The Jailer's Awakening: From Squandered Blessings to Liberation

This is a record of an interview with Liu Guangnong, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his long journey through the cycle of rebirth and his eventual transformation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on February 25, 2024.

Liu Guangnong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for his compassion. It is only because of him that we have this precious opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a chance that every one of us cherishes beyond words. We will practise diligently, and we vow that in the future, we too will help other sentient beings just as Practitioner Su has helped us.

I, Liu Guangnong, on behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

The Weight of Squandered Blessings

"For a long time, I had yearned for the Buddha’s teachings, yet I never found the right method to practise. It was only after my life had passed through cycle after cycle of rebirth that I finally realised that even this opportunity to practise requires a foundation of accumulated blessings. Once I had this awakening, I was finally able to see the laws of karma and cause and effect from my past lives. In my memories, I saw clearly how I had squandered my blessings—how I went from being a person of great fortune to someone who possessed nothing at all.

I hope that my story can serve as a warning to others. Throughout the long, winding road of samsara, I gradually came to understand the laws of cause and effect, and the sheer hardship of the cycle of rebirth. Perhaps it was destiny, or perhaps it was the seeds I had sown in previous lives, but I came to a profound realisation about the preciousness of causal conditions and the truth of life and death."

A Life of Greed and Hunger

"In a distant past, I was born into a wealthy family, blessed with an abundance of good fortune. However, as a young child, I did not understand the true meaning of life. I was entirely immersed in material enjoyment. My heart became addicted to greed, and while I was busy consuming my blessings, I was simultaneously planting the seeds for my future suffering.

Because I was pampered from a young age, I knew nothing of the suffering of life. As I grew older, I lacked all self-restraint, becoming obsessed with material pleasures and the Five Desires and Six Dusts. Eventually, my blessings were completely exhausted. I fell from being a wealthy young master to a beggar on the streets, suffering every hardship imaginable until I finally passed away from illness.

There was a time when I had the opportunity to learn the Buddha’s teachings. But because my living environment was so comfortable, my mind became deluded and confused. I went from believing in the Dharma to rejecting it, trusting only in myself. I missed that rare and precious opportunity to practise, which is exactly why I had to endure such bitter fruits later on."

The Endless Cycle of Samsara

"In this world, all the suffering we face is something we bring upon ourselves. I truly understand this now. Because I was wasteful and lacked moderation, I exhausted all my blessings and faced the painful consequences. I found myself trapped in an endless cycle of rebirth, unable to break free. After I died, I fell into a state of profound darkness, yet even then, I remained obsessed with the pursuit of material pleasure, never realising that I had lost all my blessings and was left with only the karma of poverty.

When I was reincarnated again, I was born into a life of extreme poverty. The hardships of that life made me understand how difficult existence can be, yet it also made me even more attached to the pursuit of material satisfaction. I forgot the lessons of my previous life and sank once more into the whirlpool of greed, constantly consuming the few blessings I had left. My family was already destitute, but because of my inability to be frugal, our lives became even more difficult. Eventually, there was no money left to buy rice, yet I still could not change the insatiable desires in my heart. My family members all died of starvation, and in the end, I too starved to death."

The Awakening of the Soul

"These experiences left me in a state of deep confusion and despair. But at the moment of death, as I faced the cycle of rebirth once more, I suddenly realised that my life was not meant to be a mere pursuit of material enjoyment. I needed to seek liberation for my heart. This realisation changed the course of my reincarnation and allowed me to truly accept the laws of karma and cause and effect. I finally understood the terrifying nature of karma, and I knew I had to change my ways. I learned to face my inner desires, to repent deeply, and I vowed that I would truly transform myself so that I would no longer be trapped in the cycle of rebirth for the sake of worldly desires.

After experiencing countless more years in the cycle of rebirth, I was finally reincarnated as a human once again. In this lifetime, I came into the world with a genuine intention to start anew. My name is Liu Guangnong. From the moment I was born, I was obedient and diligent, always striving to improve myself. There was a power within my heart guiding me to truly change, and I knew that this was the awakening of my soul after so many lifetimes of wandering."

A Path to True Liberation

"As I grew up, I began my journey of practice, learning the wisdom of self-cultivation. With every step, I felt the weight of the karma from my past lives and the significance of my current causal conditions. Through this process, I gradually released my negative emotions, let go of my attachment to material things, and rediscovered the peace within my heart. During these years of practice, I encountered a true spiritual friend who guided me, allowing me to understand the true meaning of the Buddha’s teachings more deeply. He taught me about compassion, joy, and the importance of letting go, which strengthened my resolve to walk the correct path of practice.

As my practice deepened, I gradually untangled the knots of my past lives and saw the vastness and depth of life. I understood that the cycle of rebirth is not a cage of destiny, but a complex web of cause and effect. Every life has its cause, and every experience is a seed sown in the past. I openly repented for my past, knowing that I had to truly change. In this life, beyond my own awakening, I dedicated myself to helping others find clarity, sharing the truths I had learned. Because of my own life experiences, I know the suffering of existence, and I hope that others can also leave suffering behind."

Gratitude and the Final Destination

"I began to dedicate my life to helping others, and for the first time, I felt the true joy that comes from service. I was happy to see my own transformation, and I looked forward to a bright future. During this lifetime, I helped many people change their destinies, and when my life finally came to an end, I had successfully transformed my own life. Even though I faced death once more, my heart was filled with joy and contentment. When I stepped onto the path of the underworld, I knew my goal was to continue moving toward liberation, not the path of reincarnation.

I am so grateful to the King of Hell for arranging all the causal conditions that allowed me to serve in the underworld palace. When I recently heard the sutras lectured by Practitioner Su, I knew this was the great Dharma that leads to liberation. I was moved to tears; I am so grateful for the Buddha’s compassion in allowing me to finally encounter this great Dharma. I cherish this opportunity deeply and have vowed to practise diligently. Today, I have finally been reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is true and ultimate liberation. My heart is filled with gratitude, and I know I must continue to practise, to transform myself, and to make the Ultimate Vow to help all sentient beings.

I am grateful for this opportunity that has allowed us to truly find liberation. I, Liu Guangnong, on behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Liu Guangnong, with palms joined."