The Jailer's Redemption

This is a record of an interview with Che Fengding, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now serves as a jailer in the spirit realms and reflects upon his past lives and his journey toward redemption. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 18, 2024.

Che Fengding speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity to encounter the path to liberation. I cherish this moment with my entire being, and I am committed to diligent practice. On behalf of all the jailers in the spirit realms, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

My name is Che Fengding, and I was born into a small village during the height of the Tang Dynasty. From the time I was a young boy, I was told that my destiny was already written in the stars. As the only son in my family, I carried the heavy burden of continuing our ancestral line. My parents would often tell me that my life was preordained, that I had no right to choose my own path. They used the concept of fate to counsel me to simply listen and obey.

A Tragic Beginning and the Shadow of the Past

When I was fifteen, a great tragedy struck our home. My parents both fell ill with a plague and passed away one after the other, leaving me entirely alone in this world. With nothing but a tattered bag and the small amount of silver left to my name, I began the long, lonely journey to Chang'an.

In that bustling capital, I entered an academy through the introduction of an old acquaintance, hoping to earn a name for myself. Yet, even amidst the splendour and prosperity of the city, I felt a strange, inexplicable sense of isolation and anxiety. It was as if some unseen force was pulling me toward a dark destiny. This unease grew stronger with each passing day, often keeping me awake through the long, silent nights.

One day, while walking through a narrow alley, I encountered a Taoist priest. He wore worn-out robes, but his eyes were piercingly deep. His appearance was no accident; he seemed to have been waiting for me. He looked straight at me and said, 'Young man, I see dark clouds gathering on your forehead. Your spiritual obstacles are profound. If you do not resolve them in this lifetime, you will suffer endless torment.'

The Weight of Ancient Blood

At the time, I dismissed his words as the tricks of a wandering charlatan. But the priest remained calm and continued, 'In your previous life, you were a warrior who took countless lives. You are drowning in a sea of blood debt. We have a karmic connection from the past, and I have come here today to repay that kindness by waiting for you. The suffering you endure in this life is the result of those past sins. You must face them and resolve them.'

His words struck my heart like a thunderclap. In that instant, memories from my childhood—nightmares I had since I was small, the inexplicable fears that haunted me—all rushed to the surface. Was it true? Was I a soul reborn, carrying the heavy, suffocating weight of past sins? Though my heart was shaken, I still did not take immediate action. I failed to truly heed his warning.

As the years passed, I established myself in Chang'an and opened an academy to teach young students. Despite my growing success, the internal torment only intensified. In the dead of night, I would dream of flashing swords and shadows. Countless spirits would surround me, their wailing cries filling my ears. Their eyes were filled with such intense resentment and despair, as if they were accusing me of my past crimes. I would wake up drenched in cold sweat, my heart filled with endless regret and anxiety.

The Futility of External Deeds

One night, the dream became terrifyingly real. I felt as though I were back in the midst of a brutal war. My sword was cutting through the chests of countless enemies, and my clothes were splattered with their blood. In that moment, I finally understood that the Taoist had spoken the truth. I was indeed carrying the blood debt of a past life, and these dreams were the manifestation of my spiritual obstacles.

No matter how hard I tried to escape, these memories remained vivid and inescapable. I sought help everywhere, but nothing could clear the entanglement of my karma. I began to perform good deeds more actively, hoping to wash away the sins in my heart. I closed my academy and travelled, providing for the poor and helping those in need. I visited the temples in Chang'an, asking the monks how to resolve my spiritual obstacles and find inner peace.

As I increased my good deeds, I met many like-minded people who were also dedicated to goodness. Together, we set up porridge stations to feed the hungry and raised funds to repair temples and crumbling bridges. Yet, despite my best efforts, the inner pain and anxiety remained like a shadow. The spirits from my dreams continued to appear, reminding me that my past sins had not been fully settled.

The Light of True Awakening

On a rainy, miserable night, I met a beggar. He was dressed in rags and looked haggard, but his eyes shone with a profound wisdom. He said to me, 'Good deeds are important, but if your heart has not truly repented, no amount of good works can resolve your spiritual obstacles.'

This sentence was like a lamp illuminating the darkness within me. I suddenly realised that everything I had done was merely an attempt to escape my own guilt, rather than a true awakening. I began to ponder: what is true liberation? How can one truly break free from the entanglement of karma?

Years later, I met a wise person who told me that true liberation does not come from good deeds alone, but from deep, genuine repentance and awakening within the heart. He urged me to let go of my attachments and to stop dwelling on the karma of the past. Only then could I walk toward true liberation.

I sat in the meditation hall of a temple, contemplating these words deeply. Finally, I understood that destiny is not unchangeable. True freedom comes from the clarity and awakening of the heart. I resolved to let go of everything from the past, to no longer be trapped by the sins of my previous life, and to begin my life anew.

A New Path of Service

From that moment on, I never dreamed of those spirits again. My heart gradually became peaceful. I used all my remaining strength to hold countless Dharma assemblies at the temple to deliver the souls of those who had died because of me, sincerely praying for Namo Amituofo to lead them to liberation and help them leave suffering behind.

I understood that regardless of the past, the choices we make in this life are the key to changing our destiny. One must take that step to change. Only through practice can one save oneself and break through one's own limitations. I am so grateful that I encountered this opportunity to change. Until the very end of my life, I did everything I could to change myself, until my body could no longer move, and I finally left this world in peace.

When I left the human world, I was brought before the King of Hell. My heart felt no fear. When I heard the King's words, I was filled with gratitude for his compassion. He arranged a position for me, allowing me to continue serving sentient beings even after death. I cherish this role deeply, and I hope to continue breaking through my own limitations.

The Truth of the Dharma

I have been working very hard in my service, while also continuing to learn how to change myself. Recently, I heard the voice of Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. My heart was moved to tears; every principle resonated deeply within me. I knew that this was the Truth I needed to learn, and the power that could help me achieve liberation.

I have begun to practice even more diligently to refine myself, hoping to finally escape the cycle of rebirth. The compassion and great power of Practitioner Su have given us all the chance to understand these principles and to change ourselves. These experiences in samsara are truly too painful! If we had not heard these teachings, it would be so difficult to know that we must wake up. I am so grateful for the dedication of Practitioner Su, which allows us to know that we must awaken.

I will continue to work hard. I am grateful for the compassion of the Buddha and the compassion of Practitioner Su. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and Practitioner Su's grace.

Namo Amituofo.

Che Fengding, with palms joined."