The General Who Became the Butcher

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Bai Qi, a renowned general of the State of Qin during the Warring States period. He sought Chao Du [Spiritual Deliverance] at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This account reflects upon his life and the heavy karmic burden he carried for over two millennia. Recorded by Practitioner Su on September 7, 2015.

Practitioner Su speaks:

"Alright, let us invite Bai Qi—also known as Gongsun Qi—to speak. It is a heavy burden. You have been listening to the Dharma talks for over ten days now; you must have deep reflections, do you not?"

Bai Qi speaks:

"Indeed, Practitioner Su. Reflections... oh! How could I have been so terrifying?"

The Weight of Two Millennia

"Your reflections are profound, and that is the human way," Practitioner Su continues. "We must understand that it is not just you, Bai Qi. If any of us were to encounter such evil conditions today, we too might commit evil deeds. You speak of your loyalty to the State of Qin and its monarch, but I wonder what your perspective is now. The human world requires us to live in peace. When we invade the lands of others, we commit sins, and we ourselves suffer the consequences. Back then, people called you Gongsun Qi, they gave you titles, they called you the 'Human Butcher'—the god of killing, the god of war. You had so many names."

"Let us talk about your childhood. How did you grow up, and how did you come to serve King Zhaoxiang of Qin? You were one of the four greatest generals of the seven warring states. I have observed that each of you, in your pursuit of power, engaged in mutual attacks, invasions, slaughter, and military coercion. The karma created from this is immense. A human life of a few decades is so short, yet due to ignorance, you dared to commit such evils. You were fierce and killed countless people. In your entire life, you never heard the Dharma. Now, the Buddha is compassionate. You have been trapped in the space between dimensions for thousands of years, suffering in the hells, until Namo Amituofo, in His great compassion, invited you up one by one. General Bai Qi, please begin by telling us about your childhood and your most vivid memories."

A Butcher's Repentance

"Practitioner Su! I must first repent for the sins I have committed in the past! All those I have killed..." Bai Qi breaks down in uncontrollable sobs.

Practitioner Su comforts him: "Look at the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre yesterday. The Buddha is compassionate; He has delivered the generals, soldiers, and civilians of the seven states, as well as countless beings still trapped in the space of war. The deliverance is endless. Namo Amituofo’s great compassion and the merits accumulated by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are being gifted to you and all the suffering beings in the space between dimensions and in the hells. Without this, there would be no way to save you!"

"I am guilty! I repent! My ambition was so great! I repent!" Bai Qi cries out.

The Roots of Ambition

"That great ambition was fueled by competition and struggle, and there was no one to teach you otherwise," Practitioner Su explains. "Today, the Buddha is compassionate. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has visited the twenty-eight heavens, the Four Sacred Realms, and the Ten Kings of Hell. This time, we are visiting the four great generals of the Warring States period and other key figures from over two thousand years ago. All of you have created immense, incalculable karmic debt, and you are now suffering the consequences of those wars. Namo Amituofo is truly compassionate! I hope that now that you have been brought up from the hells, you will truly repent. Tell us your story from childhood to adulthood, and counsel the world to 'do no evil and practice all good.'"

"This is being shared on the internet to save the world. For over two thousand years, no one has interviewed you. We are revealing the raw, naked nature of humanity so that everyone may know the truth. The Buddha’s teachings are the most perfect and supreme education, teaching people to value ethics and morality above all else. Look at the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre; many of them have had past lives where they created terrible karma. Some were pirates, some were corrupt officials—look at how they are all suffering the consequences, having been brought up from the hells. So, tell me, Bai Qi, at what age did you first become aware of the world? Please, speak."

Bai Qi writes: "I was five or six years old."

"Five or six? That is very bright. To be aware of the world at such a young age!" Practitioner Su remarks.

Bai Qi writes: "My father's name was Bai Gong Sheng."

"Your father was Bai Gong Sheng. You see, our spirits remain intact even after two thousand years. This spiritual awareness can reach back into past lives. One must accumulate blessings through the Five Precepts and Ten Good Deeds to be reborn as a human. Without good roots and blessings, the body will create karma the moment evil thoughts arise. Would you not agree?"

"Alas! I grew up in Mei County," Bai Qi laments.

"You said your father was Bai Gong Sheng. Now, the issue is, are you writing this down, or can you speak it? If you write it, it is not clear, and we cannot understand," Practitioner Su asks.

"My father was from the State of Chu. At that time, my father was in the State of Chu," Bai Qi replies.

"Was he an official in the State of Chu?"

"Yes. He was an official, but not a high-ranking one. He cared for the country and the people. There were a few like-minded individuals, and my father wanted to rebel. The rebellion failed, and he took his own life."

"How old was your father when he took his own life? Write it down," Practitioner Su requests.

"Forty-two. That was my father. As for my childhood, at five or six years old—what I just mentioned was what my father did. The reason I ended up in the State of Qin was because my father’s rebellion failed, he took his own life, and I fled to the State of Qin."

"How old were you when you fled to the State of Qin?"

"I was young and strong in my childhood."

"About how old were you then? Look back—what was your age?"

"About twenty-something."

"When you arrived in the State of Qin, what was the first thing you did?"

"Practitioner Su, should we discuss this time, or should we discuss my childhood first?"

"We must discuss your childhood first, starting from when you were a young child."

Bai Qi: "The strategy was leaked, and there was simply no way to resist it."

Practitioner Su: "Very well. We are discussing how you were very intelligent from a young age, and we also saw that your father's uprising was unsuccessful. Now, let us move to when you were around twenty years old."

Bai Qi: "I was approximately twenty."

Practitioner Su: "Around twenty. What were the circumstances when you approached the State of Qin?"

Bai Qi: "Because my father had committed suicide following the failed rebellion while we were in the State of Chu, I naturally could not stay in Chu for even a moment longer."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! When you arrived in Qin in your early twenties, did you start out as a lowly soldier?"

Bai Qi: "Since I had studied both literature and martial arts from childhood, I had an interest in both. I had also been constantly training my body, so I possessed a strong physique. With this robust constitution, I arrived in Qin and spent time travelling around, observing the local customs and visiting the marketplaces."

A Comparison of States

Practitioner Su: "And did you find the customs of Qin to be good?"

Bai Qi: "They were quite good! Much better than those in the State of Chu at the time. Furthermore, because the King of Chu had no heart for his civilians, while the State of Qin treated its people relatively well, life was better there."

Practitioner Su: "It is like this: looking at history, we know that if a state wants to strengthen its military, it will hold competitions—like recruiting soldiers and horses—to see who is the strongest in martial arts. Whoever is the strongest gets to lead the troops. Did you go to compete?"

Bai Qi: "At that time, there were many states, both large and small. What people today call the 'Seven Warring States' were not just seven individuals, but seven different countries. It is a misconception that the 'Seven Heroes' refers to seven people; that is not the case! Rather, there were these seven great states, some of which were successively annexing smaller ones. That is how the situation evolved into what people today call the Seven Warring States, where each held its own territory and borders. As you said, Practitioner Su, war requires soldiers, and the state would post notices."

The Recruitment Process

Practitioner Su: "So they held martial arts competitions and posted notices?"

Bai Qi: "They were seeking men who were physically strong and robust to go to war."

Practitioner Su: "Did they hold competitions to select those with the best martial arts skills?"

Bai Qi: "First, they would post notices. After that, officials would inspect the applicants. You would stand in line, and they would check if your limbs were sound and assess your physique to categorize you."

Practitioner Su: "General Bai Qi, how tall were you at that time? Come, write it down."

Bai Qi: "Around 178 to 180 centimetres."

Practitioner Su: "That is very tall and imposing. You were truly a man of great stature—very handsome indeed!"

Bai Qi: "The officials would select and categorize us based on our physical build. Different builds were assigned different roles—some were for transporting provisions, and so on. Qin had a system for the strong and robust; they would split us into two groups. The official would come by and say, 'You, take this slip and go over there.'"

Practitioner Su: "Where were you assigned?"

Bai Qi: "I was naturally assigned to the front lines—to the battlefield, to kill the enemy."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! So you rose through the ranks very quickly."

Rising Through the Ranks

Bai Qi: "Once there, because they needed to select soldiers, talents, and generals—and since there were already established generals—both soldiers and deputy generals had to earn their positions through merit. I started as a common soldier. When the soldiers were gathered, as you said, they had to select those with superior martial arts skills. Only those with high martial arts proficiency were qualified to lead a small squad. They would give you a certain number of soldiers to command."

Practitioner Su: "So you had to compete in martial arts first?"

Bai Qi: "Every time I competed, I won."

Practitioner Su: "You always won. You were exceptionally clever from a young age; you were bound to win whenever you stepped onto the field."

Bai Qi: "I did not rely on brute force. As soon as I looked at an opponent, I could see their weaknesses. If I saw their stance was unstable, I would attack their lower body. If I saw fear in their eyes, I would strike. As soon as I attacked, they would fall. To me, it was effortless. The examiner on the platform—the one responsible for selecting soldiers and talent—took special note of me. While others fought for a long time, I seemed to see through them at a glance and could defeat them in just a few moves."

Practitioner Su: "You excelled at attacking the heart as the best strategy. That is remarkable! Hahaha, you have wisdom. That is extraordinary!"

Bai Qi: "That is why I was quickly promoted. I was given over two hundred soldiers to lead—two hundred soldiers on my very first assignment."

The Art of Political Manoeuvring

Practitioner Su: "How did King Zhaoxiang of Qin come to notice you?"

Bai Qi: "It happened gradually through various campaigns. When I was a deputy general, I also achieved merit. But I understood that I must never claim the credit for myself, so I always attributed it to my commander. I did not take the glory."

Practitioner Su: "Wow! You are very clever, skilled in the art of strategy!"

Bai Qi: "Because of this, my commander spoke highly of me and praised me constantly, all because I let him take the credit. My heart was very clear; I was aiming for the highest position."

Practitioner Su: "Wow! Great wisdom! No wonder you gave the credit away; you have a very long-term vision!"

Bai Qi: "I gave all the small merits to others."

Practitioner Su: "You are so clever! You truly have great wisdom, which is why you kept climbing and climbing until you became a Great General."

Bai Qi: "Indeed! After several campaigns, back in the palace, everyone was scheming—forming alliances and choosing sides."

Practitioner Su: "Who was the first person you aligned yourself with? Your eyes of wisdom are the sharpest; who did you choose?"

Bai Qi: "I naturally aligned with our King of Qin. The King of Qin was wise! Every victory was due to the King's virtue—what a great blessing! Only then could we have the opportunity to win."

Practitioner Su: "So whenever you returned from a victory, you would praise the King of Qin?"

Bai Qi: "Yes! The King of Qin cared for his people and thought of them first, which is why his blessings were so great! I used this to help the King of Qin reclaim territory."

Practitioner Su: "Oh my! The King of Qin must have been very pleased to hear you say that. The Qin Shi Huang in the Fragrant Light Buddha-land—his complexion really looks like Qin Shi Huang, and he has been ill."

Bai Qi: "I served King Zhaoxiang of Qin, the one before Qin Shi Huang."

Practitioner Su: "Did anyone speak ill of you to King Zhaoxiang?"

Bai Qi: "In the end, he was the one who ordered my death. It was at the Battle of Changping—the most famous battle in history—where I dealt a crushing defeat to the State of Zhao. Practitioner Su, I buried alive 450,000 soldiers of the Zhao army."

The Truth of the Battle of Changping

Practitioner Su: "450,000 soldiers? Not 200,000? It was 450,000?"

Bai Qi: "History also records it as 450,000."

Practitioner Su: "How were you able to bury 450,000 soldiers alive?"

Bai Qi: "I never actually calculated the exact number."

Practitioner Su: "How did you bury 450,000 soldiers alive? How was it done? History needs to be clear about this."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su! It was not what people truly call 'burying alive'."

Practitioner Su: "Then what were the circumstances? 450,000 soldiers! That is not a small number."

Bai Qi: "If one calls it 'burying alive', well, during the Warring States period, in order to strike fear into other enemy states, the methods used were truly unscrupulous."

Practitioner Su: "What unscrupulous methods did you use? 450,000 soldiers—what delaying tactics did you use to defeat Zhao?"

Bai Qi: "Actually, during the battle with Zhao, I used 25,000 troops to cut off their rear, severing their supply lines. Then, 5,000 elite troops struck their centre, splitting them into two."

Practitioner Su: "Did you scatter their forces and starve the Zhao army to death?"

Bai Qi: "No, no. By cutting off their supplies, their forces were split in two. They could not help each other, and their strength was weakened, so I had my own ways to defeat them one by one. At that time, I also had them—oh! I had them surrounded. They went without food for about a month and a half. I let their soldiers start arguing among themselves, and after the arguments, they naturally turned on each other. Then, I spread rumours. The Zhao soldiers—they had actually surrendered in the end."

"In order to annihilate them, I lied. I used deception. The Zhao soldiers were difficult to manage and prone to agitation, so they could not be kept for long. Before this, I had reported to the King. The King replied, and we rewarded the civilians in the lands we captured from Zhao with an extra rank to appease them. Then, I took the young, strong men among them to reinforce our troops and block any reinforcements from coming to Zhao. In effect, I used the young men of Zhao to cut off the Zhao army's own reinforcements."

"At that time, we spread rumours that these Zhao captives were all, even though they were prisoners, of poor character and prone to killing, fighting, and arguing, so they had to be destroyed, otherwise the consequences would be unthinkable. Therefore, these were all people whose lives were forfeit. But before taking this action, I sent about 250 of the young soldiers back to Zhao to make the situation clear. So, for those who remained, some were buried alive, and some were killed and thrown into the river. That is how it was. But it was all instigated by me."

The Karmic Retribution

Practitioner Su: "You committed such a grave sin. You were ignorant and did not know about the laws of karma and cause and effect! In the end, it all manifested in your own body. I heard my Master giving Dharma talks, saying that Bai Qi, for burying 200,000 soldiers alive, became a plankton-like creature. Have you been one?"

Bai Qi: "Born in the morning and dead by evening—yes, I have been a plankton-like creature."

Practitioner Su: "And how many hells have you descended into?"

Bai Qi: "Initially, it was the heart-gouging hell, followed by the blood-pool hell."

Practitioner Su: "This blood-pool hell is for those who engaged in slaughter and killing, using unscrupulous means."

Bai Qi: "There was also the dismemberment hell."

Practitioner Su: "The dismemberment hell—where there is war, there is dismemberment. Raising armies to fight, killing until you die or I die!"

Bai Qi: "There was also the brain-gouging hell."

Practitioner Su: "The brain-gouging hell, for those who constantly thought evil thoughts and had a cruel, unkind heart! At what age did you fall ill?"

Bai Qi: "I do not even remember the exact age. What I mean by that is, the King of Qin was influenced by his close minister, Fan Ju, at the time. I had fallen ill and was unable to lead the army, and Fan Ju was the Chancellor then."

Practitioner Su: "So, he was busy whispering slanders about you to the King of Qin, wasn't he?"

Bai Qi: "Chancellor Fan Ju told the King that the great achievements of the Qin State were all due to his own efforts, while he mocked me by saying, 'Without Bai Qi, the Qin State would still have achieved its current greatness.' He spoke this way before the King. At that time, I was unable to engage the Zhao State in battle again. I felt that the Zhao State was already extremely invigorated. After the Battle of Changping, they had rebuilt their country from within and without, allowing it to recover slowly. I understood this, but they did not. So I said, 'Let the soldiers rest for a while longer!' The King of Qin listened to Fan Ju's words instead of mine. I was ill at the time and could not explain myself further."

The Weight of a Name

Practitioner Su: "At what age did you fall ill? How old were you then? Write it down."

Bai Qi: "Forty-five."

Practitioner Su: "You fell ill at quite a young age. Let me ask you, did you ever take a wife and have children?"

Bai Qi: "I never speak of such matters."

Practitioner Su: "Right, but did you or didn't you? Write it down, because our interview records must be complete from beginning to end."

Bai Qi: (Writes down: I had women.)

Practitioner Su: "So, you never married, is that it? No wife? What about children?"

Bai Qi: (Writes down: Illegitimate children.)

Practitioner Su: "How many illegitimate children? How many?"

Bai Qi: "I acknowledged them later on."

Practitioner Su: "How many children did you have in total?"

Bai Qi: "One son and one daughter."

Practitioner Su: "Acknowledging them means you brought the women home, then. Were you so competitive that you spent your whole life on the battlefield?"

Bai Qi: "At that time, I had only one thought."

Practitioner Su: "One thought?"

Bai Qi: (Writes down: Victory.)

Practitioner Su: "That is the heart of competitiveness!"

Bai Qi: "It was the ambition of my heart; outwardly, I showed loyalty, but inwardly, that was my drive."

The Nature of Loyalty

Practitioner Su: "Regarding your loyalty to King Zhaoxiang of Qin, was it true loyalty or false?"

Bai Qi: "Looking back from today, to speak in detail, it was a matter of each taking what they needed."

Practitioner Su: "Exactly! To be honest, looking at your biography, you were known as the 'God of Slaughter' and the 'God of War.' Your specialty was your mastery of strategy and the human heart. To be frank, you spent over two thousand years in the hells without being released. You were even a plankton. Did you become an animal after dying in the hells, or did you go through the animal realm before the hells?"

Bai Qi: "I came up from the hells."

Practitioner Su: "And what kind of animal did you become after coming out of the hells?"

Bai Qi: "When I took my own life, I had already wondered: Why did I end up in this state? I committed suicide because the King of Qin bestowed a sword upon me. In those days, being gifted a sword meant the general was expected to end his own life."

Practitioner Su: "So, you conquered the world for him, and in the end, he ordered you to commit suicide?"

Bai Qi: "At that moment, I thought: Why have I come to this end? It was because I buried four hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of the Zhao State alive."

Practitioner Su: "The ghosts of the Zhao State waited for your energy to wane, then entered your body. That is why, when a person's energy is low, they can no longer be the master of their own actions."

Bai Qi: "It is because of that that I met this fate. It was through this self-reflection that I truly became willing to end my life. Knowing that I had buried so many soldiers during the Battle of Changping, I felt repentance and was finally willing to... alas!"

Practitioner Su: "After you fell ill, you knew you were wrong. You had self-awareness and repented, which means you still had a conscience. There is hope for you!"

Bai Qi: "Only then did I realize that this was what I had created. I caused four hundred and fifty thousand people to be buried alive. I can understand why the King of Qin ordered me to end my life."

The Shadow of the Father

Practitioner Su: "This competitive heart is truly terrifying! Did you have this competitive spirit since you were a child?"

Bai Qi: "When my father took his own life, I was there!"

Practitioner Su: "Were you afraid? Did your father say anything to you when he took his own life? Did he leave you any words?"

Bai Qi: "Although my father took his own life, he died with his eyes wide open, full of resentment!"

Practitioner Su: "So your father committed suicide, and his eyes were open?"

Bai Qi: "Yes! When he fell to the ground, he fell right at my feet."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. Your father left you with a very dark shadow in your Dharma practice!"

Bai Qi: "It was as if he were saying to me, 'My son! My son! You must win back some dignity for your father!'"

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. Alas! He entered your Alaya consciousness."

Bai Qi: "He did not say it out loud, but I always felt that was what he meant. It was as if he wanted me to complete what he had left unfinished!"

Practitioner Su: "But your 'completion' turned you into a God of Slaughter and a God of War. That is fame and fortune built upon the lives of others!"

Bai Qi: "It is true! And the people of this world are truly inverted. Even after I died, some people built temples for me and called me 'Lord King'."

Practitioner Su: "People built temples for you? In mainland China?"

Bai Qi: (Nods.)

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. Is that effective? Is a 'Lord King' really a Lord King? Isn't a 'Lord King' supposed to be suffering retribution in the hells?"

Bai Qi: "Indeed! That is the inversion. They do not know that at the time, the heads of the people I slaughtered in the Zhao State were piled as high as mountains!"

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. Today, through this interview, the truth is revealed. People have this competitive heart, and there is no one to teach them otherwise. Xiuli, do you have any questions?"

The Seven States of the Warring Period

Xiuli: "General Bai Qi, you mentioned the King of Qin when you arrived in the Qin State. Was he the same King who was on the throne when you passed away?"

Bai Qi: "The one who ordered my death was King Zhaoxiang of Qin."

Xiuli: "So it was King Zhaoxiang. Was he the same one you served when you first defected to the Qin State?"

Bai Qi: "He is the one who left the deepest impression on me."

Xiuli: "I see. So it was not Qin Shi Huang; it was not Qin Shi Huang at that time."

Practitioner Su: "You did not serve Qin Shi Huang. Did Qin Shi Huang come before or after you?"

Bai Qi: "After. But because of Practitioner Su, if it were not for Qin Shi Huang—Huang Ronghua—coming to this Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, we would not have been able to truly manifest. Therefore, all matters related to the Qin Dynasty seek this Chao Du."

Practitioner Su: "My Buddha has great compassion and pity for all beings. By coming to the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, all can escape the cycle of reincarnation and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land."

Bai Qi: "So, Practitioner Su, I must clarify from the beginning: the 'Seven Heroes of the Warring States' does not refer to seven individuals, but to the seven states. Therefore, each one does not represent a single person, but the seven states of that era."

Practitioner Su: "So this Huang Ronghua, Qin Shi Huang, is the Qin Shi Huang of that era, and he is part of these seven states? Is that it?"

Bai Qi: "But later, I can explain..."

Practitioner Su: "If you have questions, ask quickly. What else is there?"

Xiuli: "So the 'Seven Heroes' refers to the seven states, not seven people."

Bai Qi: "It does not refer to seven people. This way, we will not miss anyone—every king, everyone who can come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to seek Chao Du."

Practitioner Su: "My Buddha has great compassion. Now, the question is, you are not with Qin Shi Huang; who are you with? Write it down."

Bai Qi: "King Zhaoxiang of Qin. But since I cannot find him now, I have no choice but to look for King Zhaoxiang."

Practitioner Su: "But following this person also harmed you. Why did King Zhaoxiang want to harm you?"

Xiuli: "General Bai Qi, why did King Zhaoxiang order your death?"

Bai Qi: "He listened to the slander of Fan Ju, as I just mentioned."

Xiuli: "So King Zhaoxiang listened to Fan Ju, and thus bestowed the sword. General Bai Qi believes that he met this fate because he buried four hundred and fifty thousand Zhao soldiers alive."

Bai Qi: "That is correct! Before the battle and when I was about to commit suicide, I reflected and repented!"

The Burden of a Million Lives

Practitioner Su: "General Bai Qi, when you were about to kill those four hundred and fifty thousand soldiers, did you not even blink? How could you be so ruthless?"

Bai Qi: "At that time, there was the practice of beheading to warn other states. That is why we took heads to announce our victory to other nations. So, it is true, as people say today, that Bai Qi had no humanity."

Practitioner Su: "To be born into this world and still be suffering retribution after two thousand years—that is truly terrifying!"

Bai Qi: "I must also express my gratitude. I am grateful to Venerable Master Chin Kung, who often spoke of me during his Dharma talks."

Practitioner Su: "He often said Bai Qi buried two hundred thousand alive. Now, four hundred and fifty thousand is the truth, isn't it?"

Bai Qi: "It was four hundred and fifty thousand. Actually, Practitioner Su, if you knew the total number I killed—those I led and those I slaughtered—it was nearly a million."

Practitioner Su: "Nearly a million enemy troops! Bai Qi! If you do not repent today and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land, you will never be able to pay back this debt throughout your many lives!"

Bai Qi: "This is only an estimate. I repent! I truly cannot pay it back. The pain is beyond words (crying), I repent!"

Practitioner Su: "I heard from your biography that you were a general for the Qin State for over thirty years, conquered seventy cities, and annihilated nearly a million enemy troops. Is that correct?"

Bai Qi: "Annihilated."

Practitioner Su: "They say you were titled 'Lord An'. You traded this title for a million lives!"

Bai Qi: "These titles... alas! I was ignorant! I repent (crying)!"

Practitioner Su: "When you committed suicide, were you filled with attachments and worries, or did you go straight to the hells?"

Bai Qi: "I went straight to the hells."

Practitioner Su: "When you were committing suicide, your heart must have been filled with sorrow and bitterness. Did you not see your children or your wife?"

Bai Qi: "I did not let them see me, because my father's suicide left me with such deep trauma."

Practitioner Su: "You did the right thing there; you saved your next generation."

Bai Qi: "That is why I did not let my children see it."

Practitioner Su: "You didn't leave a bad impression on your children. Are your children doing well now? After two thousand years, where are they?"

Bai Qi: "They have reincarnated as humans."

Practitioner Su: "Both of them?"

Bai Qi: (Nods.) "In the human world."

Practitioner Su: "And your wife?"

Bai Qi: "A peacock."

Practitioner Su: "Does she love being beautiful?"

Bai Qi: (Nods.) "My wife was very concerned with her image."

Practitioner Su: "Concerned with her image, no wonder she became a peacock. What is her name? Write it down. My Buddha has great compassion and can save her. Even if she is in the animal realm, she can be saved."

Bai Qi: (Writes down: Bai Shi Tang Juan.)

Practitioner Su: "You have been listening to the sutras here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for over ten days, haven't you?"

Bai Qi: "It has not been ten days yet."

Practitioner Su: "Now that you have listened to the sutras and understand the Buddha’s teachings, what are your thoughts?"

Bai Qi: "If we had had such wonderful sutras as the ones Practitioner Su speaks of, or the classics that Practitioner Su is explaining now, during the Warring States period, and if we had been able to read them, there would not have been so many wars."

Namo Amituofo.

Practitioner Su: "Indeed! Now, have you seen our Thrice Yearning Ceremony, where the Buddha’s compassion is performing Chao Du? We hold it every week—have you seen it? You have witnessed the Chao Du for the seven heroes of the Warring States period, covering the entire map of China. What are your thoughts on this?"

Bai Qi: "Without the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, without the Buddha’s compassion, without Practitioner Su, and without Namo Amituofo, we would never be able to escape this sea of suffering."

Practitioner Su: "Without the six-character name of Namo Amituofo transcending space and time, you would be unable to leave all these sufferings behind. Let us be grateful for the Buddha’s great compassion!"

Bai Qi: "Venerable Master Chin Kung only knew us as plankton, but the Master could not help us."

Practitioner Su: "According to what you are saying now, is it that all these plankton are the result of killing karma?"

Bai Qi: "From what I see of myself, that is the case."

Practitioner Su: "And how long have you been a plankton?"

Bai Qi: "Born in the morning and dead by the evening."

Practitioner Su: "How long have you been living this 'born in the morning, dead in the evening' life? For how many lifetimes?"

Bai Qi: "My soul..."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! So your soul has been trapped in this cycle of morning birth and evening death! Look at how such an intelligent person—someone who could be described as having such a brilliant spirit—ended up in such a state because of indulgence and lack of restraint."

Bai Qi: "Actually, all those I buried alive are..."

Practitioner Su: "They are all within your body and on your face. Come, let us write this down for him. For these 450,000, let us write down a representative."

Bai Qi: "(Writes down: 450,000. Representative: Gongsun Zhan)"

Practitioner Su: "450,000. Come, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. May you be reborn in the Pure Land, shed your old skin, and ascend the lotus seat. Representative: Gongsun Zhan. For this army of 450,000, write down 'throughout immeasurable eons.' They have been trapped in this space for over two thousand years."

Bai Qi: "There is another person to record. The 450,000-strong army of the Zhao State that was buried alive. The general representing them: Gan Zhengdan."

Practitioner Su: "Also 450,000, two representatives. Very well. Now that you have emerged from the hells and listened to the teachings, you should share your reflections with the public. It has been over two thousand years, come."

The Path to True Compassion

Bai Qi: "Over these past few days of listening to the teachings and the guidance provided by Practitioner Su, I have realised that one should not be too attached to one's own personality. In all things, one must have a heart of benevolence and put others first. What Practitioner Su says is that we must think for the sake of all beings and consider others. Furthermore, one must have compassion. True compassion prevents the creation of future negative karma. Therefore, the cause is very important. If the initial intention is selfish and one only thinks of one's own interests, the karma created will be negative and easily harm others. If one can understand that others and oneself are one—that all things in the universe are part of a single entity, that they are with me and I am with them—then one can treat others with respect and compassion. There would not be so much fighting and grabbing, nor would there be these ambitious military strategists or power struggles that cause such grave sins. Most importantly, one must regulate the heart. At the beginning of life, human nature is inherently Good."

Practitioner Su: "Indeed! 'At the beginning of life, human nature is inherently Good.' To be honest, Venerable Master Chin Kung often says that a person is like a blank sheet of paper. Today, it is all about the intention taking the lead! You can do very well, or you can do very badly; it all depends on that split second of thought! This is why, when we interview the Yama Kings of the Ten Hells, we see that the hells manifest precisely because of this. As I said, the famous historical figures we know are still trapped in that space, but now the Buddha’s compassion has opened that space up. Like the sandstorm we discussed this morning—you heard it too—they are all in that space, trapped in an instant, controlled by their own attachments. So, I tell all the spirits now: you can all be saved. If you attach yourself to someone and control them, you are only preventing yourself from achieving liberation. If you come out, everyone can resolve these conflicts. Karmic retribution cannot solve anything. The Buddha is compassionate; if you truly repent and chant 'Namo Amituofo' once, you will be saved. Rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is the only ultimate solution!"

A Debt of Blood and Tears

Bai Qi: "Indeed! Practitioner Su, the number of people killed by Bai Qi of the Wei State is 254,240 (Writes down representative: Zhao Shangyi)."

Practitioner Su: "Very well. The 254,240 people killed by General Bai Qi of the Wei State, representative: Zhao Shangyi. May the Buddha’s compassion allow them to first ascend the lotus seat in that space to listen to the teachings. On Sunday, at the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, the Buddha’s compassion will come to perform Chao Du and counsel all spirits. Do not come back to be human! When you chant 'Namo Amituofo' at the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, you must see the golden light before you can follow Him. If you see white light, that is the human realm; do not go there, or you will be reborn as a human and fall back into the cycle of rebirth, suffering beyond words! You must see the golden light—that is the Buddha coming to lead you. Now, General Bai Qi, you have also suffered immensely from killing enemies. People say you were so valiant, not knowing you were creating immeasurable and boundless karma! One should not come to be human! Without the education of the Buddha’s teachings, humans mostly create more karma. After studying the Buddha’s teachings, I have explored this life and it has left a deep impression on me: the parents you are born to are very important, and the education you receive is also very important. A human has only one spirit, and the karma created by our body can drag this spirit into the cycle of rebirth for immeasurable eons, suffering for immeasurable eons. General Bai Qi, is this not what your spirit is suffering now? Even though the body is gone, your spirit’s awareness is still there. Why do we interview General Bai Qi? Because although we live in a civilised world, there is still much fighting and competition. The human world is easily polluted and difficult to navigate. One must learn the Buddha’s teachings and follow them, not letting oneself be swayed by emotions and human conflicts, which leads to an endless cycle of rebirth. Only by understanding why we came into this world and receiving the Buddha’s education can we know that life is short, cherish the preciousness of this human body, and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to break through the cycle of ten thousand eons of rebirth."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, there are still many fighting in that space!"

Practitioner Su: "The Buddha’s compassion can perform Chao Du for the battlefield. Come, write down a representative, and they can be saved."

Bai Qi: "There are still many who have not reported to me."

Practitioner Su: "The Buddha’s compassion, very well. Namo Amituofo. Come, let Bai Qi report."

Bai Qi: "The generals and soldiers of the Qi State, numbering about 280,000 (Writes down representative: Duan Cheng-guo)."

Practitioner Su: "Very well. The generals and soldiers of the Qi State, numbering about 280,000, representative: Duan Cheng-guo. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Please ascend the lotus seat and listen to the teachings first."

Practitioner Xiuli: "General Bai Qi, you mentioned earlier that you first went to hell to suffer retribution and then became plankton. When Practitioner Su asked how many lifetimes, you said you were 'confused,' so you do not know how many lifetimes it has been?"

Bai Qi: "I no longer know how many lifetimes; I only know..."

Practitioner Su: "We must ask. Let us clear his head. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. General Bai Qi, let the Buddha’s water irrigate and clear your head once more. This timing must be accurate; may the Buddha’s compassion manifest."

Bai Qi: "I committed suicide. At the moment of death, I went straight to hell."

Practitioner Su: "You died quite young, in your forties."

Bai Qi: "At that time, I was about... I went to hell, to the heart-gouging hell."

Practitioner Xiuli: "Yes. You mentioned the heart-gouging hell, the blood pool hell, the amputation hell, and the brain-gouging hell—four hells in total."

Bai Qi: "Is there an order to them?"

Practitioner Su: "It does not matter, no need for an order."

Bai Qi: "The order does not matter."

Practitioner Su: "But if you want to order them, you can?"

Bai Qi: "The heart-gouging hell was the first, because when I committed suicide, it was there (pointing to his neck)."

Practitioner Su: "He committed suicide by slitting his throat."

Bai Qi: "At that time, blood flowed like a river. I kept killing; taking heads was the fastest way. The heart-gouging hell was the first hell. When the Yama King saw what I had done, he just shook his head. Even the Yama King shook his head at what I had done."

Practitioner Su: "All because of your competitive personality."

Bai Qi: "After I went through the heart-gouging hell, I was sent to the brain-gouging hell."

Practitioner Su: "The brain-gouging hell is because he was skilled at attacking the mind. He could read people’s eyes; his sensitivity was sharp, very formidable. If you had truly practised the Buddha’s teachings, you would have achieved great success and attained a high level of attainment. Hahaha! The bad Causal Conditions of falling into hell lie right there."

Bai Qi: "After the brain-gouging hell, it was the amputation hell, and finally the blood pool hell. It was only after I saw the blood pool hell that I suddenly had an 'Aha!' moment."

Practitioner Su: "How so? How did you have an 'Aha!' moment in the blood pool hell?"

Bai Qi: "Because on the battlefield, I had killed enemies, and I ordered my generals to kill them and throw them into the river. At that time, by the river, all I saw was blood. Even in the shallows by the river, the water was blood. That moment made me suddenly wake up. I finally realised how much karma I had created! At that time, I also felt a heart of repentance (crying loudly)."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! That is how you came up. You had to repent in the blood pool hell to be able to come up."

Bai Qi: "When I came up from the blood pool hell, I do not know why, but I became a plankton."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! So you still had to suffer retribution."

Bai Qi: "I repented. At the time, the prison guards were surprised—how could I do that? When the guards brought me to the blood pool, I was already covered in tears. I was sobbing uncontrollably, knowing only that my hands were covered in blood."

Practitioner Su: "Indeed! In just a few decades, you created such grave sins!"

Bai Qi: "Only then did I realise that this blood pool was a manifestation of the people I had killed. The blood pool was the suffering I received for those I had killed. What was I to do? How could I..."

Practitioner Su: "Why were people in the past so obsessed with land? They were always at war just to seize territory."

Bai Qi: "No one knew that the karma I, Bai Qi, created was so immense. That is why I was sobbing uncontrollably at the time; my tears and blood were fused together!"

Practitioner Su: "You must truly repent! It was also because your Causal Conditions at birth were not good; there was no one to teach you!"

Bai Qi: "I do not know why I became a plankton at that time. When my tears and blood fused, and I woke up again, I did not know why I had been so cruel! On the battlefield, I did not feel I was wrong at the time, you know..."

