The Radish Field: A Lesson in Karma

The Unseen Threads of Life

Time passes, day by day, in a way that often escapes our notice. As I exist within the vastness of space, following closely beside Practitioner Su, I remain in a state of constant readiness. I wait for the next task to appear, preparing myself with every passing moment—every hour, every minute, and every second. One can never truly predict the Causal Conditions that will manifest in the next instant, just as the future remains veiled from our sight. We can only strive to live fully and mindfully in the present.

It was only after I lost my physical body that I truly began to understand this profound truth. There are so many aspects of life that we only learn to cherish once they have been taken away from us. As I looked out over the vegetable garden at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I saw that the radishes were flourishing. Many radishes, each growing in its own unique way, were being harvested one by one. I realised that every single radish held its own story. Today, I interviewed a radish that had already begun to flower, as it was being kept to provide seeds for the next season. Its story serves as a powerful reminder that every radish is the manifestation of a spirit, and that every human being must be extremely cautious and mindful of their every word, thought, and action.

The Story of Ah Kai

I approached the radish and asked, "May I ask how you should be addressed? And how did you come to be a radish?" The radish replied in a hushed tone, "My name is Ah Kai. I came here from mainland China, having entered the country illegally. Shh! Please do not speak too loudly, or you will attract unwanted attention!" I asked him again, "How is it that you have transformed into a radish?"

Ah Kai began to recount his journey, his voice heavy with the weight of his past: "This is a long story. Where should I even begin? Let me think. In my hometown, job opportunities were scarce, and it was difficult to even provide enough food for three meals a day. Many people chose to leave home to find work elsewhere. It was then that news reached us: 'There is a place overseas called Australia. The wages there are three times what you earn at home, and the work is the same, with food and accommodation provided. If you work hard for three years, you can build a large house back in your hometown.'"

The Weight of Impulsive Actions

He continued, "This news spread like wildfire through our village. Many people were constantly inquiring about how to get there, and I was one of them. I followed the tide of people and boarded a ship to Australia. After entering the country on a standard visa, I soon discovered that the reality was completely different from what I had been promised. Without a valid work visa, I could not apply for most jobs. I had to live in constant fear, hiding from authorities and working in illegal factories, farms, and markets. When I was bullied or mistreated, there was no one I could turn to for help. Eventually, I found work on a farm. The owner noticed that I was quick, intelligent, and responsive to instructions. He wanted to keep me on to help manage his radish farm, promising, 'If you are willing to stay and work, I can help you resolve your status issues.'"

"I was overjoyed to hear this," Ah Kai explained. "After all, resolving my status was my most urgent need. Without a second thought, I agreed. As the days turned into weeks and months, the radish farm grew significantly under my management. However, the owner’s promise remained unfulfilled. Slowly, suspicion and chaotic thoughts began to fester in my heart. I started to doubt every word he said, and my trust in him vanished. A rift grew between us, and the farm’s operations began to fall into disarray. During one planting season, in a desperate attempt to prove my importance to him, I deliberately sabotaged the crops by introducing a substance that caused the radishes to wither and become diseased. When I reported this to the owner, he rushed to the field in a panic, desperate to understand what had happened. Every planting cycle represented a massive investment; without a harvest, he would lose a great deal of money and time. He begged me to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, which I did within a few days."

The Entanglement of Hatred

Ah Kai’s voice trembled as he reached the climax of his story: "After this incident, the owner finally realised my capability and invited me for a private talk. He confessed that he did not actually have the ability to help me with my status. Hearing this felt like a bolt of lightning striking my heart. That goal had been the sole purpose of all my hard work. In an instant, a wave of fury at being deceived overwhelmed me. I grabbed an ashtray from the table and smashed it against his head. My anger caused me to lose all reason. I struck him repeatedly in a frenzy. By the time I regained my senses, the owner was lying in a pool of blood, unconscious. My hands and clothes were covered in his blood. I panicked. In my haste, I dragged him to the field, dug a deep hole, and buried him. I cleaned away all traces of blood, packed my belongings, and fled the farm that very night."

"For an entire month, I dreamt every night that the owner was crawling out of that radish pit, reaching for me, trying to drag me down with him. I did not have a single night of restful sleep. In a state of extreme mental exhaustion, I wandered onto the road and was struck by a car before I could move out of the way. In that final moment, memories of my entire life played out in slow motion. I recalled everything about the radish farm—the highs and the lows—and realised it was the most significant turning point of my life. Only when I regained consciousness as a spirit did I realise that the owner’s spirit had been following me all along. It was he who had pushed me into the path of the car at that moment of distraction, fulfilling his goal of revenge. Because of this hatred, we became inextricably entangled, eventually entering the radishes together. If you look at the way the roots of the radishes are intertwined, that is exactly how we were bound together. A moment of impulse led to a tragedy for both of us. I also realised that my anger at the time had been deliberately provoked by the owner, who acted as a karmic creditor to stir up the fire within me, causing me to lose my sanity. Do you see the cracks on the radishes? Some of them are actually scars left from our struggle."

Finding Peace in the Buddha-name

Ah Kai concluded, "Every radish has its own story and background. As you consume us, I ask that you, the compassionate and kind-hearted, please chant 'Namo Amituofo' for us. We have listened to this Buddha-name for two months now, and it has gradually smoothed away the resentment in our hearts. Now, whenever we hear this Buddha-name, our hearts can finally find peace. We see the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre glowing with golden light in the void every morning, and a sense of infinite longing and expectation arises within us. We think, 'How wonderful it would be if we could visit one day.' Perhaps it is because of this Causal Condition that this dignified Venerable has come to interview us. I wish to take this opportunity to tell everyone who possesses a physical body: be careful of your every word, thought, and action. Everything you do is not necessarily under your own control; there are many unseen external forces interfering. Never make a decision that you will regret for the rest of your life. Thank you, Venerable, for allowing us to tell our story. It has finally allowed the entanglement between the owner and me to be completely unravelled. Thank you, Venerable."

The Path to Liberation

I, Venerable KaiLin, responded, "Perhaps it is because Namo Amituofo has heard the wish in your heart. Practitioner Su has been performing spiritual deliverance for this land every single day. As long as one chants the name of Namo Amituofo, one can be liberated from this space and walk away from the emotions of vengeance. No one should be dominated by negative emotions. This is an important point that the Buddha’s teachings aim to impart to everyone. You must learn to master your emotions, master your thoughts, and master your behaviour. Become the master of your own physical body rather than letting others manipulate you. I thank Ah Kai for the story shared today. Seeing that you are able to let go of negative emotions makes me truly happy for you. Namo Amituofo."