The Prison Guard's Path to Enlightenment

Wen Nanhong, a man who spent his life burdened by the mystery of his origins and the strange calamities that followed him, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This interview, recorded on April 15, 2022, chronicles his journey from a life of confusion and suffering to his eventual rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, facilitated by Practitioner Su.

Wen Nanhong speaks:

"When Practitioner Su took my hand, a surge of warmth rushed through my entire body. Before I could even process my astonishment, the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss appeared right before my eyes. Upon witnessing the magnificent and sublime beauty of the Western Pure Land, a profound tremor stirred within my heart. In an instant, the happy memories of the time I spent with my mother surfaced—a feeling both deeply familiar and incredibly moving. I knelt to express my gratitude for the Buddha's grace, thanking the Buddha and Practitioner Su for guiding me and fifty-nine others to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A Mysterious Childhood and the Loss of a Mother

"I am Wen Nanhong, from Jiangxi, China. My home was located near Lake Dongting. From a very young age, my mother told me that human beings are made of water and earth, and that it is extremely rare to obtain this human body, so one must cherish it dearly. When my mother spoke these words, there was an unusual look in her eyes, as if there was more she wanted to say but could not. When I pressed her for answers, she would simply shake her head, indicating that I should just follow her instructions. I would scratch my head and pretend to let it go, but deep down, I was determined that one day I would uncover the truth."

"When I was thirteen, my mother fell gravely ill. This illness took her life abruptly. I did not even have the chance to say goodbye. I was heartbroken; I held our family dog and wept for days on end, unable to find my mother anywhere. My mother had always been independent, telling me never to rely on anyone, as those who rely on others always have weaknesses. After she left, her words proved true. I had always relied on her, and when she was gone, my world seemed to collapse. I struggled to stand back up, using the principles she had taught me to learn how to be strong."

A Hidden Past Revealed

"After my mother passed, I was taken to live with my grandparents. Their home was large, and I had plenty of room to roam, but my heart remained heavy. I would often sit in a daze, holding the items my mother had left behind. Once, while I was doing this, my grandmother angrily snatched the objects from my hands and told me sternly, 'You are not allowed to look at your mother’s things.' I was terrified; it was the first time I had seen such an expression on her face. I did not know what was happening. That night, I hid under my quilt and cried, feeling aggrieved. I had lost the mother who accompanied my growth, and now, I was even denied the right to remember her. My tears flowed helplessly until I finally fell asleep."

"To avoid disappointing my grandmother, I dared not take out my mother's belongings again, and could only miss her silently in my heart. When I was younger, I had asked my mother why we lived alone, and she would weep sadly, saying, 'I have failed you; I cannot stay with you for long.' At the time, I did not understand. Now, I realise—did she know her body was failing? Many conjectures surfaced in my mind, but I did not know which was the correct answer. This period of growing up after losing my mother was truly a painful life experience for me."

The Truth of the Outsider

"One day, I tried asking my grandmother, 'Grandmother, where is my father?' At this question, she was stunned, not knowing how to answer. I was not satisfied; this time, I was determined to get to the bottom of it. Seeing my persistence, she finally decided to reveal my origins. She said, 'Your mother was an outsider who appeared in our town suddenly, covered in injuries. Your father brought her home and asked me to help care for her. She was very mysterious; whenever we asked what happened, she would say nothing. After she recovered slightly, your father fell in love with her. But to the town, she was a woman of unknown origin, and despite my care, she remained a mystery.'"

"'Some time after she arrived, the fishmongers in the village found their catches disappearing for no reason. Everyone was nervous and afraid, trying to catch the thief. Then came a series of heavy rains that flooded many parts of the town, disrupting everyone's lives. Rumours began to spread: was there something unclean in the village? They invited a Taoist priest, who claimed there was indeed an inauspicious person among us. He led everyone to our doorstep and pointed to your mother. The villagers were ready to seize her and burn her to death, but your father stood in their way, asking for time to resolve the matter himself. Because they trusted your father’s character, they warned him to handle it properly.'"

