The Jailer’s Redemption: From Resentment to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Guang Huachun, 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 life and his long journey through the cycle of rebirth. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on June 21, 2024.

Guang Huachun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Guang Huachun. I am filled with such profound gratitude for the immense compassion and virtue of Practitioner Su. Because of her, I, along with fifty-nine other spirits who served as jailers, were able to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss on the day of the magnificent Dharma assembly. Beyond my own rebirth, my deepest hope is that countless other beings may also find their way forward to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Having walked through the human world, I have witnessed how people, lacking proper education and guidance, choose to survive through cutthroat competition. They do not realise that the fundamental essence of every single person is actually the same. I hold this theory of the equality of human nature very deeply in my heart. I have even observed the myriad things in nature to prove this conviction to myself.

The Innocence of Life

I have watched newborn children, little lambs, and calves; their eyes are always so incredibly pure. It is only as they are influenced by their environment day after day that they gradually take on the forms we see later in life. Holding fast to this perspective, I truly hope that people can live in peace with one another, that animals can live in peace, and that all forms of life can coexist harmoniously. I am so firm in this belief that I have carved it into the very purpose of my existence.

I was born in a place of extreme cold. The villagers there all had to dig deep cellars into the earth to protect ourselves from the biting frost. Over time, we all became accustomed to living underground. During the spring, when vegetables were plentiful, we would ferment and store them in large jars, all to ensure we could survive the harsh winters. You could look across our underground cellars and see row upon row of these jars, each filled with different types of preserved food. The more jars we had, the happier we felt, for it meant we could safely endure the coming winter.

A Tragic Encounter in the Snow

Our cellars were connected by long, winding tunnels, with doors installed in every chamber. When the weather turned bitter, we would move about beneath the earth without ever needing to surface. We would exchange food or light fires underground to keep warm together. It was a life that was stable, grounded, and secure. Then, one winter, I ventured to the surface to fetch water. To my horror, I saw several people collapsed on the snow, which had been stained a deep, chilling red.

My heart raced, and I immediately opened the cellar hatch, shouting down for everyone to come and help—there were wounded people! We worked quickly and calmly to carry these injured men into the cellar, placing them near the fire to tend to their wounds. They were soldiers, still wearing their armour, and they had such young, weary faces. After two or three days, they finally began to wake up. In weak, trembling voices, they told us: 'We were conscripted by the state only a few months ago. They went from town to town, snatching up young men to fuel their wars of aggression. They pushed us onto the battlefield, and we were terrified. Especially when we saw the swords and blades of the enemy, our bodies went limp with fear.'

They continued, 'The enemy, desperate to defend their own land, charged at us with eyes bloodshot from the killing. That is how we were struck down, pierced by their blades.' Hearing this, I felt a surge of righteous anger. Our village had always remained detached from the affairs of the world, and because we lived underground, few even knew we existed. Yet, a sense of justice had always burned within me, a voice urging me to stand up for what was right.

The Illusion of Idealism

While helping those soldiers recover, I thought deeply about my purpose. The village elders had long sensed that I would be the first to leave our hidden home. When the soldiers were finally ready to depart, I made my decision. I resolved to use my own strength to try and change the world. I left with a heart full of ideals, despite the warnings of my people: 'This is not a simple task; it is dangerous. Do not attempt it.' But no matter what they said, I was determined to try.

As I stepped out of the village, I knew in my heart that I might never return. I followed the soldiers back to the capital and, after exerting great effort, finally gained an audience with the ruler. I presented my vision to him: 'I implore you, my King, let me help the people. I am one with them, and I will lead them to a better life.' I intended to use this as a foundation; once things were stable, I hoped to win over other officials to my cause, perhaps changing the state of the world from within.

The King looked me up and down, from head to toe, and said, 'I will grant you the position of a second-rank official. Do your work well, and I shall judge you by your results.' I thanked him, full of hope. Once I took office, I worked tirelessly to improve the region under my care. I used every method I could to connect with the hearts of the people, treating them with such kindness that we became like one family. I felt I was inching closer to my ideal, step by step. Just as I was feeling satisfied and happy, a sword suddenly pierced my chest. I gasped for air, struggling to breathe as I collapsed to the ground. A figure stood over me, and I faintly heard them say, 'Your role as a pawn has ended.' I drew my final breath.

The Truth Behind the Betrayal

After my soul left my body, I saw the ruler sending massive numbers of troops into the areas where the people lived. They controlled the population and plundered their property. It was then that I had a sudden, painful 'Aha!' moment: they had used me to feign stability and prosperity, only to rob the people once they had accumulated wealth. Knowing the truth, I was consumed by fury. My spirit hovered near the ruler, desperate for a chance to exact revenge.

My soul was torn between two forces: the burning desire for vengeance and the peaceful magnetic field of my home village. I was in such turmoil that I decided to return to the village where I had once lived. Seeing the villagers still living their quiet, stable lives, my heart finally settled. One villager, who could actually see my spirit, told me: 'Everything that happens in the human world is a matter of Causal Conditions. Do not take it so seriously, and do not destroy yourself with resentment. Everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect, and you, too, are caught within them.'

After hearing this, and observing the changes in the world, I realised that my understanding of human nature—that we are all fundamentally the same—was correct. However, the entire universe is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect, and no one can escape them. Once I understood this, I let go of the resentment in my heart. My spirit returned to a state of peace, entering one of the jars in our cellar, where I kept watch over the quietude of my home.

A Long Wait and Final Deliverance

As time passed, our village’s primitive way of life was gradually phased out. People began wearing modern clothes and adopting new ways of living. The jar where my spirit resided became an antique. I remained in that jar for over three hundred years, until I heard the sound of chanting Namo Amituofo. Without fully understanding what was happening, I was drawn out of the space within the jar, and my spirit arrived before the Hall of the King of Hell. After the King of Hell judged me, he saw the goodness in my heart and hoped that I would continue to use that kindness to serve all beings.

I am eternally grateful to the King of Hell. I used all my strength to serve beings, and through this, I saw the laws of karma and cause and effect with perfect clarity. I used my understanding to counsel beings, hoping they would awaken. For a long time, I tried to counsel them in my own way, but it was only later, while on duty, that I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. I learned the true principles of the Truth, came to know Namo Amituofo, and realised that the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is the true destination for all spirits. I am so grateful to Practitioner Su for helping me understand these truths, and I made a vow in my heart to follow the Buddha.

I have been waiting in my heart, and finally, the day arrived. Today is the great day when I, along with the other fifty-nine jailers, have been reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. My heart is overflowing with gratitude. Now that I have entered the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, in that place of brilliant light, I feel completely at peace. The peace of the Western Pure Land is different from the peace of the human world; it is beyond words. I am so grateful for the Buddha’s compassion for all beings. Seeing the boundless number of beings who can be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss here in the Buddha-land, I am so happy, and my heart is filled with such gratitude.

Guang Huachun, with palms joined in reverence. Namo Amituofo."