The Prison Guard's Redemption

This is a record of an interview with Luo Siwei, 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 past lives and his service as a spirit in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa-xi, on December 17, 2023.

Luo Siwei speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. This karmic connection is incredibly precious—it is a path that all sentient beings should strive to follow, a journey toward that pure and sacred destination: the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is an inconceivable opportunity, and I cherish it with every fibre of my being. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings connected by karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

The Burden of a Brother

In a past life, I was the older brother of a man who was truly wicked, a person who committed every evil imaginable. During that lifetime, I spent my days constantly running about, exhausted and anxious, trying to clean up the messes he left behind. My brother, whether intentionally or through sheer carelessness, caused immense harm to countless people. He offended so many that, even now, he remains trapped in the hells, suffering retribution with no end in sight. This is a burden that no one else can carry for him; it is his own karmic debt to bear.

At that time, in a desperate attempt to make amends for the innocent people my brother had hurt, I would secretly use my own funds to support them. I did what I could to contribute to their livelihoods, hoping to help them lead a somewhat normal life, to ease their burdens just a little. That was all I could do for my brother. Throughout my entire life, I was always trailing behind him, acting as his shadow, trying to mend the damage he caused.

A Life of Quiet Sacrifice

Some people thought I was foolish. I never married, I never had a life of my own, and I dedicated every ounce of my energy to my brother’s affairs. But I never felt it was a hardship. I knew that my brother had lost his way. He was consumed by a deep-seated jealousy because I had been more capable than him since we were children. Even when I tried to hide my own light, to dim my own potential so as not to provoke him, it could not change the twisted, distorted sense of inferiority that had taken root in his heart. I felt such profound sorrow that I could not guide him back to the right path. He had become blind to the kindness and sincerity of those around him; he only believed in the dark, painful sensations within his own heart. His suffering was immense. I could not allow him to continue hurting innocent people, so I stayed behind him, cleaning up his messes. It was the only thing I could think to do. For the sake of my own flesh and blood, I was willing to endure it all.

I never once believed that my brother was innocent. On the contrary, I knew his sins were so grave that heaven and earth could hardly tolerate them. I would never have tried to help him escape the consequences of his actions, but since I could not change him, I could only silently perform good deeds on his behalf.

The Path of Goodness and Rebirth

My entire life was spent walking the path between performing good deeds and practising Generosity. A large part of it was an attempt to atone for my brother's past sins. What I could do was truly limited, but I gave my utmost effort to help as many people as I could. My life was actually quite stable, but my brother eventually met a tragic end, dying alone on the streets with no one to bury him. I knew this was the retribution he deserved. I did not shed a single tear for him; instead, I felt a sense of relief, knowing that at last, no one else would have to suffer because of him.

Not long after my brother passed away, perhaps because my own heart’s wish had been fulfilled, I also departed from this world. When I left, my heart was calm and steady. There were no great upheavals; I passed away peacefully.

Becoming the Land

After I passed, I entered into a vast expanse of earth. The brown soil made me feel as though I were still continuing to protect the people who lived upon that land. I had simply become the land itself, finding a different way to help everyone, hoping to improve the lives of every person who walked upon it. I do not know how many years passed before I finally emerged from that space. It was because I heard the sound of chanting coming from a temple—the sacred name of Namo Amituofo, one phrase after another, calling me out from that space. Only then did I realise that I had been dwelling within that realm.

After I left that earthly space, I entered the human world once more, reincarnating with my current name, 'Luo Siwei.' In this life, I was born into a very kind family. My parents were honest, good-hearted people, and their upbringing nurtured me into a person of good character. As I grew up, I inherited the family business, and because of the experiences from my past lives, I often felt a natural inclination to help others, becoming known in the community as a person of goodness.

A Legacy of Kindness

I am so happy that I still have the ability to help others. It is my honour and my greatest blessing. After my parents passed away, I decided to donate the majority of my family’s wealth to help those in need. I funded the construction of schools and medical facilities in the region, hoping to provide future generations with a good education and better living conditions. I have descendants in this life, but I have left them nothing. I only want them to remember that they must keep their hearts pure and kind. Nothing in this world can be taken with us when we leave; one must not be greedy.

My life this time around was very natural. After I left the human world, I ascended to the heavens. Later, I served as a local spirit of the land. After receiving incense offerings for over a hundred years, I found myself back on the path of reincarnation.

Service in the Underworld

When I arrived before the King of Hell, he greeted me with a smile. He then arranged a new position for me, allowing me to continue serving sentient beings. I am deeply grateful for the King of Hell’s arrangement and decision. For these past years, I have been working and serving in the underworld. I cherish the insights I have gained during this time. I have witnessed the laws of karma and cause and effect so clearly, and I have come to understand how vital it is to achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

I feel such profound gratitude for the opportunity to listen to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks. The content of the sutras that Practitioner Su conveys is incredibly profound; hearing them left me deeply shaken. This is not merely a brilliant form of education, but a deep, transformative experience that transcends the cycle of birth and death. I have made a vow to practise even more diligently and to deeply realise the true meaning of leaving suffering behind and gaining happiness. Listening during this time has made me understand more clearly that I must seek liberation, transcend the afflictions of the world, and move toward the freedom of the heart.

I am so grateful for this magnificent opportunity today, to be able to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is truly rare. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings connected by karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha’s grace and to the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Luo Siwei, with palms joined."