The Jailer's Awakening: A Journey Through Samsara

Dadamala, a spirit who served as a jailer in the underworld, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su. This interview was recorded at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre on September 10, 2023, and details his long journey through the cycle of rebirth—from a devoted monastic to a wild chicken, and finally to his liberation through the grace of Practitioner Su and Namo Amituofo.

Dadamala speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of the Buddha. I believe this magnificent opportunity today is a result of the Buddha's compassionate power. I am also profoundly grateful for the Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su to help all beings, which has granted us this chance for liberation. We cherish this opportunity immensely. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Life of Dharma and Hidden Karma

"A long time ago, I was a devout monastic. However, the story of that life was not merely one of practice; it was an adventure through the cycle of rebirth. When I was just a homeless child wandering the streets, my compassionate master found me. Seeing me starving and frail, he took me in, gave me a new name, and I became a little novice. Everything took place within a temple, which became my new home, and the Buddha's teachings became my guiding light.

I followed my master into the Buddha's gate and spent my entire life growing under the influence of the Dharma. My master taught us that we must not only practise ourselves but also help other beings break through delusion and attain enlightenment, leaving suffering behind to gain happiness. Our temple attracted an endless stream of devotees; everyone benefited from the Dharma, and we felt truly happy and fulfilled.

However, even though we were constantly propagating the Buddha's teachings, I never once considered my own karma or the cycle of rebirth. We lived a peaceful life in the temple, completely forgetting the passage of time."

The Law of Cause and Effect

"One day, as we sat in the courtyard watching the sunset, I asked my master a question about the laws of karma and cause and effect. 'Master, you say that karma is an important part of the Buddha's teachings, but how should we understand it?' My master smiled and replied, 'Karma is the law of the universe. Our actions will influence our future lives. To practise is to perform good deeds and help others, accumulating good causes so that we may move toward liberation.' I nodded in understanding, and we continued to sit quietly in the courtyard, listening to the wind blowing through the leaves. It was a moment of profound serenity.

Until one day, I fell ill. Disease ravaged my body, but I insisted on diligent practice, never forgetting my duty until my life ended. Everyone in the temple believed I had attained liberation and returned to the side of the Buddha. At the moment I passed, they saw auspicious signs on my face, which left them with no doubt. But no one knew that I had actually entered the cycle of rebirth.

I did not transcend; I fell back into the laws of karma and cause and effect. I was reincarnated as a chicken."

A Compassionate Bond

"In my previous life as a practitioner, I once went to the market to prepare supplies for the temple. As I passed a small stall, I saw a chicken waiting to be slaughtered, struggling desperately. Its pain stirred my heart. At that moment, I felt a surge of intense emotion. I used the money intended for supplies to buy the chicken and brought it back to the temple.

I kept the chicken in the temple courtyard, feeding it every day and even preparing a comfortable living space for it. However, I did not teach this chicken to chant Buddha's name for liberation, because at the time, I did not know that a special karmic affinity had already formed in my heart. After the chicken died, a devotee painted a picture of it and gave it to me. That painting hung on the wall of my room, reminding me of my past actions.

At the end of my life, guided by the laws of karma, I recalled my past lives. It turned out that I had been a chicken more than once, and this particular chicken was my sister from a past life. That is why I felt such profound pity for it."

A Century in the Wild

"In this reincarnation, I became a happy wild chicken, living freely in the deep mountains and forests for a full hundred years. Because of the blessings accumulated from my past practice, I was spared the suffering of being slaughtered and enjoyed endless scenery and the gifts of nature. My life was full of freedom and satisfaction. Every day, I could run in nature, searching for delicious insects and basking in the brilliant sunshine.

One day, I found a particularly large insect in the bushes; it looked delicious. I stopped immediately, clucking to signal my friends to come and share this feast. One friend, sensing the flavor, exclaimed, 'You always find the most delicious food; you are truly a good friend.' I nodded with my comb, and my friends gathered around to share the meal. We communicated happily, clucking and discussing the beauty of the mountains and the food. This habit of friendship and sharing seemed to be a part of my past practice, which made me feel happy and satisfied, even though I was a chicken at the time.

During those hundred years in the mountains, we experienced the changing of seasons and the baptism of wind and rain, but our friendship and joy remained as bright as the sun."

The Return to Humanity

"When I became a chicken again, I had forgotten all my previous practice. Until one day, I heard the sound of the Buddha-name again, and I remembered my past practice and my master's teachings. It was a time filled with wisdom and compassion. Even though I was no longer human, the faith and good deeds in my heart still guided my life. This time, I decided not to miss the opportunity; I stepped back onto the path of practice, hoping to one day escape the cycle of rebirth. Whether as a human or a chicken, I am willing to practise diligently to attain true liberation.

In this journey of reincarnation, I experienced many turning points. After spending a century as a chicken, I was reincarnated as a human, born into a remote ethnic tribe, isolated from the world and living in the embrace of nature.

There was a long-circulated sutra in the village, a version that existed before the compilation of the Infinite Life Sutra. When I was born, the village elder gave this sutra to me. Although I did not yet understand the words, my love for this classic surpassed everything. While other children played, I would hold the sutra tightly, quietly admiring it. This sutra brought me inner peace and joy, planting the seeds of goodness and compassion in my young heart."

Awakening in the Underworld

"From a young age, this sutra taught me to recognise words and understand the wisdom within. It made me a kind and compassionate person as I grew up. I understood the value of helping others and was happy to lend a hand. This practice was different from my life as a monastic, because through the teachings of the sutra, I deeply understood the importance of liberation.

In this life, I actively studied the sutras and integrated their teachings into my daily practice. I was happy to teach those who wished to grow, passing on what I had learned. Throughout my life, I educated many people, helping them become better individuals.

When my life reached its end, my soul entered the underworld. This time, I no longer wished to continue the cycle of rebirth; I longed for liberation. I came before the King of Hell and began to serve in the underworld. In the process, I learned much, witnessing various stories of cause and effect, and understanding the suffering of the cycle of rebirth. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to awaken and continue to move forward on the path of liberation.

Until recently, I heard the voice of Practitioner Su giving a Dharma talk in the underworld. The content of his talk touched my soul deeply, leading me toward the path of liberation. I understood that this was the direction I had been searching for all along.

Today, thanks to the grace of Practitioner Su, who has guided us to rebirth in the Western Pure Land, my heart is filled with gratitude that is beyond words. This journey of reincarnation, from chicken to human, and then to the underworld, finally leading to the path of liberation—it is a process filled with emotion. Every step forward has made me cherish life even more. I will work hard, practise diligently, and be grateful for all the causal conditions along the way.

Dadamala, on behalf of all the jailers, bows in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Dadamala, with palms joined.