The Prison Guard's Path to the Western Pure Land

This is an interview with Kuang Po-hung, who sought spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately three hundred years ago. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on August 6, 2021.

Kuang Po-hung speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When I was still serving as a prison guard in the hells, I would listen to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks every single day. I often found myself wondering what the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss was like. I imagined it must be exactly as Practitioner Su described—a place of ultimate bliss, entirely devoid of pain and sorrow. Serving in the hells, I was surrounded by the wailing of those undergoing retribution. I witnessed so many facets of human nature there. Yet, even among the countless spirits suffering in the hells, I always believed that they possessed a hidden, gentle side deep within their hearts.

The Secret of the Meng Po Water

I held a very unique position in the hells: I was tasked with assisting Meng Po in preparing the Meng Po water. The proportions had to be absolutely precise—too much or too little would not suffice. I was assigned this role because I simply could not bear to lead the prisoners to their punishments. Every time I witnessed the scenes of their suffering, I would be overcome with anguish. The King of Hell, in his great compassion, allowed me to assist Meng Po instead. The ingredients and the exact ratios of that water are a closely guarded secret. To those in the hells, Meng Po might appear to be a somewhat terrifying old woman, but in truth, her work is deeply compassionate. It is only because she wishes for every spirit to have the chance to start anew that she developed this water to help them.

Whenever I watched the souls about to be reincarnated drink the water, I felt a profound sense of joy for them. They were restored to their purest state, a blank slate, ready to enter the various realms. I truly hoped that in their next life, they would turn toward Goodness and never have to report to the hells again. For every spirit that drank the water, I offered a silent, heartfelt blessing in my heart.

A Long-Awaited Deliverance

Three years ago, the King of Hell notified me that my name had been placed on the list for deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I felt such immense gratitude. Today, three years later, I finally arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Practitioner Su took my hand, along with fifty-nine other prison guards, and guided us all to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have finally arrived! The scenery, the atmosphere, and the subtle fragrances of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss have brought such profound peace to my heart. I cannot find the words to describe how magnificent and beautiful it is. I smile in total contentment, bowing in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace and thanking Practitioner Su for leading us sixty guards to this sacred place.

The Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su could be heard even within the hells. They became a source of nourishment and comfort for my soul, igniting a light within me. I worked hard to keep that inner light burning, and at last, I emerged from the darkness into this world of incomparable brilliance. I am grateful for everything.

The Karma of a Past Life

My ability to serve beside Meng Po during my time in the hells was rooted in the Causal Conditions of my past. In a life long before that, I was a dog. From the moment I was born, I seemed to have faint memories of a previous existence. Bloody scenes of slaughter constantly flashed before my eyes. No matter how I shook my head or blinked, those images would not vanish. I did not want to see them, yet they seemed to be trying to remind me of something. As a dog, I could not understand why. Sometimes, when the scenes of violence became too visceral, I would run and slam my head against the wall, hoping to stop the visions. Often, I would end up battered and bleeding, yet the images remained. I became depressed and listless. No matter what delicious food my master offered, I could not eat, for my vision was filled with blood. Eventually, I starved to death in a corner of my master’s home.

After I died, my spirit arrived in the hells. It turned out that in a life before that, I had been a fierce and battle-hardened general who had killed countless people. After suffering retribution in the hells and being reborn into the animal realm, I had not fully consumed the Meng Po water, which is why I retained those faint memories. I repented before the King of Hell and promised to live a virtuous life. Seeing my sincerity, the King of Hell granted me a human body. This time, I drank the Meng Po water deeply, and everything started anew.

A Life of Resilience

I was born into a simple farming family about three hundred years ago. I was the youngest son. I was round and plump, but one of my legs was withered and deformed. When my parents first saw my leg, they were devastated. They had hoped for a son who could help with the farm work, but now they feared they would have to care for me for the rest of my life. They felt a deep, aching pity for me.

When children my age learned to walk, I could only crawl. When others began to run, I could only cling to the walls, practising my steps with extreme caution. I was slower than everyone else in everything I learned. When my older brothers went out to play, they wouldn't take me because I was too slow, so I stayed home to help my sisters with chores. I had delicate features, quite different from the rugged build of my brothers.

