The Prison Guard's Journey to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Chen Zhengzhi, 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 subsequent service as a prison guard in the spirit realms. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on April 12, 2024.

Chen Zhengzhi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I kneel before the Buddha, my heart overflowing with profound gratitude. I am deeply moved that the Buddha has granted me a true home for my spirit. Witnessing the Buddha-land, I see that it does not only help us, the sixty prison guards, but it also extends its boundless compassion to countless other spirits. I have truly felt the greatness and selflessness of the Buddha. I am also filled with gratitude for the unwavering determination of Practitioner Su, whose heart for saving beings is so steadfast. It is only because of this that I had the opportunity today to be guided toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Please, allow me to bow before the Buddha and Practitioner Su; without you, I would never have been able to escape the endless cycle of reincarnation."

A Life of Ease and Detachment

"I am Chen Zhengzhi, the representative of the sixty prison guards. I am grateful to the Buddha for allowing me to share the story of my life and my death with everyone. I hope that those who read my testimony can awaken to the truth.

When I was alive, I lived a life of comfort from a very young age. As the eldest son in my family, I had everything I could ever want. My parents had already mapped out my entire future before I was even born. They prepared a storefront for me, and as long as I managed that shop, I would never have to worry about money for the rest of my days. I did not have many opinions of my own, so I simply followed the path they had laid out for me. Even when it came to marriage and having children, I never had to worry about the costs or the preparations; everything was provided.

Many people said I was a very obedient son, but others would whisper behind my back that I relied entirely on my parents and was a useless man. Regardless of what people said, it had no impact on me. I was content just to live my life in peace and stability."

The Agony of Separation

"Within my family, my wife would sometimes come to me in tears, complaining about my mother's criticisms. Most of the time, I simply did not want to be bothered. I wanted nothing to do with it; I did not want to hear about it. I just wanted my life to be quiet and peaceful. Because of this, my wife harboured resentment toward me for our entire marriage, yet even when I fell ill, she was the one who had to care for me. I died of stomach cancer at the age of fifty-two. During my illness, my temper became unbearable. If you ask me whether I was afraid of death, I honestly cannot remember clearly. Although I still had a physical body at that time, my consciousness was already fading into a blur.

Even so, the pain of my body being torn apart at the moment of death plunged me into an abyss of suffering. My final thought was to cling to my body, but most of my soul had already scattered into the void. That sensation of separation was far more painful than the agony of flesh being torn from bone. Only now do I realise that it was because so many of my karmic creditors were pulling at me simultaneously, which is why the pain was so intense.

Once my soul was completely extracted from my body, my state of existence became vague and aimless. I wandered through space, unable to find a single place where I could settle my spirit."

A Witness to Despair

"It was only after forty-nine days that I finally accepted that I could never be reunited with my family. I did not know where my spirit was supposed to go. By the time I made up my mind to find an answer, I had already been separated from my body for six months.

In my desperation, I remembered a Taoist priest I had once trusted, who was said to be able to see ghosts. I wanted to ask him what I should do. I sought him out, but when I found him, I saw that he was already surrounded by many spirits. These spirits were constantly interfering with him, to the point where he could no longer bear it. He had taken out talismans written in chicken blood to drive the spirits away, hoping to restore some semblance of a normal life.

I had not come to interfere; I had come to ask for guidance. Yet, I was rejected from a distance; I could not get anywhere near him. This made me incredibly anxious. No matter how many times I tried, I could not approach, and in the end, I had to leave in despair.

I walked to a large rock by the river, my eyes filled with disappointment and hopelessness. Suddenly, I saw a woman whose eyes were even more desperate than mine, preparing to jump into the river. I saw several female spirits preparing to push her, and I shouted at them, but they glared at me with malicious intent and pushed the woman anyway. She struggled between life and death, but in the end, she perished. I saw her family crying in deep sorrow, regretting their arguments with her. The woman's spirit watched her family weeping, knowing they could never meet again. It was the first time I had witnessed the process of life and death, and the bitter sorrow that follows."