Practitioner Su: "Was there a demon that entered you? Your strong personality, your competitive heart—did a demon enter? You can look back at your past lives now; otherwise, how could you have been so cruel!"

Namo Amituofo.

General Bai Qi: "I am not tired, not tired at all! No matter how I fought back then, I never felt tired. I only became more courageous with every battle; fatigue simply did not exist for me. Whenever I set out on a campaign, I had a specific method for my generals and soldiers: I would burn our ships. By burning our own vessels and cutting off our retreat, I ensured that we could only win—there was no possibility of defeat. I told my soldiers that we had to capture the State of Chu and annihilate it; there was no other option. Our food and supplies were in Chu. If we could conquer, we would seize their provisions and survive; if we could not, we would all perish together. Their people, however, were fighting on their own soil and still had thoughts of their families; they had a way to retreat, unlike my soldiers who could only charge forward. That is why they were defeated step by step."

Practitioner Su: "Your strategy was truly formidable. If only you had used such brilliance for Goodness, it would have been extraordinary. Alas! What a pity."

General Bai Qi: "That is simply because I was always adept at attacking the heart."

Practitioner Su: "Your ambition was far too great!"

General Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, every time I discuss my strategies with you and observe the scenes of the past and the state of mind of my soldiers, my emotions feel much more settled."

Practitioner Su: "Indeed! By speaking it out and acknowledging the need for repenting, you can finally face it. Today, it is also through the compassion of the Buddha that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has invited you to speak."

General Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, what I mean by 'settled' is that I still secretly believe I am very clever; it seems that when it comes to strategy, no one can surpass me."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. You think yourself clever, yet you do not realise that the karma you created follows you like a shadow!"

General Bai Qi: "That is true. But when I saw the pool of blood, I truly repented. No matter how sad I am, no matter how much I regret, no matter how much I weep, it is never enough! The karma I created is endless, and my tears cannot wash it away!"

Practitioner Su: "If we calculate it, in just a few decades you created immeasurable and boundless sins and planted the roots of evil. Did you die at forty?"

General Bai Qi: "I fell ill at forty-five, but I did not die at forty-five."

Practitioner Su: "According to what you say, you started getting sick at forty-five. What kind of illness was it?"

General Bai Qi: "I had two bouts of illness in total. After the first one at forty-five, I spent a few years recuperating, and then at forty-eight, I fell ill again."

Practitioner Su: "Looking back, were those sentient beings coming to find you? There is a lot of spiritual attachment happening now!"

General Bai Qi: "That is why I died at approximately forty-nine."

Practitioner Su: "So you died by suicide at forty-nine, not forty-five."

General Bai Qi: "I was found again at forty-eight, but looking at it now, this suicide was actually driven by these spirits. Although I reflected on my actions, it was these spirits interfering with me."

Practitioner Su: "Regarding that illness at forty-five, which spirits were pulling you, and was there a specific thought that allowed them to enter? You must identify how these beings entered your body. Which part of your body were the spirits who hated you the most targeting? Tell me."

General Bai Qi: (Writes down: Zhao Army) "The vengeful spirits of the Zhao Army, whom I slaughtered, entered my internal organs."

Practitioner Su: "You are actually quite fortunate; you only suffered illness, and the 'flower retribution' did not fully manifest before you died by suicide. You buried so many people, yet you did not become a patient with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Nowadays, those suffering from ALS may be people who buried many others and created such massive karma."

General Bai Qi: "Is that what Practitioner Su calls ALS?"

Practitioner Su: "Yes, exactly! Those with ALS often have heavy killing karma, just like you."

General Bai Qi: "They were all great generals in their past lives."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! There are many of them in Taiwan now."

General Bai Qi: "If not great generals, they were once strategists."

Practitioner Su: "One must not misuse the mind; they were all strategists. It is like this: you said you fell ill at forty-five. Which part of you were the Zhao soldiers pulling? The liver? Just like Qin Shi Huang, who is here now; there are spirits pulling at his kidneys, wanting him to undergo dialysis."

General Bai Qi: "Many of the Zhao soldiers are now in my spine and lower back."

Practitioner Su: "Cai Xiuli's back surgery was also caused by past wars."

General Bai Qi: "The current Qin Shi Huang also suffers in his lower back, eyes, kidneys, head, and ears—he is hard of hearing. His face and his entire body are affected."

Practitioner Su: "Now, through the compassion of the Buddha, Huang Ronghua is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies are constantly delivering his karmic creditors from immeasurable past lives. He has repented, and he weeps during every Thrice Yearning Ceremony."

General Bai Qi: "Qin Shi Huang also unified the world; that was indeed a unification. But without us who came before, he could not have unified the world. Therefore, this is the nature of suffering. His body carries karma from birth to receive retribution; when the Causal Conditions are ripe, bearing these spirits is only natural."

Practitioner Su: "Qin Shi Huang only reigned for seventeen years, yet the karma he created was immense. The civilians suffered endlessly; he built the Great Wall and planted the roots of evil. The laws of karma and cause and effect naturally follow like a shadow."

General Bai Qi: "But what he accomplished was also earth-shattering."

Practitioner Su: "He was ruthless! Even more ruthless than you! How could he possibly be reborn as a human?"

General Bai Qi: "I will not offer criticism."

Practitioner Su: "This is not about criticism; how could he be a human? Hahaha! General Bai Qi, a single thought of Goodness can allow one to appear in the world as a human, but he carries karma, which is why his body is unwell."

General Bai Qi: "In truth, as it stands today, one cannot judge his merits and faults. Just like why his current work is never-ending; it is related to the Great Wall."

Practitioner Su: "Hahaha! The sentient beings keep wanting him to do it, and he must have blessings, for he is making money! Hahaha!"

General Bai Qi: "So if he does not let go, it will be just like the Great Wall—it will exist in space forever, never finished. He still has many sentient beings waiting for him in that space."

Practitioner Su: "I heard his wife underwent surgery for rectal cancer and was very ill. Do they share Collective Karma? Who was his wife to him in the past?"

General Bai Qi: "A eunuch, someone by his side who was very good at giving him ideas."

Practitioner Su: "How could she be his wife?"

General Bai Qi: "No matter how badly she treated him, she would still think for him."

Practitioner Su: "It is a reliance within the Alaya consciousness; they were used to it, it became a habit."

General Bai Qi: "Indeed! It is truly the Alaya consciousness in control. Because of this, he is also very afraid of his wife getting angry."

Practitioner Su: "But now, his wife's 'flower retribution' has manifested, and that illness is also terminal."

General Bai Qi: "That is true! His wife likes to control. In the past, she was always by his ear, trying to influence Qin Shi Huang. She understood his preferences, his ups and downs, and how to respond to situations. She knew exactly how to get along with the Qin King."

Practitioner Su: "Logically speaking, if Qin Shi Huang went to the hells, she should have gone too, as it was all part of her plans."

General Bai Qi: "In truth, the Causal Conditions are very complex. As for going to the hells, almost everyone has been there."

Practitioner Su: "That is true! We have all been to the hells."

General Bai Qi: "It is just that the conditions differ. When one arises, what one's reincarnations are, and where one is reborn—all depend on the different karmic causes one has created, manifesting differently. It is only because the Causal Conditions are ripe in this life, ripe at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, that this can be revealed."

Practitioner Su: "He must have accumulated virtue in past lives. How did he manage to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre? He must have accumulated deep virtue!"

General Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, if he had not accumulated tremendous blessings, how could he have unified the world! Although he only reigned for seventeen years, he possessed the blessings he had cultivated previously."

Practitioner Su: "He must have been a monastic, a very accomplished high master; otherwise, he could not have come to the Hsiang Kuang Buddha-land."

General Bai Qi: "Indeed! He accumulated tremendous blessings. Practitioner Su, he was a high master superior to others."

Practitioner Su: "Yes, this high master—which temple was he from to have cultivated so well? He was able to become Qin Shi Huang; he must have accumulated great merit. One cannot deceive others. Just like Cai Xiuli, they were both high masters with cultivation and virtue in the past."

General Bai Qi: "It has not been revealed to me yet."

Practitioner Su: "Come, very well. May the Buddha's compassion reveal it. The name of the monastic must be revealed. May the Buddha's compassion return to the past of Qin Shi Huang, who had such great blessings. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, reveal it. May the Buddha's compassion reveal it. It has appeared. Buddha-water irrigates the head."

General Bai Qi: "Here, his Terracotta Warriors are appearing first. How could it be the Terracotta Warriors!"

Practitioner Su: "Write down 'Terracotta Warriors'. Take refuge in the Buddha, do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma, do not fall into the hungry ghost realm; take refuge in the Sangha, do not fall into the animal realm. Write 'like the sands of the Ganges' for the Terracotta Warriors, and write 'immeasurable past lives' on the memorial tablet."

General Bai Qi: "Can I write 'like the sands of the Ganges'? Is that allowed?"

Practitioner Su: "Yes. May the Buddha's compassion grant you the merit of the Earth as vast as the sands of the Ganges. Amitabha Buddha's forty-eight vows save all, from the Equal Enlightenment Bodhisattvas down to the beings in the hells."

General Bai Qi: "In truth, the Terracotta Warriors are not as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, but now it appears so. Practitioner Su, why are they multiplying?"

Practitioner Su: "They are multiplying because of thoughts; the more one thinks, the more they grow. Stop the Terracotta Warriors. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, stop. Like the sands of the Ganges, write one sheet for the Terracotta Warriors. What does it represent?"

General Bai Qi: (Writes down: Guo Qihong)

Practitioner Su: "Like the sands of the Ganges, write one sheet, Terracotta Warriors. Now we invite General Bai Qi..."

General Bai Qi: "This is to write about the Terracotta Warriors from the time of Qin Shi Huang, which are the sentient beings of this person (pointing to Huang Ronghua)."

Practitioner Su: "Good, they can come out now. Which monastic was he? Please write it down."

General Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, he has not revealed his monastic identity, but what is revealed is that he has an affinity with Practitioner Su. May I speak directly?"

Practitioner Su: "Yes, please speak."

General Bai Qi: "What is revealed is that in the past, when Practitioner Su was giving Dharma talks, he was in the front row. When Practitioner Su was lecturing, he was in the front row listening to the Dharma."

Practitioner Su: "Wow! He was a great elder; no wonder he had the affinity to enter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre."

General Bai Qi: "Indeed! But the first thing revealed about his monastic identity is his relationship with Practitioner Su—he was a disciple when Practitioner Su was giving Dharma talks. Furthermore, he was a monastic."

Practitioner Su: "Come, Namo Amituofo. Take refuge in the Buddha, do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma, do not fall into the hungry ghost realm; take refuge in the Sangha, do not fall into the animal realm. Buddha-water purifies. May the Buddha's compassion return to the past and bring him back. It has purified General Bai Qi's brain. Good, come, he was a monastic after rebirth."

General Bai Qi: Practitioner Su, it is true that after he did not achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land while a lay practitioner, he went to reincarnate once more.

Practitioner Su: What was his name while under the guidance of Practitioner Su, and how did he later pass away and become a monastic?

General Bai Qi: Before he was with you, Practitioner Su, he was under the guidance of another Practitioner Su, and his name was Han Danzhi.

Practitioner Su: So, he was previously under the guidance of that Practitioner Su, and his name was Han Danzhi. After he was reborn, did he become a monastic? Because he must have practised very well under that Practitioner Su to be able to sit in the front row.

General Bai Qi: Yes. What you say is absolutely correct, Practitioner Su. Many of those in the second row are now in the Hsiang Kuang Buddha-land.

Practitioner Su: This is what we call the gathering of Causal Conditions. They have all come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, seeking to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Quiet and Diligent Student

General Bai Qi: However, this person, Han Danzhi, was exceptionally obedient and truly studied the Dharma. But he was always alone and rarely engaged in conversation with others.

Practitioner Su: For a practitioner, the fewer words spoken, the better.

General Bai Qi: He was always working. Looking back at his past lives, he was always working to accumulate Blessings.

