The Living Lingzhi and the Redemption of a Collector

This is a record of an interview with Wan Guobao, who sought to save his spirit 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 during the Ming Dynasty. Recorded by the chief writer, Disciple Haize, on January 12, 2020.

Disciple Haize: I respectfully invite the sixty prison guards who are being sent to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss today to speak. Representing them is Wan Guobao.

Wan Guobao speaks:

"Wan Guobao and the other fifty-nine prison guards here wish to express our most sincere gratitude to Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, and everyone present. (The group respectfully performs three kowtows in gratitude.)"

A Legacy of Treasures

"I grew up during the Ming Dynasty, a time when the nation was finally settling down after the turmoil of war. As a new ruler took the throne, everyone began to rebuild their lives. During the chaos of the preceding wars, many antiques and treasures that had been hidden in cellars, stolen, or sold were finally resurfacing in the world.

My family had been antique collectors since the time of my grandfather. We never wanted for food or clothing. We possessed a dedicated collection room, passed down from my grandfather to my father, and then to me. It was guarded by warriors, as it was said to be a gift bestowed upon my grandfather by the Emperor of that era. Wealthy and influential families would often visit our home to consult with my father regarding gifts and tributes to the court. In truth, I had no desire to shoulder the heavy responsibility of this collection, but as the eldest grandson, I had no choice. Before my father passed away, he instructed me to guard these items well. He told me that if any extraordinary changes occurred, I must use these treasures for the benefit of the nation and its people, and never to use them for my own selfish enjoyment. I gave my word. I was never a man who craved wealth or high office; I only took on this burden because I could not disobey my father's final command."

The Miracle of the Living Lingzhi

"Among the collection were countless original manuscripts of ancient poetry and calligraphy, paintings of Buddha or Bodhisattva, ancient ceramic vases, and precious jewellery. To me, their significance lay in the preservation of history. We were very careful about maintaining the temperature and humidity in the room to ensure their survival. Later, during a massive flood that struck the city, many of these treasures were soaked overnight. I could not save them in time, and they were ruined. Though my heart ached, I accepted it as a natural disaster—perhaps these objects had simply reached the end of their karmic connection with the world. Fortunately, some items were water-resistant and could be preserved after care.

Then, a strange plague suddenly struck our city. People began to suffer from severe pain in their legs. Within two or three days, they lost the ability to walk. The most renowned physicians had no solution; even the finest medicines were ineffective. Suddenly, word spread that a fossilized lingzhi mushroom in our collection could save people from this mysterious illness. People begged me to bring it out to save them. A physician came to consult with me. Because the fossilized lingzhi was extremely rare, everyone assumed it was just a fossil and lacked life. However, the physician had discovered in ancient medical texts that it contained precious components capable of treating this specific disease. He hoped we would perform a great act of Goodness. I replied, 'I do have a fossilized lingzhi stored in a treasure box, but I do not know its current state. I must examine it before I can give you an answer.'

I entered the collection room and found the box. When I opened it, a dazzling light erupted from within. The lingzhi, which had been greyish-white, had come to life! It was as if it were telling me that its purpose for awakening was to save the lives of the people. At that time, news was coming in that those afflicted were suffering from total weakness, convulsions, and then death."

A Debt of Karma and Compassion

"Without a second thought, I handed the living lingzhi to the physician. When he saw it, he was so moved he could not speak. According to legend, no matter how much time passes, the lingzhi is immortal; to see one and consume it is a sign of immense fortune. I donated the lingzhi, and the physician knelt and bowed three times to it, thanking it for manifesting and for its willingness to save the people. He prepared it as medicine, and those who were ill took it. Remarkably, even those who were in a deep, comatose state woke up after one day and could walk again! Those with mild symptoms recovered instantly. It saved nearly half the city. The news spread throughout the land, even reaching the Emperor, who gifted me a precious gemstone in gratitude for saving the citizens.

In truth, no matter how precious an antique or treasure may be, if it is not used for the benefit of the masses, it is merely an object sitting in storage. It represents status and serves as a witness to history for future generations to admire, but to me, these things were never truly important.

At the age of fifty-eight, I resolutely decided to convert a portion of these treasures into money to provide for the poor in the countryside, ensuring they had clothing, blankets, and shelter to protect them from the elements throughout the seasons. The majority I returned to the imperial court—what came from the state returned to the state. I left nothing for my descendants. Suddenly, I felt the heavy burden on my shoulders lift, and I felt as light as a swallow. I moved my entire family to the countryside, far from the city, and lived a simple, rustic life. Two years later, I developed an itching, painful condition all over my body, and after medicine failed, I passed away from full-body swelling.

On the night I died, two officials from the underworld led my spirit out and said, 'Kind man, please follow us. Your life in this world has ended!' At that moment, my spirit was very clear. I looked at my swollen body lying on the bed, motionless, and felt a deep realization: this was my life. I was then taken before the King of the Third Hall of Hell. After the King reviewed my life, I learned that I had been the one who cultivated that precious lingzhi long ago—about two or three thousand years prior. The lingzhi and I had made a vow to heal people together. I never expected that we would meet again in this life. The lingzhi had been reduced to a fossil, but sensing the plague in the world, it manifested and came to life to save many, fulfilling our vow from thousands of years ago. My death from swelling was the result of a past life where I had allowed someone to fall into the water and did not save them, leading to their death. I was meant to suffer that retribution in my next life, but because I performed good deeds in this life, I received the retribution early, allowing for future blessings to manifest.

I could have reincarnated as a human, but because the world was in such a state of chaos—a period that would last for over a hundred years—the King of Hell, in his compassion, allowed me to take the position of a prison guard. In the underworld, being a prison guard is like being a subordinate to an official; it is a stable and decent position."

The Final Deliverance

"I was diligent and responsible, for I understood the laws of karma and cause and effect, and I dared not let a single evil thought arise. Later, I received notice that I had been added to Practitioner Su's list for deliverance to the West. I waited for three and a half years, and today, my wish has finally been fulfilled. We have been chanting Buddha's name with everyone, and the sound of the Buddha's name chanting has been orbiting around us and ringing in our ears. Thank you, Practitioner Su, and thank you to everyone."

"Wan Guobao and the sixty prison guards kowtow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace."

Namo Amituofo.