The Joy of Helping Others: A Prison Guard's Reflection

This interview was conducted by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on January 22, 2023, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. The speaker is Zheng Kaixi, a former prison guard in the underworld who sought deliverance through the compassionate teachings of Practitioner Su. Having navigated the long and arduous cycle of reincarnation, he now shares his profound journey toward liberation.

Zheng Kaixi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. As the Lunar New Year arrives, another year has passed in the human world. Having wandered through the cycle of rebirth for such an incredibly long time, encountering the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is truly the greatest stroke of luck in my existence. Meeting Practitioner Su was the moment of my ultimate liberation. I am deeply grateful for all these Causal Conditions. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

The Duality of Celebration and Sorrow

"Life presents so many different scenes at different times. Every year, during the Spring Festival, families gather together, and the air is filled with the festive sound of firecrackers. It is a time of joy everywhere. Yet, for some, it is a time of sorrow. There are families who cannot afford to celebrate the New Year, who cannot even manage a single meal, worrying about how they will survive the winter.

In this world, things often appear to be unfair, but that is not the true nature of reality. Everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. Each person’s destiny is shaped by their own karmic retribution—the fruits of the seeds they have sown in the past."

A Legacy of Compassion

"I grew up in a peaceful farming village. In our rural society, my family was considered quite wealthy. For generations, our family sold grain. We owned our own rice shop and vast rice paddies, employing many long-term workers. From a young age, I watched the adults bustling about. Especially during the harvest, everyone worked until they were drenched in sweat, labouring with such immense effort.

My grandfather treated our workers with great kindness. Whenever the rice was harvested, he would distribute a portion of the grain for everyone to take home to their families. During the New Year and other festivals, he would give extra money to every worker, hoping they could enjoy the holidays. My grandfather was a truly wonderful man. Even many years after he passed away, people still held him in high esteem, speaking of him with endless gratitude.

I am also deeply grateful to my grandfather, for I learned so much from him. As a child, I spent a great deal of time by his side. He would take me to the rice shop, inspect the fields, and accompany me to visit wealthy families for business. My grandfather was tactful and harmonious in his dealings with others. He never allowed the pursuit of profit to cloud his heart. I observed that he almost always stood in the other person’s shoes, negotiating terms that benefited both sides. Because of this, he never made enemies; everywhere he went, he was surrounded by good friends."

Inheriting the Path of Service

"My grandfather was the person I admired most in my life. When I grew up, I inherited the family business and upheld his principles, continuing to expand the rice shop. By my fifth year in charge, I had acquired much more land to grow more grain and expand our market. The family’s wealth grew exponentially. However, I did not earn this money for the sake of a luxurious lifestyle. To me, money was only meant to be sufficient; any surplus was meant to be used to help others.

Even as a child, I was particularly sensitive to those who had nothing to eat. I felt their hardship deeply, but I could not simply hand them money. I knew that while many people were poor, they were not poor in spirit; they had their own dignity. If I had rashly offered money, it might have offended them, as if I were insulting their pride. I understood their hearts, so I chose a different approach. Instead of direct charity, I provided indirect assistance. I created job opportunities and allocated a portion of our farmland to the workers, giving everyone their own space to cultivate. I wanted to give them a chance to survive and the motivation to change their own lives."

Seeking the Exit from Samsara

"I did my best to help the vulnerable in society. Although what I could do was limited, I was willing to act whenever the opportunity arose. Having experienced the bitterness and sweetness of life, and the harsh reality of fate, I felt deeply moved by how different every life is. I understood clearly that this was due to different karmic causes, but in my heart, I still hoped that everyone could find the right strength to change their destiny. This included myself. I was always searching for my own exit from this cycle of rebirth, believing that life must be more than just this.

My entire life was spent acting with purpose. Whether managing the family business or helping those in need, I gave my all. I never thought about my own difficulties; my only focus was to help more people."

A Peaceful Transition

"In the final moments of my life, my thoughts were still with those who needed help. I had arranged a secure future for them and had already passed the family business to my nephew. Years earlier, I had allowed him to begin managing things independently. Watching him grow, I felt at ease handing the business over completely, and my heart was free of attachments.

I spent my life giving to others, rarely thinking of myself. Some might have laughed at me for being foolish, but I was sincere in my willingness to give. In the process of helping others, I felt immense joy. Seeing their happy faces made my own heart overflow with happiness. Having the ability to help others made me feel truly satisfied.

After I passed away, my consciousness arrived in the underworld. The process of death was not painful; it was a natural departure. Looking back at the life I had led, I felt many emotions. Every person’s life is truly not easy. When I was brought before the King of Hell, my heart was calm. The King reviewed my past and decided to give me an opportunity to serve, allowing me to accumulate merit and virtue while waiting for this magnificent opportunity for rebirth."

The Call of the Dharma

"I have always been grateful to everyone who helped me, so I was happy to help others in return. During my time serving as a prison guard, I helped many beings. Some of them were suffering deeply in their hearts, and I truly wished for them to be liberated and leave suffering behind. Through my experience as a guard, my heart became much clearer. I hoped to find a way to help everyone escape their pain.

It was not until I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks in the underworld that I was truly moved. I knew that the teachings Practitioner Su shared could help all beings achieve liberation. I began to listen very earnestly to the explanations, and I worked hard to change myself. I am so grateful for Practitioner Su’s compassionate dedication, which allows immeasurable and boundless beings to be saved.

On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Zheng Kaixi, with palms joined.