The Sunshine Boy Who Became a Watermelon

This article records an interview with Kevin, a spirit who experienced the cycle of rebirth as a watermelon before seeking deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now prepares for rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on October 8, 2017.

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I ask Namo Amituofo, we are currently in the first session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. Should the disciple write down the Buddha’s words, or should I conduct an interview with the beings?"

Namo Amituofo:

"Interview the Watermelon Bodhisattva! He is waiting for you!"

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Understood! May the Buddha be compassionate. Thank you, Namo Amituofo! I invite the Watermelon Bodhisattva to accept this interview."

A Moment of Unexpected Joy

Kevin speaks:

"Wow! Wow! I have been called by name! And it was the Buddha who called me! I am the luckiest person today. I have forgotten this feeling of happiness for such a long, long time! I am so moved! I was actually thinking to myself, everyone else is getting interviewed, but I haven't been called yet!"

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Namo Amituofo is compassionate and treats all beings equally. Even if you are not enshrined before the Buddha, the Buddha knows every thought and intention that arises in your heart."

Kevin speaks:

"That is truly incredible! I thought I wouldn't get a chance. I never expected that Namo Amituofo—Namo Amituofo—would know my heart!"

A Childhood Among the Vines

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Indeed! Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. May I ask your name? And how did you come to be a watermelon?"

Kevin speaks:

"Certainly. My name is Kevin. I grew up in an ordinary, busy family here in Australia. My parents worked, and we children were just like them; when they went to work, we went out too. My parents would drop us three children off at our grandparents' house before heading to their jobs. Day after day, we grew very close to our grandparents. My grandfather had a massive watermelon field; it was his pride and joy, his life's work. Sometimes he would collaborate with the university's agricultural department. University students would often come to observe and help care for the field. They would claim their own sections to sow seeds, water, fertilise, and keep records. The students and professors would discuss with my grandfather how to cultivate the sweetest, largest, and healthiest watermelons."

"I was a lively little boy. My two older sisters were very concerned about their appearance and terrified of the sun, fearing they would get dark spots on their skin. As a boy, I didn't care about spots, so I would always wear a straw hat and follow my grandfather into the field to check on the melons. Sometimes I would trail behind the older students, listening to what they were saying. Over the years, I learned quite a lot. One time, an older student said he wanted to partner with me to see if we could grow a unique watermelon, and I agreed immediately. From the initial tilling of the soil, sowing, watering, and weeding, I was involved in every step. When I saw the first tender shoots emerge, I was so excited I couldn't sleep! As they grew and bore fruit, watching them swell into firm, large, and resilient watermelons made me so happy. I even took photos to document our progress. That older student took our watermelon back to the university for his project, won first place in his department, and even received a scholarship. Of course, I was one of the unsung heroes behind the scenes, and the student treated my grandparents, sisters, and me to a grand feast. That was one of the happiest moments of my entire life."

The Sudden Turn and the Cycle of Rebirth

Kevin speaks:

"I was a happy, cheerful child. Adults loved me; they said my vitality made them feel years younger. My childhood was carefree and joyful. But later, due to work, my parents moved to the city, and we left the countryside. I grew up as a city boy. Like everyone else, I needed a car to get around. When I turned twenty, shortly after I learned to drive, I finally got my first car. That day, I went out with two classmates. I never expected that before making a turn, I would forget to check for oncoming traffic. That stretch of road had no speed limit, and the other car was moving fast. The collision was massive, and I was knocked unconscious instantly."

