The Redemption of Lai Jingchuan: From Prison Guard to the Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Lai Jingchuan, a spirit who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Having served as a prison guard in the underworld, he has now attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his past lives, his karmic journey, and his eventual liberation through the compassion of Practitioner Su. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on January 21, 2024.

Lai Jingchuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su, who helped us attain liberation today and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a rare and precious opportunity, and we all know we must grasp it firmly. On behalf of all the prison guards, I kowtow in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace and the kindness of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

A Landowner’s Fatal Error

In a past life, I was a prominent and wealthy landowner in my town. I held vast tracts of land and enjoyed great luxury and prestige. However, fate often plays cruel jokes; one single mistake completely altered the trajectory of my life.

That year, I conceived a plan to sell a large plot of land. After careful consideration, I decided to sell it to a stranger—a merchant who possessed a silver tongue and swore he would develop the land to its full potential. I believed him, but he was not the benevolent man I had imagined.

He disregarded every promise he made. He developed the land into a site filled with pollution and destruction. The village water source became murky, the fields lost their fertility, and the people were filled with righteous anger. I felt profound guilt, but there was no way to undo what had been done. My reputation in the town plummeted, and I became an object of scorn. Even more unexpectedly, I found myself burdened with the weight of this collective karma.

The Weight of Karmic Retribution

From that point on, I began to suffer the consequences of the laws of karma and cause and effect. By day, I laboured in the fields; by night, I was immersed in endless, harrowing nightmares. The townspeople gradually forgot my past acts of goodness and viewed me only as a sinner condemned by the heavens, until the end of my life arrived.

In that previous life, due to a moment of greed and recklessness, I turned beautiful land into a place of pollution, harming countless beings and incurring the suffering of karmic retribution. During that long, dark night of the soul, I deeply understood the fragility of life and the terrifying nature of the laws of karma and cause and effect.

The Life of a Lowly Fly

In my next life, I became a fly—a creature despised by all. This existence was destined to be one of dissatisfaction and hatred. I clearly remembered my previous life and knew that all of this was the fruit of the cycle of cause and effect. Therefore, I accepted this fate, determined to use the body of an insignificant fly to pay off the spiritual obstacles I had created in my past life.

The life of a fly is not easy. I flew here and there, frequently suffering at the hands of humans—a sudden swat or being trapped in a net. But I did not retreat, because I knew this was the retribution I deserved and the debt I had to repay. I knew that none of this could truly compensate for my past mistakes, nor could it resolve the disgust people felt toward me, but I was willing to repay these debts through my suffering. Yet, my spirit was filled with confusion, for I did not know when I would ever find liberation.

A Turning Point of Compassion

Later, through a stroke of Causal Conditions, I was granted the opportunity for Chao Du. I am so grateful for that moment. It was one afternoon, and I was vibrating my wings, flying aimlessly, when I suddenly felt a fragrance. I was drawn to it involuntarily. As I approached, I landed on something warm and soft—I did not realise it was the face of a monastic.

Initially, I thought my end would be the same as always—to be swatted away in disgust. But I waited for a long time, and that did not happen. Instead, a warm voice appeared, awakening my long-sealed heart. It was the holy name of Namo Amituofo. The monastic began to chant the Buddha-name, and my fly body actually shed two lines of tears—though they were tears that human eyes could not see.

After hearing the Buddha-name, I gradually detached from the fly body that had trapped my spirit. I had finally attained liberation.

A New Life as Lai Jingchuan

After being saved, I left the body of the fly and was reborn as a human named Lai Jingchuan. The karmic retribution of my past life made me deeply understand the truth of the cycle of cause and effect. It also made me determined to use this life to make amends for my past mistakes, to benefit my hometown, and to bring happiness and hope to all beings.

I began a new life as Lai Jingchuan. As an adult, I held a heart of benevolence and made saving the world my duty. I used my agricultural resources to build bridges and roads, connecting the village’s transport network so that farm produce could be transported to markets more quickly, improving the local living conditions.

I was deeply concerned for my fellow villagers. I established a school so that the village children could receive an education and have a brighter future. I firmly believed that only through education could one truly change the destiny of a place. I loved sharing knowledge with the villagers, passing on my insights to every student so they could grow and thrive.

Prosperity and Reflection

The people in the village gradually felt the sincerity of my good deeds, and I became a role model and leader for everyone. Through my own efforts, the village began to radiate new vitality. My good deeds gradually spread, attracting more like-minded people to cooperate. Together, we invested in village construction, building bridges and schools, allowing the entire community to move toward prosperity.

Everyone was grateful and viewed me as a benefactor. We worked hand in hand to make our home a place full of harmony and happiness. In this life, I used my heart to earn many smiles and expressions of gratitude. I knew this was the turning point of the cycle of cause and effect, and it was also the repayment for my past life. Now, I was no longer a detestable fly, but Lai Jingchuan, lighting up every corner of my hometown with love and dedication.

Service in the Underworld

Until the very end of this life, I continued to work hard with every ounce of my being. After I passed away, I arrived in the underworld. After being judged by the King of Hell, I became a prison guard and began to serve the beings in the hells.

The first time I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks, my heart was incredibly moved. I knew clearly in my heart that this was the Truth, and I knew this was my chance for liberation. I began to work hard on my practice, diligently listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks, carefully taking in every precious principle. I cherished this rare opportunity deeply.

Finally, today, I have the good fortune to receive this opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I will treasure it dearly, and I vow that in the future, I will also help more beings. On behalf of all the prison guards and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I kowtow in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace and the kindness of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Lai Jingchuan, with palms joined.