The Tiger Who Chose the Path of Enlightenment

This interview documents the testimony of Di Hu, a being who lived approximately 3,900 years ago. Having sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, Di Hu now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account, which details his remarkable transition from a predatory tiger spirit to a dedicated practitioner of the Buddha’s path, was recorded on February 10, 2019, by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing.

Di Hu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Di Hu. Ever since I was born into that human life, a strange and unsettling rumour began to circulate throughout our village. An elderly woman once lamented to her neighbours, 'I hear that a tiger haunts our village in the dead of night! It is absolutely terrifying! I am so frightened that I have installed two heavy locks on my door, yet I still cannot find peace in my sleep. Even the slightest rustle of the wind or the swaying of grass outside startles me awake!' Others heard this and felt the same creeping dread, whispering the tale to their neighbours. Soon, the entire village was gripped by the legend of the tiger, yet no one could identify who had actually witnessed the beast first.

A Mother's Dream and a Karmic Connection

Before my mother conceived me, she frequently dreamt of a majestic tiger. In these vivid dreams, the tiger would constantly nuzzle against her, seeking affection with a gentleness that defied its nature. My mother grew deeply fond of this creature; she would stroke its fur, feed it with her own hands, and even ride upon its back as it roamed through ethereal landscapes. Every time she woke, she was left in a state of profound wonder: 'Why does this tiger keep appearing in my dreams?' When she finally confided in my father, he was overjoyed rather than fearful. 'Dreaming of a tiger is a wonderful omen!' he exclaimed. 'It represents great good fortune. To dream of it for two consecutive weeks signifies that something truly auspicious is coming to our family!' His words calmed my mother's anxious heart. The very next day, she discovered she was pregnant, and the child was already two weeks along. My father laughed with pure delight, and my mother began to wonder, 'I have been pregnant for two weeks, and I have dreamt of the tiger for two weeks. Could this child be connected to the tiger?'

Strangely, my mother, who had always possessed a hearty appetite for meat, suddenly lost all desire for it after conceiving. She could not bear to touch a single piece of flesh; she felt a deep, visceral aversion to it. Seeing this, my father decided to adopt a vegetarian diet to support her. A neighbour who practised the Buddha’s teachings told them, 'The child in her womb must have come to repay a debt of gratitude. You two loved meat so much, yet he has made you change your habits and stop creating negative karma. What a truly filial child!' Hearing this, my parents were filled with anticipation for my arrival, their hearts lightened by the prospect of a virtuous child.

The Tiger in the Clouds

On the day I was born, many villagers gathered at our home, curious to see the child who had transformed his parents' eating habits. They sat in the open space outside my mother's room, waiting in hushed anticipation. Suddenly, someone looked up and shouted in astonishment, 'Look! There is a tiger in the sky!' Everyone gazed upward to see a cloud shaped exactly like a tiger, drifting serenely above the room. It was the only cloud in the sky, making it incredibly distinct. People began to murmur in awe, 'Why is this tiger here? No matter how the wind blows, it does not move!' My father saw it too, and in his heart, he knew it was linked to his unborn child. As he watched, the name 'Di Hu' flashed into his mind. My father had always trusted his sudden intuitions, and he felt this was the child's name. It seemed fitting, so he decided to call me Di Hu.

Shortly after, the sound of a baby crying echoed from the room. Everyone cheered, 'The child is born!' My father rushed in and held me. I was a very cute baby with a joyful expression. Just then, someone looked up and cried out, 'The tiger in the sky is gone!' Everyone peered out and confirmed, 'It really is gone! How strange!' My father looked at me, knowing that I was the reincarnation of that tiger, brought into this world to fulfil a sacred purpose.

The Guardian of the Night

After the guests left, my parents spoke privately. My father shared his belief that I was the tiger reborn, and my mother agreed. 'But why would a tiger refuse to eat meat?' she wondered. As I grew, my parents cared for me with great tenderness. One night, my father woke up to check on me and saw a tiger crouching by the bed, licking its own paws. He gasped in shock, waking my mother, and the tiger vanished instantly. My father described what he saw, but my mother found it hard to believe. The following night, my mother felt a sudden pain and prepared to go to the washroom. Upon opening her eyes, she saw a tiger sitting at the door, guarding the family. This time, she was prepared. She asked, 'Are you Di Hu?' The tiger turned, looked at her, nodded, and disappeared. My mother checked on me in the bed; I was sleeping soundly, completely unaware. She woke my father and said, 'That tiger is the spirit within Di Hu. It seems he comes out every night to protect us. He truly has come to repay a debt.'

A Life Saved from the Rushing Waters

One day, my father was working late and had not returned by the middle of the night. My mother was frantic with worry. She wanted to go out to find him but was afraid to leave me alone. Just as she decided to pick me up and head out, she heard the door open. My father had returned! He was covered in mud and soaked to the bone, looking utterly exhausted. 'Di Hu saved me,' he whispered. My mother asked in shock, 'Di Hu saved you? What happened?'

My father explained, 'As I was walking home near dusk, I was halfway across the suspension bridge when it snapped! I fell into the creek. The current was incredibly fierce. In my fading consciousness, I saw a tiger—I recognised it as Di Hu. He leapt from a large rock into the water and pulled my dying body to safety. If not for him, I would have perished in that creek.' My mother wept with gratitude, looking at me as I slept, unaware of the miracle I had performed. It was clear that my presence was a blessing to our family.

The Path of the Dharma

When I was three, my mother took me out. She became captivated by a crystal stone sold by an old woman. The woman looked at me and asked, 'How old is the child?' When my mother said 'three,' the woman replied, 'He is a tiger who has come to repay a debt, and he is a tiger who wishes to practise the Buddha’s path in this world. You saved him many times in past lives, and he is filled with gratitude. Now he has been reborn as a human, but his spirit often reverts to his original tiger form. You should let him learn the Buddha’s teachings, help him end the suffering of reincarnation, and stop him from being a tiger or a human again. He must chant Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.' My mother was amazed that the woman could see my past, and she trusted her words completely. She understood that my life was meant for something greater than worldly existence.

When my mother brought me to the temple, I was overjoyed and listened to the scriptures with intense focus. The Master told her, 'This child has come to practise. Although he was a tiger, he chose to stop eating meat to pursue this path. He began his vegetarian practice while still in the womb, a vow he made before his rebirth. Beyond repaying his parents, his greatest wish is to cultivate the Dharma.'

A Final Lifetime of Diligence

Though my parents were reluctant to part with me, they knew they could not hinder my path. At seven, they sent me to the temple. The night before I entered, they both saw my tiger spirit appear one last time; it bowed to them in gratitude. I understood my mission: to thank my parents and to thank Namo Amituofo, who had saved me. I was determined to practise diligently to save other beings. This was to be my final life in samsara; I would no longer be a tiger. I was more earnest than anyone, never wasting a moment. Whether reading scriptures, meditating, chanting, or working, I was fully present. My sincerity brought me great benefits. My spirit no longer left my body at night; my soul and essence became one, and I dedicated myself to spreading the Buddha’s teachings and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to all beings.

When I achieved success in my practice, I returned home to thank my parents for enabling my monastic life. I guided them to the Buddha’s path, hoping they too would reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Throughout my life, I faced interference from many beings I had harmed when I was a tiger, but I persevered. I passed away in my sixties and was reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, finally ending the destiny of the tiger body. Following the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su into the universe, I was shown the kingdom I once ruled. In my quest for energy and power, I had harmed many beings. Seeing them still suffering in space after thousands of years, I was grateful for the chance to save them, leading them away from that space to seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."