The Shopkeeper Who Saved a Town

This is a record of an interview with You Baoming, who sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life approximately five hundred years ago, during the Ming Dynasty. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on February 27, 2026.

You Baoming speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I was originally born with the surname Huang. When I was just a year old, my family found themselves in such dire poverty that they could no longer afford to raise me. Consequently, I was given to my uncle, and from that day forward, I changed my name and surname, taking on the name You.

My uncle and aunt raised me as their own, and they never once revealed that I was not their biological child. Yet, in my heart, I often felt a quiet sense of bewilderment. My father was a tall, imposing man, while I remained quite short and slight of build. Furthermore, my features lacked the dignified and open grace that defined both my father and mother. It was a mystery that lingered in the back of my mind for many years.

A Childhood of Simple Joys

We lived during the middle of the Ming Dynasty, in a region that remained largely peaceful, untouched by the ravages of war. Although our household was not wealthy, my uncle managed to provide for us children without ever making us feel the sting of deprivation. Our upbringing was remarkably smooth. My uncle ensured that we brothers attended school with a local teacher, and we lived our days in a state of carefree innocence. Think about it—in those times, to have enough to eat and the opportunity to study was a blessing beyond measure.

My uncle ran a small business, and he was a man of many talents. He was skilled at trading small goods and possessed a knack for repairing almost anything. He firmly believed that if something was broken, there was no need to purchase a new one; it simply needed to be mended. In his spare time, he would teach us how to repair furniture and craft items to sell. He also operated a small pawnshop in the market. While it was a modest enterprise, my uncle’s integrity and kindness ensured that his life remained prosperous and steady. If he encountered someone who could not afford to buy necessities for their home, he would quietly provide them with what they needed, hoping that these small acts of charity would allow them to live a life of ease and freedom.

The Influence of a Devout Grandmother

As a child, I loved the sound of hammering and sawing as I worked on small wooden projects. Once finished, I would often ask to give these items away to local single-parent families or children who were struggling. We were not rich, but to have an education and a childhood like any other was, to us, a luxury we deeply cherished.

My grandmother was a devout practitioner of the Buddha’s teachings. In her earlier years, she worshipped Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, constantly reciting the Bodhisattva’s holy name. Later, she shifted her focus to reciting 'Namo Amituofo'. I remember watching her with such joy; even past the age of eighty, she was full of vitality, her face glowing with health, and she seemed entirely free of afflictions. She was a shining example to all the elders in our neighbourhood. Sometimes, she would accompany us to the market, sitting quietly in front of the pawnshop, reciting 'Namo Amituofo' to everyone she met. We often followed her lead. Though we lacked her sincere and honest devotion, being immersed in that environment allowed us to learn much about the Buddha’s teachings. We came to understand the laws of karma and cause and effect, and we realised that human life is fleeting, while rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is the only eternal goal.

The Fortune Teller’s Warning

When I was in my teens, my two elder brothers left home to pursue official careers. I had no interest in fame, wealth, or the complexities of officialdom. I had intended to spend my life by my father’s side, working with my hands, but eventually, I felt the pull to step out and see the world beyond our borders. I thought I would return home soon, so I left without a heavy heart.

We lived in the Jiangnan region, and I began my journey toward the northern capital. After months of walking, I saw the many facets of human life—the stark contrast between the prosperity of the south and the poverty of the north. I relied on my meagre savings, walking and stopping, and I endured my fair share of hardships.

Later, in a small town, I encountered a fortune teller. He told me that a plague would soon break out in my hometown in the south, claiming many lives, and he urged me to warn the people there in advance. I saw that this man had a kind and gentle face, so I did not question him. I asked him what could be done to help everyone escape this plague. He sighed, looking up at the sky, and spoke a few simple words: 'Do no evil, perform all good.' I immediately thought of my grandmother’s teachings; these were the very words she had lived by. By then, my grandmother had already passed away, but I kept her words close to my heart. The fortune teller added, 'You are a good boy, but you must not marry or have children in this life. You must do more good deeds. Your karma is not light, and you must not live for yourself. Only then will you have a chance to survive.' I nodded and agreed. I had never had much interest in marriage or family, knowing that in the end, everything is nothing left. Perhaps it was because of my grandmother—she had lived as a widow for most of her life, and it was only through her encounter with Namo Amituofo and Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva that she found such peace in her later years.

A Town Saved by the Buddha’s Name

I returned home, my intuition telling me that this man was a true spiritual friend, and I knew I had to heed his words. Back in our town, I tried my best to spread the message, but few people took me seriously. I did not give up. I went to the county magistrate’s office several times, hoping to speak with him, but I was turned away each time. The magistrate clearly did not care for the words of a fortune teller. I remembered the great compassion of Namo Amituofo and the saving grace of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, so I began posting slips of paper all over town with the words 'Namo Amituofo' and 'Do no evil, perform all good,' hoping that if people saw these words often enough, they would take them to heart.

Within two months, the plague broke out in our town. It was then that the magistrate remembered what I had said. He sent men to bring me to the office to explain the details. I reported everything I had seen during my travels in the north. The magistrate, who also possessed good roots, took on the responsibility of teaching the people. He sent his subordinates to every household to promote the recitation of 'Namo Amituofo' and the practice of 'Do no evil, perform all good.'

Although there were not many Buddhists at the time, everyone was deeply moved by the Buddha-name. The people were simple and honest, and they knew that the Buddha represented compassion. Through their collective efforts in chanting and performing good deeds, the plague in our town was quickly halted, and the sick began to recover. It was a miracle at the time. Other towns even sent people to learn from us because their own outbreaks were severe, with people dying and falling ill in droves. However, once their hearts turned toward Goodness, they saw the same magnificent results. They became deeply grateful to the Buddha, and the number of believers grew significantly.

Five Centuries of Vigil

After that, I lost all desire to travel. I spent the rest of my life living honestly in our southern town. Because I had studied for a few years, I helped my father with trading and repairs, and I also helped people write letters. I did not simply write whatever people asked. If someone asked me to write something unkind, I would turn it into something good. Many of those who asked me to write were illiterate, and their requests were sometimes immoral or filled with criticism. I would correct these before handing them over. Eventually, more and more people discovered that whatever I wrote, it always led to a good and kind outcome. Everyone was amazed, yet no one ever uncovered what I was doing.

In my old age, I kept a stall—the same one my father had left behind years ago. My health began to decline, but I continued to work. At the age of seventy-two, on a quiet night, I passed away in my sleep. I had spent my entire life at that small stall. I had continued to chant the Buddha’s name, though perhaps not as diligently as my grandmother. I had followed the fortune teller’s advice and never married, and despite the aches and pains of old age, it was a blessed life. After I died, I had nowhere else to go. It seemed I remained at my stall, holding that pen, wandering in that space. I had my attachments, so I did not get a human body, nor did I ascend to the heavenly realms. I simply continued to be an unknown, benevolent spirit at my stall.

This went on for five hundred years. I watched as the stalls in our town changed hands, and my own stall was occupied by generation after generation of people trying to make a living. If someone was not acting with morality, I would use my heart of Goodness to help guide them, or I would chant for the fish and shrimp they sold. The stall sold everything from non-vegetarian food to jewellery and various goods. Every time the owner changed, the goods changed, and I found a new mission.

The Golden Light of Deliverance

Then, on this day, the sun shone brightly, and an even more brilliant golden light spilled over our town. Many spirits like me looked up, only to find the sky filled with dazzling golden light. We entered the light with curiosity and joy. In an instant, we arrived in a new world called the Western Land of Dharma Nature, located at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. When the news spread, everyone was astonished. 'Wow! This is truly a Buddha-land, the place where Namo Amituofo is residing here!' I had recited 'Namo Amituofo' for most of my life, and even as a spirit at my stall, I had continued to chant. I never imagined we would truly arrive in the world of the Buddha!

We knelt before the Buddha with great joy, bowing to express our gratitude and reverence. None of us expected this to happen so suddenly, but we are now peacefully chanting and listening to the teachings on our own lotuses.

Watching the changes in the human world, especially seeing how Practitioner Su can use countless manifestations to save beings across the vast territory of mainland China, is truly inconceivable. This ancient land, under the illumination of the Buddha-light, appears even more dignified, and all its goodness and virtue are emerging. Many great historical figures have also been able to escape their confined spaces and gain the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This is a magnificent Causal Condition that has not been seen in a thousand years. We are all filled with admiration for Practitioner Su’s ability to perform Chao Du. It turns out that there are people in this world who possess the same skills as the Buddha. We who have chanted for lifetimes never knew such things were possible. Today, our horizons have been broadened in the Dharma-Nature Land, and we have all surrendered to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

We, the vast multitude of spirits, are deeply grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

You Baoming