The Pineapple's Long Wait for Deliverance

This is a record of an interview with Zhang Tianfu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life as a farmer in Tainan and his subsequent spiritual entrapment. Recorded by the chief writer, Cao Rudi, on October 5, 2017.

Zhang Tianfu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Hello everyone! Heavens, I can finally land and have a proper rest. Ever since I was packed into a crate at the farm, I have been passed through so many hands that I lost count. I did not know where I was going. When the truck door finally opened, I was moved along with other mysterious crates. Then, I heard a very familiar sound—a beautiful, melodic chanting: 'Namo Amituofo! Namo Amituofo! Namo Amituofo!' It was a continuous, soothing sound. I was not entirely sure where I had arrived, but I knew the sound of the Buddha-name was beautiful. You see, the cardboard box was not completely sealed. I was the pineapple placed right in the centre, facing the sky. My name is Zhang Tianfu, and I was an overseas Chinese immigrant living in Australia."

A Life Rooted in the Soil of Tainan

"Before I became a pineapple, I lived in Guanmiao, Tainan, in Taiwan. That area is famous for its pineapples. My family had been farmers for three generations, and I had an intimate connection with pineapples my entire life. Although growing them is not an easy task—you know, the skin is rough and full of thorns, and the leaves are incredibly sharp—I never complained. I would often return from the fields with mysterious cuts and scratches all over my body. When work was busy, I had no time to pay attention to them, and I didn't even feel the pain. It was only when I finished work, went home, and washed my tired body that I would notice how many new wounds I had collected. But it was nothing serious! A real man wouldn't let such small injuries weigh on his mind.

Although the work was exhausting, my wife and I worked from dawn until dusk. We inherited the family farmland, and my wife was a very clever woman. Together, we expanded the business, purchased more land, and increased our production. Most importantly, she encouraged me to focus on how to develop and cultivate even more fragrant and sweet pineapples. We worked side by side, through thick and thin, and raised a son and a daughter. For a farming family, we were always short-handed. My wise wife insisted that no matter how busy we were, we had to keep the children by our side to teach them ourselves. Because of this, we didn't dare to have too many children. 'It is not enough to just give birth; you must know how to teach,' she would often say, which effectively put an end to my thoughts of having a larger family.

My son had absolutely no interest in the family business, but he was very good at his studies. After growing up, he went to the United States to pursue a doctorate and eventually found a very good job in a private enterprise. Although he wasn't interested in farming, his research was related to agriculture: 'How to use technological means and methods to solve the future problem of human food shortages.' When we chatted, he was very filial and patiently tried to share his knowledge with me, but the professional terminology always left me scratching my head. I was completely lost; I just couldn't understand it."

From Tainan to the New World

"After my son married, he moved to Australia for work. My wife and I were getting older, and since the children had no intention of taking over the farm, we decided to sell the land and settle in Australia with our son. We had worked hard our entire lives, and it was time to enjoy the life of grandparents. So, we crossed the ocean and came to this new world—Sydney, Australia.

The living environment and the air here were clearly much better than in Taiwan. Even so, I missed home terribly—my home in Tainan. I also missed my little daughter. Although she was already married and a mother herself, in my heart, she will always be my little princess, my thoughtful little princess.

My son was worried that we would be bored, so he thoughtfully let us plant whatever we wanted in the large open space outside the house. However, he insisted on one thing: no pineapples. He was afraid that the sharp thorns of the pineapple would prick his mischievous children's hands."

The Bewildering Transformation

"As the days went by, my wife passed away after an unexpected car accident. That left me feeling even more lonely. I would think about that pineapple field in Tainan, and I would think about working under the scorching sun with my wife. Although it was hard work, my heart felt very sweet—just like the pineapples. One afternoon, when the family was out, I went for a walk in the orchard alone. As I was walking, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest. I clutched my chest and collapsed to the ground. I only remember that before I fell, I saw myself standing in the pineapple field, proudly looking at my award-winning Golden Diamond pineapples. And just like that, when I woke up, I had become a pineapple. How did this happen? I have no idea. I don't even know how long I have been in this pineapple body. No matter how much I shouted, no one could hear me or respond. It is fortunate that I have come here today, and someone can finally talk to me."

A Chance for Deliverance

"Rudi: Uncle, hello! This is the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. You have entered the space of a pineapple and found it difficult to escape. The compassionate Practitioner Su can help you open up this space, giving you the opportunity to go and become a Buddha!"

"Zhang Tianfu: Is there really such a wonderful thing? I have been waiting for such a long, long time! I think it has been at least two or three hundred years."

"Rudi: Uncle, how many others are with you? We can help write memorial tablets so that everyone has the chance to leave the pineapple body and go become a Buddha."

"Zhang Tianfu: Can I bring my fellow pineapple brothers who have passed on as well? If I can, there are five large groups of pineapple brothers. I will represent them!"

"Rudi: The space is interconnected. I will write them down for you first. If there are any issues, Practitioner Su will bring it up during the evening teaching session. Namo Amituofo! You must first go to the Western Dharma-Nature Land to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma, understand the beauty of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and then seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

"Namo Amituofo."