Real Life Story 2:

Guardian of the Hell Realm Series: Ito Yasuo 伊藤安雄

'Across Lands and Lives: A Journey of Compassion'

Spiritual Message received by Venerable Fasi

17th September 2023

Original Piece: https://amtbpureland.cc/hLt6b

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After living through many lifetimes—some as animal, some as human, and others in realms unseen—I’ve come to realise that each of those lives, no matter how vivid or dramatic, were only fleeting moments within the vast turning of samsara, the endless cycle of birth and death. In the past, I often believed I had found something lasting, something meaningful to hold onto. But now I understand: what truly endures is not the form we take, but the path we walk. Today, I follow Buddhist teaching—the true teaching of liberation as spoken by Practitioner Su. This is the path I now seek with all my heart.

I am deeply grateful to have received the rare opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. On behalf of all guardians of the hell realm, and all beings with whom I am connected to, I offer my deepest reverence to Amituofo, the Buddha of Infinite Light, and to Practitioner Su, whose teachings have awakened my heart. Namo Amituofo.

Long ago, in a distant life, I was a fox named Chikashū, living in the secluded mountains of Japan. Among humans, foxes were seen as mysterious creatures—possessors of supernatural powers, yet also symbols of trickery and danger. Despite these perceptions, my clan lived peacefully for a time, in harmony with the forest, the animals, and the rhythms of nature. But peace is fragile, and fate often arrives uninvited. One day, hunters invaded our mountain home, driven by the desire to capture us and harness our powers for their own gain.

We fought back with all our strength, but the force of humanity was overwhelming. In the chaos of a fierce chase, I was captured by a hunter named Natsuki. In that moment, my life came to an end.

As my spirit left the body, I entered a space where the cycle of karma continues. My consciousness was still full of emotion: anger, fear, and deep loneliness. I wanted revenge. I wanted to strike back at the one who had taken my life. But then, a vision appeared before me—clear and undeniable. I saw the truth of my past. My fox clan, driven by ambition and desire, had once destroyed an entire village. We had caused immense suffering. And among those we harmed was Natsuki himself. I saw his pain, his torment, and how he had died because of what we had done. In that light, I understood: our meeting in this life was not random. It was karma. I had died by his hand because I had once caused him harm.

As the karmic space continued to shift, I witnessed countless scenes of violence—beings devouring one another, cycles of revenge and suffering repeating endlessly. The images were bloody and heartbreaking. I felt a deep sorrow, not just for myself, but for all beings caught in this endless loop. I knew that if I continued in samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth), I would face these patterns again and again. I didn’t want that. I wanted it to stop.

So I made a vow: to return the lives I had harmed, to repay the debts I had created. The moment I made that vow, a radiant light appeared and pulled me into it. My awareness faded, and I was drawn into the next life.

Not long after, I was reborn as a human girl in the Natsuki family. Among foxes, we believe that taking human form is part of our karmic journey—to live as humans, to taste the joys and sorrows of human life, and to seek awakening through that experience.

In that life, I was named Natsuki Miyu. I grew up in a quiet, ancient village, surrounded by tradition and the teachings of my father, who was a skilled swordsman. He taught me everything he knew, and I trained diligently, dreaming of one day becoming a protector of the innocent and a force against evil.

As I entered adulthood, I travelled across Japan, seeking wisdom and testing my skills. Along the way, I met a fellow swordsman named Fujiwara, who became both my mentor and my close companion. Together, we faced many challenges, fought against injustice, and endured hardship.

But life is never without loss. In one fierce battle, I lost my sight. My world turned dark, and I was forced to relearn everything I thought I knew.

That blindness became a turning point. I began to rely on my other senses, and slowly, I discovered that true strength does not come from what we see—it comes from what we feel, from the clarity and courage within the heart. In losing my sight, I gained a deeper vision.

