The Queen, the Sword, and the Karmic Bond

The Kingdom of the Lost Treasure

Many centuries ago, Practitioner Fan lived a life of great responsibility as the ruler of a kingdom governed by women. It was a peaceful realm, a place where harmony prevailed and conflict was unknown. The kingdom was protected by a pair of priceless treasures: a sword and its sheath, both inlaid with seven sacred jewels. These items were not merely symbols of authority; they were the spiritual guardians of the nation's peace. However, during a time of war, these treasures were stolen. Without their protective presence, the kingdom's vitality began to wane. The Queen, determined to restore the peace of her people, vowed to recover them at any cost. She discarded her royal robes, donned the simple attire of a traveller, and began a journey that would span decades, searching through countless villages and foreign lands.

The Vow of the Demon Queen

After many years of searching, the Queen finally located the sword and sheath in a remote village. Yet, the treasures had lost their lustre. The seven jewels were damaged, and the central, most vital jewel was missing. Though heartbroken, she brought the sword and sheath back to her kingdom to restore some measure of stability. She then set out once more, accompanied by the strongest warriors of her land, desperate to reclaim the missing jewel. Despite her relentless efforts, the jewel remained elusive. Consumed by frustration and sorrow, she eventually returned to her kingdom and passed away, but not before making a solemn vow: she would search for the jewel throughout her many lives, never resting until it was found.

This vow was so powerful that it transcended death. In her next existence, she manifested as a powerful leader of the demon crowds. Driven by her original intent to protect her kingdom, she used her newfound, formidable abilities to scour the realms for the missing jewel. She soon discovered it in a special, ancient world. This jewel was no ordinary object; it possessed unique, mystical properties. When she attempted to seize it, she was met with resistance. By this time, she had gathered a vast retinue of followers, including both Dharma protectors and malevolent forces. Determined to reclaim her kingdom's lost treasure, she prepared to unleash her full power, regardless of the destruction it might cause.

The Wisdom of the Dharma Protector

Standing in her way was a young, upright wise person. His presence was steady and unyielding, radiating a sense of profound justice. He stood before the Queen and firmly declared that the jewel could not be returned to her. The Queen, blinded by her desire and pride, disregarded his warnings and attempted to force her way through. However, this man was no ordinary being. To prevent the Queen from creating further negative karma and to protect the innocent civilians who would inevitably suffer in the conflict, he employed his great wisdom to trap her within the Dragon-Locking Array. Immobilised, her army soon dissolved, yet her heart remained filled with rage and a thirst for vengeance.

Recognising her suffering, the wise person—who was an emanation of a Buddha from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—began to recite the Sutras for her every day. He had been sent to help her transform her karmic path. Through his daily, sincere counselling and the power of his presence, he sought to guide her from confusion to awakening. Yet, as he spent time with her, a human emotion began to stir within him. Despite his deep understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, he found himself struggling with the pull of worldly affection. He knew he should return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, but his own clarity was becoming clouded by this emotional entanglement.

The Entanglement of Samsara

The Queen, sensing the man's internal struggle, began to respond with her own expressions of love. The barrier between them, once defined by the struggle for the jewel, dissolved into a complex web of personal attachment. Unable to resist these feelings, the man released the Queen from the locking array, and they chose to unite. In that life, they were a couple, though they remained childless. Their emotional entanglements were so intense that they followed them through the cycle of rebirth, leading them to their current lives today. The man from that past life is Practitioner Fan's husband in this present life. Their meeting now is a rare opportunity provided by their shared Buddhist affinity, a chance to finally resolve the debts of the past.

A Path to True Liberation

The demon army that once followed the Queen in that past life has now manifested as karmic creditors, clinging to Practitioner Fan’s back in this life. These are the lingering shadows of her past actions, waiting for resolution. Now that the opportunity for Buddhist affinity has appeared, it is time to perform Chao Du to resolve these ancient ties. It is essential to remember the vow to dedicate one's life to the Buddha’s teachings, to assist Namo Amituofo in spreading the Dharma, and to build temples that bring blessings to all beings. By choosing to leave suffering behind and find happiness, one can transform these past entanglements into a path toward Awakening and Buddhahood. Let us cherish this life, practise diligently, and chant Namo Amituofo all the way to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo