The Jailer's Awakening: From Ancient Jade to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Wei Shiqi, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now serves as a jailer in the underworld and has been guided toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his transition into the spiritual realms. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on October 16, 2022.

Wei Shiqi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Change is never an easy thing to undertake, yet it is the most vital task one can face. How many opportunities for true change does a person have in a single lifetime? It all depends on whether one can grasp them when they arise. If you can, then with every change, you grow. If you cannot, you miss out on those precious moments of growth, and ultimately, you lose the chance to save yourself.

We are all trapped in the cycle of rebirth, wandering through the realms of karma, suffering without a way out. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for his great compassion and his immense vow. He has lit a lamp for all beings, illuminating our lives and offering us a path to find our way out of this darkness. Today, it is through the compassion of Practitioner Su that we have been granted this liberation. We cherish this deeply, knowing it is a rare, once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. On behalf of all the jailers and the sentient beings I serve, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

The Chaos of the Modern World

"The world is changing rapidly, and the hearts of people are not as they once were. It is truly difficult to find a clear, pure stream in this world today. The mindset of humanity is shifting, and sentient beings from the underworld are emerging in droves—a phenomenon that ordinary people are ill-equipped to handle. The turmoil in human hearts, combined with the influence of spiritual attachments, is something most people remain unaware of. As the desires of beings grow, the pain in their body, mind, and spirit only intensifies. In this age of chaos, only the Buddha’s teachings can provide the cure.

In my past life, I was a merchant specialising in high-quality ancient jade. The colour and lustre of these pieces were exquisite, and they felt incredibly smooth to the touch. Many wealthy families were avid collectors of ancient jade, and I would sell these pieces to them. Every transaction was worth at least hundreds of taels of gold, so I never lacked for money. Yet, I was not a man consumed by greed. I was waiting for an opportunity—waiting for a chance to use that wealth for something truly meaningful."

A Merchant’s Compassion and the Jade Sentient Beings

"I spent many years in the jade market, observing countless types of people. Everyone has their own personality and their own subjective views. When doing business, learning to read people is a crucial skill. Only when you truly understand others can you navigate the complexities of human interaction, and that ability to read people serves you well in business.

I never imagined I would one day meet Practitioner Su. When I first heard the Dharma voice of Practitioner Su, I knew immediately that this was a true practitioner. I am so grateful for the great compassionate vow of Practitioner Su to spread the Buddha’s teachings far and wide. Furthermore, Practitioner Su enters these spiritual spaces to perform Chao Du for countless sentient beings. Such a vow and such immense power are things most people simply do not possess! I am deeply thankful for the dedication of Practitioner Su, and I am determined to practise diligently, hoping to regain my own abilities so that, in the future, I too can help beings just as Practitioner Su does.

In the past, I had seen the spaces within the ancient jade. I knew that there were many sentient beings trapped inside. They existed in a world separate from ours; I could see them, but they could not see me. After years of observation, I discovered that these sentient beings came from different dynasties, wearing clothes of various styles. I saw how much they suffered, and I wanted to help them, but I was powerless to do so."

The Trap of the Spirit Realm

"As I encountered more and more of these jade spaces and saw countless sentient beings, I finally decided to learn how to help them. I wanted to help them leave those painful spaces. I tried many different methods, single-mindedly hoping to help them find liberation. I organised many Dharma assemblies, hoping to deliver them. I spent all the money I had earned in my life on these ceremonies. Some people laughed at me, calling me a fool, but I knew how worthwhile it was, and I did it with a joyful heart.

I sold all my ancient jade to those with karmic affinity, and I used every cent of the proceeds to perform Chao Du for the sentient beings in those jade spaces. I knew that after the ceremonies, some of them truly left those spaces, and I did my best to send them to places suitable for them. At the time, I did not know the true method of liberation; I only did what I could to help them reach a better place.

Back then, I did not know about rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I thought that helping them move to a better space or be reborn into a good family was the best help I could provide. It was not until I met Practitioner Su and heard his Dharma talks that I realised sending sentient beings to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is the only true and ultimate method of liberation. I am so grateful to Practitioner Su for letting me know this magnificent Truth, and I am now striving toward that realm of liberation myself."

Serving in the Underworld

"When I was still in the human world, I performed many ceremonies, but I could not help beings achieve true liberation. It was Practitioner Su who showed me the reality of the situation. I knew I had to change, and I am working hard to learn from Practitioner Su.

I passed away at the age of forty-five. At that time, I heard voices from within the spaces, calling for me to enter and save them, so I went in. Later, I realised that I had been captured by the sentient beings within that space. Because my abilities were not yet sufficient to help them achieve Chao Du and liberation, they had seized me. I do not know how long I was trapped in that space, but one day, a force brought me out. My heart had always remained positive; I had always wanted to help those sentient beings, even when my own power was insufficient.

Eventually, I was found by the jailers sent by King Yama. They brought me back to the underworld palace, and after King Yama reviewed my case, he appointed me as a minor official because of the many hidden merits I had accumulated. My duty was to go to the human world and bring back wandering spirits who had escaped.

I have served in this position with all my heart. Through this service, I have realised something profound: if a person’s life is not lived with clarity, they will end up just like these wandering spirits—drifting everywhere, aimless, and unaware of the need to wake up.

I am so grateful that I could meet Practitioner Su. This has helped me to wake up and realise that I must seek liberation. I listen to the sutras taught by Practitioner Su again and again, and I am carefully changing myself. I will practise diligently so that, in the future, I can truly help beings. On behalf of all the jailers and the beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Wei Shiqi, with palms joined.