The Prison Guard's Redemption

This is a record of an interview with Li Ren, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life approximately several centuries ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on November 27, 2022.

Li Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to our compassionate Teacher, Practitioner Su, for teaching so many true spiritual friends and helping sentient beings to break through delusion and attain enlightenment. This is truly a magnificent moment. We all cherish it deeply, and we know that we must practise diligently. I am so thankful for this opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

A Tragic Origin: The Fall of a Noble House

I am Li Ren. My family was once very wealthy and noble, but we were later harmed by treacherous officials. My parents were murdered, and my uncle secretly took me out of the city and raised me. In the past, our family lived a very harmonious life. My parents were truly good people, but because my father was upright and honest, he blocked the path of profit for corrupt officials. Driven by greed, they conspired to harm him. The Emperor listened to the slander of these officials, and my father and mother were killed. My uncle had always been close to my father, so before my father passed, he entrusted me to my uncle’s care and arranged for my escape. My life was preserved by the combined efforts of my parents, so I cherished it dearly. I treasured the final gift my parents left me: my life.

My original name was Li Ren. To avoid being identified, my uncle and I lived under assumed names. Ever since we fled, I made a firm resolution to study hard so that one day, I could achieve success and clear my parents' names. Throughout my upbringing, my uncle had a profound influence on me. He taught me a great deal of knowledge and helped me understand human nature and worldly affairs. We lived a nomadic life, and even though we still had enough money to live comfortably, we chose to live in poverty. My uncle said this was the only way to temper my heart and mind, and to ensure I would never forget my mission.

The Weight of Expectations

My uncle’s training was extremely strict. I knew he had placed all his hopes for the future upon me. For him, facing the tragic death of his brother and sister-in-law was a devastating blow. I knew he had never been able to walk away from the pain of losing his loved ones; it was only the need to raise me that gave him the will to live. I did not want to disappoint him, so I practised everything he taught me with double the effort, until I could master it even better than he expected.

For the first half of my life, I grew up with revenge as my sole objective. Every effort I made was for the sake of avenging that blood feud. I originally thought my life would simply pass in this manner, but I never expected that something so unexpected would occur in my life.

A Compassionate Choice

It happened on the night I turned eighteen. Before that, I had never imagined that someone would appear in my life who could change my destiny. It was an elderly monk. I met this old master on the road; he was unwell, and on that cold winter night, he stood alone on the street, helpless and destitute. Looking at the old master, I was reminded of my late father, which stirred a sense of compassion within me. I reached out to help him and did not stop until I had safely settled him back at his temple. By then, the sky was already beginning to brighten. I had failed to complete my mission and had to return home.

That mission was an assassination plot—an opportunity my uncle had waited for a very long time. We were certain of success; after years of planning, we could finally settle the score with the treacherous official. But it failed because of me. To try again would be infinitely more difficult because the target was now on guard. To attempt another close-range assassination would likely mean sacrificing my own life. When my uncle learned of the failure, he was furious and beat me on the spot. It was the first time in all those years he had ever laid a hand on me. I knew the pain in his heart, so I did not offer a single word of complaint. Only after he had vented his anger did I say, 'I am sorry for disappointing you.' I hoped it would make him feel a little better.

The Final Sacrifice

My uncle had used all his strength to beat me, and my body was covered in injuries, forcing me to stay home to recover. I was worried he might act on his own, so I kept a close eye on his every move. However, he knew me too well; he could guess my every thought. He used a ruse to deceive me and secretly drugged my tea with a sedative. When I finally woke up, only a final letter from my uncle remained. I cried out in agony, 'No!' I desperately tried to run out to find him, but my body had no strength left. My uncle had planned it so I could not pursue him. I wept bitterly, knowing in my heart that he would never return.

It took three days for my strength to return. My uncle had been ruthless with me, but I knew his mind was made up. My heart was filled with gratitude for everything he had done for me throughout his life, raising me with such hardship. Yet, the fact that he chose to end his life in such a way left me truly heartbroken. I quietly went out to inquire about the news and learned that my uncle had killed the enemy who had plagued us for years, but he had also lost his own life in the process. Hearing this, I truly could not accept it. The only relative I had left in this world had just left me like that.

Seeking Peace in the Dharma

Looking at my uncle’s mangled body, I could not go up to identify him because I knew he would not have wanted me to do so. I left the scene in sorrow, unable to bring his body home. I simply built a cenotaph for him and observed a three-year mourning period. During those three years, I stayed by his graveside. I practised martial arts by the tomb, and when I was tired, I would sit down and talk to his headstone. The three years passed quickly. During this time, I reflected deeply on the past and my own future. Finally, I decided to go to a temple to seek the peace of life.

Years later, the old master saw me and smiled, leading me inside. He handed me a letter. I took it with surprise, opened it, and looked at the old master in astonishment. He only smiled at me. This letter was left by my uncle; it turned out he had prepared it long ago. It was a test for me. If I had not saved the old master that night, I would have killed the enemy with my own hands as planned. But because I chose to save him, it meant that goodness still existed in my heart. My uncle did not want my hands to be stained with blood; he hoped I would leave hatred behind and live my life well. I wept as I finished reading the letter, deeply grateful for his sacrifice.

A New Life of Practice

The old master asked me to stay at the temple to find stillness. A few days later, I found him and decided to become a monk, no longer concerning myself with worldly affairs. I hoped to accumulate more merit for my parents and my uncle, hoping they would no longer suffer in the underworld. The old master smiled and arranged everything for me. He was actually the old steward from our household in the past; he had been very kind to me and had watched me grow up. Now that times had changed, I was no longer the young master of the past. I took the old master as my teacher, studied the sutras diligently, and cultivated my character. In my daily life, I would also join the old master in doing good deeds. Having practised martial arts since childhood, I taught the local children moves that would help them be strong and healthy, not for harming others.

Having experienced all the ups and downs of life, my heart had long since become calm and indifferent. I had no desires; I only wanted to live out my life in peace. When this life ended, I had no attachments. I had spent the latter half of my life in the temple, and I am grateful for the teachings of the Buddha, which allowed my heart to find peace and a place to rely upon. After I died and arrived in the underworld, I did not meet my parents or my uncle. I was alone. When I heard what the King of Hell said to me, my heart no longer stirred with great waves; I faced it all calmly. Any punishment in the hells no longer caused me pain. It was not until I met Practitioner Su that my heart finally moved. I was very surprised by the principles Practitioner Su taught, which made me feel that my life finally had hope again. I listened very carefully, regained my spirit, and Practitioner Su’s teachings encouraged me to resolve to practise diligently.

I am deeply grateful to the great compassion of Practitioner Su. After hearing the teachings, I finally woke up. I want to seek liberation, and I want to help sentient beings. I am so thankful for this opportunity today to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I truly cherish it. I now know the truth of reincarnation, and I want to escape from it. Thank you for this opportunity for rebirth. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Li Ren, with palms joined.