The Spirit Within the Storybook

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Ruiyou, who sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She had been trapped for decades within the illusory space of a storybook character known as a Gumnut Baby. She now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Fa Xi, on November 30, 2019.

Venerable Fa Xi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. May I ask if any of the Gumnut Babies would be willing to step forward and accept an interview?"

Sally speaks:

"May I ask where you all have come from? Why do you look so different? What exactly is it that makes you stand out so much?"

Tom speaks:

"It is as if you are surrounded by light. You radiate a brilliance just like great deities. We only know of Jesus—do you happen to know him? I have never seen human beings like you before. No, you cannot be called mere humans! How can there be people who look this magnificent? Your entire beings are filled with such a shimmering, luminous quality! Wow!"

The Radiant Visitors

Gumnut Babies (represented by Ruiyou) speak:

"Hee hee! Hee hee! Who are you? Who are you? Who are you? This is not very fun; I cannot play tricks in front of you. There are so many bright, shining people following behind you. They do not let us play, and we are a little afraid. Even when they do not speak, they are quite intimidating. They look at us so earnestly, demanding that we maintain order. We have been hiding in the bushes, peeking out with only our eyes showing—big, watery, sparkling eyes that blink and blink. Who are these people? The people walk in front, and there are protectors behind them. How very special! How very special! I must hurry back and tell my mother! I must hurry back and tell my mother that someone very special has arrived! They say... the bodyguard leading the way is called Venerable Chang Ren?"

Venerable Fa Xi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Gumnut Babies, may I have a few words with you? We are practitioners of the Buddha’s teachings. Would you be willing to share your story with everyone?"

Gumnut Babies (Ruiyou) speak:

"Tell a story? What kind of story should I tell? I know many stories! I used to watch my mother write many stories, and I have heard many myself. I can tell a story, and I will make everyone laugh, because that is what I am best at!"

Venerable Fa Xi speaks:

"We would love to hear your story. Could you please share it with us?"

A Forgotten Childhood

Gumnut Babies (Ruiyou) speak:

"My story? Me? No one has ever asked about my story before. Our existence was known only to my mother, but she was always so busy. She had so many other babies. When she was drawing me, the corners of her mouth were smiling, but I saw tears in her eyes. I do not know if my mother truly knew my story. I only know that she drew my body and gave me a chance at life. Now, my mother is her—the mother who drew me.

Before I was drawn, I was a spirit that no one noticed. I was very small. During the war, I became separated from my parents. After I was lost, I kept hiding. I was terrified of being discovered because the world felt so strange and alien to me. I often hid in the darkness of the night and cried. During the day, I would run and run because I wanted to find my parents. I wanted so much to tell them how scared I was!

Originally, I lived a life of luxury. My father and mother loved me dearly; I was their precious little treasure. They often dressed me up like a princess. I loved them so much. We lived in a wealthy district in Sydney, and we often attended noble balls and public parades. Our family was so happy. I never knew that such happiness could one day vanish."

The Night the World Ended

"One night, I was sleeping soundly in my little bed when my parents were suddenly startled awake by a loud, chaotic noise. They rushed out, and then I heard my mother screaming. After that, there was one explosion after another. My father used all his strength to break down my bedroom door and blocked it with heavy objects so that those outside would not find me. Before he left, my father gave me a look that told me, 'Do not cry,' 'Be quiet,' and 'I love you, my little treasure.' That was the last time I ever saw my father.

After that, I remained trapped in the room with my little bed until, one day, the house was bombed. I escaped from the broken rubble. I ran and ran. In this world, everything except for my parents felt strange and terrifying to me.

I do not know how long I ran. Finally, I collapsed in a small grove of trees. I was still wearing the princess outfit my mother had dressed me in, but it was now torn and filthy. My stomach was so hungry—I was so hungry I had no strength left. I could not keep running. I wanted to cry, but I had no energy. I was afraid of being discovered, so I could only think in my heart: 'Father, Mother, where have you gone? Little Yoyo is tired!' Gradually, my strength faded. I collapsed again. When I woke up, I do not know how many nights had passed. I awoke during a violent thunderstorm. The rain helped me regain some clarity. Leaves and fruits knocked down by the strong wind fell around me. I picked one up, and just as I was about to take a bite, I realized I had no strength at all—not even enough to bite into the fruit. I lay there quietly, staring at the sky, until my eyes lost their strength, and I drifted into unconsciousness. This time, I never woke up again."

The Illusion of the Storybook

"I found myself running through a forest. I did not know that I had lost my life. I only felt as if I were full of energy again. As I ran, I saw many people—they were all young, just like me. We gathered together and played so happily. Gradually, I forgot all my past suffering. In this forest, I became what everyone called a spirit. We existed in that space, in the woods, living freely alongside nature. We lived many happy lives.

I do not know how much time passed; we were all little children who did not know how to keep track of days. One day, a force appeared in the forest, pulling us into a fairy tale. That artist was as gentle as my mother. She drew us into various forms, and we each chose the ones we liked and moved into them. We all loved the feeling of being noticed and drawn by 'Mother,' because the love she radiated was just like a mother's affection for her children. We wanted so much to be loved by her. From the moment we entered her drawing space, we remained there, living in her picture book, playing the roles of the Gumnut Babies.

We were very happy following our mother, right up until now. This artist mother is still drawing today. She keeps drawing, with a radiant smile on her face. She deeply loves the countless children in her drawings. We know that Mother is still immersed in her love for these children and has been unable to wake up from it.

This time, as we came into this interview, we seemed to suddenly wake up. Only then did we realize that for the past hundred years, we had been living in an illusory world, playing the roles of dolls. Suddenly remembering so many past events, my heart felt a sudden, sharp pain. I could not help but think of my father and mother from back then. My father was named Peter Pan, and my mother was named Hillary. I am Ruiyou. After so many years, someone has finally asked about my story. My heart is very moved. Thank you for seeing me. This is the first time I have spoken since I last saw my father’s eyes. I believe that the pain of the past will disappear now that I have seen you. I believe you will help me find my father and mother. I can see that you are different from ordinary people. You are very powerful, and you have special abilities. I know you are very good people. I want to follow you to your world. Thank you for appearing and bringing us the chance for rebirth.

Thank you so very much. I now understand those words you said: 'Namo Amituofo.'"

Namo Amituofo.