The Scholar's Final Lesson: From Official to Underworld Guard

This is a record of an interview with Zu Jingshan, who sought deliverance 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-official and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on February 7, 2025.

Zu Jingshan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for the Causal Conditions that led to my rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. To me, this connection is incredibly precious. I am filled with gratitude toward the Buddha and toward Practitioner Su.

Since arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I feel as though I have been reborn. My entire being is infused with energy—a profound energy that has brought about a monumental transformation within me. The very appearance and state of my spirit have been purified by the power of the pure Dharma.

A Rebirth into Pure Light

Within a white, translucent lotus that belongs to me, I have begun my practice under the guidance of Namo Amituofo. Looking back now, I feel a deep sense of shame. I took the world of my past life far too seriously. I was obsessed with everything that happened, and I was even more concerned with how others perceived me. Throughout that entire lifetime, I clung to these notions so tightly.

Now that I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I see clearly that every person who enters the world is drawn there by various Causal Conditions. Looking back at the past, it feels like a series of interwoven stories, each one a unique experience belonging to the journey of my spirit.

The Weight of Ancestral Expectations

Some of the processes of my reincarnation now seem so foolish to me. I am grateful for who I am in this present moment, able to start anew, and my heart is filled with immense emotion. By speaking of my past reincarnations, I hope to help everyone see life and the cycle of samsara clearly, to cherish the opportunity for awakening, and to feel gratitude for all that is.

I am Zu Jingshan. My family was a scholarly household, and from childhood, our ancestral motto was 'filial piety, friendship, and loyalty.' These words were carved right above our doorway. Everyone in the house, from the eldest to the youngest, had to abide by them. From the moment I was born, I was constantly indoctrinated with how I should behave. I was told that doing these things was simply expected, as they were the most basic principles of being a human.

My uncle was my teacher from a young age. He would flip through the books passed down through our family, page by page, teaching me step by step. I was like a small seedling being relentlessly watered. Throughout my upbringing, there was so much rote memorisation and so many rules. Even when I felt I could no longer breathe under the pressure, I had to keep learning, because the elders insisted that this was the bare minimum required of a member of the Zu family.

The Corruption of the Imperial Court

Under this constant training, I was often buried in piles of books, so I became accustomed to reading. When I reached the appropriate age, the elders demanded that I take the imperial examinations. To pass the exams and become an official was to bring glory to the Zu family. I had no power to resist. Having been suppressed since childhood, I did whatever I was told. Even though I felt like a puppet inside, I dared not utter a single sound of protest.

This state of suppression created a voice within me that constantly urged me to escape—to flee to a place where I would not be under such heavy control. I began to study for the examinations in earnest, and to my surprise, I passed within two years. After passing, I was sent to a major city to serve as an official. When I finally left home, I felt a momentary sense of relief.

However, upon arriving in that unfamiliar city, so close to the imperial court, I found it teeming with all sorts of people. Many had come to the city just like me, seeking advancement. It was only then that I realised life in the city was vastly different from what I had expected. People were largely self-serving, willing to use others for their own gain, and even to harm one another.

Finding Purpose in Exile

My superiors promoted me, but this only made others jealous. I had come here to escape the constraints of my family and build a life, but instead, I found myself entangled in the power struggles of the court—a situation I found utterly detestable. Having been taught 'filial piety, friendship, and loyalty' since I was small, I believed that people should be sincere and humble toward one another. Facing the reality of the court was a massive shock to my system.

As the competition in the officialdom intensified, I did not want to hurt anyone, but I was forced to learn how to protect myself. During my career as an official, I was framed three times, with each attempt becoming more ruthless than the last. I managed to escape the first two, but the third time, I was thrown into prison for several days. I truly thought I would never get out. Fortunately, with the help of a friend, I was eventually released.

These three heavy blows left me thoroughly disillusioned with the life of an official, and I longed only to get away. Before I could decide what to do, I was framed a fourth time, which led to my demotion to a remote region as a local official. At first, I was deeply disappointed, but as I travelled, observing the various people and scenes along the way, my heart gradually began to settle.

The Prison Guard's Awakening

The town where I became a local official was lacking in many ways. I paid special attention to the environment, education, and the daily lives of the people, hoping to improve their circumstances. Having been trained in the complete system of the Zu family, I brought that education to the children of the town. To my surprise, within a few months, education had transformed the entire region. The chaos, the stealing, and the robbing began to fade. I was overjoyed, realising the importance of education for a child, a family, and the entire environment. People began to live in peace and contentment. My heart was filled with such relief and joy. This was the scene I had truly wanted to see as an official. I was forty-three years old then, having spent over twenty years in the officialdom.

My original persistence had shifted. In the eyes of others, my career was a tragedy, but those days of demotion were the most satisfying of my life. During my seven years in that town, the central government tried to recall me several times, but I declined. It was not that I wanted to give up the chance for promotion, but that I wanted to guard the simple ideal I had found. In my later years, many respected me, but I felt I had only done what was expected of me.

Toward the end of my life, I resigned from my post and would often sit in the wind, gazing into the distance. I held onto many ideals and convictions, and even when I closed my eyes for the last time, that persistence remained deep in my bones. After death, I became an ancient book. The book recorded experiences and moral principles—the very things I had cared about so much. I do not know how long I remained as an ancient book, until a monastic master looked upon it. In that moment, I could feel the master's aura—it was incredibly pure and filled with wisdom, as he silently recited the holy name 'Namo Amituofo.' At that instant, I saw a brilliant light, and my heart was suddenly filled with brightness. I no longer clung to my own persistence.

At the moment I let go, I arrived before the throne of King Yama. After meeting him, I finally understood that everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. Seeing that my heart was fundamentally good, and because I had accumulated enough blessings through educating the children during my life, King Yama allowed me to serve as a prison guard. During my time as a guard, I saw clearly the scenes of various karmic retributions, and the reasons for them were written plainly. Seeing this so clearly shook my heart. I wished so much that these beings suffering their retribution could wake up and change. But the beings in the hells have their own stubbornness and attachments; many would rather suffer and wail than change. This is the 'strength' of their character.

I kept wondering how I could help them. As I repeated this thought in my mind, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. The principles shared in those talks touched the hearts of all who heard them, and I, too, awakened in that moment, making a vow to follow the Buddha. I waited until today, when the Causal Conditions allowed me to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am so grateful. Now, I am soaking in the cool waters of the Seven-Jeweled Pond in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am so grateful for all these Causal Conditions. I am grateful to the Buddha, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su."

Zu Jingshan, with palms pressed together.

Namo Amituofo.