The Legacy of the Communal Kitchen

Tang Bide, a former prison guard in the underworld, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This interview was recorded on October 31, 2021, to document his journey from a life of service to his eventual rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Tang Bide speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am truly filled with immense joy! I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for his great compassion in helping me, and all the beings connected by karmic affinity here today, to have the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. On behalf of everyone, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. My heart is truly moved beyond words!"

A Heritage of Two Families

"From a very young age, I understood the importance of gratitude. I was born in a remote little village in Shanxi Province. My birth was a momentous occasion for everyone, as it was the result of many years of effort by two families—the Tangs and the Bis—to finally have a descendant. Everyone was overjoyed.

The two families reached a decision: I would carry the surnames of both lineages. Any children I would have in the future would then be divided between the two families to carry on their respective incense and ancestral lines. Thus, my name was formed with the single character 'De' [Virtue], making me Tang Bide."

The Grandmother's Culinary Compassion

"My grandmother, who was from the Bi family, had married into our home from Shandong. She possessed exceptional culinary skills, especially with flour-based dishes. Her craftsmanship was exquisite; people in the village who tasted her food were always left wanting more. She was particularly famous for her large Shandong-style steamed buns. They were not only delicious in texture but left a lingering fragrance in one's mouth. Her reputation for cooking was well-known throughout the region.

Everyone knew of her talent, but more importantly, they knew of her heart. Grandmother often cooked her hometown dishes to share with the villagers. Sometimes, she would distribute her steamed buns to the impoverished families nearby or to the children at the local school who could not afford a meal. Her heart was incredibly kind. She constantly prepared food to help those in need, ensuring that no one around her had to suffer the pangs of hunger.

I was especially close to my grandmother from childhood, and through this closeness, I learned her wonderful skills. After she passed away, I began to emulate the good deeds she had performed during her lifetime. I started making steamed buns and giving them to those in need. Before this, I had never realised that doing good deeds could bring such joy. I discovered that helping others brings a profound sense of inner satisfaction. I believe this is why my grandmother was able to persist in helping people for so long. I felt so happy to follow in her footsteps; it brought me immense joy."

The Weight of Responsibility

"Growing up in my household, I received an overwhelming amount of care from both families. I knew I was the hope for the continuation of both lineages, and I had to leave behind descendants for them. Because of this, I was raised with several child brides. These future wives were either infants or only a few years younger than me. The elders in my family raised them to be gentle and virtuous women, and when the time was right, they would marry me. I had four wives, and there were three other girls who were sent to other families because they were too young.

My four wives were raised with excellent character; they were wonderful partners. Together, we had ten children, fulfilling the duty of carrying on the incense for both the Tang and Bi families. Both families were overjoyed, and their anxiety about the continuation of their lineages was finally put to rest. With that heavy burden lifted, I felt a great sense of relief. I began to look at my own life and decided I wanted to do more to help others."

Building a Sanctuary for the Needy

"Influenced by my grandmother since childhood, I became particularly attentive to the plight of the poor. I hoped to help them improve their lives and ensure everyone could have a decent existence. Consequently, I began preparations to establish a communal kitchen. Every day, we provided meals for the impoverished families in the area. Furthermore, I arranged for those who came to eat to contribute their own efforts to maintain their livelihood. In other words, while the kitchen provided food, its operation relied on everyone working together.

I assigned everyone different responsibilities. Some were in charge of clearing land and farming; others handled cleaning; some were responsible for cooking; and others managed external connections, such as selling vegetables or food to increase the kitchen's income, ensuring that our operations could run smoothly and sustainably.

In this kitchen, everyone had their own responsibilities. We were like a family, caring for one another, learning together, and growing together. This place became a temporary sanctuary, helping people navigate the difficulties of life and supporting them through their life's trials."

A Life Worth Living

"I was so happy to have built this kitchen. As the saying goes, 'Food is the heaven of the people.' No matter how important a task is, one must first be fed. Once people are full and have the strength to work, they have the power to change their lives. This was the philosophy my grandmother gave me. Therefore, I was determined to help those struggling in life—to help them satisfy their hunger first, and then help them change their own destinies. The operation of the kitchen helped many people and gave them a chance to turn their lives around. Those who successfully broke through their life's obstacles would often return to the kitchen to help others. This kitchen became a beacon of hope for many, and we all guarded this hope together.

Of my ten children, five were sons and five were daughters. My daughters married into good families when they grew up. My five sons all came to the kitchen to assist me. Their hearts were kind, and their mothers had raised them well. My sons each took on the family business for the two lineages, and they would still find time to come to the kitchen to help. This gave me great comfort, as I knew they possessed pure kindness and a willingness to help others. I was very happy.

By the time I reached old age, most of the kitchen's affairs were handled by my children. Many who had been helped by the kitchen also took the initiative to return and share the workload. I felt very at ease about the future of the kitchen, and my heart was free of attachments."

From Prison Guard to Liberation

"On the day I passed away, I saw the entirety of my life pass before me. I was very fortunate to have established that kitchen, as it was the only thing that could help others; otherwise, I would not have seen anything in my life worth being satisfied with. From the moment I was born, I was tasked with the work of carrying on the incense for two families. Everyone was preparing for this, arranging virtuous wives for me and planning my life's milestones. Everything in my life seemed to follow these worldly affairs. If I had not built that kitchen, looking back now, I would have been nothing more than a descendant of the Tang and Bi families, a husband to four wives, and a father to ten children. Beyond that, I would have achieved nothing.

It was because I built the kitchen that I felt no panic at the moment of death. I was very calm and satisfied. I had completed my life's mission, as if I had fulfilled a life-long duty. When my time came, I laid down my responsibilities and departed in peace. After I passed, I was taken to the Yama Hall. The King of Hell told me that I could hold an official position there and would not have to suffer the pain of karmic retribution. I am very grateful to the King of Hell for giving me this opportunity to serve as a prison guard.

During my time as a prison guard, I witnessed many instances of cause and effect. I felt deeply moved; why is there so much suffering in human life? My heart was filled with compassion. It was not until I heard Practitioner Su giving a Dharma talk for the first time that my heart was stirred! I had never heard such wonderful sutras, nor did I know these principles. I was deeply moved and wanted to actively learn. I want to be like what Practitioner Su describes—to break through the limitations of my own life.

Today, I am very grateful that I have obtained this opportunity for liberation. I cherish it deeply, and I am diligent in my desire to continue my practice. I hope that one day I will truly have the ability to help all beings, using more authentic power to help everyone leave suffering behind.

Thank you, Practitioner Su, for your help today. On behalf of all beings, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Tang Bide