The Scholar’s Awakening: From Prison Guard to Pure Land

This interview was recorded on October 10, 2021, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The speaker, Wen Xiangyu, a scholar and educator from eight centuries ago, recounts his life of service, his subsequent role as a prison guard in the underworld, and his eventual deliverance to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su.

Wen Xiangyu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for her compassion, her vast heart, her great vows, and her immense power. She has helped us attain the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I truly cherish this chance! On behalf of the sixty prison guards present today, as well as all other beings connected by karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha's grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Legacy of Virtue and Learning

"I was born eight hundred years ago into the Wen family, a household steeped in generations of scholarly tradition. Every descendant of the Wen family had their own path in life; some became poets, others served in the imperial court, and many chose the noble profession of teaching. We all strove to live our lives to the fullest, yet we never forgot our ancestral teachings: to be individuals of integrity, justice, and strong moral foundations, and to contribute meaningfully to society.

From a young age, my education was highly prioritised within my family. Because I knew exactly what kind of person I was expected to become, I had a clear goal in my studies and understood how to move forward in life. The Wen family was a large clan, and our descendants were consistently distinguished. Despite this, our family culture did not impose rigid demands on us. As long as we did not stray from the ancestral teachings, each descendant was free to pursue the life that suited them best, without any unnecessary burdens or anxieties."

Finding Meaning in Life

"During my formative years, I held the accomplished elders of my family in high esteem. I hoped that I, too, could find the true meaning of my life and fully realise its value. That was my greatest ambition—to spend my entire life striving to achieve this. Having received a moral education from childhood, along with the study of Confucian and Mencian classics, I understood the principles of being a human being. However, as I journeyed through life, I discovered that practice is a different kind of learning altogether. To truly act requires even greater wisdom, flexibility, and awareness. Only then can one actively move forward on the correct path, without deviation, and make one's life truly valuable.

I studied many principles and often wrote poetry. These were not long works, but mostly reflections on the state of the heart and my various realisations about life. As I grew older, I became a teacher, passing these life principles on to young children. I hoped that by helping the next generation grow, they would understand the principles of conduct and the deeper meaning of existence."

The Joy of Service and Education

"I found great joy in my work as an educator; it allowed me to feel the value and significance of my life. When I taught these principles to the youth, I believed it was a contribution to society. If we can educate the next generation well and keep everyone on the right track, these new forces can inspire more people to change. I believe this creates a positive influence that helps guide society toward goodness.

My life was not defined solely by teaching. I also dedicated myself to disaster relief. Every year, I would travel to impoverished villages for several months. Beyond bringing grain and supplies to help them improve their living conditions, I would spend my time there lecturing to the children. Because my stays were short, I focused my lessons on inspirational and positive life principles, hoping to encourage their spirits and help them find their own suitable paths in life.

For many years, I continued this work. Each year, more people were willing to join me, which made our efforts to help others run more smoothly. I also taught the children that when they had the ability, they should use their own strength to help those in need. Only in this way can society continue to function in a positive direction. Helping others is the greatest joy! Throughout my life, my heart felt grounded and content. I took what I had and what I knew, and I used it to teach and help others. This kind of giving was the meaning of life I had been searching for; it fulfilled me completely. I was very happy to be able to help people, and I was delighted to be needed. I managed my life actively, never wanting to let time slip away in vain."

Reflections from the Underworld

"Throughout my learning process and my later years of service, the education I received at home had a profound impact on me. I am deeply grateful for the cultivation my family provided. I knew that because I had grown up in such a perfect environment with such a fine education, I had to share those benefits with others. My parents gave me immense support and encouragement, for which I am eternally thankful. I did my best to be a filial son, and only after my parents passed away did I fully commit myself to my educational work, travelling to various places to help children learn and pushing the cause of education with all my might.

Education has always been something I hold in high regard, because good education can change a person's destiny and influence their life. Every life is precious; we must truly cherish it, find its meaning, and fully realise its potential. I had many students throughout my life, and after they grew up, some followed in my footsteps and entered the field of education. I am very happy to see such an influence, as it can drive the destinies of more people toward a positive change. This is a very important matter.

I have been grateful throughout my life. I also cherished the time I had, hoping that by doing more, I could help more people. At the age of seventy-one, I departed from this world. I left peacefully, having long prepared for that day. I was content with the life I had lived. After passing away, I arrived in the underworld, where the King of Hell appointed me to serve as a prison guard. I was responsible for organising the files concerning the laws of karma and cause and effect. Seeing so many records of karmic retribution, I was deeply moved. The root cause of all this suffering is a lack of education, which leads people to create karma out of ignorance. My entire life was dedicated to education, yet I feel deep remorse that I did not promote the education of the laws of karma and cause and effect more vigorously. In the past, I was unfamiliar with this aspect; although I understood the principles, I did not present them as clearly as they are revealed through the laws of karma, which serve as a warning to the world."

A New Beginning in the Pure Land

"In recent years, I have listened to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks, and my heart has been deeply touched. These teachings truly stir the human heart; I know this is the true education, pointing directly to the mind. Compared to my past efforts, I feel humbled. I have been actively listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks, hoping that one day I, too, can contribute to education just as she does.

Today, I have attained liberation. I am grateful to Practitioner Su for giving me this opportunity to seek rebirth in the Pure Land. I cherish this chance immensely. I will certainly practise diligently, and in the future, I vow to save all beings to repay the Buddha's kindness. On behalf of the sixty prison guards, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha's grace and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Wen Xiangyu