The Prison of Attachment: A Painter's Redemption

This interview was recorded on January 12, 2025, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The speaker, Luo Yunkun, a former prison guard who once endured the suffering of being trapped as a wall due to his deep-seated attachments, sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su. Having now attained the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he shares his journey of transformation and his profound gratitude for the Dharma.

Luo Yunkun speaks:

"This is the most significant moment in the entire cycle of my rebirths. I know now that this is the true path to liberation from samsara, the path that allows me to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am filled with gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. On behalf of all the prison guards, I bow in deep gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Prodigy's Hollow Heart

"I was born into a humble family of painters. From a very young age, I was hailed as a child prodigy. I could pick up a brush and effortlessly capture the beauty of the world, creating works that were indistinguishable from reality. Yet, when people showered me with praise, I felt a profound emptiness within. I craved more applause, more attention, and a legacy that would be remembered for eternity."

"'Brother, what do you think of this landscape painting?' I asked my senior one day, handing him a piece I had just completed. He was the lead disciple of our master, a man of gentle temperament who treated me like his own younger brother. He smiled slightly, studied the painting carefully, and said, 'Junior brother, your brushwork is becoming increasingly steady. The mist between the mountains seems as if it might drift right off the canvas. However, if you were to add a touch of warmth here, the entire painting might feel even more alive.' I nodded silently, but inside, a wave of impatience surged. I thought to myself, 'He is merely jealous of my talent...' I suppressed the thought, forced a smile, and replied, 'Thank you for your guidance, brother.'"

The Fire of Jealousy

"As my fame grew, so did the obsessions within my heart. That year, my senior completed a masterpiece, intending to enter it into the imperial painting competition. Late that night, I stared at his work, my heart in turmoil. 'If this painting wins, everyone will remember his name, not mine...' Finally, I reached out with trembling hands and splashed lamp oil onto the canvas. The flames devoured his life's work, and I stood in the darkness, watching it turn to ash."

"The next day, when my senior discovered his work destroyed, his face turned pale, his eyes filled with agony. 'Who would do such a thing?' he murmured to himself, never once suspecting me. My heart hammered against my ribs, yet I feigned calm and comforted him, saying, 'Brother, do not be sad. Perhaps it is heaven's will, urging you to create something even better.' He looked up and stared deeply into my eyes, as if trying to pierce through the hypocrisy of my soul. Years later, my senior chose to end his own life in my studio. His suicide note contained only one sentence: 'Junior brother, attachment is a prison.'"

Trapped in the Ruins

"His death filled me with a fear and emptiness I had never known, yet I did not stop chasing fame and fortune. It was not until an accidental fire consumed my studio, my works, and my very life that I thought it was the end. But in truth, it was only the beginning. When I awoke, as if from a nightmare, I found I could not move or breathe; I could only witness the scene around me. I was in a ruin, and I had transformed into a wall, standing amidst the charred remains of that fire."

"'Why...' I roared in my heart, but no one could hear me. Whenever someone passed by, I could feel their emotions. Their greed, jealousy, and anger pierced my heart like blades. The patterns on the wall began to reveal the ghostly images of my senior's paintings, accompanied by the echoes of countless cries and resentments. Once, a merchant stood before me, his eyes scanning the ruins with greed, whispering, 'One could build a tower here and make a fortune.' His thoughts made me feel suffocated, as if I had become a slave to his greed. But when a young painter passed by and pointed at the remnants on the wall, exclaiming, 'Whose work is this? It is so moving,' I felt a flicker of comfort, only to be swallowed again by deep, crushing guilt."

The Monk's Compassion

"One day, a monk draped in a kasaya came to the wall. He stopped, gazed at the remnants, and sat down cross-legged. 'Spirit within the wall, can you hear my voice?' My heart shook violently; for the first time in countless ages, someone had acknowledged my existence. The monk did not wait for my response but spoke slowly: 'Attachment to fame and fortune is like a bird trapped in a cage. You used your brush to chase these things, never understanding that everything in this world is impermanent.' His words were like thunder, splitting the darkness in my heart. I recalled my senior's death, my own fires of jealousy, and the endless suffering I could not escape."

"The monk sat before the wall every day, chanting sutras for me. His voice was like a spring, gradually washing away the resentment on the wall. One day, he said, 'Your shackles are not on the wall, but in your heart. If you can let go, you will be liberated.' In that moment, I remembered my senior's paintings—the mountains, the clouds, the warmth and life within them. I finally understood that true success lies not in competition, but in giving and sharing. When the monk finished the final verse, the patterns on the wall began to crack. I felt myself becoming light, as if drawn by a force toward a new direction."

A Life of Service

"In my next life, I was reborn as an ordinary person named Luo Yunkun. I resolved to do good and help others, sharing what I had learned to bring warmth and hope to those around me. I travelled far and wide, educating the children of poor families and guiding those who were lost, doing everything in my power to assist those in need. Once, in the countryside, I met an elderly blind man who could not escape the darkness of his own despair. I used warm words to encourage him, guiding him to see the inner light of his own heart. The old man gradually emerged from his sorrow and lived a brand new life."

"The village children often gathered around me to hear my stories. I taught them patiently, using the wisdom of life to guide them in learning and to encourage them to reflect on goodness and beauty. This life experience was truly magnificent, for in helping others, I enriched my own life. I was very joyful, with no regrets in my heart, as I gradually approached the final point of this life. When my soul left my body, I saw a path ahead and walked forward quite naturally."

The Final Deliverance

"I do not know how far I walked, but I arrived before the King of Hell. He looked at me and smiled, saying, 'To have experienced life and finally let go of attachment—that is a good thing!' I am so grateful that the King of Hell compassionately arranged for me to serve, allowing me the opportunity to accumulate merit and change. I studied and served with great sincerity. After many years, I heard the voice of Practitioner Su lecturing here. I was deeply moved, for every word touched my heart. I knew this was the learning and the self-cultivation I needed. I also made a vow to help sentient beings in the future, so that more may be liberated and leave suffering behind."

"I am so grateful to be able to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss today. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude for the Buddha's grace and the grace of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Luo Yunkun, with palms joined.