The Legacy of the Guan Family Ancestral Teachings

Guan Shihao, an ancestor of the Guan family from the Tang Dynasty, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview, recorded on September 12, 2021, captures his reflections on the profound impact of his parents' teachings on Generosity, integrity, and the true meaning of life. Having served as an official in the underworld, he shares his gratitude for the deliverance provided by Practitioner Su and the opportunity for his descendants to practise at the Centre.

Guan Shihao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for helping me and my descendants secure this magnificent opportunity to practise at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Today, I have attained liberation and am ready for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. My heart is filled with immense emotion and gratitude. I am overjoyed to have had the karmic affinity to encounter Practitioner Su. On behalf of sixty prison officials and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

"I hope my descendants will understand the value of learning the Dharma and always keep a heart of gratitude. Do not be attached to worldly concerns. Instead, follow Practitioner Su closely to learn the great truths, transform your lives, achieve your own liberation, and resolve to help all sentient beings. Venerable Faming and Fawu, you must both follow Practitioner Su diligently to grow and save the world."

A Scholar of the Tang Dynasty

"I am an ancestor from the early days of the Guan family. I lived during the Tang Dynasty and was a scholar. Even then, the Guan family was already a prestigious name. However, my parents chose to work diligently to support the family. We were not wealthy in material terms, but our hearts were always rich because we understood contentment and the importance of Generosity. Throughout my life, I performed many acts of Giving, often donating books to help impoverished scholars. These were minor accumulations of merit, yet they paved the way for my descendants to have better opportunities."

"From the moment I was born, my parents made many arrangements for me. Although our family could not provide a luxurious environment, they never took my education lightly. They placed great importance on my learning and poured their hearts into it. Beyond teaching me poetry and literature, they taught me the principles of life."

The Family Teachings: Integrity and Giving

"To be a person, one must know how to be grateful and never forget one's roots. In life, one must understand that 'giving is more blessed than receiving.' Do not just think of profit without wanting to contribute. When you gain, you must know how to share and help others attain good opportunities in life. These were the family teachings my parents instilled in me from childhood. They did not ask me to be 'above others,' but to have good character, good morals, and a positive attitude toward life, truly fulfilling the potential of one's existence."

"My parents spent their entire lives working to help others. We had a modest academy at home where they would help local students who wanted to learn but lacked the means. I spent much of my time studying there, so when these children came to learn, I was able to assist them, teaching them what I had learned so that everyone could have the same opportunity for education."

The Decision to Walk Away from Wealth

"My parents were busy with work, but whenever they had spare time, they would teach me and cultivate my positive character. It was not until I was eighteen that I first met my grandfather. He was already terminally ill. My parents suppressed their sorrow and took me back to the ancestral home to visit him. When Grandfather saw our family of three, he left this world with a satisfied smile."

"We stayed at the ancestral home for a long time. My father observed the three-year mourning period before we left to return to our city. During this time, I finally understood the whole story. Years ago, my parents had chosen to leave the ancestral home, abandoning all wealth and status. My father did not want to make things difficult for his father, so he left and stayed away for years. In truth, my father and grandfather shared a deep bond. My father was the only son born to the first wife, but his mother passed away when he was young, leaving him to face the cold treatment of the concubines. When it came to the inheritance, everyone had their own selfish motives. My father did not want to be involved in these struggles and decided to withdraw early, hoping that by doing so, everyone could at least maintain a decent relationship and not destroy the ties of blood."

A Life of Meaning

"My father's decision was wise. He told me that as long as one has enough to eat, there is nothing else to seek. If our lives still have strength, we should look for those who are suffering and in need of help. We do not need so much wealth for ourselves; what is truly precious is the meaning within our lives."

"My grandfather understood my father's departure. Although he was reluctant to let him go, he supported the decision. He had prepared a path for my father, but my father did not use any of it for himself. Instead, he chose a place to settle and used all the wealth brought from the ancestral home to help local poor families, improving their lives. He also built that small academy so that his own children and the children of the region could have a chance to study and progress."