The Lesson of the Dharma Protector

"After her family left, I stayed with the woman, trying to comfort her. At that time, I did not understand the laws of karma and cause and effect; I only knew how to offer my companionship to help her through that most painful moment. Eventually, her spirit vanished, and I did not know where she had gone. We had talked about our past lives, and at least we had each other's company, but now I was once again just a solitary spirit.

After much consideration, I decided to travel. When I passed by a temple, I was drawn in by the sound of chanting. It was the first time in this lifetime that my soul had heard the Buddha-name. I saw many spirits there, all chanting. A Dharma assembly was in progress. Some spirits were being guided away by the light, while others remained in place, chanting, yet they could not leave. I felt confused. I saw the Dharma protectors in the temple; although they looked fearsome, my confusion outweighed my fear. I approached a Dharma protector and asked, 'May I ask, why is it that among so many spirits in the temple, some can leave through chanting, while others cannot?'

The Dharma protector replied, 'This is related to the good roots one cultivated while alive. It depends on whether the heart is sincere, and whether one has a true or false desire to leave the cycle of reincarnation. For those with a true desire to leave, the merit bestowed by the lead master can be received, allowing them to chant the Buddha-name and be liberated.' I was grateful for the Dharma protector's teachings; I finally understood the importance of sincerity."

A Mission in the Graveyard

"After leaving, I passed through a graveyard. At first, I did not pay much attention, but then I heard so many cries and wails, one after another. Looking around, I saw countless spirits, each in a different state of suffering. Some had been persecuted and driven from their homes, separated from their families; their hearts were filled with sorrow and bitterness. Others had lost limbs in wars and were still trapped in the space of that moment, their bodies incomplete.

Seeing such a scene, I had intended to leave, but my heart could not bear it. I remembered what the Dharma protector had told me: one must have sincerity, for sincerity can invite the Buddha's blessings. So, I began to teach these suffering spirits in the graveyard to chant the Buddha-name, one by one. Even if only one person was willing to chant, it was worth it.

I saw those suffering spirits in the graveyard, who at first were full of disbelief, begin to chant. As they did, their hearts opened. Those who were even more sincere could even feel the compassion of the Buddha. I do not know what the specific causal conditions were for their liberation, but at least they had taken the first step: chanting the Buddha-name.

Seeing the transformation of these spirits, my confidence in the Buddha grew stronger and stronger. No matter where I drifted, I remembered the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo'."

The Judgment and the Final Path

"Passing through groves and fields of flowers, the spirits there would curiously ask me why I looked so happy and what I was humming. Whenever someone asked, I was always happy to answer. In the past, I had been filled with anxiety, not knowing where I would drift to next. Now, I was happy to wander, chanting the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo' aloud, so that every creature who heard it would have the chance to know the Buddha. The more I thought about this, the happier I became, and I chanted at every moment.

One day, I was brought before the King of Hell by the officials. The King of Hell asked, 'Have you thought about where you want to go next?' I answered honestly, 'I wish to follow the Buddha. I want to be by the Buddha's side and learn from the Buddha.' The King of Hell laughed heartily and said, 'You have made a good vow. By helping other beings know the Buddha and chant the Buddha-name, you have accumulated merit. Now, continue to accumulate merit and serve all beings, so that one day you may see the Buddha.' After hearing the judgment of the King of Hell, I felt deeply grateful.

During my time serving as a prison guard, I did not dare to be negligent for even a moment. Seeing the suffering of the beings in the hells, I understood the suffering of all beings, and I knew even more deeply the importance of liberation. I am so grateful that during my service, I was able to hear the teachings on rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss as explained by Practitioner Su. I knew that I had finally waited for the ultimate Dharma. I chanted the Buddha-name at every moment, and finally, today, the conditions for my rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss have arrived. I am so grateful.

I am grateful for the compassion of the Buddha and the compassion of Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Chen Zhengzhi bows in reverence."