The Stone Spirit's Awakening

This is a record of an interview with Xidabodan, 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 and his subsequent transformation in the spirit realm. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xi, on January 1, 2023.

Xidabodan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Over such a long and arduous span of time, I have reflected deeply on my existence. Having witnessed so many truths, I have finally awakened. I realise now that I can no longer remain trapped in my own stubbornness. I truly wish to change myself, and I am seeking liberation.

I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for such immense compassion. He helps us, the spirits, and every single week, he assists many jailers in the spirit realm to achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, allowing us to escape the suffering of samsara forever. I am sincerely thankful to Practitioner Su, and to all the forces of goodness that have aided me. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

A Life of Stone

"I am Xidabodan. Perhaps no one has ever imagined that I was once a 'stone spirit.' During my life on earth, I was an incredibly stubborn person. I lived on the vast Tibetan plateau, but even though my environment was one of boundless, open grasslands, my heart was not open at all. I was a person who lived in total self-isolation. I was constantly fixated on my own narrow thoughts, never realising that human life could be lived with far more freedom and ease. I lived entirely within the confines of my own small space.

In truth, I was not happy during my life. I would often become deeply distressed over the most trivial worldly matters. I might spend years fretting over the cattle and sheep of my neighbours, or I would lie awake night after night worrying about the state of a single well. My heart was always calculating, always counting gains and losses, and I lacked the mind-capacity to embrace or forgive anything.

In this constant struggle over gain and loss, I was always desperate to win. I could not bear to let anyone else get the better of me. I clung to everything with all my might, never understanding that everything in this world is merely temporary."

The Solitary Path

"I did not have many friends growing up because I was always so intense and argumentative. I simply did not know how to get along with others, and my interactions often left everyone feeling unhappy. Eventually, I stopped associating with people altogether. I lived alone, completely by myself.

I had many peculiar habits, and because I was so incredibly stubborn, people began to call me by the nickname 'Stone.' I did not mind the name at all, for I agreed with it. My temperament was truly like a stone—hard to soften and even harder to change.

Yet, despite my many flaws, my heart was fundamentally kind. I often took in injured or abandoned animals. Even when I knew they had little time left, I could not bear to watch them suffer in their final moments. I would bring them into my home, brew herbal medicines, and do whatever I could to ease their pain, helping them to pass away naturally and peacefully.

Over the years, I saved tens of thousands of cattle, sheep, and horses. Most of them passed away shortly after I found them, and usually, no more than ten remained with me at any given time. While this was a task that no one else was willing to undertake, I believed it was meaningful. These animals have spirits, and as I helped them alleviate their suffering, I could feel the voices within their hearts. Sometimes, they would even cry out in pain. This made me realise that even though they were in the bodies of animals, they possessed feelings just like humans—they felt pain, and they felt sorrow. I cared for them as if they were my own kin, hoping to help them complete the final leg of their journey with as much calm as possible."

The Weight of Attachment

"I had lived alone since I was very young. My family had all passed away in accidents, so I had long forgotten what it felt like to have a home. I lived only in my own space, never truly waking up to the reality of life.

Seeing the desolate figures of these animals, I often thought of my own situation. I felt a sense of shared suffering, and in helping them, I felt as though I were helping myself. I had entered a very deep state of isolation. As I mentioned, I did not like to communicate with others; I would even fiercely protect my territory to ensure I was not disturbed. I only wanted to pass my days in peace and finish out my life.

Initially, I had no aspirations for my own life. It was only later that I realised I still had the ability to help these animals, which gave me a little more strength to keep going. I became willing to actively help them.

My life was unremarkable and devoid of any special experiences. After I died, I remained trapped in my own space of attachment. Because my personality was so similar to a stone—hard and stubborn—I entered into a large boulder. I spent a very long time in that stone space, until one day, I heard Practitioner Su giving a Dharma talk. That was when I finally woke up. At first, I did not pay attention to the principles Practitioner Su was teaching, but as I listened, I slowly began to understand their significance. I was deeply moved. My heart gradually opened, and I walked out of that space. Eventually, I arrived before the Yama King in the underworld.

Looking back on my life, I suffered quite a bit because of my isolated and stubborn nature. However, in caring for so many animals, my sincerity planted good causes, and at that moment, I received the good fruit. The Yama King helped me find the path to liberation and arranged for me to serve in the underworld. After many years of accumulating merit and virtue, I was finally able to secure this opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

My heart is filled with immense gratitude, and I cherish this opportunity deeply. Every day, I listen to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks with even greater diligence, and I strive to practise hard. I hope to become even more awakened, to achieve success in my practice as soon as possible, and to have the opportunity to help all sentient beings.

I am Xidabodan. On behalf of all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Xidabodan, with palms joined.