Practitioner Su: Wow! That is true wisdom. He saw what needed to be done and did it without fear of suffering a loss. That is a very deep accumulation of Blessings!

General Bai Qi: He just worked and never discussed right or wrong.

Practitioner Su: That is a true practitioner; he was truly an obedient and good student.

General Bai Qi: I have seen some practitioners who talk behind others' backs while they work.

Practitioner Su: That is called being dishonest! A practitioner can only achieve spiritual success when they have no wandering thoughts.

General Bai Qi: I mean to say they criticise this person and that person.

Practitioner Su: Those are not practitioners; those are demons. They can stir up a thousand rivers but cannot move the heart of a true practitioner. They come to destroy the bodhimanda, and their karma is very heavy!

The Hidden Flaw

General Bai Qi: Furthermore, some people talk quite a lot while they work, even when they are close to their teacher. We see this in today's bodhimandas as well. They do not know that they should speak less. This was the way Han Danzhi appeared. Later, he was taught by Practitioner Su; he took every word of the worldly and transcendental Dharma to heart, yet he still did not reach the Western Land.

Practitioner Su: Did he reach the heavenly realm?

General Bai Qi: It seems so, Practitioner Su. He once reached the fourth heaven.

Practitioner Su: After coming down from the fourth heaven, did he become a monastic?

General Bai Qi: Yes, after he descended from the fourth heaven and was reincarnated, he became a monastic.

Practitioner Su: He appeared in the world to become a monastic. If he became a monastic, he must have had virtue in his practice, otherwise, he could not have become Qin Shi Huang. May the Buddha's compassion once again use Buddha-water to irrigate his head and purify it clearly. Return to the past, Namo Amituofo.

General Bai Qi: My head still feels very dizzy; it is still very heavy!

Practitioner Su: Take refuge in the Buddha, and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma, and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha, and do not fall into the animal realm. May the Buddha's compassion—good, it is open!

The Weight of Selfishness

General Bai Qi: After becoming a monastic, he gave lectures and taught all beings.

Practitioner Su: He gave lectures and taught the Dharma?

General Bai Qi: He taught the sutras and educated his students and his monastic disciples. Thirty-two of them reached the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, Practitioner Su.

Practitioner Su: Thirty-two reached the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Wow! That is remarkable. He practised so well, so why didn't he go himself?

General Bai Qi: That is the point. He did not reach the Western Land. His disciples surpassed their master, but why did he not reach the Western Land?

Practitioner Su: What was his Dharma name at that time? Good, let us use the Buddha-water again! Take refuge in the Buddha, and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma, and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha, and do not fall into the animal realm. Good, once more, open!

General Bai Qi: Please pat my head again!

Practitioner Su: The Buddha-water must be poured over your head. May the Buddha's compassion be with you. Please ascend the lotus seat.

General Bai Qi: Practitioner Su, after the Buddha-water irrigated my head, I saw everything. I saw the entire situation of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. He was originally capable of reaching the Western Land.

Practitioner Su: Then why didn't he go? Why did he go to become Qin Shi Huang instead?

General Bai Qi: A single thought was not pure. The mind of a practitioner is very subtle! Very subtle! Practitioner Su, he was arrogant, and as a result, he did not reach the Western Land.

Practitioner Su: Is that single impure thought the same as the one held by practitioners who are stingy with the Dharma?

General Bai Qi: It was a single impure thought. He thought he understood everything perfectly, but the principles of the universe cannot tolerate even the slightest deviation.

Practitioner Su: Is that single impure thought the same as the one many practitioners have? What is that single impure thought? Write it down. What does it mean? I do not understand.

General Bai Qi: It is like 'hiding a secret up one's sleeve'.

Practitioner Su: Hiding a secret up one's sleeve? Does that mean he held back some of the Buddha's teachings when he gave his lectures and did not reveal everything?

General Bai Qi: Practitioner Su, this is also the reason why he must undergo dialysis today. It is the primary reason why he has fallen into this state of needing dialysis. This is why, in real life, many monastics and lay practitioners fall ill and require dialysis. The most important part of the body is the kidneys. The human kidneys are responsible for detoxification; once the kidneys fail, the body's functions break down. It is because the heart is corrupted. The laws of karma and cause and effect are clear. I have also fallen into this state; it is all a matter of cause and effect. This is the primary reason why Huang Ronghua is undergoing dialysis!

The Price of Holding Back

Practitioner Su: Tell me more about this 'hiding a secret up one's sleeve'.

General Bai Qi: It is within the blood vessels, this so-called 'hiding a secret up one's sleeve'.

Practitioner Su: Hiding a secret? What kind of secret is hidden in his blood vessels?

General Bai Qi: He held something back. It is very subtle, just a tiny bit.

Practitioner Su: He held something back! When he was a monastic, he held back some of the Buddha's teachings, is that it?

General Bai Qi: What is meant by 'holding back' is not a lack of skills, but a selfish heart that held something back.

Practitioner Su: Oh my! This is where many practitioners fail.

General Bai Qi: Therefore, it is within these blood vessels, Practitioner Su. It is hidden within the blood vessels, following him within the blood vessels.

Practitioner Su: Oh my! The Buddha's teachings cannot be held back; the Dharma lineage must be passed on! His karmic debt is very heavy. How will he repay it?

General Bai Qi: He had a selfish heart and did not reveal everything; he held something back, so he could not go to the Western Land.

Practitioner Su: So the principles of the universe cannot tolerate even the slightest deviation. Oh my, he was so foolish! He could not go to the Western Land.

General Bai Qi: Otherwise, with the number of disciples he led—there were so many of them, and they were all practising in the deep mountains.

Practitioner Su: His understanding of the sutras was not thorough enough. Alas! It is a great pity! Why was he so unwise? Why would one hold something back in their practice?

General Bai Qi: It is not that; it is a selfish heart. Therefore, in his practice, he had not yet seen through the sutras, and he still had a selfish heart.

Practitioner Su: This is the difficulty of the human world. Once there is even a subtle selfishness, one falls into the cycle of rebirth for ten thousand kalpas. Alas!

General Bai Qi: Therefore, he could not satisfy his true heart, which is why he fell into the human realm. It was also because of his past merits and Blessings that he became Qin Shi Huang and unified the world.

Practitioner Su: What was his monastic Dharma name at that time? Write down the Dharma name of the one who held back the teachings.

General Bai Qi: (Writes down: Shang Sheng Xia Huai) Shi Shenghuai. 'Sheng' as in Sage, 'Huai' as in compassion.

Practitioner Xiuli: May I ask if this happened before he became Qin Shi Huang?

General Bai Qi: It was after he became a disciple of Practitioner Su.

Practitioner Su: He went to the fourth heaven and then came back down to become a monastic, with that name.

Practitioner Xiuli: Did he always appear in China?

General Bai Qi: Yes! You want to ask if it was in India or China, right? During the Warring States period, the Buddha's teachings were indeed not flourishing, so it should have been in India.

Practitioner Xiuli: Were all of us in India?

General Bai Qi: We were all once Indians. Only when in India could one hear Practitioner Su give lectures.

Practitioner Xiuli: Was Practitioner Su also born in India?

General Bai Qi: Yes! It was during the same time as Shakyamuni Buddha.

Practitioner Xiuli: Oh! That is right! Indians.

General Bai Qi: Even Shakyamuni Buddha respected Practitioner Su very much! He even sent his disciples to listen to the lectures under Practitioner Su to show his respect.

The Compassion of the Buddha

Practitioner Su: Wow! This 'holding back' is like his own selfishness; he didn't want others to know, it is very subtle!

General Bai Qi: It is truly not easy to be near a practitioner! Either one gets spiritual attachment because one's own thoughts and actions are not upright, making one susceptible to attachment; or one is interfered with by one's own beings; or one is interfered with by external beings. Furthermore, if one does not have a so-called pure heart, it is difficult to serve a true great virtuous practitioner. Without a pure heart, if one has desires, one cannot last long. Only with true faith in the Buddha, only with a sincere request for the Dharma, and with true practice—a pure heart and true practice—can one remain by the side of such a great virtuous person. And as for what this great virtuous person does, one often fails to see one's own blind spots.

Practitioner Su: General Bai Qi, you have gained much by coming to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre today. Look at how much the Buddha's compassion has saved; it is enough for all of you!

General Bai Qi: Practitioner Su, they are coming again, they are coming again—the states of Han and Yan, one hundred and ten thousand.

Practitioner Su: But why are more people entering my heart? Who is coming in? Someone is entering my heart, who is it?

General Bai Qi: Practitioner Su, your heart is where these people you are about to interview are, so you must suffer. They say you are compassionate enough!

Practitioner Su: The Buddha's compassion, Namo Amituofo, is great and compassionate!

General Bai Qi: You are compassionate enough to act on behalf of the Buddha to save the world. They have been unable to seek justice for a very, very long time—over two thousand years!

Practitioner Su: Welcome to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre! But you must not act recklessly or attach yourselves to people's bodies.

General Bai Qi: (Slaps the table) Retreat!

Practitioner Su: Who is it? How dare you! This is a Buddha-land.

General Bai Qi: (Shouts loudly) Retreat again! Retreat again!

Practitioner Su: How dare you! Have you not suffered enough?

General Bai Qi: (Shouts loudly) Every grievance has its source, and every debt has its creditor. Moreover, Practitioner Su is a person of compassion, a Buddha. How can you obstruct her heart! Kneel!

Practitioner Su: The Buddha's compassion will send you all to the Western Land. Quickly write down your names. May the Buddha's compassion be with you; I will write memorial tablets for you immediately so you can listen to the sutras.

General Bai Qi: Do not be impatient, do not be impatient. Just retreat.

Practitioner Su: Did they come with you, Bai Qi?

General Bai Qi: Some did.

Practitioner Su: Come, write down the memorial tablets for them.

General Bai Qi: (Writes down: State of Han, one hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and seventy-six beings, representative: Gao Anxing. Generals and soldiers of the State of Yan, one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, eight hundred and ninety-six beings, representative: Shen Dingbang.)

Practitioner Xiuli: Was that the State of Han just now?

General Bai Qi: No, what I am writing now is for Practitioner Su's heart.

Practitioner Su: "Right here, in my heart."

General Bai Qi: "Write it on the left side of the chest and the heart. Write about the seven states—the seven states of the Warring States period. The seven heroes of the Warring States, the so-called State of Qi... Does the chief writer know how to record this?"

Practitioner Xiuli: "The seven heroes of the Warring States."

General Bai Qi: "There are seven states in total."

Practitioner Xiuli: "Very well. I will write them all down. Yes, the deceased spirits of the seven states."

General Bai Qi: "Indeed! For the generals, soldiers, civilians, horses, and all connected deceased spirits seeking Spiritual Deliverance, they have already sorted themselves out. They have already arranged themselves into their respective lines. Practitioner Su, I have not yet mentioned the officials. The officials have arrived."

The Call for Deliverance

Practitioner Su: "The officials have arrived. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Please, come forward. Namo Amituofo."

General Bai Qi: "I must also include the officials and their family members."

Practitioner Xiuli: "Generals, soldiers, horses, civilians, officials, family members, and all connected deceased spirits."

General Bai Qi: "All connected deceased spirits. Practitioner Su, please offer your teachings to them. They must not hold onto their attachments. The officials who were poisoned want to be recorded as poisoned; the family members who were ill want to be recorded as ill. This is attachment. Practitioner Su, please speak to them."

Practitioner Su: "Very well. Now, those who were poisoned can be detoxified. Transform into red lotuses. My Buddha is full of compassion. Now, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Among you are officials and family members who were poisoned, who harboured anger, or who were wounded in battle. Come, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Attain rebirth in the Pure Land and be reborn anew. Let the Buddha’s water wash over you, and you shall all be restored to your original state. There, you are restored."

The Weight of Suffering

General Bai Qi: "I implore Practitioner Su to offer your teachings. Practitioner Su, please guide them. Beings in every space are attached to their own sensations. Just as those who were decapitated or had their throats slit focus on that pain, those who were poisoned focus on the burning sensation in their throats, oesophagi, and stomachs. They are fixated on these things."

