The Daoist from Four Millennia Past

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Qingshan Daoist, who was delivered from the body of Practitioner Su 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 approximately 4,500 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Hai Yuan, on February 27, 2026.

Qingshan Daoist speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Qingshan Daoist. The years have drifted by, and it has been 4,500 years since I first walked the earth. While that sounds like an eternity to you, for me, much of that time was spent in deep meditative concentration. Let me tell you, it has been quite a journey, and I would like to share how this all came to be."

A Sudden Awakening After Millennia

"A few days ago, I felt a massive tremor that left me dizzy and disoriented. I opened my eyes from my deep meditative state only to find myself in a completely different environment, one filled with darker hues. You might be surprised to hear me speak like this—you might wonder, 'Is this how a man from 4,500 years ago speaks?' Not at all. Back then, we had no written records; if we wanted to convey a message, we used simple symbols or lines. But after spending these past few days observing and learning about my surroundings, I quickly realised that this language is called 'Chinese'."

"I first met Practitioner Su 4,500 years ago in what is now Shanxi Province, China. It was a vast Loess Plateau then, and to my surprise, it remains a Loess Plateau even now—this is what I saw after I entered my meditative state. Of course, 'Loess Plateau' is a name given by later generations, so I have adapted to the customs of this time and quickly learned the language used by the people of this era to express myself."

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

"Back then, we often communicated 'heart-to-heart' to understand one another. Although we could not speak as fluently as you do today, that heart-to-heart connection was far more profound than the way modern people speak, where the words often differ from what is truly in their hearts. Why did I enter the body of this person? People call her Practitioner Su, but I have heard the beings in the spiritual realms refer to her as 'Buddha Su'. This is not without reason. Practitioner Su keeps the suffering of all beings in her heart; she does not waste a single moment, always thinking of how she can help and save sentient beings. This is a heart of true compassion—a heart that feels the suffering of all earthly creatures, mountains, and rivers. It is a heart of innocence, a natural heart, which later generations call the 'heart of a Buddha or Bodhisattva'."

The Life of a Wandering Daoist

"I chose the name Qingshan Daoist after I awoke. Back then, I was a solitary wanderer, travelling thousands of miles and gazing upon countless mountains. The forests, the clouds, the earth, the wind rustling through the grass—everything I saw, I understood clearly. Why did I have such a compassionate heart? It was because I was unburdened, attached to nothing. I lived a free and easy life in the mountains, gathering fruit to eat and listening to the language of the wind and the sound of the water."

"At that time, I had no companions. Then, one day, I saw a traveller approaching. He emitted a faint, gentle light, and he stood about eight feet tall—much like me. People in those days were much taller than modern humans; perhaps it was because our bodies were purer. As people have become more polluted over time, they have become shorter. This is something I have observed recently."

The Mysterious Traveller

"The traveller I saw back then had a smile on his face, as if he had known all along that he would meet me. I smiled back, and we communicated heart-to-heart. I understood that he, too, was unburdened and pure, and he understood that I was detached from all things. So, we travelled together, though we walked different paths. I was dedicated to understanding the natural environment, listening to its sounds and interpreting its meaning. I saw that all spirits had their own difficulties and sufferings, but I understood that this was their own karmic retribution. Although we did not use the term 'cause and effect' back then, those who practised the Dao could see the origins of others. To use your modern term, we could see their 'Alaya consciousness' quite clearly. Since the evil karma created in past lives leads to evil consequences in this lifetime, it is only natural, so I did not interfere; I simply observed."

"I had no money, as there was no trade in coins back then, but I could use the natural environment and plants to help others. For example, I could point out herbs that could relieve the pain of bodily swelling. If I encountered animals that were injured or fleeing from hunters, I would use my own strength to help them. Such instances were too numerous to count."

The Power of the Buddha-Name

"The traveller I mentioned—the one I now know as Practitioner Su—did not call himself a Daoist, nor did he have a name. His attainment was slightly higher than mine, and I had to bow to his wisdom. He could not only see the state of a being's Alaya consciousness but could also thoroughly help them resolve their suffering. While I gathered herbs to heal animals, he did more. He understood the nature and medicinal properties of plants, and he would heal both animals and humans, ensuring their wounds were closed before he left. If they passed away, he would find a place to bury them properly so their bodies would not rot. Even in those ancient times, humans had such practices, but his natural ability far surpassed that of the people of this age."

"Later, we parted ways. I cherished my freedom and did not want anyone following me. But, as fate would have it, we met again elsewhere. This was not an ordinary occurrence, because when we met again, I was still the same, but he had become much younger! I considered myself to be ageless, but I certainly had not become younger. The fact that he had changed so much caught my attention; he must have had profound skills to undergo such a transformation. I asked him heart-to-heart why he looked so different, and he simply smiled and pointed to his heart, implying that he had 'put in the work' within his heart. I was curious, so I decided to follow him for a while to see how he treated others and how he conducted himself."

"While travelling with him, I often heard him murmuring. I was curious, so I pointed to my heart, but he kept moving his mouth as if he were speaking. I asked him, 'What is the meaning of this?' He replied with six syllables: 'Namo Amituofo'. I only now know that it was these six characters! At the time, I did not understand what they meant, but I felt that the sound carried immense energy. I began to chant along with him. I thought it was a mantra, and since I saw the positive changes in him, I knew it must be helpful. I followed his lead—he didn't chant aloud, and I didn't dare to either; I just kept opening and closing my mouth. I didn't think about anything else; I just chanted from morning till night, and from night till morning."

