A Guardian's Redemption: The Spirit of Batō Ryūzan

This is a record of an interview with Batō Ryūzan, a guardian spirit who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life of service, his transition into the spiritual realms, and his ultimate liberation through the golden light of Namo Amituofo. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on February 17, 2026.

Batō Ryūzan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Batō Ryūzan. I was once a guardian spirit, and now, by the grace of the Buddha, I reside in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. It is a profound honour to share my story, for it is a testament to the boundless compassion of Namo Amituofo and the tireless work of Practitioner Su."

The Nightmare of a Childhood Lost

"'Ryūzan! Run! Quickly!' Those were the last words I heard from my father before the world turned to chaos. 'Father!' I cried out, but he was gone. Even now, in the depths of my memory, I am pulled back to that day when I was only eight years old. I wake up in a cold sweat, my heart racing, as the scene of the landslide and the devastating flood plays out before my eyes. My father, Batō Shū, sacrificed his own life to save me from the torrent of mud and water. That tragedy became the nightmare that haunted my existence for decades, a recurring shadow that I could never truly escape."

"My father was a member of the local security force, a man known for his kindness and his unwavering respect for the village elders. He was a pillar of our community. I grew up watching him, observing every word and every action, and I made a silent vow to myself: I would grow up to be just like him. I wanted to be a man who lived for others, a protector of the people. When the great rains came and the earth began to give way, my father chose to save as many lives as he could. In his final act of love, he shielded me with his own body, perishing in the disaster. That day, I lost my father, but I gained a burden of grief that followed me into the afterlife."

A Life Dedicated to Protection

"As I grew older, I joined the security force myself. I was taller and stronger than most, and perhaps because of my father's legacy, the people trusted me deeply. I organised the local men into a volunteer guard, patrolling the village to maintain peace. In those days, bandits were rampant, preying on the innocent and causing immense suffering. The official security force was simply too small to cover such a vast area, so I took it upon myself to fill the gap. I knew the agony of a restless night, the terror of being unable to sleep because of the fear of what might happen, and I wanted to ensure that my fellow citizens could sleep in peace."

"In one final, desperate struggle against a band of marauders, I lost my life. It was a tragic end, yes, but I felt no anger and no deep sorrow. I knew then that one who sacrifices himself for the sake of others is truly fortunate. It is a light, easy burden to carry. My father had lived on in the hearts of the villagers because of his selfless deeds, and I understood that even though my physical life had ended, my purpose remained. I realised that it is far better to be a hero who sacrifices for others than to be a weakling who survives while others die in one's place."

The Role of a Guardian Spirit

"After my death, I became a spirit, a guardian deity of sorts for that region. I found that I could help people by appearing in their dreams. For those who carried deep wounds or shadows in their hearts, I could see their pain; I could see their past. If their hearts were fundamentally good, I would manifest as the person they missed most, offering them comfort in their dreams, helping them to heal and to let go of the past. This was something I had struggled with so much when I was alive, and it brought me great peace to be able to offer that same solace to others."

"Then came the encounter with the Namo Amituofo billboard in Japan. The light radiating from that sign was immense—it was a golden light that reached even into the spiritual realms. We, the ghost deities, were all struck by its brilliance; we felt a joy we had never known before. When I arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I was immediately guided by Practitioner Su into the Western Land of Dharma Nature. It was as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from my soul."

The Path to True Liberation

"Now, resting upon a lotus seat, I continue to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma. I chant 'Namo Amituofo' constantly. I have come to a much deeper understanding of the suffering of life. It is not just humans who suffer; the spiritual realms are filled with immense, unimaginable pain. It is a blessing beyond words that Practitioner Su uses his thousands of millions of Dharma Bodies to perform Chao Du for sentient beings, saving so many spirits from their endless cycles of misery."

"Many of us guardian spirits had sensed the presence of the Buddha's light when Practitioner Su previously performed Chao Du in Japan, but we did not follow the light at that time. Now, seeing the same golden light from the Namo Amituofo billboard, a sense of deep familiarity and connection arose within us. We knew we had to come here to seek deliverance. I have seen that the education provided by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre does not just teach people to be 'good'; it teaches them how to achieve liberation, how to save the world. This is a form of education I had never encountered before."

"Japan truly needs this teaching, especially for the children. If they could understand the laws of karma and cause and effect from a young age, it would be of immeasurable benefit to them. More importantly, it is vital for people to realise the preciousness of the human body. One can learn, as Practitioner Su teaches, how to not grow old, not get sick, and how the spirit does not die. This is a path far more meaningful than any worldly pursuit. I am eternally grateful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su for this second chance at life."

"Namo Amituofo."

"Batō Ryūzan"