The Jailer's Redemption: From Cruelty to Compassion

This interview was conducted by Chief Writer Shi Faxi on December 22, 2024, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The speaker is Guan Dafeng, a former jailer in the underworld who sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su. Having successfully resolved his karmic debts, he has now attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Jailer Guan Dafeng speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for all the virtuous conditions that have allowed me the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. My heart is filled with such profound gratitude and emotion. I know this is a rare and precious opportunity, and I have made a vow before the Buddha to practise with all my might, so as not to fail the Buddha's grace.

I am grateful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. On behalf of all the jailers, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Mountain of Karmic Debt

"My name is Guan Dafeng. Throughout my many lifetimes in the cycle of rebirth, I have drifted like the wind, yet I have carried a mountain of karmic debt upon my back. Only when I came to understand these past events did I truly grasp the terrifying nature of the laws of karma and cause and effect. I urge all people in this world: you must truly be careful regarding the laws of karma.

Today, I share my own story, hoping only that you and I may both be awakened to the reality of the cycle of rebirth."

The Price of Greed

"In a past life, I was a wealthy merchant with great influence. At that time, I was stubborn, arrogant, and consumed by insatiable greed. I acted solely for my own benefit, never once caring for the suffering of others. I was a truly selfish person.

I had contracted a vast area of salt fields. To secure even greater profits, I spared no cost in framing others, all to monopolise the fishing resources in the river. Without a shred of hesitation, I dumped wastewater and toxic chemicals into the water.

One day, an elderly fisherman blocked my path, pleading with tears streaming down his face: 'Sir, I beg you to show mercy. This river has sustained us for generations. If you poison it like this, how are we to survive?'

I sneered in response: 'These fish are nothing but lowly beasts; what does it matter if they are poisoned? You people should find another way to make a living.' With that, I waved my hand and ordered my men to drive him away. I did not realise that these words were the seeds for the countless lifetimes of suffering that would follow for me."

The Judgment of the Underworld

"That year, fish and shrimp died in the river by the thousands. The white waves were filled with floating carcasses. It was not only the creatures that suffered, but also the fishermen who depended on the river for their livelihood. Their wailing and resentment transformed into an invisible force that followed me in the shadows until the end of my life, when the judgment of the underworld finally forced me to pay the price.

After I died, my soul was dragged to the Hall of Yama. Facing the interrogation of the King of Yama, I tried to defend myself with a guilty heart: 'I never directly killed a human; my sins should not be this severe.'

The King of Yama roared: 'Killing is not limited to human life! You poisoned thousands of living beings and forced people to starve; your sins are grave! Guards!'

Immediately, a group of poisoned fish spirits appeared. Their spirits still lingered, their eyes filled with a piercing, bitter resentment as they came to claim my life and collect their debt."

Life as a Fish

"Just like that, I was sentenced to be reborn as a fish in a polluted, foul-smelling river. When I first awoke, my consciousness was blurred. I felt only a bone-chilling cold; I could not call out, I could not escape, and my body could only drift with the current.

Soon, I discovered that the surrounding water was as thick as mud. Every breath I took felt like swallowing poison, burning with agony. Even more terrifying were the other fish spirits in the river, who constantly eyed me with hostility, sometimes ramming into me with force, sometimes devouring my roe. To survive, I fled everywhere, living in constant terror, suffering immense torment in both body and mind.

Worse still were the fishermen's nets. Every time I was scooped up along with the other fish, the helplessness and fear were enough to shatter my spirit.

Countless times, I looked toward the riverbank. In a daze, I seemed to remember standing on that very bank, coldly watching the fishermen scoop up schools of dead fish, even mocking their tragic fate. Only then did I truly understand the despair and fear of having one's life taken away so wantonly."

A Compassionate Encounter

"Thus, I cycled through regret and pain. Until one day, a white-haired monk passed by the riverbank. He had come to fetch water for the Buddha. Seeing me on the verge of death, he looked at me with compassion, and I looked back at him.

