The Short Life and Eternal Vow of Kang Zirong

This is a record of an interview with Kang Zirong, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life, which ended at the age of thirty, and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on August 13, 2022.

Kang Zirong speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. As I step onto the soil of the Western Pure Land, my heart feels purer than ever before. I stand here with fifty-nine other prison guards, bowing respectfully before the Buddha. My heart is overflowing with gratitude—gratitude for the great compassion of Namo Amituofo, and gratitude for the boundless compassion of Practitioner Su.

What is the true meaning of life? I have always felt like a mere traveller, arriving in this world in a rush and departing just as quickly. My mother was not even eight months pregnant when I hurried into this world, and yet, I did not even live to see my thirtieth birthday before I had to leave it all behind.

A Life Measured in Moments

I was born with a congenital illness that, in those days, had no cure. From the very moment I entered this world, it was as if I had been handed a death sentence. I never knew how many days I had left; every single day I lived felt like a gift I had picked up along the way. I had a grandfather, a grandmother, a father, a mother, and three older brothers. I was the youngest in the family, yet I was the one with the shortest life.

Everyone in my family loved me dearly, and they were constantly worried about me. I could feel that behind their love lay an even greater sense of anxiety and reluctance to let me go. Whenever I had an episode of my illness, the sight of me in pain would break their hearts. They would shed tears, but they would quickly wipe them away, not wanting me to see their sorrow. If the doctors' initial assessments had been correct, I would not have lived past the age of five. Think about it—what is the meaning of a five-year life? The first three years were spent learning to speak, walk, and eat. That left only two years before my life would end. That was the five-year life I was originally destined to lead.

When I unexpectedly lived into my sixth year, my family was overjoyed, yet they dared not show it too openly for fear that their tears of joy would turn into tears of grief. They decided to let my life unfold quietly, day by day.

The Wisdom of a Child

Why was my life extended? Perhaps it was because I was willing to let go of my own body to save others. When I was four years old, knowing I only had a year left, I learned that many people were waiting in line for organ transplants. I did not hesitate for a second; I was desperate to donate my body. I understood clearly that this body would soon be far away from me. At that point, the body would be just a body, and I would be me—we would no longer be connected. Since that was the case, why not offer my body as an act of Generosity to help those in need?

I did not overthink it. I only knew that helping others was the right thing to do. At that young age, such thoughts came to me naturally. It was my inherent good roots that allowed me to think of others, to sacrifice myself, and to reach out to those in need. Sometimes, my words would move the adults around me because they had not yet cultivated such a mind-capacity. Whenever I spoke of wanting to give something up, they would ask, 'Are you sure?' I would nod firmly and reply, 'I am sure.' Fortunately, the adults never interfered with my decisions, allowing me to do what I felt was right—not for my own sake, but out of a genuine desire to help others.

By the time I reached my sixth year, I would look up at the sky and speak to the heavens. I would say, 'Is it the heavens that have allowed me to live one more year to help others? I believe so, and I am willing. As long as I am allowed to live one more day, I am willing to spend that day helping others.' Some people said I was an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, while others said I was Mazu come to earth, which explained my great compassion and my focus on others rather than myself. Regardless of what they said, I did not feel much about it, because I only knew myself as the person I was in that life: Kang Zirong.

Learning from the Smallest Creatures

I refused to let this 'Kang Zirong' be a selfish person. I wanted this life to be one lived in the service of others. This mindset was far beyond my years; some relatives even said I acted like a twenty-year-old. Perhaps the heavens were helping me, allowing me to mature early in my short life so that I would not waste my time in this human world.

One day, I watched an ant carrying food in front of me. After only a few steps, a hand reached down and crushed it. I looked up and saw it was my eldest brother. I asked him, 'Why did you crush it?' He replied, 'Ants shouldn't be inside our house, so it had to be killed.' I looked at the ant's body and remembered how it had been working just moments before. In the final moments of its short life, it was still working. Where had it gone now? I did not know. I hoped it had gone to a better place.

I felt I should learn from the spirit of that ant. Regardless of how long or short a life may be, if one does not waste a single day, a single minute, or a single second, then even a short life is not a waste. I had already done my best to cherish every day. This mental note made me diligent every moment. I wanted to use this limited body to exert the greatest possible strength.

A Journey of Service

In that life, I did not have the Causal Conditions to encounter the Buddha’s teachings. I only knew how to perform good deeds in the world. My family was not accustomed to doing good deeds; in their view, one should just look after oneself, and the well-being of others had nothing to do with us. Even when they had the ability to help, they rarely reached out. I do not know why I was born into such a family without being influenced by their views. Perhaps I had made a vow to perform good deeds in this world, which is why I cherished every day and actively helped others.

Seeing my sincerity, and witnessing how my life was extended through my acts of service, my family slowly began to learn to do good deeds with me. I saw how nervous my parents were at first, as they were not used to it, but over time, they became accustomed to it, and eventually, they were even more active in helping others than I was.

During my school years, my teachers and classmates were very kind to me because they knew about my congenital illness. Whenever someone was kind to me, I felt a natural urge to reciprocate—this was my inherent nature. Since I could not repay everyone, I told myself in my heart, 'Just be grateful.' I never forgot this feeling of gratitude. Whenever I cultivated this mental note of gratitude, I became even more content and cherished every day of my life.

After graduating from secondary school, I did not plan to continue my studies. While my brothers wanted the highest academic qualifications, I felt that my life was sufficient as it was. I did not know when impermanence would arrive. Rather than spending my life studying, I preferred to experience life and do more meaningful things. At sixteen, I left home for a while, travelling alone with a little money, staying wherever I stopped. To me, this was a very special experience.

From the Underworld to the Western Pure Land

For two and a half years, I travelled and observed the world. My money was never enough, but perhaps the heavens were helping me, as I always found ways to get by. Sometimes, someone would ask me to help them with a task and pay me, allowing me to continue my journey. Having seen the many facets of human life, I realised that no one escapes death. Since everyone must die, one should live a more meaningful life. Many people follow the desires of the body—pursuing relationships, building families, running businesses, or chasing dreams—all revolving around the desires of the body. In the end, they fall ill, grow old, and die, eventually having to leave this world.

Having seen through the world, I discovered that the value of life does not lie in its length, but in whether one has seen through the nature of life. I did not know how long I would live, but in a life more limited than others, I cherished it all the more. After returning home, I became even more filial to my parents. Beyond that, I passed the exams to join the volunteer fire brigade. Whenever there was a fire, I would receive a call, rush out, and join the effort to save those trapped in the flames and assist in extinguishing the fire. I did everything I could.

I lived until I was thirty. For such a short life, I am already quite satisfied. The King of Hell appointed me as a prison guard, and I performed my duties faithfully every day. About three years ago, the Causal Conditions opened, and I began to hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. When I heard them, I was deeply shocked. I had never heard the Buddha’s teachings before, and I was amazed at how thoroughly they explained life and the cycle of rebirth. I was filled with admiration and had only one desire: to be reborn in the Western Pure Land.

Today, I have finally fulfilled my great vow, guided by Practitioner Su to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."

Kang Zirong