The Journey of a Bodhisattva: From Village Life to the Four Sacred Realms

This article records an interview with Shi Shuangwu, a Bodhisattva from the Four Sacred Realms who sought Chao Du 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 approximately 2,100 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Hailiang, on October 10, 2020.

Shi Shuangwu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Shi Shuangwu. To understand my journey to the Four Sacred Realms, one must look back to a simple, humble beginning in a quiet village, long before I ever donned the monastic robes. I was born into a family of honest farmers. My father, A-Fa, was a man of the earth, and my mother, Mei-Tao, was the heart of our home. We lived a life defined by the seasons, the soil, and the simple joy of raising chickens and ducks. I was an only child, and my mother, though perpetually busy with the farm, was the gentlest soul I have ever known. She taught me the value of life through the smallest of things—even the way one must handle a fragile egg so that a new life might hatch. It was in this environment of simplicity and care that I first learned to observe the world around me."

A Childhood Bond and the Weight of Loss

"When I was fourteen, a new family moved into our area. They had a daughter named A-Xiu, who was a few years younger than me. We became inseparable. We spent our afternoons tending to the cattle and eating sweet pasture grass, watching the clouds drift across the vast, blue sky. It was a pure, innocent friendship that blossomed into love as we grew older. Despite the initial objections of her father, who was protective of her health, we eventually married. I thought we would have a lifetime together, but fate had a different plan. When A-Xiu became pregnant, her frail health could not withstand the strain. She gave her life to bring our son, Chen Yingxiu, into this world. Her final smile as she held our newborn son remains etched in my heart to this day. It was a sacrifice of such profound love that it left me shattered, yet determined to honour her memory by raising our child with all the devotion I possessed."

The Firefly's Vigil

"After A-Xiu passed, I fell into a deep, hollow grief. I neglected my duties and my son, lost in a fog of sorrow. It was only when my father-in-law confronted me, shaking me from my stupor, that I realised how far I had fallen. I began to care for Yingxiu, and our bond grew strong. Yet, my own life was fading. I grew weak, and at the age of fifty-six, I passed away. In my final moments, I saw my son holding a bag of fireflies—those beautiful, glowing creatures of the night. I left this world and, due to my lingering attachments, was reborn as one of those very fireflies. I spent my time in a beautiful valley, waiting, until one day, I found my son again. He had become a monk. When I landed on his shoulder, he recognised the connection. He chanted for me, helping me to let go. It was a bittersweet realisation: the cycle of rebirth is relentless, and only through the Dharma can one truly find liberation."

A New Life and the Call of the Dharma

"I was reborn as Chen Yongcai. From the moment I was born, I felt a deep, innate optimism. My parents, Chen Yilei and Lin Xinhua, were joyful people, and I grew up in an atmosphere of laughter. Even as a child, I felt a strange affinity with nature; animals were never afraid of me. By the time I was seven, my father arranged for a local scholar to teach me. I was a quick learner, and the scholar, seeing my potential, suggested we visit a local temple. That visit changed everything. I felt an immediate sense of belonging. At ten years old, with my parents' blessing, I became a little novice. It was there, under the shade of a great Bodhi tree, that I encountered the spirits of past monastics. They helped me awaken the knowledge I had carried from previous lives, and I began to understand the true purpose of my existence."

The Training of a Bodhisattva

"My master was strict but compassionate. He saw that I had the potential to teach, and he pushed me to study the sutras with relentless focus. I remember the day I first stood on the lecture platform. I was only twenty-three, and I was terrified. But as I opened the sutra, the words flowed as if they were my own. I saw the true nature of the beings before me—their greed, their jealousy, their blind attachments. I spoke not from preparation, but from the wisdom of the Dharma. My master was pleased, but he knew I had much to learn about humility. He made me perform the most menial tasks—cleaning the latrines, serving the community—to temper my arrogance. It was through this service that I truly understood the preciousness of every sentient being, no matter how small or lowly."

Compassion in the Face of Conflict

"As I grew older, I took on the responsibility of teaching others. I remember a time when a local market was terrorised by bullies. I went to them, not with anger, but with the compassion of the Dharma. I saw their suffering, their own history of being oppressed, and I spoke to their true nature. They were moved to tears and chose to change their ways. It was a powerful lesson: even the most hardened heart can be softened by the light of Namo Amituofo. I spent my life dedicated to this work, training others to lecture and spreading the teachings of the Western Pure Land. When I was seventy-one, I focused my mind entirely on Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and I was guided to the Four Sacred Realms. Eventually, through the magnificent grace of Practitioner Su and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I was led to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am now part of the salvation team, working to help all beings find their way home. Namo Amituofo."