The Most Precious Body: A Journey from Disability to Deliverance

Chief Writer Shi Faxin:

This is a record of an interview with Cao Ride, who sought deliverance 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 and his subsequent journey through the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on July 22, 2022.

Cao Ride speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Cao Ride. I often used to wonder where I would go the day I died. From a young age, I was a pessimistic person. Because I was born with congenital polio, I could never be a normal person. When I made wishes over my birthday cake as a child, I would speak three wishes aloud, but those were never my true desires. My real wish was simply to live a normal life like everyone else. It would be a lie to say there was no resentment in my heart. Many times, I would hide away and cry alone, blaming Heaven for not giving me functional legs, leaving me to live a life where I was always at a disadvantage compared to others. While others had two legs, I had two legs plus two crutches.

The Revelation of Karmic Retribution

When I left the human world, everything before my eyes turned to darkness. I arrived at the underworld and stood before King Yama. It was only then that I discovered my polio was the result of a past life where I had broken someone else's legs. I had been merciless at the time; the look of cruelty in my own eyes was so terrifying that even I could not bear to look at it.

The karmic creditor whose legs I had broken was still lying before the throne of King Yama, unable to even stand, his legs a bloody, mangled mess. When I saw this karmic creditor and witnessed the scenes of the harm I had inflicted in the past, I could not help but burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs. I asked myself, what was there to resent about the retribution I was receiving in this life? Everything was my own fault—the result of my own ignorance. Before King Yama, I repented thoroughly to my karmic creditor and prayed for the opportunity to repay the sins I had committed.

King Yama was moved by my sincerity and appointed me as a prison guard. This allowed me to dissolve my spiritual obstacles. Through my dedicated service, I was eventually granted the opportunity to be guided by Practitioner Su to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Fragrance of the Western Pure Land

The Western Pure Land is a world completely different from the one I lived in before. The moment I arrived, my entire body became supple, and my heart felt incredibly calm. The fragrance of the lotus flowers was so pure and pervasive that it allowed my whole being to relax completely. It felt as if the experiences of my human life had been washed away. Nevertheless, I wish to share my experiences and the laws of karma and cause and effect as a mirror for others, to repay the Buddha's kindness. I am deeply grateful to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su.

A Life Defined by Struggle

My name is Cao Ride. I was born into an extraordinary family. I was the second son of the Cao family, but my older brother carried the surname Zhang. Because my mother's family had no male heirs, it was agreed before her marriage that the first son born would take the surname Zhang to carry on the Zhang family line. When I was about to be born, my father was very happy, as I was the first child born to carry the Cao name. However, as soon as I emerged from the birth canal, my legs were curled and unusually small—not like normal legs at all. The doctors diagnosed me with congenital polio, stating that the chances of a full recovery were slim and that I would at best be able to practise walking with assistive devices. My parents were heartbroken when they heard this news.

After me, my mother gave birth to a younger brother and a younger sister. Because of my congenital disability, my parents tried everything they could to encourage me, buying me the best assistive tools to compensate for my physical limitations.

The Weight of Expectations

My parents were people of a certain social standing, so they had a very specific method for raising their children. All of us were trained in English from a young age. Beyond that, my older brother specialized in management, my younger brother in mechanics, and my sister in accounting. My father cultivated us so that we could eventually take over his company.

When I saw my siblings becoming more and more capable, I felt deeply inferior. Although my parents hired English tutors for me so that I would not fall behind, I still could not find confidence in myself.

My family wanted me to know that I was not a source of shame. No matter the occasion—family gatherings or company events—they would always bring me along. They wanted me to know that I was an important person, too.

I understood my parents' intentions, but many times, I could not help but feel bitter.

A Lesson in Life's Value

To help me realise that I was not the one suffering the most, my parents enrolled me in a special school. The school was filled with children who had physical disabilities; my parents wanted me to see them and experience their reality.

On my first day of school, my parents took me together. As soon as we reached the school gate, I saw a young boy without legs being carried by his mother, who then placed him in a wheelchair and pushed him toward the classroom.

My parents pushed me to the classroom as well. Once inside, I felt timid and withdrawn, as I had never been away from my parents to act on my own. Before they left, they patted my shoulders and said they would come to pick me up after class. I lifted my head slightly and looked around with my peripheral vision. Some children were missing arms, some were missing legs, and some were blind.

I found a seat and sat down. When the teacher arrived, she introduced herself: 'My name is Huang Meiying—beautiful like the yellow oriole in the trees.' The children in the room seemed very nervous, and no one answered the teacher, yet she laughed happily to herself. She had curly hair and was about forty years old; the aura she radiated was one of pure cheerfulness.

The teacher told us, 'Students, the most precious thing in this world is having this human body. Every one of you can put this body to its greatest use; every one of you is a useful person. Although we may have some physical disabilities, I believe that each of you will find what you are best at and what you love to do. Pursue it, complete it, and bring the most beautiful colours to your own life.'

Finding the Colours of Life

After listening to the teacher, I felt confused. Could I really find the colours of my own life as she described? The teacher continued, 'Do you feel you aren't sure if you can find the life most suitable for you? Let me tell you: my husband is a professor. He has been in a wheelchair since he was a child, but he believed in himself and was grateful for life. He achieved his dream of becoming a professor, and he even founded a basketball team and represented our country in the disabled sports competitions. I hope that each of you can have dreams, no matter what they are. I will accompany you to complete them. Besides me, you have each other; you are the best teammates. I hope you can all let your life shine.' She spoke with such passion on the stage that we all seemed to find a new hope for life.

When my parents came to pick me up that day, they noticed that my face was no longer filled with the sorrow it once held. They asked me what happened, and I told them everything the teacher had said. They were very comforted.

At school, the curriculum was not much different from regular schools. My grades were good, and my performance was strong. As I gained more confidence, I realised that apart from the issues with my legs, my other abilities were perfectly sound. With this confidence, I began to imagine having dreams, just as the teacher had described.

The Meaning of Service

I thought about it for a long time. I wanted to be like my teacher and give hope to those with physical disabilities. After finishing my studies, I discussed it with my parents and established a foundation to help disabled people find employment. If they were from low-income backgrounds, we would help provide for their daily needs. Many times, I would accompany volunteers from the foundation on home visits to chat with those with disabilities, bringing them hope and helping them step out into the world to live more brightly.

The more I did, the happier I became. I no longer felt inferior because of my legs; instead, I felt glad, because it was only through my own struggle that I could understand their pain and truly help them. My parents became my greatest supporters. The foundation grew larger and larger, more people joined, and even entrepreneurs helped provide funding.

Before my parents passed away, they were most worried about me. I told them I would be fine and that I would help even more people, which brought them peace.

In the process of helping others, I found the meaning of life. At the age of fifty, I accidentally fell in the bathroom, hit my head, and lost my life, ending my fifty-year journey.

A Final Homecoming

Arriving before the throne of King Yama, the laws of karma and cause and effect were revealed before my eyes, and I repented. Through a series of Causal Conditions, I was assigned to serve in the hell of amputees. I saw the beings in hell suffering their retribution; each person carried a different karmic cause, suffering and wailing in the depths of hell. I constantly prayed that they, too, would not have to suffer.

Finally, in hell, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. I learned that seeking liberation is the only true way to leave suffering behind and gain happiness. In my heart, I always hoped that I and all the beings in hell would have such an opportunity. Today, I have finally been able to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The magnificence of the Western Land is beyond words.

I am grateful to the Buddha's land for giving all spirits a place to return to. I am grateful to Practitioner Su, and I am grateful to King Yama."