The Prison Guard's Awakening: The Importance of Cherishing Blessings

This is a record of an interview with the spirit Hai Tongshan, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now reflects upon his past lives and his current service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on March 24, 2024.

Hai Tongshan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for this rare opportunity to find liberation. It is a day I never dared to dream of, yet here it is, unfolding before me! I am filled with such profound gratitude, and I know that I must truly cherish this moment. I will apply myself with diligent practice and work to transform my own nature. It is my sincere hope that I can use my abilities to help other sentient beings who are still lost.

On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings connected by karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Life of Blind Excess

"In a past lifetime, I was a wealthy landlord. I possessed vast tracts of land and riches that seemed endless. My home was a magnificent mansion, filled with opulence and surrounded by sprawling estates. My life was entirely free of worry; I spent my days and nights drowning in luxury. I had everything that people in this world dream of: gold, power, and fame. Yet, I did not know how to cherish these blessings. I was always looking at what I lacked, blindly chasing after more, never satisfied with the abundance I already held.

Behind that facade of luxury, I never truly understood the meaning of cherishing blessings. I foolishly believed that my wealth was eternal and that all this status and comfort were simply my birthright. I was cold and heartless toward those around me. I treated the servants who laboured for me with indifference, never once considering their feelings or their needs. In my eyes, only wealth and power held value. I had completely forgotten the most basic human warmth and compassion."

The Fall from Grace

"As time passed, my blessings were slowly exhausted by my own arrogance and selfishness. The moment I passed away, I was struck by the terrifying realisation of the mistakes I had made, but it was already far too late. Caught in the cycle of reincarnation, I lost everything—the wealth, the glory, and the status. In my next life, I was reborn as a poor woodcutter living in a remote mountain village.

In that village, I lived a life defined by the rising and setting of the sun. Every morning, I would hoist my axe onto my back and trek into the dense, dark forest to fell trees. I would carry the wood back to the village to sell, just to scrape together a meagre living. Life was incredibly harsh, and my heart was constantly filled with dissatisfaction and resentment. I could not accept the massive gap between my current poverty and the life of luxury I had once known. Deep down, I felt I deserved to be a wealthy man, and this current state of destitution was unbearable. I spent my days complaining about the unfairness of fate and cursing the heavens. I forgot the value of hard work and diligence, instead obsessing over the past and wishing for a return to my former life."

A Beggar's Path to Awakening

"I spent that entire lifetime wallowing in self-pity and blaming others. I failed to realise that it was my own attitude and actions that had stripped me of the chance to change my destiny. When I passed away again, my heart was heavy with regret and bitterness. I began to understand that I truly needed to change my way of thinking, but it felt as though the opportunity had slipped through my fingers once more.

Reincarnation brought me back again, this time as a beggar living in the corners of a bustling city, relying on the charity of passersby to survive. In this life, although I was destitute, I was at least blessed with a healthy body. Despite this, my mindset remained unchanged. I still harboured an endless, gnawing desire for wealth, yet I was unwilling to put in the effort to change my own fate.

Then, one day, I encountered an eminent monk whose compassion was like a beacon of light sent by fate to guide me. His appearance brought an unprecedented turning point to my life. This eminent monk taught me the importance of cherishing blessings. He told me that every person's destiny is held in their own hands; as long as I was willing to change and put in the effort, my life would be different."

Finding True Wealth

"From that moment on, it was as if I had awakened from a long, dark dream. I began to change, slowly but surely. I learned to be grateful and to cherish everything I had, even if it was only a tiny, insignificant amount. I started using my own humble strength to help those who were even worse off than I was, sharing my food and offering my care. Gradually, I discovered that my heart was becoming broader and more peaceful.

Through this learning and practice, I finally grasped the true meaning of life. I understood that real wealth is not found in money or power, but in the richness and peace of the heart. I knew that in this lifetime, I had finally found my own path.

My life is a story of a spirit who was once asleep and finally awakened. Through these three cycles of reincarnation, I learned how to cherish and how to be grateful. I also learned how to truly help others. Along this journey, I lost much, but I gained so much more. I gained my true self and found inner peace and satisfaction. Perhaps my story can offer some inspiration to others—no matter what stage of life you are in, do not forget to cherish the present moment. Actively work to change and elevate yourself, because every person's destiny can be rewritten."

Gratitude and Service

"When I left the human world, even though I was still living in poverty, my heart was incredibly wealthy. I knew I had attained the greatest of blessings, and I cherished it deeply!

When I arrived in the underworld, I knew that I still had to cherish every opportunity. I strive to do what I can, actively using my abilities to help others. I am so grateful to the King of the Underworld for giving me this chance to continue serving beings here. This is truly my own blessing; to be able to help others is a blessing in itself.

The even greater blessing I have encountered is meeting Practitioner Su and hearing his Dharma talks. Through the sutras and teachings of Practitioner Su, I have been able to learn the true, magnificent Dharma and the path to genuine liberation. Every time I hear the principles Practitioner Su speaks of, my heart is moved to tears, because I know how rare and magnificent this opportunity is. I will engage in diligent practice and grasp this causal condition with all my might.

I am so grateful to Practitioner Su for giving us the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss today. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings connected by karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

This is my story—a story about the cycle of Cause and Effect, the cycle of reincarnation, and the final awakening. I hope this story can stir your heart and help you find your own direction and answers on your life's journey.

Namo Amituofo.

Hai Tongshan, with palms joined."