The Jailer's Journey: From Rome to the Dharma

This is a record of an interview with Luo Dingxiong, a spirit who served as a jailer in the underworld and sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He reflects upon his past lives in ancient Rome and ancient China, and his eventual encounter with the Buddha’s teachings. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on May 26, 2024.

Luo Dingxiong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for this magnificent and rare opportunity. Having experienced the long cycle of life and death, I understand clearly just how inconceivable this moment truly is! On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

I was once born in ancient Rome, during an era filled with glory and majesty. My family was one that revered many gods, and we held a deep, unshakable faith in the power and protection of the divine. From the time I was an infant in my cradle, my parents taught me the way of reverence, helping me to understand that in this world, beyond the strength of mortal men, there exist mysterious powers from the heavenly realms. These forces are omnipresent, supporting our lives and our destinies.

A Life of Faith in Ancient Rome

My family held a respectable position in the city of Rome, not merely because of our wealth, but because of our commitment to Goodness. During festivals, we would often host grand sacrificial ceremonies to offer tribute to the gods and pray for their protection. My father was a man of both dignity and benevolence; he often admonished me, saying, 'If a person acts with Goodness, the heavens will surely protect them.' My mother, gentle yet firm, acted as a messenger of the gods within our home, teaching me the vital importance of compassion and human kindness.

In such an environment, I learned the importance of doing good deeds from a very young age. My heart was filled with love for humanity, and I was always eager to assist those in need. Whether it was a beggar on the street, a wounded soldier, or a lonely, helpless orphan, they were all objects of my concern. I firmly believed that every act of kindness was an offering to the gods and a mark of respect for the laws of heaven and earth.

I remember one occasion at the market when I encountered a destitute old beggar. He was in rags, his face haggard, and his eyes revealed a bottomless sorrow. Looking at him, a surge of intense compassion rose within my heart. I approached him, placed several silver coins into his hand, and bought him a hearty meal. As he accepted the coins and the food, his eyes filled with tears of gratitude. His blessing remains etched in my heart to this day: 'Kind young man, may the gods protect you forever.'

Such experiences were not uncommon in my life. Whenever I helped others, my heart was filled with an incomparable sense of satisfaction and joy. I believed that every ounce of goodwill in this world was a way of following the heavenly path and respecting the essence of life itself. Every person I helped was, in my eyes, an embodiment of the heavenly gods, passing on divine grace and Wisdom in the mortal world.

The Path of the Scholar in Ancient China

However, time spares no one, and eventually, I reached the end of my life. At the moment of my passing, my family, friends, and those I had helped gathered by my bedside to pray for me and see me off. I felt an immense sense of peace, for I knew that my life had been one of kindness and meaning. As I closed my eyes and felt my spirit depart from my body, I saw a brilliant, dazzling light. That light guided me through the shadows of the mortal world and brought me to the gates of the heavenly realms. The messengers of heaven welcomed me with smiles, telling me that because of the good deeds I had performed throughout my life, I would be led into the first level of heaven.

There, I experienced endless peace and joy. I saw the gods smiling amidst the clouds, their gazes filled with love and appreciation. I knew that my acts of Goodness had not only been recognised in the mortal world but were also affirmed in the heavenly realms. In that first heaven, I continued my practice and learning. I understood that the seeds of Goodness must be constantly watered and nurtured to grow strong in the soil of the heart. My heart found peace and stability there, yet I also knew this was only a part of the soul's journey. When my time came, my spirit would be reincarnated, moving to another world to continue the path of life.

When I opened my eyes again, I had arrived in ancient China, a place rich in culture and literary tradition. I was born into a scholarly family. My father was a highly respected academic, and my mother was refined and elegant. Our home was filled with shelves of books, permeated with a deep cultural atmosphere. Every member of the family was deeply influenced by Confucian thought, which emphasises benevolence, justice, ritual, and Wisdom. These values became the guiding principles of my new life. From childhood, my father taught me the Four Books and Five Classics, helping me understand the principles of being a person. He often told me, 'A person without credibility is like a cart without a yoke,' 'The benevolent person loves others,' and 'The benevolent person is invincible.' My mother taught me how to conduct myself and the importance of ritual, and under her guidance, these values were deeply planted in my heart. I gradually realised that the core of Confucian thought is benevolence and morality—a deep respect and care for others.

Service in the Underworld and the Truth of Samsara

In such a family environment, I was filled with a passion for learning. Every day, I buried myself in my studies in the library, absorbing the Wisdom of the ancient sages. As I learned, my desire to help and educate others grew stronger. Confucianism taught me that a true gentleman should contribute his strength to society and use his knowledge and virtue to influence others. After reaching adulthood, I began to travel, teaching knowledge in various places. My teaching career spanned many regions; I did not just teach the knowledge found in the sutras, but emphasised the practice of benevolence and morality. I believed that knowledge was not just words on a page, but actions in daily life. Whenever I saw my students change their behaviour and become better people because of my teachings, my heart was filled with incomparable satisfaction and joy.

During this process, I encountered many people in need. Whenever I met those in distress, I would extend a helping hand, whether they were impoverished farmers or children who had lost the chance to attend school. I did my best to help them all. I opened free schools to provide learning opportunities for children who could not afford tuition. I believed that every child had the right to receive an education, because education can change one's destiny and allow people to live better lives. Once, I met a poor family whose child could not attend school due to their financial situation. I decided to take this child in, make him my student, and sponsor his tuition and living expenses. That child was diligent and eager to learn, eventually becoming an outstanding scholar who continued to pass on my teachings to many others. His success brought me immense comfort, which further solidified my conviction in helping others and the value of education.

Time flew like an arrow, and my life in China also gradually came to an end. At the moment of my passing, looking back on everything, I felt an immense sense of peace and satisfaction. I knew that I had used the Wisdom and benevolence of Confucianism to influence the lives of many and change their destinies. I had practised the core values of Confucianism through my actions and passed these values on to future generations. When my spirit departed my body once more, I felt a mysterious force leading me forward, guiding me into an unknown world. It was only later that I realised I had arrived at the Yama Hall.

Finding the Path to Liberation

After leaving the human world, because of the merits and virtues I had accumulated in the past, Yama, in his compassion, helped me stay to serve in the Yama Hall. On one hand, it was a hope that I could continue to learn. I was very happy and gladly accepted. Later, under Yama's guidance, I came to know the Buddha’s teachings and finally understood the Truth of life and the reality of samsara. When I first heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks, I was astonished, because no one had ever explained the principles of life so clearly. At that moment, I was moved to tears; I knew this was the Truth I had been searching for—the path to liberation and escape from the cycle of rebirth.

Throughout my life experiences over so many years, I had always walked on the path of Goodness, and I had originally thought that this was the entirety of life. Yet, I never knew why there was still a sense of emptiness in my heart. Now, having heard the principles of the Buddha’s teachings, I finally understand: this was the void in my heart that I could never satisfy. It was the Truth of samsara, the truth that I had not yet attained liberation. I am so grateful to Practitioner Su for his great compassion, allowing me to have such a magnificent and precious opportunity. I will truly cherish this and strive to learn, hoping that I can succeed in my practice and help more sentient beings in the future.

I am grateful for this opportunity today. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Luo Dingxiong, with palms joined."