The Red Birthmark and the Guardian's Vow

This is a record of an interview with Miao Baiyun, 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 life as a tribal protector and his subsequent service as a guard in the hells. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 17, 2025.

Miao Baiyun speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Since arriving in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart has found a profound sense of peace that I never dared to imagine. I know, with absolute certainty, that I am truly liberated. The cycle of reincarnation, with all its endless suffering and confusion, has finally come to an end for me.

Today, sixty of us who served as guards in the hells were led here by the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su. Looking at the faces of my companions, I see expressions of such overwhelming gratitude—gratitude that words cannot fully capture. I believe we all feel as though we are waking from a long, dark dream. It is almost too incredible to believe, yet I know in my heart that this is no dream. It is the reality of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have received such blessings. I truly hope that more spirits can attain this same grace, that they too may be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and never have to endure the agonies of samsara again."

A Simple Life in the Mountains

"In that lifetime, I was born into the Miao family, and I was given the name Miao Baiyun. We lived in a very remote mountain tribe, a place where we lived almost entirely off the land. We were self-sufficient, and we rarely had any contact with the outside world. Because of this isolation, our hearts and minds were remarkably simple and pure. We were unaware of so many things that existed beyond our mountain peaks. We did not even have the curiosity to wonder what the world outside was like. In fact, many of my fellow tribespeople believed, with a touching innocence, that our tribe was the entire world. They found it impossible to conceive that there were countless others living beyond our borders.

The Miao family held a position of great significance within the tribe. My grandfather was the tribal chief, and for generations, our family had been responsible for the governance and well-being of our people. Even by the time I was born, this tradition remained unchanged. As a child, I was told that I was exceptionally adorable. My mother often recounted how, the moment I was born, everyone who saw me would break into a smile. I had chubby cheeks, fair skin, and the corners of my mouth were naturally turned upward, as if I were constantly smiling at everyone. The tribespeople loved me dearly; my very presence seemed to bring a natural joy to those around me."

The Mark of a Task

"However, deep down, I knew that I had not come into this world merely to enjoy a life of comfort. When I was born, there was a distinct red birthmark on my abdomen. It looked as though it had been stamped onto my skin, but it was not a mark of injury; it was a natural part of me, something I had brought with me into this world. When my grandfather first saw this red mark, he looked at me with a deep, contemplative expression. Later, he told my father, 'This child has come with a specific mission to fulfil.'

During my childhood, I was as innocent and playful as any other child, yet I was vaguely aware of another side to myself. It was as if an older, more mature consciousness existed within me, side-by-side with my youthful self. This 'older' part of me would emerge at certain times, allowing me to act with a maturity and steadiness that was quite unusual for a boy of my age. I had a natural inclination to help others. Whether it was a neighbour in need or a small, injured animal in the forest, I would always step forward to assist without a moment's hesitation. Because of this, the elders often praised me for being so sensible, calling me the future hope of our tribe."

The Premonition of Fire

"When I turned sixteen, I received a clear, unmistakable premonition that a great calamity was about to befall our people. It was not a feeling of fear, but rather a persistent, shadow-like warning. I began to dream of flames reaching toward the sky and the sound of weeping echoing throughout the tribe. When I shared these visions with my grandfather, he revealed that he had seen the exact same things. If our visions were true, it meant our tribe was on the verge of total destruction.

I could not bear the thought of our home simply vanishing. This was my home, the ancestral ground of all my people, and I could not allow it to be destroyed. My grandfather was already quite elderly, and I could not let him involve himself in such a dangerous situation. My father’s health was also failing, and I did not want to burden him with this heavy worry. Thus, I made a silent vow to shoulder the responsibility of protecting our tribe entirely on my own. No matter the cost, I would ensure their safety.

I began to plan our defence, ensuring that outsiders could not easily infiltrate our mountain home. As I threw myself into these preparations, I had a haunting premonition: I knew that while the tribe would be safe under my protection, the price for that safety would be my own life."