"When I woke up, I heard chattering sounds by my ears, shouting: 'He's waking up! He's waking up!' But before my eyes, I saw a vast field of watermelons from my childhood. I saw myself running happily through them. A smile crept onto my face because I heard those chattering voices saying, 'He's smiling!' It was as if I existed in two worlds at once. Just as I was deciding whether to open my eyes and wake up or continue watching the little boy in the watermelon field, I heard the boy waving and calling out, 'Big brother! Big brother!' It was that older student—I had almost forgotten what he looked like. So, I entered the watermelon field to find him. He was crouching down, looking at the watermelon we had grown together. I crouched down beside him, looking at our melon. And just like that, when I 'woke up' again, I was lying on the ground, having become a newly sprouted watermelon. I had turned into a watermelon! Was I dreaming? I tried to move my hands and feet, but there was no response. I wanted to get up and run, but I couldn't. How could this happen?"

A Fruitful Encounter with the Dharma

Kevin speaks:

"Suddenly, it started to rain. I wanted to run inside to hide, but I couldn't move. I never liked the rain, and watermelons don't like it either. I just let the rain beat down on the rind—my skin. Soon, the rain stopped. The sun came out, and I saw a rainbow in the sky. It was so beautiful! I don't know how long it had been since I last looked up to see the blue sky and white clouds. Seeing that rainbow, I felt like it was greeting me. Suddenly, I let go of my attachment and smiled. 'Fine, I accept it! I am a watermelon now!' I was no longer that sunshine boy. Over time, I could feel my body growing, becoming round and large, the flesh developing, and my weight increasing. I could often see the owner smiling at me with satisfaction because I looked so good, which meant he could sell me for a high price!"

"Then, I was boxed up and sent onto a container truck. I was usually well-protected, sitting or lying quite comfortably because I looked so good that they were afraid of any bumps that might lower my value. Being cut by people didn't cause me much pain; it felt like just another process in my life. My spirit would enter a human body, be processed, and then pass through. I would become another watermelon, and this cycle repeated many times. This continued until I was spotted by a grandmother in a fruit shop who was glowing all over. When she entered, she caused quite a stir among us. Her light was warm, and it could even penetrate the walls of the cold storage. I heard everyone gasping in awe! Her eyes were bright, and she moved quickly, picking out several types of fruit. When she chose the three of us watermelons, I couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up: 'You have a good eye!' We three were the most valuable ones there. After that, we were driven here, and my life's journey took a new turn."

The Journey to the Western Pure Land

Kevin speaks:

"This place is truly different! They say it is a Buddha-land, and I know it now. Namo Amituofo is here. It turns out the grandmother who came to the shop, the one who radiated light, is just like the Buddha here. This batch of us is especially unique because we have been interviewed and have the opportunity to go to the country of Namo Amituofo, called the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is a brilliant, luminous country. There are no vegetables or fruits there, so we don't have to be produce anymore. That means I don't have to be a watermelon; I can return to being that sunshine boy I once was. This is what I have learned over the past few days."

"Grandmother, thank you! The batch you chose is the luckiest produce in the whole world."

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"You certainly have a way with words. No wonder adults loved being around you. How many of you are going to write this together?"

Kevin speaks:

"Can we include the three watermelons chosen this time, all the vegetables and fruits in the shop, and the watermelons in my grandfather's field? They accompanied me through such a happy childhood."

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Yes, you may. You must remember to follow everyone and chant loudly: Namo Amituofo. And you must head toward the golden light to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss!"

Kevin speaks:

"I know! Chant the Buddha's name and head toward the same golden light that is on Grandmother!"

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Yes! Namo Amituofo!"

Kevin speaks:

"Thank you, Auntie."

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"My name is Venerable HaiZe. One day, I will also return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. You go first."

Kevin speaks:

"Thank you, Venerable HaiZe."

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"You must thank Namo Amituofo and Grandmother Practitioner Su. It is because of them that you have the opportunity today to immigrate to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

Kevin speaks:

"Immigrate?"

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"Yes! After that, you can live there forever! Until you become a Buddha."

Kevin speaks:

"Although I don't know what becoming a Buddha is like, I really want to go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to be with Namo Amituofo."

Venerable HaiZe speaks:

"That’s right! That is exactly it! If you have the vow and the desire to go, you will be able to get there. Namo Amituofo."