The Sacrifice of a Jailer: The Story of Hu Deli

This is a record of an interview with Hu Deli, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life as a soldier and later a jailer in the hell realms. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 11, 2024.

Hu Deli speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Today, we sixty jailers have the immense honour of arriving at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is truly difficult to believe that we could possess such incredible blessings. For those of us who served as jailers, many only learned of the existence of this magnificent Western Land after listening to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su, and I am no exception. Now, as I gaze upon the breathtaking scenery of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and feel the serene magnetic field that permeates this place, my heart is finally at peace.

We are profoundly grateful to the Greatly Compassionate Namo Amituofo and the compassionate Practitioner Su for reaching out to us on our path of samsara, granting us the opportunity to be liberated from the sea of suffering. If the opportunity arises in the future, it is our heartfelt wish to do everything within our power to help other beings, just as Practitioner Su has done for us. This is our sincere vow, a promise born from the depths of our hearts."

A Childhood Defined by War

"I am Hu Deli. When I look back upon my past, I am struck by a poignant irony: the day of my birth was also the day of my father’s death. Thus, I entered this world without ever knowing the warmth of a father’s embrace. My father did not pass away from illness; he was a general who perished in a battle fought on the very day I was born. I became a fatherless child, raised solely by my mother, who never remarried and dedicated her entire life to my upbringing.

I was born during the final, tumultuous years of the Yuan Dynasty, a time when the nation was in a state of constant upheaval. Natural disasters and man-made catastrophes were everywhere, and people lived in a state of perpetual anxiety, never knowing a single day of true stability or peace. Even as a newborn, I could sense the chaos and insecurity that blanketed our environment. Most infants would have cried incessantly out of fear, but I did not. I was, by all accounts, an unusually well-behaved child. Why was I able to remain so calm? It was because of the profound sense of security my mother provided, shielding me from the harshness of the world with her own spirit."

The Wisdom of a Selfless Mother

"I am deeply grateful to my mother. Despite losing her husband at a young age, she never faltered in her duty to raise me well, showering me with double the warmth and care. Even though I grew up without a father, I was raised in an environment overflowing with love. No matter how dire our circumstances became, my mother protected, educated, and cherished me with her very life. At that time, the nation was embroiled in endless warfare, and the casualties among generals and soldiers were staggering. The government continued to conscript men, and every household with a son was forced to send them to the front lines.

In our region, only the wealthy officials or the nobility could use their influence or connections to shield their descendants from conscription. The common people, however, had no such escape. My mother knew long before I was of age that the day of my conscription would eventually arrive. She understood that the instability of the nation would not resolve quickly and would likely persist for decades. As I grew up, she spoke to me with remarkable candour about my father’s death in the war.

She told me, 'Your father was a truly great man. Before he left for the front, I knew he would never return. It was not because he lacked martial skill, but because he told me: "I will do my utmost to protect everyone, but I would rather be a sacrifice than become a killer." I asked him in confusion, "Should you not be doing your best to protect our country and our people?" He replied, "In my eyes, whether they are our people or the enemy's people, they are all suffering, pitiful beings who endure the same pain of separation in this war. Whose side should I stand on? I do not distinguish between friend and foe. I see only suffering people, so I choose to stand in a neutral position. I will do my best to protect everyone, even if it means I must be the one who is sacrificed."'"

Learning the Path of Sacrifice

"I was about nine years old when my mother shared these memories of my father. It was then that I began to feel a deep curiosity about him, and I would constantly ask her for more stories. I felt a profound sense of respect for my father; I marvelled at his selflessness, his boundless love, and his courage. My mother would say to me, 'You must learn from your father's spirit and cultivate that same selfless heart.' When she said this, I realised that my mother was even more selfless, for I knew how much she loved me and how hard she worked to care for me. Yet, when the time came for me to go to war, she was willing to let me go, urging me to protect others even if it meant sacrificing my own life.

No one else could be like my mother. While other mothers would tell their sons to protect themselves before they left for the front, mine taught me to learn the art of sacrificing oneself for the sake of others. When I was sixteen, I was finally conscripted, as the national situation had become critical. Before leaving, I knelt before my mother, kowtowing to express my gratitude for her upbringing and her selfless teachings. She gently lifted me from the ground and gave me a deep, loving embrace. I could not hold back my tears, for I knew in my heart that this was likely the last time we would ever be together.

