Three Messengers from King Yama
 

As October draws to a close, children dress up as ghosts and skeletons and visit their neighbors with a cheerful “Trick or Treat!” In keeping with the season, let me share a Buddhist story from India—a little visit to the world of the dead.

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At the entrance to that world stands a court where the realm of life’s next birth is determined. Presiding over this court is King Yama, the judge of the dead.

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Shall we take a peek inside?

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A man stood before King Yama, who was looking into a large mirror. This mirror revealed the man’s actions during his lifetime—something like a video recording.

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Looking over the man’s life, King Yama said, “I see many harmful actions here. The karma of these actions leads to hell.”

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The man hurried to explain.  

                                        

“I’m sorry. I died so suddenly, and I was so busy every day. I just didn’t have time to cultivate virtue.”

“Suddenly, you say? How old are you?”

“Sixty-seven.”

“At sixty-seven, you must have seen the three messengers I sent you.”

“Um… Your Majesty, these three messengers… who were they?”

King Yama began to explain.

“The first was Old Age. Have you seen an elderly person whose hair had fallen out, whose legs had grown weak, and whose teeth were gone?”

“Oh, yes. I have.”

“That was my first messenger—a reminder that you, too, were growing older, and that it was time to begin preparing for your journey.”

Then King Yama asked another question.

“My second messenger was Illness. Have you seen someone suffering from sickness?”

“Yes, I have.”

“That was my second messenger—a reminder that you, too, could become ill, and an invitation to begin preparing for your departure.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”

The man looked unsure what to say as King Yama continued.

“And my third messenger was Death. Have you seen someone who had died?”

“Yes, I have.”                  

“That was a reminder that your life in this world, too, would someday come to an end. When you saw someone who had passed away, did you ever think about your own departure from this world and what would follow?”

The man answered quietly.

“I’m sorry. I saw many people who had passed away, but I never really took it to heart that I, too, would one day leave this world.”

King Yama let out a long sigh.

“Ah… I sent all three messengers, but you did not recognize their message or begin your preparations. Now, the karma of your actions leads you onward within the cycle of birth and death.”

There are six realms within this cycle of birth and death, including our human world. All are subject to change, and none is free from suffering. We, too, live within this cycle. Through the karma of his actions, the man would next be born in hell.

 

As I watch this man depart, I am reminded of the teaching Shakyamuni Buddha shared with us: Amida’s Vow to guide all beings to the Land of Bliss.

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And then I find myself returning to this man’s words:

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“I’m sorry. I saw many people who had passed away, but I never really took it to heart that I, too, would one day leave this world.”

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We see people growing old. We worry about friends who are ill. We attend funerals for people dear to us. Yet when we return to our everyday routines, we easily lose sight of what these encounters mean for our own lives. Most of us have met King Yama’s three messengers without recognizing that their message is also for us.

 

Their message brings us to a question: Where is this life heading?

Shakyamuni Buddha taught that Amida’s Vow embraces all beings—including this man, and you and me.

 

Shinran Shonin expresses this in a hymn:

The light of purity is without compare.

When a person encounters the light,

All bonds of karma fall away;

So take refuge in Amida, the ultimate shelter.

 

Can we hear Amida’s call?

 

Namo Amida Butsu.