Every time I fell, I would end up covered in bruises. When my mother wiped my body and saw my injuries, she would often have tears in her eyes. I would pat her arm and share with her what I had learned that day, and she would find comfort in my optimism. Once, my mother asked me, 'What kind of person do you want to become?' I answered without hesitation, 'I want to be someone who can help others.' My mother smiled and asked, 'How will you help them?' I said, 'In the eyes of others, I may seem broken, but I can live out my life with such vitality that it inspires and encourages others. I want them to see that if they have healthy bodies, they can live even better than I do.' My mother was moved and said, 'Yes! You are using your vitality to tell me that no matter how difficult life is, one can still live positively and happily.' She added, 'Po-hung, I believe you will help many people.' I nodded.

The Joy of Giving

Even though I walked with a limp, my mother didn't mind taking me into town. She took me so I could observe the lives of others. Every time we returned home, I would share my insights with her. Once, I saw a man struggling to sell his wares, clearly worried about his livelihood. I asked my mother to tell him that his life would improve and that he need not worry. My mother did as I asked, and the man found peace. Indeed, a few years later, he no longer had to struggle for his daily needs.

Another time, there was a vegetable seller whose son was ill, leaving her in constant sorrow. I asked my mother to tell her that she had a karmic debt to her son, and only by letting go could he depart peacefully and stop suffering. My mother delivered the message, and later, the woman thanked her profusely. There was also a man who sold buns and was depressed because he could not have a son. I suggested my mother tell him that caring for other children is the same as caring for one's own. He became a volunteer at an orphanage, and he was much happier. The townspeople called my mother a great philanthropist, but she always told them it was I who had guided her. It didn't matter to me whether they knew; I simply did my best to help, knowing that seeking no reward is the true source of happiness.

At fifteen, despite my disability, I landed a job at a bun shop. I studied diligently, never cutting corners. My smile helped sell out our stock every day, and eventually, customers had to place orders in advance. I worked so hard that my back would ache, but my heart was always light. I sold buns from the age of fifteen until I was fifty-seven. I never married, as I assumed no woman would want a man with my disability. I didn't mind; I saw how families were often filled with worry and attachment, and I had no desire for that. When my parents passed away, it was the saddest day of my life, but I persevered. The owner, seeing how well I managed the shop, handed it over to me upon his retirement.

After taking over, I designated one day a week to give away buns for free to the poor. When I saw someone in rags, I would give them extra so they could survive until the next distribution. They were so grateful, but I always just smiled. Though my days were repetitive, my heart was always joyful. Someone once asked me, 'How can you be so happy when you are missing a leg?' I replied, 'Although I lack a leg, my heart lacks nothing. As long as the heart is full, external things do not seem so important.'

Final Reflections

At fifty-seven, I fell while working and became bedridden. I relied on my neighbors until I passed away at fifty-nine. Those last two years were undignified, but I held no resentment. When I breathed my last, I was alone in a bed soiled with my own waste.

When the King of Hell summoned me, I knelt before the throne. He asked, 'Did you perform any meritorious deeds in your human life?' I replied, 'None.' He asked, 'Did you commit any transgressions?' I said, 'I do not know.' He said, 'Do you know that your life was a body of karmic retribution?' I asked him to explain. He said, 'In your past life as a general, you killed countless people. Many spirits were attached to your legs. If you had not practised fearless Generosity in this life, you would have died in a state of unconsciousness. Now, you have some remaining merit. You may choose to be reborn into a wealthy family or serve as a prison guard in the hells.' I paused and decided to become a guard. After I made my choice, the King of Hell had me outfitted and assigned me to lead prisoners to the execution grounds.

The first time I led a prisoner to the execution ground, the wailing was so piercing and the scenes of retribution so horrific that I could not continue. I knelt before the King of Hell again and told him I could not perform the task. In his compassion, he assigned me to assist Meng Po. I did that work for over a hundred years without a moment of distraction. When I received the notice that I was to be sent to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I was filled with gratitude. Listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks in the hells over these past years taught me so much and helped me let go of so many attachments.

Today, seeing the Buddha, I am deeply moved. All sixty of us prison guards are grateful for the compassion of the Buddha and Practitioner Su. My small life story is hardly worth mentioning.'"