The Scholar Who Guarded the Hells

This is a record of an interview with Zhao Shuwen, 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 scholar and official during the Tang Dynasty, and his subsequent service as a guard in the hells. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Fa Hui, on May 10, 2026.

Zhao Shuwen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zhao Shuwen. I offer my deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for saving my suffering spirit from the cycle of rebirth. Now, I and fifty-nine other hell guards have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have never experienced such clarity of mind; in such a short time, I feel as though I have been completely reborn. It is truly inconceivable! I cannot even begin to imagine how the Buddha established such a perfect world, allowing every spirit that arrives here to leave suffering behind and gain happiness, forever escaping the cycle of samsara. I am so incredibly grateful to be here in the West! At this moment, I represent our group of sixty guards in offering our deepest thanks to the Buddha, and I prostrate before Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su."

A Miraculous Deliverance from the Hells

"My name is Zhao Shuwen, and I was a guard in the hells. Serving as a hell guard is actually a very magnificent opportunity! During my days serving in the hells, I witnessed countless beings wailing in agony under various forms of torture. It is not an easy thing for a being to find the heart to repent while enduring such immense pain.

Most of the beings suffering there, once their term of punishment is complete, simply drift away in a state of confusion to be reincarnated, continuing to wait in the cycle of rebirth for a chance to awaken. However, those who can truly repent from the heart are able to leave the hells early. Education is truly vital. Many spirits have never heard the Buddha’s teachings; they do not understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Without the nourishment of the True Teachings, it is extremely difficult for them to cultivate a sincere heart of repentance."

The Power of Dharma in the Darkest Realms

"I was very fortunate. During my time as a guard, I encountered Practitioner Su, who came to the hells to perform Chao Du for the sentient beings. Because of this, the dark hells were suddenly filled with light! The sound of Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks was able to pierce through space and reach the hells, allowing the beings there to hear the great Dharma of Namo Amituofo! Many beings, upon hearing the great Dharma, felt their hearts stirred; they gave rise to repentance, made vows to study the Buddha’s teachings, or vowed to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I, Zhao Shuwen, was one of them. After hearing Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks, I felt such immense joy—I had never known such precious truths existed! I was certain that this was the true Dharma, the only thing that could help me escape the cycle of rebirth. To my surprise, I was recently selected to be among the sixty guards sent by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am so incredibly lucky to have been reborn here! And now, with the help of Practitioner Su, I am here in the West, accepting this interview with the Venerable."

A Scholar's Path in the Tang Dynasty

"Before I became a hell guard, I was a scholar during the Tang Dynasty. In those days, my family was not wealthy, and if I wanted to make something of myself, my only hope was the imperial examination. I studied with great diligence because my parents had placed such high hopes in me. To allow me to focus entirely on my studies, they even sold some of our family’s farmland. Heaven does not disappoint those who work hard, and after much effort, I finally achieved my goal!

I was naturally honest and simple-hearted. Although I had longed to become an official, I still carried the rustic nature of my farming upbringing. I was not skilled in the complex maneuvering and social games of the officialdom. Even though I became an official, my career was not particularly smooth. However, having studied the teachings of the sages, I felt I should emulate their hearts and actions. I thought to myself: since I had become an official, I had fulfilled my parents' wishes, and I had not failed in my duty of filial piety. Why not let go of fame and fortune, and simply do my best to do good deeds for the people? That was my guiding thought at the time."

Governance as a Service to the People

"To many, serving as a local official—a 'parent-official' to the people—is a thankless job with no room for advancement. Most officials were more concerned with how to cling to the powerful and wealthy to climb the ranks and gain more fame, power, and status. But for me, the position of a local official was actually quite suitable. Perhaps influenced by my background as a farmer, I was accustomed to being close to people. I was not a stranger to sincere interaction and communication; in fact, I was very comfortable with it. Perhaps because of this, the people generally found me very approachable.

I did not have the airs of a high official. I truly believed that this position was merely a role to serve the people, and how well I performed should be judged by the people themselves. I listened very earnestly to everyone’s needs; I tried my best to help solve the problems in their daily lives. When conflicts arose between people, I encouraged them not to rush to the magistrate’s office, but to try to resolve the big issues into small ones, and the small ones into nothing. In short, the core philosophy of my tenure was the concept of 'One Family'."

The Philosophy of 'One Family'

"In that dynasty, most people held a strong sense of loyalty to the emperor and love for the country. Many understood the concept of 'family and state as one'. Based on this idea, I encouraged the people to start from the small things—to start from our own small area and community. During the Tang Dynasty, there was frequent internal strife, and many places suffered from war, leaving the people in misery. I let everyone know that serving the country should begin at the local level. If one cannot love their own neighbors and hometown, how can they speak of serving the country? The people accepted this concept very quickly. They became neighborly and were very willing to help each other with whatever arose. Seeing this brought me great comfort.

I deeply understood the importance of education. Throughout the region, I implemented measures that allowed the people to study with less financial burden. By reducing the economic pressure, children could attend school and have the opportunity to become pillars of the nation. This was not an easy thing to achieve at the time, and there were many obstacles to overcome. But I remained persistent in my heart, hoping to let more children receive an education. My primary goal was not for them to seek fame, but to hope that after receiving the education of the sages, they would undergo a subtle transformation. This change was not on a material level, but a hope that the entire region could fundamentally develop in a good and virtuous direction."

From Official to Hell Guard

"I served as a local official for twenty years, and every day I worked for the people. Under my governance, the entire region underwent a very positive transformation, which gave me great peace of mind. Although I was later transferred by the imperial court to serve in other places, I was able to leave with a clear conscience, seeing the healthy atmosphere of the region I had nurtured.

In this life, I never became a 'great' official; instead, I had a deep affinity with the grassroots. Wherever I went, I did my best to serve the people. I lived a very fulfilling and happy life. I lived to the age of ninety and left this world without any illness. After I died, I arrived before the throne of Yama. Yama told me that because I had governed well, helped the people, and contributed significantly to education—inspiring the inherent goodness in many children—I was assigned the position of a 'hell guard'. I was very happy to hear this, and I served as a guard in the hells with all my heart and strength.

Having served as a guard for so many years, I saw too many beings suffering, and I often wondered how I could change that situation. I am so grateful that I was able to hear Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks while in the hells."

A Vow to Save Countless Beings

"Now, Zhao Shuwen and the other fifty-nine guards are in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have made a vow to follow the Buddha in my practice, hoping that one day I can be like Practitioner Su, to realise my true nature and attain Buddhahood in the world, and to save countless suffering beings.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo, gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Zhao Shuwen"