A Legacy of Sorrow

"'With no other choice, your father bade us farewell and left with your mother. Your grandfather and I were heartbroken that he would abandon us for a woman he barely knew. After he left, we consulted the Taoist again, who told us, "That woman brings misfortune to her husband; if he stays with her, he will not live long." I was devastated and could only pray to Heaven to protect my son.'"

"'Years passed, and I heard reports of disasters in various places. I was anxious and sent people to follow your parents. Five years after your father left, he died, reduced to skin and bones. When the news reached me, I could barely stand. I tried to send someone to bury your mother secretly, only to find she had lost a leg and was pregnant with you. My heart ached, but I kept track of her until she passed away, at which point I went to bring you home.'"

"'You were a handsome child, so I told the neighbours I had adopted you because I was too lonely. They laughed at me for taking on such a burden at my age, but raising you was indeed a struggle.'"

Seeking Answers in the Dharma

"Hearing this, I found it hard to accept. My grandmother added, 'When I first brought you back, there were various disasters that made me very nervous, which is why I always took you to pray for peace.' I knew she had been very devoted to me. That night, I wondered: was my mother really a monster? Did that make me one? My heart was in turmoil. When I felt anxious or afraid, I noticed disasters occurring nearby, so I forced myself to calm down to avoid worrying my grandmother. When my heart was calm, everything became peaceful. I do not know how to explain why my mental state was connected to nature."

"At seventeen, desperate for answers, I bade my grandmother farewell. I heard her weeping as I left, but I could not turn back. I walked across the land, searching for the truth. During this time, whenever my emotions fluctuated—whenever I felt lost or uneasy—disasters would occur nearby. Thus, I constantly urged myself to remain stable. I consulted many people—Taoists, nuns, and monks—but none could truly settle my heart."

"It was not until I entered a Guanyin temple that I felt an extraordinary sense of peace. I knew this was where I belonged. I knelt before the statue of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva for a long time, from day until night, hoping for an answer. A monk approached me, and I burst into tears without saying a word. He patted my shoulder and said in a warm voice, 'Everything can pass. In this life, you have come to cultivate meditative concentration. Do not be hindered by your birth; just focus on seeking concentration, do not look back at the past, and you will know what to let go of.' I did not fully grasp his words, but I asked to stay, and he agreed without hesitation."

The Realisation of Cause and Effect

"From then on, I became a resident of the temple, chanting the holy name of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva daily. My heart grew calmer with every chant. Once, during my practice, I saw the relationship between my mother and me: we were both snake spirits in the past who had mastered high-level magic, allowing us to influence our surroundings with our thoughts. My power remained, but my memories were gone. I had come to the human world to cultivate, but my mother had missed the chance. I, however, had obtained this magnificent opportunity to serve the public in the temple. After seeing the laws of karma and cause and effect, I stopped clinging and became diligent in my practice."

"I never left the temple again. After thirty-five years of service, at the age of fifty-five, I broke out in a cold sweat. I endured it, ignoring the pain, until I finally died of dehydration. I had no regrets; in this world, I was no longer attached to anyone. After I passed, I did not know if anyone handled my body, but it no longer mattered. Before the throne of King Yama, I had both merits and faults. I had dedicated the latter half of my life to practice. Yama originally intended for me to cultivate beside the temple of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, but my merits were insufficient; I had to serve as a prison guard to accumulate more merit first."

Deliverance to the Western Pure Land

"During my time as a prison guard, I was very diligent. By chance, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. The principles she explained were things I had never heard in all my years of practice. The more I listened, the more joyful I felt, and I was grateful for this good cause and condition. I wished to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. When this thought arose, filled with gratitude, I finally waited for the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land today. When Practitioner Su took my hand, the golden, magnificent Western Pure Land appeared before me. Before I could react, I knelt before her. On behalf of the sixty prison guards, I thank you, Practitioner Su."