Practitioner Su: "That is all hell! Very well."

General Bai Qi: "Indeed! Wait a moment. Practitioner Su, what you say is true; it is indeed hell. There are many such beings in the hells."

Practitioner Su: "That is correct. General Bai Qi, for the officials, family members, and soldiers you owe, those of you who are wounded, poisoned in the throat, had your throats slit, or suffer in your digestive tracts—my Buddha is full of compassion. You must let go immediately. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. My Buddha’s compassion will resolve this. May you all feel cool and refreshed. Let the Buddha’s water wash over you, and you shall be restored to your original state."

"Now, for the 157,896 beings of the State of Yan, represented by Shen Dingbang: come, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Attain rebirth in the Pure Land and be reborn anew. Next, for the 101,376 beings of the State of Han, represented by Gao Anxing: come, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Attain rebirth in the Pure Land and be reborn anew. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Now, for those of you who are wounded, return to the past. My Buddha’s compassion is with you. Chant Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, and you can be completely restored to your original state. You shall all be restored, attain rebirth in the Pure Land, and be reborn anew."

Clarifying the Records

Practitioner Xiuli: "May I ask, were the generals and soldiers just recorded?"

Practitioner Su: "That is correct! It must include their family members."

Practitioner Xiuli: "The family members were mentioned by the seven heroes of the Warring States just now."

General Bai Qi: "What is being recorded now is on the left side of Practitioner Su’s chest and heart. The seven heroes of the Warring States are just one part. The states of Qi, Chu, Han, Zhao, and Wei must all be written down. Their generals, soldiers, officials, civilians, and horses—all these connected deceased spirits must be recorded."

Practitioner Su: "All connected deceased spirits, not a single one left behind. My Buddha is full of compassion, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. May all these spirits be saved, attain rebirth in the Pure Land, and be reborn anew."

General Bai Qi: "The representatives are appearing now. Generals, soldiers, and horses."

Practitioner Su: "How many horses?"

General Bai Qi: "Twenty thousand horses for the State of Han, thirty-five thousand horses for the State of Yan. The representative for the horses of Han is 'Red Colt', and the representative for the horses of Yan is 'White Cloud'. Practitioner Su, there are more! The entire river is filled with the dead and injured! This is related to me, Bai Qi."

Practitioner Su: "Very well, come. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. My Buddha is full of compassion. As numerous as the sands of the Ganges, please come forward. Please ascend the lotus seat. Amituofo. Let the Buddha’s water wash over you, and you shall be restored to your original state, attain rebirth in the Pure Land, and be reborn anew."

"Let me repeat: for the 157,896 generals and soldiers of the State of Yan, represented by Shen Dingbang, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Attain rebirth in the Pure Land and be reborn anew. There are 35,000 horses, represented by White Cloud. Take off your old garments. Namo Amituofo, ascend the lotus seat. Next, for the 101,376 generals and soldiers of the State of Han, represented by Gao Anxing. There are 20,000 horses for the State of Han, represented by Red Colt. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Attain rebirth in the Pure Land and be reborn anew. Now, for those of you who are wounded, let the Buddha’s water wash over you. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, you are restored to your original state."

The Waters of History

General Bai Qi: "This Yellow River, Practitioner Su, there is the Yellow River, the Huai River, and the area around Dongting Lake."

Practitioner Su: "My Buddha’s compassion covers them all. All these spirits have been saved. The spirits of the Yellow River, the spirits of the Huai River."

General Bai Qi: "The area around Dongting Lake belongs to the State of Chu. There is the Yellow River, the Huai River, and the area around Dongting Lake."

Practitioner Su: "Next, Amituofo."

General Bai Qi: "There were floods around Dongting Lake. Practitioner Su, should each one have a representative, or..."

Practitioner Su: "Is one representative enough?"

General Bai Qi: "One representative in total is fine, as long as Practitioner Su offers the teachings."

Practitioner Su: "Come, for the Yellow River, the Huai River, and Dongting Lake, you may each have a representative to show respect. I grant you merit as numerous as the sands of the Ganges!"

General Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, they are suffering greatly from drowning in the water."

Practitioner Su: "Open your throats. Namo Amituofo. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Open your throats. My Buddha is full of compassion. Let the Buddha’s water wash over you. Attain rebirth in the Pure Land and be reborn anew. Namo Amituofo."

General Bai Qi: "There were 257,000 people who drowned in the Yellow River floods, represented by Jin Jinyuan. There were 314,620 who drowned in the Huai River floods; some were killed and thrown directly into the water, represented by Cao Lan. There were 3,141 who drowned in the Dongting Lake floods, represented by Guan Zhengbao."

A Debt of Gratitude

Practitioner Xiuli: "General Bai Qi, may I ask, the seven states of the Warring States period have all been recorded, including the generals, soldiers, civilians, horses, and all deceased spirits, as well as the representatives for the officials and their families."

General Bai Qi: "This is what is gathered at the left side of Practitioner Su’s chest and heart. This includes all the generals, soldiers, civilians, officials, horses, and all deceased spirits of the seven states. Is this one representative for all, or one for each state?"

Practitioner Xiuli: "Practitioner Su, do you want one representative for your heart, or one for each state?"

Practitioner Su: "Let us have one representative for each state; that is fairer to them."

General Bai Qi: "Very well. Chief writer, please record them!"

Practitioner Xiuli: "Yes. May I ask for the representative of the State of Qin?"

(Practitioner Xiuli asks General Bai Qi for the representatives of the seven states of the Warring States period one by one, and General Bai Qi writes them down.)

General Bai Qi:(Writes down: Representative of Qin: Hong Dongliang. Representative of Qi: Shi Fuzheng. Representative of Chu: Chen Yuanzhi. Representative of Wei: Han Yuanhao. Representative of Zhao: Qian Sanxiong. Representative of Yan: Lin Wanlai. Representative of Han: Wang Yishen.)

Practitioner Xiuli: "Should I write 'as numerous as the sands of the Ganges'?"

Practitioner Su: "Yes, that is fine. My Buddha is full of compassion and has enough for all of you. It is fine to have as many as the sands of the Ganges; that will be sufficient. Send them to the Western Land, attain rebirth in the Pure Land, and be reborn anew. Namo Amituofo."

Practitioner Xiuli: "One 'sands of the Ganges' for each state."

Practitioner Su: "You may give it to them. Bai Qi, look at how many 'sands of the Ganges' there are; it is no problem."

General Bai Qi: "I am grateful to Practitioner Su."

Practitioner Su: "I am grateful to my Buddha, Amituofo, for his great compassion."

Practitioner Xiuli: "May I ask, regarding the floods in the Yellow River, Huai River, and Dongting Lake mentioned by Practitioner Yuchan earlier, is that located in the stomach and diaphragm area? And the abdomen?"

General Bai Qi: "The diaphragm and the abdomen."

Practitioner Su: "Have the representatives for these been written down?"

General Bai Qi:(Moved to tears) "Practitioner Su, apart from my respect for my father, since coming to this Buddha-land, I have felt a deep sense of gratitude for your kindness, Practitioner Su!"

Practitioner Su: "Be grateful to my Buddha’s compassion; the Buddha gives us the strength. My Buddha, Amituofo, is full of great compassion. During yesterday’s Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we worked tirelessly to save them—hundreds of billions, thousands of billions. It is enough for all of you. My Buddha’s compassion yesterday reached tens of thousands of billions, trillions."

Practitioner Jiaxian: "We must invite Bai Qi’s father to come forward."

Practitioner Su: "Yes, we must also invite General Bai Qi’s father to come forward. I will chant for them now; there is no need to rush. Very well, we now pray for the deliverance of the generals, soldiers, civilians, horses, officials, family members, and all karmic creditors connected to the seven warring states—they are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. May their bodies be healed, nourished by the Buddha’s water. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Very well, may you all be reborn in the Pure Land, shed your old forms, and ascend the lotus seats. Representatives of each state, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges: Representative of the Qin State, Hong Dongliang, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. I bestow upon you a Ganges-sand’s worth of merit. Representative of the Qi State, Shi Fuzheng, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. I bestow upon you a Ganges-sand’s worth of merit. Representative of the Chu State, Chen Yuanzhi, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. I bestow upon you a Ganges-sand’s worth of merit. Representative of the Wei State, Han Yuanhao, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. I bestow upon you a Ganges-sand’s worth of merit. Representative of the Zhao State, Qian Sanxiong, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. I bestow upon you a Ganges-sand’s worth of merit. Representative of the Yan State, Lin Wanlai, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. I bestow upon you a Ganges-sand’s worth of merit. Representative of the Han State, Wang Yishen, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. I bestow upon you a Ganges-sand’s worth of merit."

"General Bai Qi, may I ask, did our Practitioner Xiuli mention earlier that you were brought up from the plankton or from the hells?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, this causal condition is linked to the kidneys of Huang Ronghua—specifically within his blood and kidneys. It is because of this connection that the presence of my generals and soldiers has manifested within this space. As for whether I arose from plankton or from the hells, I have already stated it clearly: I was suffering retribution in the blood pool of hell. I repent for my ignorance! But the laws of karma and cause and effect are precise; one must taste the fruit of the seeds one has sown. Thus, I also suffered retribution as what you call plankton. I have been carrying this retribution, suffering through cycle after cycle. During these cycles, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has often performed Chao Du for even the smallest crawling creatures. Whenever the name 'Namo Amituofo' is chanted in this space, I am present within the memorial tablets, yet I also manifest within the kidneys of this 'Qin Shi Huang,' Huang Ronghua."

Practitioner Su: "The sentient beings within Huang Ronghua’s kidneys can be recorded. My Buddha’s compassion can save them!"

Bai Qi: "My generals and soldiers—the majority are soldiers—they are also tied by a single thread of karmic affinity. That is how the connection works. It is this thread that causes them to manifest. When you asked, Practitioner Su, what sins I committed, it was already revealed that I was suffering retribution in hell. And just now, many other beings from the hells have arrived; this was not recorded earlier, but it should be."

Practitioner Su: "Very well. Come, there are beings from the hells in the diaphragm and abdomen. They are burning inside—it is the volcanic hell. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. May the Buddha’s water nourish you, may you be reborn in the Pure Land and shed your old forms."

Bai Qi: "They are swallowing fireballs."

Practitioner Xiuli: "Volcanic hell, swallowing fireballs."

The Weight of Past Atrocities

Bai Qi: "During the wars, there was killing, burning, and setting fires. That is why there are fireballs. My deputy generals and soldiers are here too; some were so desperate to claim merit that they suffered greatly. They are connected to me, and they are in the hells. These are from the Qi State, these are from the Qin State—these are the soldiers I led. The deputy generals and soldiers I led at that time were all loyal to the Qin State, and even more loyal to me. As long as they went into battle with me, we were victorious in every engagement. They were soldiers and deputies who followed me with absolute devotion."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! That is why they are in Huang Ronghua’s digestive system."

Bai Qi: "The number of beings currently manifesting from the hell realms is two hundred thousand... Practitioner Su, have mercy!"

Practitioner Su: "It is fine. My Buddha is compassionate and exists to save all beings. There is no problem. As long as they know how to repent, write them down. We must save them as quickly as possible. My Buddha’s compassion can deliver immeasurable and boundless suffering beings; my Buddha’s compassion will save them all. The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a Dharma-Nature Land; no matter how many there are, they can all be saved."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, even now, as they ascend, they remain respectful toward me. (Sobbing uncontrollably) I am the one who caused them to fall into hell! Yet they remain loyal to me (sobbing uncontrollably)."

Practitioner Su: "You must tell them now to listen, to sit still, to ascend the lotus seats, and to chant Namo Amituofo."

Bai Qi: "They say, 'Following you was the right thing to do, following you was the right thing to do!' But it is not right, it is not right! Everything we did was creating evil karma (sobbing uncontrollably)."

