The Price of Love and the Path to Liberation

This is a record of an interview with Jian Lingang, 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 experiences across multiple lifetimes and his service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on April 28, 2024.

Jian Lingang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of the Buddha. I am thankful that today I have the rare opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We all know that this is an incredibly precious chance, and we must cherish it deeply and practise with great diligence.

I, Jian Lingang, represent all the jailers of the underworld and all sentient beings with karmic affinity in expressing my deepest gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Celestial Life and the Beginning of a Karmic Debt

"Since ancient times, life in the heavenly realms has been stable and peaceful. I was once a celestial being who delighted in doing good and helping others. For three thousand years, I enjoyed a position of prestige in the heavens. My daily duty was to manifest as a mortal and patrol the human world to ensure harmony. Though the days were repetitive, they were filled with meaning.

I remember a beautiful spring day, with flowers in full bloom and the air filled with the songs of birds. I had manifested as a wandering scholar, strolling through the water towns of Jiangnan. Suddenly, a woman dressed in light gauze, looking utterly dishevelled and distressed, collapsed into my arms. By rights, as a celestial being, I should have turned a blind eye to human emotions, but this time was an exception.

Her eyes held a look of desperate pleading that stirred a sudden pity within me. I never imagined that this would be the beginning of my emotional tribulation. She was a woman of both beauty and intelligence. As she poured out her suffering to me, I found myself becoming increasingly captivated by our conversation, my heart softening like water. I should have severed this inappropriate emotional entanglement immediately, but my heart was already hopelessly ensnared.

For the sake of this love, I stopped returning to the heavenly realms. I decided to stay with her in the dust of the world, living a life of mutual devotion."

The Heavy Price of Mortal Love

"As the days turned into months, I discovered that my divine powers were beginning to wane, and my celestial essence was gradually dissipating. I realised then that the price of falling in love with a mortal was the loss of my eternal divine status. But by then, I was willing to give up everything for her. Her love for me was equally deep, and in our small cottage, we enjoyed the simple happiness of an ordinary couple.

It was a time woven with both profound sorrow and love. As I lost my celestial qualifications and powers due to worldly attachments, I knew I would face the cruelest test of the human world—ageing and death.

Yet, even knowing the heartlessness of this outcome, the bond between us only deepened. As time passed, my powers vanished entirely, and I felt the heaviness of the flesh and the marks of the years. Overnight, my black hair turned as white as snow, my skin lost its lustre, and wrinkles gathered at the corners of my eyes. When I saw myself in the mirror, looking like a centenarian, I felt no fear, only peace. Because even though my appearance had changed, our hearts remained tightly connected. Our love had not diminished in the slightest.

Watching me age so rapidly, though she felt immense sorrow, her eyes remained filled with love. She would stroke my white hair with her delicate hands and whisper that no matter what I became, her love remained as firm as it was when we first met. These words were like a spring breeze, soothing my soul and filling my heart with gratitude.

Whenever the night was quiet, we would sit by the window, listening to the insects and the wind. She would lean on my shoulder, sometimes speaking of her hopes for the future, sometimes weeping silently. Her tears often dampened my clothes; each drop was like a precious pearl, recording our love story.

Finally, my life reached its end like a candle burning out. In that moment, lying in her warm embrace, feeling her gentle touch and her tears of reluctance, I whispered to her, 'Do not grieve. Our love will never fade; it will continue in different forms and at different times.' Then, I closed my eyes peacefully and left this world."

The Cycle of Rebirth and the Search for Meaning

"I entered the cycle of rebirth once more. Although I had completely left that world, I could not forget that profound memory; my heart remained filled with longing. Because of the merits I had accumulated in the past, I was soon reborn into the human world. After my rebirth, I could no longer remember everything from the past, only catching glimpses in my dreams of that beautiful woman and our love. The emotions of the human world are rich but fleeting, a stark contrast to the eternal peace of the heavens. I lost eternity, but I experienced human love. Was it worth it? I could no longer answer; I could only search for that deep-seated connection within the cycle of reincarnation.

In this lifetime, my name was Jian Lingang, born in a remote country in the West where the Buddha's teachings had not yet reached. I was destined to come here to transmit compassion and wisdom, helping lost beings find the lamp of the heart.

From a young age, my character was different from others. I felt a deep sympathy for the suffering of the world and often helped those in need, whether by donating to the poor or comforting the widowed and orphaned. Such behaviour was not common in that region, often inviting criticism and mockery. Even so, I never abandoned the compassion in my heart.

As I grew older, I gradually understood the true mission of this life. I began to study many books more deeply, seeking a path to liberation that applied to all human hearts. In the process of learning, I became more aware of the greed, anger, and delusion within the human heart, and how these afflictions bind the souls of beings."

The Trial of the Heart and the Underworld Service

"One day, a woman came to me in absolute agony, her heart shattered by the loss of her lover. As I spoke with her, I felt my own heart beginning to waver. That emotion I had lost in a past life seemed to be reawakened. I knew this was another emotional tribulation and that I had to be firm in my will, not allowing myself to be lost again. In this test, I used almost all my willpower to resist the seductive vortex of emotion. I calmed my mind, and through struggle and reflection, I regained clarity and awakening.

Through my own experiences and reflections, I began to share my story with others. I told them that everyone has a bright side and the ability to find their own inner peace and strength. As time passed, more people began to pay attention to my teachings, finding hope and direction. Some even abandoned their past confusion and heavy burdens, rediscovering the meaning and purpose of life.

In this world, I discovered a more real power: the power of teaching and helping others find the light within. This power is more lasting and precious than any supernatural ability. I vowed to continue this mission until my final moment.

After I passed away, I entered the underworld. My spirit knew I was still within the cycle of reincarnation, and I told myself I had to find a way out. I walked continuously, not knowing how far I had travelled, until I finally stood before the King of the Underworld. He treated me with courtesy and gave me the opportunity to serve in the underworld. I am very grateful for this work. Seeing the laws of karma and cause and effect for every being brought me much realisation.

It was only in the last few years that I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks in the underworld. When I first heard the principles Practitioner Su taught, my heart was deeply stirred. These were truths I had never heard before, and I knew this was the true Great Dharma! I had no chance to hear these in the past, but now I must grasp and cherish this opportunity.

I am truly grateful to have this chance to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I was drifting in the cycle of reincarnation, and it was the power of Namo Amituofo and the Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su that saved me. My heart is filled with endless emotion, and I have vowed to practise diligently and help other beings in the future.

I, Jian Lingang, represent all the jailers of the underworld and all sentient beings with karmic affinity in expressing my deepest gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Jian Lingang, with palms joined.