The Truth Found in the Depths of Hell

Chief Writer, Shi Fa, speaks:

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of the jailer, Daoist Xin Hai, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his subsequent service in the underworld. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on February 5, 2023.

Daoist Xin Hai speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for his compassionate heart and for providing us with the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am Daoist Xin Hai, and I stand here today representing all the jailers and the sentient beings with karmic affinity to express my profound gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

A Life Shaped by a Master's Guidance

My given name was Chen Xinhai. I was an orphan, and it was only after I encountered my master that I was granted a new life and the ability to survive. My master was like a second parent to me; he nurtured me with great care, training me to become a Daoist capable of benefiting all sentient beings. He was incredibly kind to me. From a young age, I travelled everywhere with him. He would explain profound principles to me, teaching me how to conduct myself in the world and how to interact with others.

My master often shared stories of real events that had occurred in the human world. His purpose was to awaken me, to ensure I would not become lost in the illusions of this world. He urged me to keep my vision broad and far-reaching, rather than limiting myself to the perspective of the present moment. He warned me that such narrow-mindedness would only lead to deep-seated attachments, often without one even realising it.

The advice my master repeated most often was this: 'The world is chaotic. You must keep your heart upright and your conduct steady. Do not be easily swayed by the dust of the world. Once you lose your way and your heart becomes clouded, you will fall into a state from which no one can save you!' I have kept these teachings close to my heart. Even though my master passed away many years ago, I have never forgotten a single word he taught me. I have done my utmost to live by them, fulfilling my duties with all the strength I possess.

The Illusion of the Fox Demons

I remember one autumn night when I discovered a small town shrouded in the essence of fox demons. The men and women within were so ensnared by the demons' influence that they spent their days and nights immersed in carnal desires. During the day, the town appeared to be a ghost town, completely desolate and devoid of life. But as soon as night fell, the town transformed into something resembling an imperial city. Countless men and women filled the streets, and the taverns were alive with raucous noise. It was a scene of such intense activity that it was impossible to imagine the desolation that reigned during the daylight hours.

I infiltrated the town in secret, intending to wait for the right moment to subdue the fox demons. I had found my opportunity, but it was ruined by a man who, though already deeply harmed by the demons, was so addicted to the nightly revelry that he did not wish to be saved. He was perfectly content to remain lost in the music and the pleasure. It is precisely because people harbour such desires that these fox demons are able to succeed. To capture them, I had to spend years re-strategising. It took me several years to finally round them all up. I used my righteous energy to shatter their demonic forms, ensuring they could never again return to the human world to wreak havoc.

The Consequences of Unbridled Desire

Many of the humans controlled by these fox demons were beyond saving. Their life force had been so severely depleted over such a long period that they were essentially lost. Those who survived were left with insufficient energy, and some suffered from such severe mental decline that they were like living corpses. These are the inevitable consequences of unbridled desire.

I continued to travel to other regions, for the human world is filled with demons and ghosts causing chaos everywhere. As long as a person's heart is not true, it is very easy to become in sync with these spirits, and one might even inadvertently fuel their power, becoming an accomplice to their evil. Therefore, in addition to travelling to subdue demons, I also shared the truth with everyone I met, hoping to turn their hearts around and help them change so they would no longer associate with such malevolent beings.

A Lifelong Search for Liberation

For many years, I travelled everywhere catching demons and teaching the public to transform their hearts. My efforts were not in vain. I saw some people wake up and change their destinies, which made me believe even more firmly that one's destiny is determined by one's own heart. As long as you change your heart, you can change your life and break through the constraints of fate.

I was a Daoist and a teacher who travelled to share the truth. I was very happy to have the ability to do this work. 'Single-mindedly for the Righteous'—this was what my master taught me from childhood. I am very grateful for everything I have had, and I have always tried my best to use my abilities to help as many people as possible.

My life was spent as a wanderer, and having seen so many changes in the human world, I have many deep reflections. I knew that people needed to find an exit. For so many years, I was searching—searching for a method that could help everyone achieve liberation—but I never found it. Although I felt disappointed, I never despaired. I believed that as long as the causal conditions were right, the answer would eventually emerge.

Service in the Underworld

I passed away at the age of seventy. At the time of my death, I still had not found the method to help people achieve liberation. Although I felt a sense of regret, looking back on my life, my heart was still quite satisfied. After I died, I initially ascended to the first heaven, but I saw so many suffering beings in the underworld and the hells. My heart was set on helping them leave their suffering behind, so I made a vow to serve in the underworld. The King of Hell granted me a position that allowed me to move freely through the hells. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve sentient beings in that place.

It was only in recent years that I finally found the truth I had been searching for—the method that can truly help sentient beings achieve liberation—within the sutras taught by Practitioner Su. I was deeply moved, and I began to actively listen to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks. Every word Practitioner Su speaks is the truth, and listening to them fills me with Dharma joy. I have also introduced Practitioner Su to many other beings, hoping that everyone can receive the benefits of the Dharma and achieve liberation. The cycle of rebirth is truly too painful; I hope that more sentient beings can leave suffering behind and gain happiness.

I am so grateful for this opportunity today to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I will cherish it deeply and practise diligently. I, Daoist Xin Hai, represent all the jailers and all sentient beings with karmic affinity in expressing my deepest gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Daoist Xin Hai, with palms joined in respect.