From the Imperial Palace to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Empress Xiaogongzhang, born Sun, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. She now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon her life approximately 500 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on March 1, 2026.

Empress Xiaogongzhang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Yes, I am indeed the historically renowned Empress Xiaogongzhang. Many are familiar with the legend of the 'Precious Treasure of the Noble Consort.' Throughout the dynasties, only an Empress was entitled to possess a golden seal, while a Noble Consort was restricted to a golden book. However, the Emperor at that time cherished me so deeply that he made an exception and bestowed the golden seal upon me while I was still a Noble Consort.

Looking back at the scenes of my past from here in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I cannot help but feel that humans truly enjoy complicating their lives. Life in the inner palace was not the idyllic existence many imagine. For those of us living within those walls, the only things we could rely on—beyond the influence of our own families—were the Emperor's favour and affection. In those early days, the Emperor and I were childhood sweethearts. From the moment I entered the palace, he doted on me, even more so than he did on the Empress at the time. Later, I bore the imperial heir, who would become the next Emperor, and I eventually ascended to the position of Empress Dowager, known to future generations as Empress Xiaogongzhang of the Ming Dynasty. After I passed away, I was buried alongside my husband, the Emperor, and became a guardian of the Ming ancestral temple. For centuries, my spirit lingered, circling the royal tombs.

The Weight of the Imperial Crown

For me, in the beginning, I only wished to be a simple woman to my Emperor. But to be the woman of an Emperor is truly no easy task. As I rose to become Empress and eventually Empress Dowager, my status in the palace grew, but with it came a heavier burden of responsibility. I hoped to be the Emperor's pillar of support and to govern the inner palace well. Yet, often, where emotions run deepest, there is a cold, ruthless necessity. The political climate of the palace was volatile, like a storm always brewing on the horizon. In the end, I had no choice but to seize power and become the leader of the inner palace, hoping that by doing so, I could calm the winds and bring a measure of stability and peace to the court.

Truthfully, I never sought power for its own sake, but in the palace, one is never truly the master of one's own fate. Once I became Empress, I dedicated myself to fulfilling my role with all my heart. Later, when my son, the Emperor, was captured, I found myself at the very centre of a power struggle and was forced to implement a series of measures to protect the dynasty. My life was a mixture of achievements and mistakes, but above all, it was defined by the helplessness of a woman trapped within the palace walls.

A Life of Duty and Regret

When Practitioner Su, in his compassion to save the suffering spirits of mainland China, manifested countless spiritual emanations and shone a brilliant golden light across the land, I was still at the royal tombs. I saw the many spirits lingering there suddenly filled with joy. I was astonished—what kind of power was this? Initially, I was reluctant to leave the tombs, but seeing how happy every spirit who entered that golden light became, I decided to follow it. I wanted to see what lay on the other side of that radiance.

Upon arriving at the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I was deeply moved. I had no idea such a pure and beautiful place existed in the universe. To me, the royal tombs had been the most familiar place in existence, yet they were filled with wandering spirits, and I had nowhere else to go. Now, standing here, I finally understand that everything in the world is illusory and should not be clung to. The royal tombs represented my bond with the Emperor, yet after more than five hundred years, I never once saw the Emperor's spirit there; instead, I saw only countless other lost souls.

The Clarity of the Dharma-Nature Land

Here, I observe the daily practice of the fourfold assembly at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Their lives are full, busy, and profoundly meaningful, for this is a place where Namo Amituofo abides, and every action they take is dedicated to saving more sentient beings. I have learned of the Centre's guiding principle: 'free from aging, free from illness, and the spirit does not die.' It is truly remarkable. I never knew that one could live without sickness, without aging, and without the death of the spirit. Seeing the towering, radiant presence of Namo Amituofo across the four hundred acres of the temple grounds, I know in my heart that this is the truth.

I have realised that the life of a Buddhist practitioner is so different from the secular life. They do not think of gold, silver, fame, or power; they think only of how to help other spirits. Practice is not about acquiring things, but about learning to see through and let go. The people here constantly chant 'Namo Amituofo.' I have heard Practitioner Su explain that this Buddha-name can help sentient beings. This is so different from my life in the palace, where everything we spoke of was about emotion, love, fame, profit, power, and status—all to protect ourselves from harm or to secure benefits for our families. Even when we acted to defend the imperial house, it was tainted by selfishness. It was nothing like the people at Hsiang Kuang, who act solely so that more beings may be saved. Seeing this, I feel a deep joy. I never knew there was such a different way to live. Practitioner Su's manifestation has inspired me to learn the Buddha's teachings. To see that a true practitioner can be so free, so joyful, and capable of saving so many spirits—it is truly worth everything.

A Different Way of Living

Now, I spend my days in the Land of Dharma Nature listening to the sutras and learning the compassion of the Buddha. I long to go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I hear that there, there is no distinction between men and women; everyone is equal, everyone is a child of the Buddha, and everyone can become a Buddha. It is a prospect I yearn for. If I could ever return to the mortal world, I hope I could help many sentient beings with karmic affinity to find liberation.

In the Land of Dharma Nature, I have seen spirits who, even after death, remain trapped in the space of the old imperial palace. It is only thanks to Practitioner Su's Chao Du that their space was opened, allowing them to be saved. It is truly a miserable existence. To have spent a lifetime struggling in the palace was exhausting enough; to be trapped in that space even after death—how much suffering that must be! Seeing this, I truly feel how illusory life is. I see now that clinging to these empty things causes such agony to the spirit. If not for the education provided by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, no one would ever understand this. I am so fortunate to have arrived here, and I hope that many more spirits may receive these benefits of the Dharma.

The Suffering of Attachment

The Chinese people are truly blessed to have someone like Practitioner Su silently working to help them. I hope that one day, all of China will come to know of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It is a place of such freshness and purity, and it has the power to save so many.

I am filled with gratitude to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Empress Xiaogongzhang, born Sun"