I eventually returned to the village of Natsuki as a blind swordswoman. Though I had lost my eye sight, my swordsmanship had reached a level of profound mastery. With the skills I had refined through hardship and experience, I devoted myself to protecting the villagers and offering help to those in need. Through this life of service, I came to understand the deeper meaning of existence: that true fulfilment lies in selfless compassion and in supporting others without seeking reward.

As I began to act from a place of genuine intention, I noticed that my spirit became increasingly clear and perceptive. I could sense when a family was about to face hardship, and I would arrive just in time to offer support. Although my actions were often misunderstood, and some people looked down on me or questioned my motives, I chose to remain rooted in kindness and to view all situations through the lens of compassion.

Over time, my senses grew sharper, and I developed the ability to discern the subtle forces of good and evil. With fairness and clarity, I helped resolve many crises that threatened the village. Word of my deeds spread, and my name became known throughout the community. Yet I never felt pride in this recognition—I simply believed I was doing what I was meant to do.

That life came to a peaceful end. I passed away quietly in my sleep, and the villagers, moved by gratitude and sorrow, gathered to honor me and bid me farewell. In those two lifetimes—as a fox and as a swordswoman—I had learned the lessons of love and selflessness. And now, once again, I stepped onto the path of rebirth.

During my time as a swordswoman, I had witnessed the suffering and struggles of the human world. Deeply moved, I made a vow: if given another chance, I would continue to use my strength to help others. That vow stayed with me, circling around my spirit until the moment I drew my final breath. In the space between lives, I saw countless wandering spirits—lost, aimless, and in pain. My heart ached for them, but I didn’t know how to help. Then, as I walked through that realm, I saw a white light in the distance. Drawn to it, I stepped forward and was gently guided into a new birth.

I

was born into an ordinary family and grew up surrounded by warmth and love. My name in that life was Ito Yasuo. My parents cherished me deeply and supported me in everything I wished to pursue. But during that time, the Japanese Empire was preparing to invade other nations, and I knew in my heart that such ambition would bring immense suffering. So I made a difficult decision: I left my family behind and joined the military—not to fight, but to protect life wherever I could.

Within the army, I witnessed the dangerous ambitions of those in power. I made a vow to be a guardian of life, regardless of nationality or circumstance. If someone stood before me, I would protect them—not because of who they were, but because life itself was sacred.

One day, I overheard a secret plan for a large-scale attack. I knew the consequences would be devastating. After much reflection, I chose to pass the information to the opposing side, hoping they could avoid the ambush and save lives.

The invasion failed, and the military leaders were furious. They couldn’t understand how such a well-planned operation had collapsed. Eventually, they discovered that I had leaked the information. I was arrested, imprisoned, and the next day, taken to the execution grounds. I was shot multiple times. But even in my final moments, I felt no regret. I knew that my actions had saved tens of thousands of lives, and that was enough.

After death, I found myself standing before Yama, the lord of karma. He looked upon the record of my life and saw the selfless act I had made. That single decision shifted much of my karmic debts. Recognising the sincerity of my vow, Yama appointed me as a prison guard in the underworld. I am officially a Guardian of the Hell Realm.

While serving in that realm, I witnessed countless spirits suffering in confusion and pain. The intensity of their anguish struck me deeply, and I longed for them to have a chance to awaken. During this time, I encountered the teachings of Practitioner Su. Each word she spoke felt like a stone gently striking my heart—awakening me, clearing away delusion, and giving me strength. Through repeated exposure to the Buddhist teachings, I gradually came to a deeper understanding. I am awaken now.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in the underworld. In those days of service, I witnessed many stories of life and rebirth. I saw how beings struggle through countless lifetimes, caught in the wheel of samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth). And through those experiences, I came to a clear realisation: I truly wish to be free.

Today, I am blessed with the chance to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. On behalf of all Guardians of the Hell Realm and all beings with karmic ties, I bow in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

—Ito Yasuo 伊藤安雄