The Power of Generosity to Change Destiny

This is a record of an interview with He Benyuan, 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 service as a prison guard in the underworld. Recorded by Venerable Haize on December 29, 2019.

He Benyuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am He Benyuan. Along with sixty other prison guards, I have already arrived in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We are filled with gratitude for the compassion of the Buddha and Practitioner Su! We all bow in deep gratitude to the Buddha's grace." (The group collectively performs three prostrations toward us.)

A Fragile Beginning and a Mother's Sacrifice

"I am He Benyuan. From the time I was a small child, I was incredibly frail and plagued by constant illness. My parents sought out countless renowned physicians, yet none could determine the cause of my suffering. A fortune teller once predicted that I would not live past the age of ten. He said my life force was fading—that I would either die of illness or simply wither away from a lack of vitality. My parents were frantic with worry. I was their only son, with three older sisters, and they had long ago given up hope of having a son to carry on the family line. Yet, they could not bear the thought of losing me so young.

My mother, in her desperation, prayed to the Buddha, asking if she could offer ten years of her own life to extend mine. When they cast the divination blocks at the temple, they received an affirmative answer! The Venerable told my mother that she must practise Generosity and perform acts of Goodness to change my destiny, and that she must not let these ten years of life pass by in vain. From that day on, my parents regularly donated rice and grain to the sick and impoverished elderly in our village, and they contributed to the repair of the local temple. They had only one hope: that I might regain my health and grow up to do good deeds for others."

The Miracle of the Little Guanyin

"When I reached the age of ten, I fell into a grave illness. I lay in a coma for three days and three nights. My parents were beside themselves with grief, wondering if I would ever make it through this trial. Then, one night, I dreamt of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. She dipped a willow branch into pure water and sprinkled it over me. Instantly, my high fever broke, and a cool, refreshing sensation washed over my entire body. I woke up from the dream, and my parents were overjoyed. Because I had been saved, they became devout followers of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and I began to chant Namo Amituofo as well. Throughout my childhood, the holy name of Guanyin was always on my lips. I became known for my willingness to help others, and everyone in the village affectionately called me the 'Little Guanyin.'

After surviving that great trial at age ten, I grew tall and strong. People often say that after one survives a great calamity, there must be great blessings to follow, and indeed, I became a cheerful and optimistic person."

The Truth Behind the Veil

"One night, when I was twenty years old, a being radiating a brilliant light appeared to me. He led my spirit out of my body and down into the hells. When I saw the horrific suffering of the beings there, I could not help but weep uncontrollably. I made a vow right then and there: I wanted to help them. After that, I chanted the holy name of Guanyin even more diligently. Then, on a night when I was twenty, that same brilliant light appeared once more. It took me back to the hells and presented my spirit to the King of the Seventh Hall. He said, 'The child has returned; he has fulfilled his vow.'

It was then that I realised the truth: I was actually a prison guard in the King's hall! I had felt such deep Causal Conditions with my mother in the human world, knowing she would face a life-threatening ordeal during childbirth. I had volunteered to extend my service as a prison guard, delaying my graduation from that role, just so I could return to the human world to save my mother from that calamity and continue our bond as mother and son. My goal was to help her perform acts of Generosity and Goodness to offset the karmic debt she owed. Now that my vow was fulfilled, I returned to the hells to resume my duties."

Duty, Redemption, and the Western Pure Land

"I am so grateful to the King of the Underworld for fulfilling my wish. I served my post with loyalty and performed my duties with excellence. Because of this, I was finally included in the group to be delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss by Practitioner Su. I waited for four and a half years, and today, my wish has finally come true. I have reached the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I am eternally grateful to Practitioner Su and the King of the Underworld! Namo Amituofo! He Benyuan and the sixty prison guards bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace."