The Scholar Who Became a Chess Piece

This interview was recorded on October 6, 2023, by the chief writer, Shi Faxin. Sheng Shixian, a former scholar who later served as a prison guard in the hells, sought deliverance through the teachings of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Sheng Shixian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Being able to participate in this magnificent event today, arriving at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss alongside immeasurable and boundless spirits, is truly my greatest honour. Upon entering the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I beheld lotus flowers of such brilliant clarity; the lustre of every single petal captivated me. To be perfectly honest, this was a lingering habit from my worldly life. I have always been drawn to beauty, so upon arriving here, I found myself unable to take my eyes off the breathtaking scenery."

The Lesson of Attachment

"In an instant, it was as if a voice reminded me: 'Do not hold onto attachments.' The moment I let go of these fixations, I felt my body become incredibly light, and my heart was filled with boundless joy. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of the Buddha and the guidance of Practitioner Su. I bow to Practitioner Su to express my profound gratitude. To have been chosen as a representative of the sixty prison guards who attained rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—I am truly astonished and deeply thankful for such magnificent Causal Conditions."

"I am Sheng Shixian. In my past life, I was a scholar. My friends were also scholars, and we would spend our time together exploring the profound meanings within the sutras. Immersing ourselves in those words, we felt that the imagery within them could express our innermost thoughts and feelings."

A Life of Poetry and Chess

"We most often gathered under the moonlight to exchange ideas, reciting poetry back and forth, enjoying every moment of it. Sometimes we would play the zither or engage in a game of chess. Those who saw us gathering so frequently would often say that we, this group of literati, were 'above the common concerns of the human world.' We did not care what others said; we simply enjoyed being ourselves."

"My family, the Sheng family, held a certain reputation in our region, and I could say I had everything I could ever want. My parents, knowing of my talent, hoped I would pursue an official career to bring glory to the Sheng name. But... I had heard too much about the realities of the officialdom from my brothers. Their families were all high-ranking officials, yet I constantly heard of the corruption and the deceitful, backstabbing nature of the court. After learning of these things, I had no desire to involve myself in that world. So, every time my family nagged me about it, I would pretend to listen, but in truth, I never let their words enter my heart."

Reflections on the Human World

"My life journey lasted twenty-one years. Though it was not long, I had already observed the lives of so many people. From all walks of life, whether they were those in high positions or those in the lower classes, their expressions and the energy fields they radiated led me to deep reflection. I once knew a remarkable merchant who always presented a perfect image to everyone. One day, he failed—he failed miserably—yet he refused to let anyone know, desperate to maintain his facade of perfection. He even pretended to be wealthy when he had no money left, only to be exposed later."

"In contrast, when I saw those living in poverty, their faces etched with the bitterness of their daily struggle to survive, my heart ached. I would use the money and food I had to provide Generosity to those I encountered. Many people on the streets came to know me, calling me a kind-hearted scholar. Regarding such comments, I did not pay them much mind; I simply felt I was doing what was right and what was within my power to do. On the streets, people played out various roles in different dramas, which eventually made me feel quite weary of life. It was this exhaustion that led me to write poetry and engage in wordplay to express my realizations about life."

The Lure of the Palace

"Although I claimed to understand life, there was one thing that deeply fascinated this body of mine. Whenever I encountered it, my body felt a powerful, magnetic pull. That was women. I loved beauty, so whenever I saw a woman of striking appearance, I would be drawn to her, longing to make contact or engage in conversation. At first, I did not have a specific partner; I was simply kind to any woman I felt an affinity for."

"One day, a woman named Peirong appeared before me. We got along wonderfully, and we even wished to spend our lives together. When we met, we would discuss music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; it seemed we were in perfect harmony. A few months later, I went to visit Peirong’s parents. We had already agreed upon the marriage, but who could have known that she would suddenly be summoned into the imperial palace? Not long after, news spread that she had caught the Emperor's eye. When I heard this, my heart was shattered. My life felt like a failure; I had no strength left, and my mind was filled only with images of her. I kept imagining her life in the palace. I understood the suffering of women in the deep palace, and I felt such sorrow that the innocent Peirong had to enter such a complex environment. I wished I had the power to ensure her safety, but it was all merely my own imagination."

A Spirit Bound to a Chess Piece

"Consumed by lovesickness, my physical health declined rapidly over two years. I died a withered, emaciated man, still thinking of Peirong in my final moments. To my surprise, my wish was granted: my spirit drifted to Peirong’s side, becoming a chess piece. Ever since Peirong entered the palace, one of the things she did most often was play chess. She would recall our happy times together, and I did the same. In my spirit, I felt a sense of knowing that I was by her side. I felt the bitterness and stifled emotions in Peirong’s heart, and I knew she had suffered greatly over the years. When she picked up that chess piece—the one my spirit was attached to—she would think of me. I brought her a sense of peace and stability. As she held the piece, her heart would gradually calm down. I accompanied her for many years. As her face grew old and she was no longer favoured, she lived a solitary life in the deep palace. Even so, the other consorts no longer treated her as an enemy, and her life became easier, though she also felt the cold reality of human nature. She did not care about these things, and I stayed with her until she died of old age."

Awakening Through the Laws of Karma

"Afterward, the chess piece passed into the hands of other consorts. I watched one woman after another, feeling their various emotions, sighing at the nature of life, and doing my best to bring them peace with my own stable energy. At the very least, the feeling of having something to accompany them helped pass the time. This chess piece of mine was held by countless beauties, and I felt their hearts—some cold, some melancholy. Finally, I understood the true nature of life."

"Through Causal Conditions, I was brought out of the palace and into the hands of a woman. She used the principles of chess—the logic of advancing and retreating—to educate her children, instilling in them positive values that allowed them to live very smooth lives. It was then that I realized how important positivity truly is. As I gained more insight, this chess piece of mine became filled with different energy. I made a vow to use this positive power to help people in the future. Not long after I made this vow, a force pulled my spirit away from the space of the chess piece. I became a ray of light under the sun, shining and radiating heat every day, bringing warmth and hope to life."

"Centuries passed. Once I had fulfilled everything, I arrived in the hells to await judgment by King Yama. The King allowed me to see clearly the Causal Conditions behind every encounter, and he helped me awaken through the laws of karma and cause and effect. I am grateful to King Yama for his teachings and guidance. I repented before the beings I had harmed, and I am even more grateful that King Yama allowed me to serve as a prison guard. After becoming a guard, seeing the beings suffering in the various hells, my heart was filled with sorrow, yet I knew that this was the fruit of the causes I had sown myself."

The Path to Liberation

"During my time on duty, I was fortunate enough to hear Practitioner Su give Dharma talks. This taught me that I must seek liberation, and it encouraged me to urge all beings to seek liberation as well. I practised chanting the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo,' hoping that the beings connected to me by karmic affinity could be saved. I do not know how much time passed, but eventually, I received the notification that I could be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I had waited for this day for a very long time. Finally, at that moment, I chanted the Buddha-name loudly: 'Namo Amituofo.' I saw the Buddha, and my heart was filled with such gratitude. I hope even more that the spirits still drifting in the sea of suffering in the Saha world will have the opportunity to see the Buddha and make the vow to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

"Once again, I thank the Buddha and Practitioner Su for their compassion toward all beings."

"Namo Amituofo."

"Sheng Shixian, with palms joined."