I bade her a reluctant farewell, turning back three times to look at her. Each time, she met my gaze with the same unwavering strength. Her eyes were filled with power, telling me to be brave, to be strong, and to never fear. It was that look from my mother that gave me the strength to step forward and tell myself not to be afraid. In the military camp, even before we were deployed, I saw many wounded soldiers returning from the front. I would immediately step forward to help them, as I knew how to treat their wounds. My mother had taught me these medical skills, anticipating that I would one day join the army and encounter many injured men. She had taught me how to use the most effective medicinal herbs and how to identify them in the wild. Her foresight and wisdom were truly extraordinary, and her preparations ensured that I could alleviate the suffering of my comrades when the time came."

The Strategy of Compassion

"Because of my medical knowledge, many wounded soldiers were spared much suffering. Wounds that might have taken a month to heal were recovered in just one or two weeks. I was satisfied, knowing that I was finally able to be of service to others. While in the army, I constantly pondered how I could prevent anyone from having to be the one sacrificed. I devised many strategies in my mind, waiting for the right moment to apply them based on the situation.

Soon, the day of our deployment arrived. Before leaving the camp, we encouraged one another, giving each other strength and offering our deepest blessings. I knew that everyone was afraid, so I did my best to calm their emotions. The battle was intense; the enemy was fierce, with tall, imposing generals and a vast cavalry. We were completely outmatched in terms of manpower, horse power, and physical strength. The morale of our side plummeted, and I could see the fear and hesitation in my comrades' eyes. My mind raced, searching through the strategies I had prepared, looking for one that could save us all.

Before we faced the enemy, I told all my comrades that they must follow my instructions implicitly if they wanted to survive. Upon hearing that they could save their lives, they all agreed to follow my lead. We hid in a location I had carefully chosen, and I intentionally let the enemy spot us. They shouted, 'Kill!' and charged toward us with thousands of horses. I knew the terrain perfectly. I ordered one group of my comrades to flee toward the east, another toward the west, while I led a group of quick-reacting soldiers to face the enemy head-on. To the enemy, it looked as though one group was charging them while two others were fleeing in panic. They were confused, but they had no choice but to deal with the group charging them first."

The Final Act of Selflessness

"Just as we were about to clash with the enemy, we threw the smoke bombs I had prepared. The enemy was completely blinded by the smoke. Taking advantage of this, my comrades followed my pre-arranged plan and escaped, leaving me alone to face the entire enemy force. I was an expert horseman, and I led the enemy on a chase. We galloped forward until we reached the edge of a cliff. Without hesitation, I rode my warhorse straight over the edge. In that moment, my only thought was an apology to my horse, for it had to die with me. Before that day, I had already spoken to the horse, telling it I was sorry and that I would accompany it. Perhaps it was those words, combined with my intense intention, that allowed my spirit to enter the horse's body immediately after we fell to our deaths.

I became a warhorse and continued to participate in the war. My intention remained the same: I did not want anyone to be hurt, and I hoped the war would end quickly. No matter who rode me, I gave my all to protect them and everyone else. During my final battle, I was doing my best to guard everyone, but as a horse, my abilities were limited. The enemy quickly targeted me with poisoned arrows, and one struck my neck, killing me instantly. My spirit swiftly departed from the horse's body, and two hell officers were already waiting to escort me before the King of Hell.

The King of Hell praised my kind heart and bestowed upon me the position of a jailer. During my time in that role, I served diligently, doing what I had to do. To be honest, my heart was filled with sorrow. I could not bear to see any spirit suffer, but every day, these spirits wailed before me. Their cries were so piercing that my heart felt as though it were being torn apart. A few years ago, I began to hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. Although Practitioner Su is a modern person, I could understand and absorb the Dharma teachings perfectly. I was filled with joy, feeling that there was finally hope for everyone.

I continued to listen and used the Buddha’s teachings to save the suffering criminals. No matter how many could be saved, I did my utmost to help them and share the Dharma. I marvel at Practitioner Su’s ability to perform Chao Du through the Dharma Body; in such a short time, many criminals suffering in hell were saved, provided they sincerely repented. And I, too, was fortunate enough to be on the list of those Practitioner Su guided to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Today, I have finally arrived in the West, fulfilling my journey.

I, Hu Deli, on behalf of all the jailers, kowtow in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace. Namo Amituofo.

Hu Deli bows in reverence.

My father, Hu Keda, in the space of war; my mother, An Huiyi, in the Second Heaven; and my warhorse, Haining Ju, still in the space of horses—all have been guided by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."