"We rested our bodies through deep meditative states. One day, I looked at my reflection in the water and realised I had changed. I looked younger and felt incredibly energetic! I continued to chant, and even while in deep meditation, I would occasionally utter 'Namo Amituofo'. I did not know then that this was the Buddha-name, but it must have had an effect on my heart for my physical form to have undergone such a magnificent change. From that day until I entered my final meditative state, I never stopped chanting 'Namo Amituofo'."

"I did not understand the meaning of the phrase, but I felt physically and mentally refreshed whenever I chanted it. Because I had not made any vows and did not know of the existence of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I simply chanted the Buddha-name until I entered my final meditation. I was more sensitive to the changes in the natural world than most people. Although the title 'Daoist' did not exist then, I was generally respected, and people would come to ask for my advice. If they benefited, they would offer me fruit or vegetables they had grown."

"One day, as the sun rose and set, I felt it was time to leave this world. I entered a deep meditative state and my spirit left my body. Where was I to go? I did not want to return to a physical form; I felt that the suffering in this world was endless, and I often saw tribes fighting for territory just to survive. My only solace was being unburdened and at peace. Everything still depended on one's own body and heart. After my spirit left my body, I thought of that traveller—he was truly special! He was the only one who could appear in my mind at such a time. Naturally, I used the sensitivity of my spirit to find him. He was in a deep meditative state—he truly had great attainment! His spirit could already travel freely to the heavenly realms. I followed him toward the heavens, but he ascended straight through, while I could only remain in the second heaven. That was not bad, at least my soul did not fall into the hells or the ghost realm to suffer. Namo Amituofo."

Qingshan Daoist speaks:

"I spent countless days in the second heaven, and I lost track of where that person had gone. I only knew that he had ascended straight into the heavens. I couldn't help but smile to myself; his attainment was truly profound. Then, one day, as I looked down from the heavenly realms toward the human world, I saw someone. His appearance was different, but I recognised his spirit immediately. He had actually chosen to be reborn into a human body once more, and this time, it was the body of a woman. I was filled with curiosity: why would he choose to manifest as a woman in this lifetime?"

The Daoist Perspective on Gender and Purity

"In the traditional view of us ancient practitioners, the female form was often considered 'unclean.' Because of various temperaments and karmic tendencies, it was believed that the female form could easily cloud the minds of men. A man’s heart, usually firm and resolute, might soften and lose its strength when faced with the presence of a woman. While we know that life requires both, we were always taught that the female form was impure. Why, then, would he choose to be reborn as a woman? This mystery consumed my thoughts."

A Sanctuary Within the Pores

"Shortly after he was born, I entered his body. I settled into the pores of his face. This child’s body was incredibly pure. To my surprise, the space within those pores was vast—an expansive, hidden world. I entered samadhi right there, and I had no intention of ever leaving. For a practitioner who has entered samadhi, this place of purity was truly a sanctuary."

The Awakening and the Buddha-Name

"I never expected that when I finally emerged from my deep meditative concentration, I would be awakened in such a jarring way—shaken awake by the very vibrations I mentioned earlier. It is only now that I have learned that Namo Amituofo is currently residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. This is knowledge I have only just acquired, yet it is something I can put to use immediately. It is a kind of 'instant knowledge'—the sort that you can discard once it has served its purpose. Whether I remember it or not is of little consequence; the truth remains."

"What is truly remarkable is that I have encountered 'Namo Amituofo'! I never imagined that those few days I spent with him four thousand five hundred years ago would lead to this. He taught me, and I learned the name 'Namo Amituofo.' I chanted this Buddha-name faithfully until I entered samadhi and my spirit left my body. That was many, many years ago. Looking back now, across the span of four and a half millennia, I can still see the events of that time with perfect clarity."

The Bodhi Vajra Seed

"In the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I have been able to listen to his teachings. Only then did I realise that this Buddha-name is the Bodhi Vajra Seed. Once it enters the ear, it becomes a seed of the Way forever. It turns out that my affinity with Amitabha Buddha was forged four thousand five hundred years ago, all because I met him. I am so deeply grateful to him!"

The True Nature of the Blackened Face

"Today, this person’s body is experiencing intense vibrations. This is the one whom beings call 'Su Fo'—Practitioner Su. He is suffering, and his face has taken on a dark, blackened appearance. But let me tell you, this blackness is not an evil sign. It is because his heart is so pure. Any manifestation that arises from a heart of such absolute purity is, in essence, pure and luminous. People see a dark face, but to us practitioners, this is not an evil sign at all. Although the darkness has not yet faded, it does not matter. It will eventually return to its original colour, and once the skin has been renewed, it will be even more dignified and radiant than before."

"Because Practitioner Su has such profound attainment, he is able to invite these beings—who manifest as this blackness—to leave, and he sends them to the Western Land of Dharma Nature, just as he did for me. I, too, was invited out by the sounding of the qing while I was within that blackness. I emerged from his body and entered the Western Land of Dharma Nature. Only then did I have the opportunity to be interviewed today."

A Debt of Gratitude to Practitioner Su

"Practitioner Su, you are truly filled with such compassion! Across this vast land of China, for thousands of years, we have endured so much suffering, so much sorrow, and so many painful partings. Countless practitioners and Daoists have been able to leave the space of China because Practitioner Su made the vow to save us. My case is quite unique; I left the space within Practitioner Su’s pores to enter the pure, luminous realm of the Western Land of Dharma Nature. The suffering you endure in your own body saves countless beings. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you!"

"Today, the Daoist Qingshan has spoken too much, so I shall conclude here. I am so grateful to Amitabha Buddha for saving me! I am so grateful to Practitioner Su for saving me! And for saving all the beings who were trapped in the blackness of the skin on his face. I offer my thanks once again."

"Namo Amituofo."

"Qingshan Daoist"