The True Meaning of Life

"In the local area, my father became known as a great philanthropist overnight. But he did not pride himself on this. Instead, he humbly sought work, and after giving away all his wealth, my parents threw themselves into hard work to support the family. After a year of stability, I was born, and our family of three lived a peaceful and settled life. The years were quiet and good."

"From my father, one could not see a hint of arrogance. His nature was approachable. After completely detaching from his former wealthy life, he worked even harder, just like a labourer in the countryside. Although the work was exhausting, my father was happy from the bottom of his heart."

"In my childhood memories, I always remember the backs of my parents as they worked. No matter how hard the work was, their posture remained straight. My father told me that no matter what one encounters in this world, one's spine must remain straight. One must stand upright and act upright; this is the most basic spirit and attitude of life. Our eyes should not look at the rights and wrongs of others; we should look for those who need help. Our lips should not speak of the faults of others, nor do we need to defend ourselves. We should speak words that encourage growth and positivity. This is the meaning of a life lived."

A Legacy of Virtue

"My parents taught me so much throughout their lives. My father never fought for anything for himself; everything was for the sake of helping others. He was my best role model. I am very happy to be a descendant of the Guan family, and I want to pass on these family teachings."

"After I married and had children, I taught the next generation everything my father had taught me. I shared what I had learned with the children in the neighbourhood, hoping to continue this meaningful life education."

"After my parents passed away, many people came to see them off. The scene was very moving. Although it was not a grand or flashy affair, their final journey was full of life's meaning. Those who came were all people my parents had helped, and now they all had their own achievements. This is the greatest fulfilment in life."

"In contrast, the funerals of my uncles, while having the most magnificent displays, were attended by few who were truly sincere. My uncles left behind only heavy wealth, and the people around them were only there for that wealth. The meaning of life was completely different, which makes one recall my father's decision—it was truly correct!"

The Path to Liberation

"Often, people get lost in wealth and fame, lost in the illusions of immediate profit, not knowing that what they should see is the value of their own lives and what they should truly cultivate."

"I am very grateful for my father's education throughout his life. After I grew up, I also seized the time to actively manage my life and do my best to fulfil it. At the moment I left this world, my heart was full of contentment and happiness. I knew I had done my best in this life and had no regrets. I had already entrusted the affairs after my death to my children. I lived a very fulfilling life and passed on everything I had. In the end, I told my descendants: 'In doing anything, do not forget your original intention; in making any decision, do not forget your original goodness.' Doing good throughout one's life and helping others is the most important thing!"

"I am grateful for everything in my life. After I passed away, because I did not know how to transcend the cycle of birth and death, I came to the underworld. My life in the underworld was good, and the King of Hell even assigned me an official position, where I continued to help people."

"It was only recently, while listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks and witnessing the moment Practitioner Su helped deliver the Guan family ancestors, that I received the benefits. I know that many times it is Practitioner Su's compassion that helps us. As a civil official in the underworld, I had duties to attend to, so I did not leave the underworld with Practitioner Su's deliverance power immediately. But I could see many beings with karmic affinity to the Guan family, including generations of ancestors, benefiting from this. I am truly grateful for the grace Practitioner Su has bestowed upon our Guan family."

A Final Plea to Descendants

"Practitioner Su is truly a true Buddha. Listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks in the underworld, every word spoken is the Truth. If one can truly understand it, one gains the opportunity for liberation. I am very grateful to Practitioner Su for taking such good care of Guan Fengxia and Guan Tongming. Seeing my descendants practising here with Practitioner Su makes me truly happy. I hope my children will truly succeed in their practice here! Remember the Guan family ancestral teachings: stand upright, act upright, and do not waste such a good opportunity!"

"Thank you, Practitioner Su, for your help today, allowing sixty prison officials and all sentient beings with karmic affinity 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. Along this journey, listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks, I have also understood many principles of the laws of karma and cause and effect. Among my descendants, having them practise here is the greatest karmic fortune! There are many karmic causes and effects through the generations, and I hope everyone can have a perfect conclusion. I hope not only the descendants of the Guan family, but everyone can know that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia has a true Buddha residing in the world. Everyone must know to come and support it, practise diligently, and find the path to liberation!"

"Namo Amituofo."

"Guan Shihao"