Practitioner Su: "Tell them now to chant Namo Amituofo, to listen to the Buddha’s guidance. My Buddha’s compassion will send them to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. You must teach your generals and soldiers: the white light leads to the human world, where they cannot go, for they would have to reincarnate again. The golden light of the lotus is the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; that is where they must go."

Bai Qi: "(Sobbing uncontrollably) We fought bravely to kill the enemy, but I caused them to fall into hell as well."

Practitioner Su: "They have come up from hell and are still loyal to you; people in ancient times were very loyal. Amituofo. Write down their names, tell them to listen to the Buddha, ascend the lotus seats, and listen to the sutras. We will perform the Thrice Yearning Ceremony on Sunday to deliver them. My Buddha’s compassion will send them to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

A Legacy of Loyalty and Suffering

Bai Qi: "The number of beings that just manifested is two hundred and one thousand, eight hundred. The representative is Tu Fuming."

Practitioner Su: "People in ancient times were very simple and loyal. They were loyal to one person until death. Do you feel that?"

Practitioner Xiuli: "Is this two hundred and one thousand, eight hundred the total number of beings from all the hells combined, or just the volcanic hell?"

Bai Qi: "The fireball hell. Chief writer, please record 'fireball and volcanic hell.' It was truly a case of 'uprooting the weeds and removing the roots'; sometimes we would set fires to burn everything. Practitioner Su!"

Practitioner Su: "Yes, please speak."

Bai Qi: "(Sobbing uncontrollably) How could the people of the world know the sins that Bai Qi has committed? How could the people of the world know the sins that Bai Qi has committed? (Weeping)!"

Practitioner Su: "Now, as long as you truly repent, 'lay down your cleaver and achieve Buddhahood right away.' Seek the Buddha’s blessing and rebirth in the Western Land. Learn from Amituofo and join the forty-eight vows of Amituofo; only then can you repay the Buddha’s kindness. My Buddha is compassionate. The Buddha is watching you; look, the Buddha is here. Amituofo is of great compassion! Very well, General Bai Qi just mentioned that in the diaphragm and abdomen are the deputy generals and soldiers led by General Bai Qi of the Qin State, suffering in the volcanic hell and swallowing fireballs—two hundred and one thousand, eight hundred of them, with the representative named Tu Fuming. First, let me adjust your body. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. May you be reborn in the Pure Land and shed your old forms. My Buddha is compassionate. After your body is adjusted, change your clothes—put on white robes. Now, return to your original state, and I will allow you to ascend the lotus seat."

Practitioner Xiuli: "May I ask the General a question? You mentioned earlier that the beings of General Bai Qi are in Huang Ronghua’s blood and kidneys. May we invite them all out together?"

Practitioner Su: "That is right! We must also invite the spirits in his kidney area out. Invite them out quickly. When a monastic is stingy with the Dharma, it leads to this. Let all practitioners in the world know: one must not have even a shred of selfishness. If you harm others, it will eventually return to you."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, those in the kidneys of Qin Shi Huang (Huang Ronghua) are also the soldiers I led. After I took my own life, they remained loyal to the Qin State."

Practitioner Su: "Invite them out now; if you call them, they will come out. This man must be healed. He is a good person who can introduce the Buddha’s teachings; otherwise, no one would know that the Buddha’s teachings can save those in suffering. Amituofo is the Great Physician. Understanding the Buddha’s wisdom, which is ultimate and perfect, can cure immeasurable and boundless difficult illnesses. We can verify this through him—he was supposed to undergo dialysis, but the Buddha can heal him!"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, with your method and your compassion, this person can be saved."

Practitioner Su: "Indeed! My Buddha is compassionate. Look, the beings have been with Huang Ronghua for over two thousand years. Without the sound of the name 'Namo Amituofo,' there is no way to open up space."

Bai Qi: "As long as Huang Ronghua truly listens to the sutras, hears the Dharma, changes his personality, and listens to instructions, he can be saved!"

Practitioner Su: "Indeed! For all the beings in his entire body, only my Buddha’s great compassion can save them from suffering. Invite all the spirits in his liver out as well."

Bai Qi: "Bai Qi also requests that Practitioner Su have a private conversation with Huang Ronghua. Only by believing in the Buddha can one forever eradicate the suffering of the cycle of rebirth."

Practitioner Su: "As long as one believes in the Buddha, one need not fear any illness. As long as one comes to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, chants Namo Amituofo, makes the vow to be reborn in the Pure Land according to the forty-eight vows of the Infinite Life Sutra, follows the teachings, and listens, everyone can be saved!"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, just show him care. Huang Ronghua bows respectfully every day, yet his body manifests these symptoms due to karma. Teach him to deeply understand the laws of karma and cause and effect. Since he is suffering from illness in this life, he must accept the Buddha’s teachings and never be lax for the rest of his life. This is the way to escape the cycle of rebirth. If he can uphold the precepts and maintain a pure heart, his body can recover."

Practitioner Su: "Huang Ronghua has felt it. He has been here for a month, and I see his body recovering very quickly. Brother Liu said he had already started dialysis, but after listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma for a month, his facial appearance has changed."

Bai Qi: "Huang Ronghua feels that his illness has improved significantly; he can feel it. Practitioner Su, the things you discuss with him in that quarter of an hour are vital. You must save him—that is the first priority. Secondly, you must show him that you have great confidence in him. Thirdly, you must talk to him about having confidence in the Buddha and in you, Practitioner Su. These three points are enough to make him truly convinced and willing to devote his life to this."

Practitioner Su: "I see that he had no other path; the doctor told him to undergo dialysis, and once you start dialysis, your life is effectively over. Only my Buddha Amituofo can save him. There are so many beings throughout his entire body; only by sending them to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss can we achieve true wisdom."

Bai Qi: "He is suffering greatly! May the number be recorded? May the count be recorded?"

Practitioner Xiuli: "It has not been recorded yet. The soldiers following him in Huang Ronghua’s kidneys—may I ask for the number?"

Bai Qi: "They follow Bai Qi. I have already stated this: they remained loyal to the Qin State after I took my own life. (Writing down: Five hundred thousand, three hundred and eighty. Representative: Zhu Mingfu.) These are the soldiers; these are the ones who followed Bai Qi in the past."

Practitioner Su: "Are the majority of the beings in his kidneys your generals?"

Bai Qi: "I have already passed away, yet I remain loyal to the State of Qin. These soldiers followed me, and they also followed Qin Shi Huang. They have a karmic connection with Qin Shi Huang, and they have a karmic connection with me, Bai Qi."

Practitioner Su: "Now, within the kidneys of Huang Ronghua, there are soldiers who once followed General Bai Qi. After General Bai Qi took his own life, they remained loyal to the State of Qin. There are 503,780 of them, represented by Zhu Mingfu. Come, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Furthermore, for all you soldiers who have suffered injuries—those with severed hands, severed feet, those who were killed or wounded, those who are uncomfortable, or those who bled during battle—my Buddha, in His compassion, will restore you all to your original state. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Please ascend the lotus seat."

"Now, General Bai Qi, I would like to invite your father, Bai Gong Sheng, to come up. I will have him listen to the teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre so he can understand the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and then I will send both of you to the Western Land together."

Bai Qi: "I am grateful for your compassion, Practitioner Su. Please, I ask you to grant refuge to my head."

Practitioner Su: "Come, sit down. Let us grant refuge to your head. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Who is inside?"

Bai Qi: "Childhood memories, childhood memories."

Practitioner Su: "Do you wish to come out? Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Rebirth in the Pure Land, a complete transformation of body and mind—please ascend the lotus seat."

The Tragedy of a Father

"Very well, let us invite Bai Qi's father, Bai Gong Sheng, to come up. Come, he is within the space, he is in the act of suicide. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Come, ascend. He has been committing suicide for over two thousand years. My Buddha, in His compassion, will first restore his head and brain. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Namo Amituofo. Let the Buddha-water wash over his head. Bai Gong Sheng, your son Bai Qi is right there. Please ascend the lotus seat and be restored to your original state."

Bai Gong Sheng: (Emits a sound of extreme, agonizing pain)

Bai Qi: "Father! Father!"

Bai Gong Sheng: (Weeping)

Bai Qi: "Father! Oh, Father!" (Wailing loudly)

Practitioner Su: "We have finally managed to invite him up. Otherwise, you would have remained in that space—the space of suicide. For the sake of loyalty, loyalty to a country, you ended up in this state today. It is not bad, though; today you have the karmic affinity to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre."

"For his beings, for the karmic creditors of Bai Gong Sheng's parents throughout the kalpas, write them all down. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Please ascend the lotus seat."

"General Bai Gong Sheng, do you have anything to say? General Bai Qi is also feeling deep repentance now. He followed your path, killed countless people, descended into the hells, and even existed as a plankton. You, too, entered that space, but now the space of the Namo Amituofo Buddha-name has been broken, and you have emerged. Do you have anything to say?"

Bai Gong Sheng: "When I committed suicide, I did not want my son to see me."

Practitioner Su: "But your son did see you! You died right at his feet! That is why your son lived his whole life in your shadow. You caused his life to be so miserable; he learned it all from you!"

Bai Gong Sheng: "I am sorry, my son! My son!"

Practitioner Su: "In the Warring States period, people's hearts were incredibly cruel. It was as if the battlefield was a place of slaughter and destruction. The people suffered immensely; their hearts were burning with madness, and they were all trapped in that space. Now, Practitioner Bai Gong Sheng, you must listen to the teachings well here at our Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. My Buddha, in His compassion, will send General Bai Qi to the Western Land, and you can be saved as well. Very well, General Bai Qi will introduce you, help you understand the benefits of Namo Amituofo. First, ascend the lotus seat."

The Peacock Wife

"We shall now invite his wife, the peacock, Bai Shi Tang Juan. We invite the wife of Bai Qi, the peacock. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Please ascend the lotus seat. Come, Tang Juan, let the Buddha-water irrigate you. Please ascend the lotus seat. Your husband, Bai Qi, is over there—your great husband."

Bai Shi Tang Juan: "Husband."

Practitioner Su: "Indeed. Why did you become a peacock?"

Bai Shi Tang Juan: "I loved beauty! I dressed myself up beautifully every day, and I was so proud of my husband."

Practitioner Su: "And after you died, you became a peacock?"

Bai Shi Tang Juan: "Yes, I loved to dress up, waiting for my husband to return."

Practitioner Su: "Now, here is the situation: General Bai Qi is being interviewed, and he is going to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. He will take you with him, but you must also understand that my Buddha, Amitabha, can save those in suffering. First, ascend the lotus seat. I will ask Skanda Bodhisattva to cover you. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Please ascend the lotus seat. His father, Bai Gong Sheng, will also be covered."

The Heart-Piercing Worms

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, here (pointing to his chest)."

Practitioner Su: "Very well, I understand. I do not know who is inside my own chest either. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Write it down. There are some in my chest as well, the same here. Who is it? Come out and speak. It is difficult to encounter this in millions of years; we can save you now."

Bai Qi: "Bai Qi died of illness, I was occupied."

Practitioner Su: "It is his beings! Beings are occupying your body. How many are there? Write it out."

Bai Qi: "My left chest and heart."

Practitioner Su: "His left chest and heart have been occupied. How many beings are there?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, these are what you call the ones eating my heart—the heart-piercing worms."

Practitioner Su: "How many? I see many people who want to take revenge and turn into worms; Practitioner Lai's back of the head is the same. Like the sands of the Ganges, there are many of these worms. We need to give two Ganges-worth of sands; the names must come out."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, the heart-piercing worms say they want me to die, they want me to die, they want me to die! It is so painful! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"

Practitioner Su: "They want you to die, but the spirit does not die! Therefore, your spirits must be saved. My Buddha, in His compassion, wants to save you! The cycle of revenge is endless. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. All of you, come out! Only by coming out can you be saved!"

Bai Qi: "Like the sands of the Ganges, the representative is..."