The Sacrifice of a Protector

"That autumn, I patrolled day and night. Together with a few young warriors, I set traps, established lookout posts, and even reached out to neighbouring tribes in hopes of gaining support. But in my heart, I knew that the ultimate burden of defence would fall upon me. Regarding the red birthmark on my abdomen, I understood clearly that it was not a random occurrence. That red colour was the blood of my people. I did not want a single drop of their blood to be shed, so I resolved to trade my own life for theirs, to ensure they could continue to live in peace forever.

On the day the attack finally came, many outsiders swarmed our tribe. Because I had made arrangements in advance, most of our people—especially the elderly, the weak, the women, and the children—had been moved to safety. Our strength was far inferior to the enemy, and I knew the outcome was inevitable. I used a strategy to lure the enemy away, fighting them one by one, sacrificing myself to cover the retreat of my people. In the chaos of that battle, I was struck by many blades, and my blood flowed like a river. As I fell, I looked toward the direction of the tribe and saw the smoke of cooking fires rising into the air. I knew they were safe, and I could depart in peace."

The Long Vigil in the Drum

"After my physical body perished, my spirit could not immediately depart. I found myself trapped within the ancestral drum in the tribal shrine—the very drum I had struck myself before the battle to pray for the protection of our ancestors. My attachment to the tribe was so intense that it became the entirety of my existence. The interior of the drum was a vast, empty space, yet it was not lonely. From within, I could still hear the laughter of the children and witness the sincere devotion of the people during their rituals. Even though no one knew I was there, I continued to watch over them silently. When someone fell ill, I would guide them in their dreams to the right medicinal herbs; when a child cried in the night, I would whisper comfort into their ears.

My spirit remained within that drum, guarding my people for seventy long years. Finally, the drum skin cracked, and the tribespeople moved it to the back of the shrine to be sealed away. I knew then that my task had reached its conclusion. That day, two hell officials appeared in the shrine. They looked at me and said, 'Miao Baiyun, it is time to leave.' I asked, 'Is the tribe safe?' They nodded. Only then did I finally let go and follow them into the path of the underworld."

From Hell Guard to Deliverance

"Traversing through layers of dark mist, I arrived at the Hall of Yama. King Yama looked at me with compassion and said, 'You were willing to sacrifice your own body for the peace of your people, and your heart was filled with concern for sentient beings. I now appoint you as a guard of the hells. You shall enter the hells to protect the spirits and guide them to repent so that they may be saved.' From that day on, I became a guard in the hells. In those dark realms, I witnessed all manner of spirits: some who had created endless karma out of greed; some who had ruined a lifetime of relationships over a single angry word; and others who were so burdened by fame and fortune that they could not turn back. They suffered in seas of fire, icy prisons, mountains of blades, and pools of blood.

I knew that no spirit was beyond saving; they simply had not yet turned their minds. I felt a deep sense of helplessness, wanting to save them but not knowing how. Yet, I refused to give up. Then, one day, the Dharma voice of Practitioner Su entered the hells. It was like ten thousand rays of golden light piercing through the long night, illuminating the entire dark space. The moment I heard Practitioner Su giving a Dharma talk, I smiled. This was the supreme Dharma that could truly awaken us. I wept as I listened, and I began to share this Buddha-Dharma with the suffering beings. Countless spirits knelt and wept in repentance. The Buddha’s voice was like spring rain nourishing the earth, and that day, I finally understood: all suffering can be ended by a single Buddha-heart.

From that moment on, I became even more diligent. I guarded the order of the hells while guiding sentient beings to chant Namo Amituofo and repent. Countless souls were saved as a result. Today, Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body has brought us sixty guards to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Standing by the lotus pond, I look down at my clean, white robes, remembering the blood-stained armour I once wore. I know that all cycles of reincarnation have ended. I am filled with gratitude to Namo Amituofo, to Practitioner Su, to my tribe, and to the very nature of life and death. I vow that, in the future, I will return with my vows to save all sentient beings. Namo Amituofo."

Miao Baiyun bows in reverence.