. And indeed, during the time I spent by his side, whenever his temper flared, he would be harsh with me, and at times, he would even strike me. Yet, I never felt anger or cried out in pain because of his abuse. Instead, I showed him even greater tolerance and compassion. My reaction was entirely different from the other horses he had owned. Some horses would become angry when struck, while others would cower in fear, which only served to make my master more furious. I, however, remained calm. I did not retreat or fear him, nor did I harbour resentment. I sought to understand him, and whenever he began to lose control, I would approach him and nuzzle him affectionately. Eventually, I could sense when an outburst was imminent, and I would use my own way to soothe his emotions before his anger could erupt."

A Lesson in Compassion and Thrift

"My purpose in doing this was to teach my master that anger solves nothing. Only by calming the heart and maintaining a peaceful mind can problems be resolved effectively. Furthermore, there were many occasions when my master intended to bully the weak or the poor in the streets, and I would physically stand in his way to protect them. If he chose to strike me instead, I was willing to sacrifice myself. My goal was to help him see the error of his ways and to stop him from using his power to oppress others.

My master was also incredibly wasteful with food. He would take one bite of an apple and discard it, or throw away entire bowls of rice without even touching them. Whatever he did not want, he would simply toss aside. Whenever he discarded food, I would walk over and eat it right in front of him. At first, he would be furious, striking and kicking me while I ate. But no matter how he treated me, I continued to eat, never wavering in my resolve. Seeing that I was completely unaffected by his anger, he began to find me peculiar. Since I could not speak to him with words, I could only continue to demonstrate through my actions, hoping he would learn that these resources were precious and that he should cherish, appreciate, and be grateful for them rather than wasting them.

I exhausted every method to educate my master, which led many to view me as a truly extraordinary horse—not only capable of tolerating his personality but actively teaching him to change his ways and abandon his bad habits. I remained by his side for twenty years. In those two decades, I transformed from a young, handsome horse into a wise, elderly one. I did not waste a single day; every moment was dedicated to the task of educating my master. After twenty years, he had been completely transformed into a different person. Many found it hard to believe, as he had become entirely unrecognisable from the man he once was."

The Final Farewell and the Path to Hell

"Once my mission was complete, my vitality began to fade. My master knew I was leaving him, and his heart was filled with sorrow. I gave him a look of courage and affirmation, telling him that I believed he could continue to walk his path bravely on his own and that I trusted he would continue to improve. He understood exactly what I was trying to say—a silent understanding we had cultivated over twenty years. With tears streaming down his face, he spoke to me, thanking me for my companionship and for changing his life, promising that he would continue to grow into a better man.

After hearing his words, I departed in peace. Two officers sent by King Yama were already waiting to escort me before the throne of the underworld. King Yama praised me, saying, 'You are truly a remarkable father!' I replied, 'In a past life, I failed to educate this son properly. He went astray and created immense negative karma, which is why I had to endure the suffering of the hells. I am grateful to King Yama for allowing me the opportunity to return to the human world until my son was reborn. Although I was a horse, I finally taught my son the correct principles and stopped him from continuing to create karma. Seeing him now, knowing how to help others and cherish all things, I can finally lay down my responsibilities as a father.'

I had successfully transformed my son from nineteen lifetimes ago, which was equivalent to saving a human life, and thus I had earned merit. King Yama granted me the position of a hell guard, allowing me to serve within the underworld. In the hells, I witnessed many children being brought in to suffer the consequences of their actions, and my heart was heavy with sorrow. I often thought that if only they had been properly educated, like my son, they would not have created such sins and ended up in these realms of suffering."

Deliverance and the Western Pure Land

"When I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks, my heart was filled with joy, for the teachings could save these children. I shared the Dharma I heard from Practitioner Su with these children, giving them a chance to learn and change. Every day in the hells, my heart was heavy, for new prisoners arrived constantly, which caused me great sadness. I did my utmost to help them, but the work was endless. Eventually, I was placed on the list for Practitioner Su to guide to the Western Pure Land. My responsibilities were fulfilled, and I was finally able to leave the underworld.

Today, I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The brightness here is incomparable to the darkness of the hells. My heart is filled with infinite gratitude, and I have made a vow to return to the human world to help all beings. Namo Amituofo. Andrew bows in reverence."