The Jailer's Revelation: Repaying Karmic Debts

This is a record of an interview with Zhang Jinfa, who served as a jailer in the underworld before seeking 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 experiences with the laws of karma and his eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xi, on May 29, 2022.

Zhang Jinfa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zhang Jinfa. I am truly overjoyed to have this precious opportunity to be here today. To be able to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a blessing beyond measure, and I cherish this karmic connection deeply. I will dedicate myself to my practice, and I make a solemn vow to assist all sentient beings in their own journeys toward liberation. On behalf of all the jailers in the underworld and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Childhood Bond with a Burdened Soul

"In my past life, I was born into a very impoverished farming family. We lived a simple, rugged life, and we kept an old ox to help us with the heavy labour. From the time I was a small child, I would watch my father ride on the back of that ox, or see the beast pulling a heavy cart laden with goods, or straining against the weight of the plough in the fields. That old ox worked incredibly hard, day in and day out, without a moment of rest. Even as a young boy, I felt a strange, deep affection for this creature. I often found myself talking to him, sharing my thoughts and my day, because I always felt that he had so much he wanted to say to me. I would sit with him for hours, pouring out my heart, but every time I finished, he would only look at me with those deep, soulful eyes and respond with a low, mournful 'Moo—moo—moo—'. Despite my many attempts, I could never quite decipher his words, but I knew in my heart that he had a story to tell. I refused to give up hope, and I kept talking to him, day after day.

The adults around us would watch me interacting with the ox and simply assume I was a lonely child playing with an animal. No one thought it was strange or concerning. I would often stare directly into the ox’s large, liquid eyes and ask, 'Old ox, why do you look so incredibly sad?' But again, the only answer I ever received was that same heavy, resonant 'Moo—moo—moo—'."

The Truth Behind the Ox's Eyes

"One afternoon, after we had finished our midday meal, I suddenly heard a piercing, agonising cry. It was a sound so loud and full of pain that it startled me to my core! The sound came from outside the house, and I rushed out to investigate. I looked left and right, but there was no one in sight. Just as I was wondering where such a sound could have originated, I saw the old ox collapsed on the ground. I ran to him as fast as my legs could carry me. I saw that his leg was severely injured, with blood flowing freely from the wound. It turned out that the cry I had heard was the ox’s own voice. I didn't have time to think; my only instinct was to help him. I tried many different methods to stop the bleeding and soothe the pain, and finally, I managed to apply some medicinal herbs to his leg. As the medicine took effect, the ox’s pain began to subside. In that quiet moment, I heard a very faint, soft voice: 'Thank you, child.' I looked up in utter shock. 'Old ox? Was that you speaking to me?' The ox did not want to engage further; he simply laid his head back down, closed his eyes, and ignored me. Even though he acted indifferent, my heart was racing with excitement. I was overjoyed—the ox had finally spoken to me!

For the next several days, I went to change his dressings, hoping with every fibre of my being that he would speak again, but he remained silent. I would talk to him as I worked, saying, 'Old ox, why do you look so full of sorrow? Can you please tell me what is troubling you?' I could see the deep, lingering misery in his eyes, and I was desperate to understand why he carried such a heavy burden. I believed, deep down, that one day he would be willing to share his story with me."

The Weight of Betrayal and the Law of Karma

"When I was eleven years old, the ox was officially retired from his ploughing duties. Because he was too old to work and his meat would not fetch a high price, I volunteered to take over the responsibility of caring for him, hoping to provide him with some comfort in his final days. Once he was no longer forced to work, the ox had plenty of time to rest, and his spirit seemed to lift. The life of a ploughing ox is truly exhausting, and I was so happy to see him finally living a life of ease. One afternoon, as a massive storm was brewing, I worried he would be soaked by the rain, so I rushed out to move him to a sheltered spot. That day, he finally spoke to me again. He told me that in a previous life, he had actually been my father, but because of the grave mistakes he had made, he was now suffering the consequences in this lifetime.

He told me that in that past life, he and my current father had been like brothers. They had gone into business together, opening a rice shop. But greed took hold of him, and he cheated his friend out of his money, even going so far as to steal his wife and child. He pushed his friend into such a state of despair that the man eventually died of a broken heart. He had assumed that once his friend was dead, his secret would be buried forever. However, he had not accounted for the friend’s son, who sought revenge. In his attempt to deal with the son, he committed even more terrible acts, eventually causing the son’s death as well. Yet, in his final moments, a flicker of conscience remained. He built a grave for the father and son, and before the tombstone, he repented, saying, 'In my next life, I am willing to be reborn as an ox to repay this debt.' And so, in this lifetime, he was reborn as an ox, coming to the very home of the friend he had wronged to work off his karmic debt.

I was the only son born into that family, which was also a result of our past karmic connection. The woman he had forcibly taken as his wife was originally the wife of his friend. After she gave birth to me, she never forgot her late husband, often secretly taking me to his grave to offer incense. That is how the karmic bond for this lifetime was forged. When he became an ox, he felt immense regret, for the suffering was truly unbearable. Every day of ploughing was a payment, a slow, painful process of returning what he had stolen. The laws of karma and cause and effect are never empty. When I heard this story, I was stunned. I felt a profound sense of sorrow for the suffering caused by the cycle of rebirth. I hoped that he could let go of the past, enjoy his final years in peace, and not create any more evil karma in his future lives."

From the Underworld to the Path of Liberation

"I continued to care for him with the utmost tenderness until he passed away. This childhood experience gave me a deep, unshakable understanding of the laws of karma and cause and effect. I became terrified of creating evil, and I spent my life encouraging others to perform acts of Goodness, hoping that they would not fall into the same traps of karmic retribution. When I grew up, I illustrated the story of the old ox in a book, sharing it with children so they could learn the importance of walking the righteous path and not being led astray by selfish desires.

I lived a very simple, humble life. I did not pursue wealth or status. The story of the old ox provided the inspiration for my entire life, changing my heart and my perspective. By living with a heart of 'no-seeking,' I found stability and peace. After I passed away, I arrived in the underworld. Because I had not been a scholar, I had no great contributions to my name, so the King of Hell allowed me to live and work in the underworld. After some time, through a specific karmic opportunity, I began to tell stories to the beings living there, urging them to understand the laws of karma and to change their ways. When the King of Hell learned of this, he granted me an official position, giving me more opportunities to share the truth of cause and effect and to help sentient beings wake up. However, my own abilities were limited, and I could only help a small number of beings.

One day, while in the underworld, I heard Practitioner Su giving a Dharma talk. I was deeply moved. The truths Practitioner Su spoke were so real and profound that they provided me with a great awakening. I began to study and practice, and finally, I understood the path to true liberation. Practitioner Su’s great vow has helped countless sentient beings find release from their suffering. I, too, will follow the vow and practice of Practitioner Su, hoping that I might have the chance to help even more beings break through their delusions and attain enlightenment, so they no longer have to endure the suffering of the cycle of rebirth in this world.

I am so grateful that I have had this opportunity for liberation today. I cherish these moments, and I will continue to work hard, hoping to grow and to be of service to all beings. I am deeply thankful to Practitioner Su for helping us attain liberation and rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. 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."

Zhang Jinfa, with palms joined in reverence.