The Prison Guard's Journey: From Imperial Prince to Deliverance

This is a record of an interview with Wang Long'an, 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 various lifetimes and his eventual liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on September 24, 2023.

Wang Long'an speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I wish to represent all the prison guards and sentient beings connected by karmic affinity to express my profound gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

A Past Rooted in the Earth

I am Wang Long'an, but in my past, I was not Wang Long'an. To tell my story, I must go back to the distant past. In one lifetime, I was a magnificent, towering sacred tree that stood in the world for over a thousand years. Eventually, an emperor took notice of me and selected me to be crafted into his final resting place—his coffin. I was felled and meticulously carved into a vessel of exquisite quality.

After I left the body of that sacred tree, I was drawn by Causal Conditions to reincarnate as a prince. In that life, my father was the very emperor who had chosen me to be his coffin. I have a very deep impression of my father, and he felt a strange, immediate affinity for me, much like the fondness he felt when he first laid eyes on me as a sacred tree. Because of this karmic connection, he showered me with love, cultivation, and resources, hoping to help me grow.

The Burden of the Crown

My father intended to name me the Crown Prince, but the imperial court was in turmoil, and many rebellious forces were rising. To protect my life, he appointed my elder brother as the Crown Prince, hoping to shield me from the impending danger. I understood my father's intentions, but my heart ached for my brother's sacrifice. Secretly, I worked to protect him. No one knew of my martial prowess, for I still carried the strength of that thousand-year-old tree within me. Whether I practised martial arts or Meditation, I possessed abilities far beyond the ordinary. Yet, I never displayed these talents openly, for I knew this world was far more polluted and dark than what met the eye.

When I discovered that my brother's heart had changed, I began to guard against him making an irreversible mistake. When I finally uncovered his betrayal of the imperial court, I chose to uphold righteousness over kinship. I reported the evidence to my father, and my brother was sentenced for treason and executed that very day. I did not feel much sorrow; I knew I was doing the right thing. To save the lives of countless subjects, his crimes had to be judged.

A Lifetime of Service

After my brother was gone, my father officially named me the Crown Prince. I did not decline. After my father abdicated, I ascended the throne. I did my utmost to bring prosperity to the nation for about sixty years, until I departed from the world. I feel honoured that I had the opportunity to serve the people in that lifetime. Although war was inevitable during my reign, I always tried my best to avoid harming innocent civilians, hoping to allow them to live in peace and security.

After I passed away, I spent some time wandering within the space of the imperial court, living as if I were still in my past life. It was not until I was drawn away by a force that I reincarnated into the identity of Wang Long'an.

The Impermanence of History

By the time Wang Long'an was born, dynasties had changed for over a hundred years. My former empire had become history. Even though many memories felt as vivid as if they were happening before my eyes, everything had shifted like the changing tides. This realisation filled me with a deep sense of melancholy; life is truly marked by impermanence.

Because I had once been a thousand-year-old sacred tree, that sensitivity followed me into my new body. I possessed instincts others lacked, such as knowing exactly where that exquisite coffin from my past life lay. After many years of dynastic change, through a series of Causal Conditions, I found it. The coffin remained magnificent, but the body within had long since turned to dust, and the coffin was surrounded by many precious burial treasures. After much consideration, I decided to use these items to help the impoverished.

Finding the Path to Liberation

My father had left behind so many possessions, but in the end, he could not take a single thing with him. If these items could be used to help others, many would benefit. I organised these belongings, reburied my father's remains, and repurposed the coffin, hoping to give it greater value. I entered the funeral industry, dedicating myself to helping others with their final arrangements. When wealthy families came, I used the precious items from my father's tomb to adorn their funerals with dignity. When the poor came, I prepared simple, respectful services for them without charging a single cent, as the wealth from my father's legacy and the contributions of the rich were more than enough to cover their needs.

I helped many families in that lifetime, and I found joy in it. Life is impermanent; there is no need to calculate too much. To ensure that a person's final journey is handled well is, in my view, a complete and fulfilling thing.

It was not until I finished that life and arrived in the underworld that I understood that life requires liberation. I am so grateful that during my service in the underworld, I had the opportunity to encounter the Dharma talks of Practitioner Su. The sutras explained by Practitioner Su completely opened my Wisdom, allowing me to awaken to the true value and meaning of life. I finally realised that life is meant to lead toward the gate of liberation.

I am truly grateful for the compassionate Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su, which helps so many beings attain liberation. Only because of this do we have the opportunity today to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We all cherish this magnificent and rare opportunity deeply.

I, Wang Long'an, on behalf of all the prison guards and sentient beings with karmic affinity, express my gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Wang Long'an, with palms joined."