From the Battlefield to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Chu Zongren, a former general and later a prison guard in the hells, who sought deliverance through Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately three thousand years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on January 17, 2021.

Chu Zongren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I, Chu Zongren, prostrate myself in gratitude for the Buddha’s grace and the compassionate heart of Practitioner Su. I am deeply thankful for this magnificent Dharma affinity that has allowed me and sixty other prison guards to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. My gratitude is beyond words; I am truly liberated today.

A Past Life as an Ant

Once, I was an ant living beneath a Buddha altar. Because I heard the single Buddha-name 'Namo Amituofo,' I was granted a new life. I was reincarnated in the human world, into the Chu family, a lineage of warriors, and became Chu Zongren. Why was I an ant in my past life? It was because my mind-capacity was narrow. Even though I was a monk, I did not understand the need for a vast heart. I often occupied the temple's resources for my own use or used the temple's space without consideration. Although I did practise, I was selfish in these subtle ways. I always thought of myself first and never prioritised the benefit of the community. I did not realise this was a sign of a small mind until I became an ant. It was then I understood that my habits were depleting my blessings. Because I did not serve beings but instead prepared everything for myself, I became an ant, constantly needing to carry things and serve the ant king and queen.

I remained a small ant for a long time, unable to escape. One day, out of habit, I returned to the temple to scavenge for food. I crawled beneath the Buddha altar, and the familiar sound of 'Namo Amituofo' awakened me. I suddenly realised I had become an ant. I was panicked and confused, but then I saw a bright light, and I was brought to the human world to be born as Chu Zongren.

A Lonely Childhood and Military Training

My life as Chu Zongren was arduous. To outsiders, it seemed smooth, but only I knew the hardships within. When I was born, I had no parents. My father had gone to war and died on the battlefield. Upon hearing the news, my mother was so overcome with grief that she went into premature labour. Although the birth was successful and I was a healthy boy, my mother suffered from postpartum depression and eventually took her own life. After they passed away, I became an orphan, raised by the family steward. Outsiders did not know what had happened; they only knew the Chu family had been blessed with a son, and many came to offer gifts.

The steward raised me with great care. When I was seventeen, he passed away from illness, and the responsibility of the Chu family fell entirely upon me. From that year on, I had to face every difficulty alone. Having experienced so many changes, my character matured rapidly, and I became silent and reserved. After the steward left, I was truly alone. The grand Chu estate, which looked so enviable to others, was merely a space devoid of family warmth to me.

At eighteen, I received an imperial decree to lead ten thousand elite soldiers into battle. This was my first encounter with war. The steward had often told me that the Chu family had been legendary warriors for generations, and I could not disgrace our name. His training had been severe; if my movements were not perfect, I had to repeat them under the scorching sun until I met his standards, often without even a drop of water. Though he was strict, I knew he did it to prepare me for the great responsibilities I would face. I am grateful for his rigour, which prevented me from becoming lazy. I trained diligently, and even after he passed, I never stopped honing my skills.

The Reality of the Battlefield

I knew this campaign would be perilous, as the enemy was fierce and warlike. Yet, for the safety of the country and its people, as a soldier, it was my duty to protect the nation. I could not retreat. Standing on the battlefield was entirely different from training. The sounds of slaughter, the cries of the wounded, and the thick, suffocating smell of blood—this was the reality of war. This was the legacy of the Chu family and my mission in life. However, after seeing the carnage, I grew to despise war. I only hoped for peace and that both sides would stop suffering. The blood on the battlefield made me realise the true preciousness of life.

Both sides used every strategy to win. It was a brutal fight of strength and intellect. Eventually, my army emerged victorious, but I felt no pride. After the enemy retreated, I led my troops and dozens of eminent monks to the battlefield to perform Chao Du for the fallen. They were all soldiers, all human, just standing on opposite sides. We held Dharma assemblies for days to soothe their spirits. I arranged for skilled physicians to treat the wounded. The casualties were heavy on both sides. Looking back, the images of the soldiers' pain and the despair in the eyes of the dying haunted me. I could not help but ask: 'What is the purpose of war?'

A Shift in Strategy and Philosophy

After that war, I resolved to change. I trained my soldiers in strategy and intellect, selecting those with both courage and wisdom to be leaders. I hoped to win battles through strategy rather than slaughter, to reduce casualties and prevent war altogether. Every soldier is born to parents; they have families waiting for them. As a general, my duty was not only to protect the country but to ensure my soldiers returned home safely.

War should not be craved. This was my realisation after many battles. Nations should live in peace. I hoped my country would never see war again, but human greed is insatiable. Those who start wars never consider the suffering of the people. Although I was a general, I did not support wars of expansion. When I was forty-five, a political coup occurred. The emperor, driven by ambition, planned further conquests. I submitted many petitions to advise against it, but they were intercepted before reaching him. Soon after, I was sent to guard the border. I used strategy and tactics to repel invaders, keeping the border peaceful for years.

A Life of Reflection and Repentance

I stopped caring about the news from the capital until a decree arrived informing me that the throne had changed hands. The former emperor had been killed due to his greed, and the country had been annexed by a neighbour. My heart remained indifferent; I only cared about the stability of the people. The new emperor was benevolent and did not seek war. He sent a decree summoning me back, but my heart was no longer in officialdom. I chose to remain at the border until I grew old. Before I left, I trained a powerful army to protect the people. Because of the Chao Du I performed for the fallen, I believed in the Buddha. In my later years, I spent my time training soldiers and reading sutras. I admired the Buddha's compassion and infinite Wisdom.

Human life is short. If one spends it fighting for fame and status, one pays a heavy price in the end. It is so worthless! I am grateful for the teachings of the Buddha, which brought peace to my heart in my final years. I taught my soldiers that the purpose of an army is not to 'kill' but to 'secure.' We exist to protect the stability of the nation and the home. That is the true mission of a soldier. Because I was a soldier, there were many souls under my blade. I knew I would fall into the hells, and I accepted this as my karmic retribution. I remained calm and stable even when I descended.

Deliverance from the Hells

I suffered from illness in my old age and passed away at eighty-nine. In those days, that was a long life. Even while suffering, I taught my soldiers every day, hoping to pass on the correct spirit of a soldier and stop the cycle of slaughter. After I died, I entered the dark hells and suffered for a long time. Eventually, because my mental note had truly changed, I was brought before the King of Hell, who judged that my sentence was served. He gave me the position of a prison guard, managing other guards and the beings they brought in. I am grateful to the King of Hell and cherish the opportunity to serve beings.

While in the hells, I often went to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to repent and practise. Recently, I heard Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks and saw him saving countless beings, liberating them from the suffering of samsara. I was deeply moved and vowed to follow Practitioner Su in my practice. Every day, I listened to his talks. His explanations of the sutras are direct and heart-piercing; I am filled with Dharma joy every time. I thank Practitioner Su for helping me understand the Buddha’s teachings anew and for showing me the importance of liberation. I hoped that one day, I too could be guided by him to the Western Pure Land.

I am grateful for this magnificent opportunity. My heart is filled with endless emotion. Thank you, Practitioner Su, for your compassion and your vow to save beings. I, Chu Zongren, cherish this Dharma affinity. I vow to follow the Buddha to save the world. In my life, my duty was to protect my country; now, following Namo Amituofo, I hope to have the Buddha's power to save all beings. Like Practitioner Su, I make this vow. On behalf of the sixty prison guards, I prostrate in gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Thank you for everything. Namo Amituofo."

This interview was recorded by the disciple Shi Fa.