He picked me up and whispered: 'Namo Amituofo. All beings suffer. May you be saved soon.' With that, he gently placed me back into the river.

In that moment, with incredible speed, the pain in my body vanished because of that Buddha-name. His gentle voice was like cool spring water, resolving the resentment in my heart and allowing a long-lost sense of peace to arise within me. From that day on, I began to try to reflect on everything I had experienced. The endless suffering in the river was the fruit of my own past sins, and the resentment of those fish spirits was the evil consequence I had planted myself. I gradually understood that only by letting go of resentment and repenting sincerely could I possibly be liberated from this endless cycle of karmic retribution."

A Second Chance at Life

"After enduring countless torments, I finally left the life of a fish. When I arrived at the Hall of Yama again, the King of Yama looked at me and asked: 'Do you know your sins?' I bowed my head and wept, saying: 'I know my sins. I am willing to repay them lifetime after lifetime, hoping only to start anew and practise Goodness.' Seeing my sincerity, the King of Yama sent me to the human world, giving me a chance to change my ways.

In this life, I was named Guan Dafeng. Although I was born into a poor family, my heart was filled with reverence and gratitude for life. I knew that this was the compassionate blessing of the Buddha in the unseen, and also the fulfilment of the countless sufferings of my past lives.

Every time I went to the river to catch fish, I would choose them carefully. I never overfished for the sake of profit, and I never easily harmed any life. When I encountered fish that could not survive, I would chant the Buddha's name softly, praying for them. I understood in my heart that these small lives were all connected to me by karmic affinity; perhaps they were my karmic creditors from a past life, or perhaps they were simply a connection for deliverance arranged by the Buddha. I only wished to use compassion and virtuous deeds to form good connections with every life."

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

"As I grew older, my hands became increasingly rough, and my life was not wealthy, but the peace and fulfilment in my heart never diminished. I often lived frugally, saving the few coins I earned. On market days, I would buy the fish fry that were about to be slaughtered and release them into clear, wild waters. Each time I released them, I would press my palms together and pray: 'May you be free from suffering, may you be at ease, and may you hear the Buddha's teachings in the future and be liberated from the suffering of the cycle of rebirth.'

Although my abilities were limited and I could not save many lives, I knew deeply that every virtuous deed in this world, no matter how small, has its own important power.

My virtuous deeds gradually spread through the village. At first, some mocked me: 'Guan Dafeng, your life is so hard, yet you spend money to release fish; you are truly a fool!' But some were stirred by my actions and slowly joined in the ranks of releasing life and doing good deeds.

Once, a neighbour voluntarily brought me a tank of live fish, asking me to help release them, saying: 'Brother Dafeng, I don't understand the Buddha's teachings, but seeing you do this, I feel in my heart that this is the right thing to do.' In that moment, my heart was filled with gratitude."

A Peaceful Departure

"As the years passed, my body grew increasingly frail. One day, I suddenly fell ill and was bedridden. Many neighbours in the village came to visit, bringing me food and herbs. I knew my time was near, but there was no fear in my heart, only a serene peace.

During my illness, I often chanted the Buddha's name, reflecting on the experiences of this life. In this life, although I was not wealthy or noble, I lived clearly and honestly. Until the very end, my heart remained calm. When my soul arrived at the Hall of Yama again, I felt no fear, but waited calmly for the judgment of the King of Yama. In the end, the King of Yama gave me the opportunity to serve in the underworld hall. I am very grateful, and I told myself I must work hard.

For so many years, I have been serving actively, and only recently did I hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks here. Because of these years of service, when I heard the principles taught by Practitioner Su, my heart truly knew that I must seek liberation.

I am grateful for the compassionate heart of Practitioner Su, who saves us spirits and beings, giving us this opportunity for liberation. I have made a vow before the Buddha that I will practise diligently and help all beings.

I am grateful that today I can be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. On behalf of all the jailers and sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Guan Dafeng, with palms pressed together."