The Price of Revolution: A Prison Guard's Awakening

This is a record of an interview with Chen Hongming, 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 during a period of intense national crisis and his subsequent journey through the realms of reincarnation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on May 3, 2026.

Chen Hongming speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Hongming. At this very moment, I am in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and my heart is overflowing with joy. On behalf of sixty other prison guards, I knelt and prostrated before Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

Today, with the compassionate help of Practitioner Su, we have finally arrived at the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I know with absolute certainty that without Practitioner Su’s intervention, it would have been impossible for me to reach this sacred place. This debt of gratitude is something I can never fully repay. For now, my only path is to practise diligently here in the Western Pure Land. Once I have attained true accomplishment and possess the ability to save sentient beings, that will be the greatest way to repay Practitioner Su and offer my gratitude to the Buddha.

The Reality of the Western Pure Land

The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly as the scriptures describe—it is magnificent beyond words. Here, there is not the slightest trace of afflictions. We are completely bathed in the Buddha-light, which continuously purifies our spirits. It is a state of existence that is beyond anything I could have imagined during my time in the human world.

I was an intellectual. The era in which I lived was one of great instability; the nation faced a crisis of fragmentation. Under the inept policies of the ruling powers, the hearts of the civilians were increasingly scattered, and the entire country began to erupt with discordant voices. There were two primary schools of thought regarding the existing imperial system.

The Clash of Ideologies

The first was the 'Institutional Reform' faction, which argued that we must reform the existing national system to resolve the crisis of division. The second was the 'Violent Revolution' faction, which believed that only through armed uprising—through blood and sacrifice—could the nation be saved.

These two factions were locked in constant opposition, often leading to violent conflict. Although everyone’s initial intention was to strengthen the nation and restore its former glory, their differing ideologies created deep rifts. Many intellectuals, myself included, engaged in endless debates and power struggles. We used every means at our disposal, hoping to gain recognition for our respective visions. A significant factor in this was the need for funding; without the support of wealthy merchants and powerful figures, our ideas would remain nothing more than empty slogans. This was a harsh, undeniable reality we had to navigate.

The conflict between reform and revolution grew more intense with each passing day. I, Chen Hongming, was deeply involved in this struggle. My own stance shifted many times, but eventually, I chose to abandon the path of violent revolution and committed myself firmly to the direction of reforming the existing system. This decision was influenced by my teachers and peers, as well as my observations of the nation’s dire state. With foreign powers circling like predators, waiting to exploit our weakness, I felt a profound sense of urgency and a firm, unwavering determination to find a path to reform.

The Cruelty of War

Regardless of the path chosen, many intellectuals like myself lived under the constant threat of government warrants and pursuit. Some were imprisoned, while others lost their lives. I did not fear this, for I believed deeply that only by making changes could we turn the tide of China’s fate. Because I advocated for institutional reform, I did not seek to overthrow the rulers, but rather to work within the system. I attempted to communicate with the authorities many times, but the results were always disappointing. My confidence was severely shaken during this process.

Meanwhile, the revolutionary faction grew in strength and began taking physical action. Uprising armies challenged the imperial forces in several regions, seizing control of multiple cities. During one such offensive, I happened to be in the area, attempting to negotiate with local officials to push for reform. It was there that I witnessed the true cruelty of war. Seeing so many people lose their lives in the conflict broke my heart. I realised then that this was not the path to save the world that I had envisioned.

I have always believed that if a goal must be achieved through the shedding of blood and the harming of lives, then the original intention has been lost. Everyone claimed to be acting out of patriotism, but what is the meaning of an ideal if it costs dozens of innocent lives? Those who sacrificed their lives, regardless of which side they represented, had parents, siblings, and families. Who would take responsibility for their grief? Watching the slaughter between the revolutionary forces and the imperial army left a deep, indelible mark on my soul.

A Tragic End and the Path to Hell

Through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, I was mistaken for an enemy combatant by the revolutionary forces and attacked. In my final moments, I was actually trying to help local civilians escape the chaos of the battlefield. Because I had been seen associating with government officials, I was wrongly identified as one of them. And just like that, my life was extinguished.

Even as I died, my thoughts remained with the innocent civilians, wondering if they had managed to escape safely. After death, my spirit lingered in that space, still trying to guide those innocent people to safety. I do not know how much time passed before I suddenly left that space and found myself standing before the Hall of the King of Hell. The King of Hell revealed to me the various good and evil deeds I had committed throughout my life. He helped me understand that although I had acted with a patriotic heart, my subjective attachments and the intense desire to force change had inevitably caused harm to others, thereby creating much negative karma.

Fortunately, I had always possessed a kind nature. In my final moments, witnessing the cruelty of war, I had felt genuine compassion for the suffering beings and had been willing to risk my life to help them. Because of this, the King of Hell sentenced me to serve a term in hells, after which I was assigned the role of a prison guard. After about twenty years of suffering in hells, the King of Hell asked if I would be willing to accept the position of a prison guard, and I accepted with great relief. I performed my duties in hells with diligence and responsibility. Seeing so many suffering spirits in hells, wailing in agony and not knowing how to repent, filled my heart with profound sadness.

The Light of Deliverance

During that time, a question burned in my heart: In this cycle of reincarnation, how can one avoid such suffering? How can a spirit truly be liberated from this cycle of pain? Then, one day, a brilliant golden light shone throughout the entire hells, bringing immense joy to many of the spirits. We heard the Dharma of Practitioner Su. I listened with the utmost focus, receiving the benefits of the Dharma. I slowly began to understand the importance of seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the laws of karma and cause and effect, and the true meaning of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. I was overjoyed, for I knew this was the true, great Dharma.

Recently, I was finally included in the list of sixty prison guards to be sent to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I was so happy; I never expected that this day would truly come for me. Today, with the compassionate help of Practitioner Su, I have arrived at the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I hope to practise diligently here, to repay the kindness of Practitioner Su, and I hope that one day I will be able to help the sentient beings with whom I share a karmic affinity.

I am deeply grateful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Chen Hongming"