The Reincarnation of Li Wana as a Cantaloupe

Li Wana, a spirit who found herself trapped in the cycle of rebirth as a cantaloupe, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This interview, recorded on October 5, 2017, by Venerable HaiZe, captures her poignant reflection on her experiences as a fruit and her profound longing to return to the human form and reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Li Wana speaks:

"I remember looking at a perfect, whole cantaloupe sitting beside me, and in my hand, I held a beautifully carved flower. I felt so satisfied, smiling at my work. I recall the sensation of being held in my husband's arms, feeling warm and drifting off into a peaceful sleep. But when I woke up, I was shocked to discover that I was no longer human. I was a small cantaloupe, feeling the intense, warm glow of the sun beating down on my skin. I did not know whether to laugh or cry—how could this have happened? I tried to calm myself and looked around. I was in a vast field of cantaloupes. All around me, there were other little melons. Some seemed to be whispering to each other, while others were resting with their eyes closed. They all seemed so familiar with one another, as if they had been together for a long time. I was the only one who felt like a newcomer, an outsider in this strange, green world."

The Life Cycle of a Melon

"Eventually, I grew accustomed to this life. I could feel my body expanding day by day. As time passed, the patterns on my skin became clearer and more defined. We all knew the rules: those who grew round, full, and firm were considered the 'good' ones—the ones that would fetch a high price at the market. If you did not grow perfectly round, or if you felt soft and lacked that firm elasticity when tapped, you were considered inferior. Your appearance would be less appealing, and naturally, you would only sell for a common, lower price.

We had no control over how we would turn out. It reminded me of what my mother used to tell me when I was human: 'Who can ever truly know what they will become in the future?' Thinking about it now, it really is a case of 'the heart manifests what it desires.' I had actually become the very fruit I loved to eat, and my shape was uncannily similar to my own body in my later years. If you were to draw a cartoon of me now, just add a head on top of the cantaloupe, draw a hand on each side, and two feet at the bottom—that would be exactly what I looked like before."

Beyond the Harvest

"I have lost count of how many times I have been a cantaloupe. Regardless, I know the routine: we grow from small to large, the vine is eventually cut, we are sent off to be sold, and then someone buys us. When people cut us up, I am very aware of what they are doing. They slice us, dice us, or cut us into cubes. The only thing is, not one of them ever carves flowers into us like I used to do. When they cut into me, I do not bleed, and I do not feel any pain. I do not know why that is, but that is just how it is. It is so different from being human. I have heard everyone saying that here, at this Centre, we can shed these 'outer garments' and restore our human bodies. They say we can be sent to a place of light called the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am already so impatient; I cannot wait to go there."

Venerable HaiZe: "Yes, I will begin by writing a memorial tablet for you."

Li Wana: "This whole truckload of fruits and vegetables—could you please include them all? Everyone is so excited at the prospect of being able to restore their human bodies."

Venerable HaiZe: "Very well, I will include them all."

Li Wana: "And what about my good friends back at the fruit shop? Can they come along too?"

Venerable HaiZe: "I will write them all down together."

Li Wana: "Thank you so much."