Practitioner Su: "The representative must come out! You are saved now. Being a worm is not good! Hatred—hatred is just like this. To keep hating and hating will only lead you into the snake realm. It is not a solution; you are all trapped in space, it is not worth it."

Bai Qi: "This is... Practitioner Su, he has a name: Wu Guancheng."

Practitioner Su: "His name is Wu Guancheng, is it? Let me recite. The heart-piercing worms are in General Bai Qi's heart, wanting to eat his heart. My Buddha, in His compassion, now restores everything to its original state. Let the Buddha-water irrigate them. Heart-piercing worms, the representative is named Wu Guancheng. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Restore to the original state, take off your clothes. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Please ascend the lotus seat. Skanda Bodhisattva, cover them."

The Officials of Qin

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, the brow bone, officials, officials of the State of Qin."

Practitioner Su: "Very well, the brow bone, the officials of the State of Qin are in the right eye."

Bai Qi: "The right brow bone, officials, they have a karmic connection with Bai Qi. They are officials of the State of Qin, 110 of them. The representative is Sun Zhongyang."

Practitioner Su: "We now have 110 officials of the State of Qin in the right brow bone of Yuchan. Sun Zhongyang, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Sun Zhongyang and these 110 officials, please ascend the lotus seat. Very well, Skanda Bodhisattva, cover them. Bai Qi, are there any more?"

Bai Qi: "My entire internal organs."

Practitioner Su: "General Bai Qi's entire internal organs, let the representatives come out."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, the karma I created, the evil I committed, has occupied (crying) my whole body."

Practitioner Su: "Indeed! It is terrifying! This is what I see when I interview. Even a single thought is not allowed. My Buddha, in His compassion, it is fortunate that we are learning the Buddha-Dharma. The six realms are too terrifying."

Bai Qi: "My internal organs, and even in my blood, they are all there. They were all harmed by the schemes I devised. There are those with severed hands, those whose heads were taken, those who were decapitated. Practitioner Su, why are there so many who were decapitated?"

Practitioner Su: "Those with severed hands and severed heads must all be reconnected. Are there many of them? It does not matter, write them down quickly. My Buddha, in His compassion, will break through the space. Come, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Rebirth in the Pure Land, a complete transformation of body and mind—please ascend the lotus seat. Wake up quickly. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Write it down quickly."

Bai Qi: "149,413 of them. The representative is Yu Shengjun."

Practitioner Xiuli: "So, may I ask, are the 149,413 beings in Yuchan's internal organs and blood, who were harmed and decapitated by General Bai Qi's schemes, represented by Yu Shengjun?"

Bai Qi: "That is for the internal organs. The blood has someone else."

Practitioner Xiuli: "Very well. May I ask who is in the blood?"

Bai Qi: "For the blood, write 'like the sands of the Ganges'."

Practitioner Su: "Like the sands of the Ganges. How many Ganges-worth of sands? My Buddha, in His compassion, send the sands of the Ganges. Namo Amituofo, stop now!"

Bai Qi: "Like the sands of the Ganges, the sands of the Ganges. Practitioner Su, these are all occupying the blood, stained with bloody gore, dust, and sand."

Practitioner Su: "Why were people in the past so miserable? Oh! A witness to history, Amituofo."

Bai Qi: "Everywhere I went, every place where battles occurred, everywhere I arrived was stained with blood. Places of slaughter, so-called bloody grounds—the sand of the earth, the soil, the dust, are like the sands of the Ganges within the sands of the Ganges. Dust, dust, dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth."

Practitioner Su: "Dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth. Did you hear that?"

Bai Qi: "Dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth, like the sands of the Ganges, the sands of the Ganges."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! Why did people in the past love to fight so much!"

Bai Qi: (Writes down: Ji Ren'en)

Practitioner Su: "Killing one person results in them being on your body. It is so miserable."

Practitioner Xiuli: "So, in Yuchan's blood, there are beings stained with bloody gore, dust, and sand, like the sands of the Ganges. The representative is Ji Ren'en."

Bai Qi: "That is correct! It is not just the internal organs."

Practitioner Su: "Come, let us recite now."

Bai Qi: "There are the organs, the stomach, the liver, so it is said that all the internal organs are involved."

Practitioner Su: "Even the liver. Did you hear that? The stomach and the liver are all involved. Oh! Nowadays, those who treat illnesses in hospitals—all illnesses are caused by beings, they are all our karmic creditors from past lives. Do you see? They are all beings! It is all self-inflicted!"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, Practitioner Su, please give us teachings, give us teachings!"

Practitioner Su: "Very well. Now, the internal organs of Yu-chan were also harmed by the designs of General Bai Qi. There are 149,413 beings with severed hands, represented by the Yu Sheng Army. Let us first reattach their heads. My Buddha is compassionate. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. The heads are reattached. Today, we look back at the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods—a history of such profound misery, spanning over two thousand years. My Buddha is compassionate. Generals, soldiers, and civilians who have suffered, you must listen to the words of my Buddha, Namo Amituofo. Everyone, please ascend the lotus seats. Once you are on the lotus seats, listen to the sutras. Now that your heads have been restored, let me provide you with clean white robes. Wear these white robes. Take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. To the 149,413 beings: my Buddha is compassionate, your severed heads have been reattached. You represent the Yu Sheng Army; please ascend the lotus seats."

A Sea of Blood and Karmic Debts

"Next, there is blood like the sands of the Ganges, stained with carnage—carnage as vast as the sands within the sands of the Ganges. Very well, the representative is named Ji Ren-en. Remove your soiled garments and be restored to your original state. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Ascend the lotus seat."

"Now, General Bai Qi, I must ask you: among the students here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, how many have followed Practitioner Su in past lives?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, these students currently at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre have not just followed you for one lifetime. Some have followed you for four lifetimes."

Practitioner Su: "Who are the ones who have followed for four lifetimes?"

Bai Qi: "Some have followed you for three lifetimes."

Practitioner Su: "Who are the ones who have followed for four lifetimes? Start from the ones who have followed the longest."

Bai Qi: "There are three people who have followed for four lifetimes. Through the cycles of rebirth, as I see it now, they have followed for many lives—both those who are monastics and those who are lay practitioners. Those who have followed for four lifetimes include: Zhuo Shu-ling, Jiang Yu-chan, and Li Jia-xian."

Deep Roots and Karmic Connections

Practitioner Su: "They have all followed for four lifetimes."

Bai Qi: "The deepest connection belongs to this person, Cai Xiu-li. She has followed for three lifetimes, but the connection is the deepest."

Practitioner Su: "The deepest connection must be from being fellow practitioners, right?"

Bai Qi: "Yes, so on the path of practice, her connection with Practitioner Su is more intimate. Furthermore, there are those who have followed for four lifetimes. There are others who have followed for two lifetimes. Does Practitioner Su wish for me to list them one by one?"

Practitioner Su: "Yes, list them all out so they can understand and be told to listen well."

Bai Qi: "In this list, I must also include the one mentioned earlier, the First Emperor of Qin. The First Emperor of Qin has also followed for a long time."

Practitioner Su: "Two lifetimes, Huang Rong-hua!"

Bai Qi: "I must write down the First Emperor of Qin, Huang Rong-hua."

Practitioner Su: "Whenever I give Dharma talks, he is always listening! Who is next?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, what I am writing now is the number of times they have followed in practice. He was an emperor, not an ordinary elder. Do you wish for me to write that down?"

Practitioner Su: "Write it all down. Let us reveal it all so that everyone knows this path..."

Bai Qi: "Then it will be more than just that."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo."

Bai Qi: "Practice, as well as the roles of emperor and great elder—I shall write it as such."

Practitioner Su: "Three categories: those who practiced, the great elders, and the emperors. Write out those who practiced."

The Long Journey of Souls

Bai Qi: "For those who practiced, must I list them one by one? Regarding the four-lifetime followers, I am writing them out now. Practitioner Su, this is for those who followed in practice; this is the general list. Huang Rong-hua, four lifetimes, plus the three mentioned earlier (Zhuo Shu-ling, Jiang Yu-chan, Li Jia-xian). Practitioner Su, 'practice' here refers to listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks, but the level of achievement depends on the individual; I will not discuss that. Next, three lifetimes: Cai Xiu-li. There is also another who followed for three lifetimes, Zhan Yu-li, and Liu Ren-hao as well. Those who followed for two lifetimes include Liu Ming-yu. Liu Ming-yu was also an emperor and a great elder."

Practitioner Su: "You see, we have been together for many lifetimes."

Bai Qi: "So it is with worldly phenomena. Therefore, whatever Practitioner Su thinks, Liu Ming-yu understands, because he was also a great elder and an emperor; he can understand the whole picture in every aspect. But precisely because of this, Liu Ming-yu has followed Practitioner Su for a total of five lifetimes—as a great elder and as an emperor, totaling five lifetimes of practice, elderhood, and emperorship."

Practitioner Xiu-li: "May I ask, for those with two lifetimes of practice, how many were as emperor and how many as great elder?"

Bai Qi: "Two lifetimes as emperor, one lifetime as a great elder. A great elder is what we would call a very wealthy and noble person today. Furthermore, there is Yu Yue-tao, who was a great elder for two lifetimes and listened to the Dharma during Practitioner Su's time for one lifetime, totaling three lifetimes."

Practitioner Su: "Ah-tao is included too! Namo Amituofo. Hahaha!"

Bai Qi: "Furthermore, there are Qiu Jia-hong and Li Xiu-feng. Practitioner Su, there are so many people who have listened to your Dharma talks! This row is not just ten people; a row is not just ten people."

Practitioner Su: "So Qiu Jia-hong is in there, and Li Xiu-feng is in there too. Oh! That is excellent!"

The Weight of Attachment

Bai Qi: "Even Qiu Xian-ming is in there. Almost everyone currently at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is in there. As for the tea boy, Chen Su-qing is also in there. The tea boy back then was much more clever. Now, through the cycles of rebirth, his intelligence remains, but his attachments are also interfering with him."

Practitioner Su: "Sigh! He is very pitiful. If he does not let go, there is no way!"

Bai Qi: "Do you know why he is like this today? Back then, he was Practitioner Su's tea boy. Seeing everyone listening to the Dharma, he would also listen from the side, trembling with anxiety. But he gave rise to a thought: 'Why can they sit so comfortably listening to the Dharma, while I have to be here pouring tea?'"

Practitioner Su: "Ah! He has that very flaw."

Bai Qi: "'I have to be here pouring tea.' Having that mental note has led to him still having that same thought today. He refuses to admit defeat in anything, and that thought—Chen Su-qing still has that thought today."

Practitioner Su: "His heart is still the same; it is terrible!"

Bai Qi: "He always belittles himself. He sees others as good and belittles himself; that is just how it is."

Practitioner Su: "That is why he cannot progress. It has been over two thousand years, sigh!"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, there is also Cao Ru-di, one lifetime as a great elder, and two lifetimes of practice. Liu Yi-wen was a great elder for one lifetime and an emperor for one lifetime. As Practitioner Su mentioned, everyone in the Hsiang Kuang Buddha-land is actually a disciple of Practitioner Su."

Practitioner Su: "What about Lu Jin-yu? Is she there, or Chen Xiu-lan?"

Bai Qi: "They were there after Practitioner Su's time, during the time of Master Kuiji."

Practitioner Xiu-li: "Was Jin-yu there during the time of Master Kuiji?"

Bai Qi: (Nods) "Chen Xiu-lan as well. Both of them were also great elders, so they have followed for two lifetimes."

Practitioner Su: "What about Zhou Xuan-sheng? Is he there too?"

Bai Qi: "Zhou Xuan-sheng was an emperor for one lifetime."

Practitioner Xiu-li: "Does 'emperor' refer to when Practitioner Su was an emperor, and 'great elder' when Practitioner Su was a great elder?"

Bai Qi: "One lifetime as emperor; he was also a minor eunuch, not a grand eunuch. At the time, he wanted to be a grand eunuch. Practitioner Su, Zhou Xuan-sheng also followed Practitioner Su for one lifetime."

Practitioner Su: "What a pity, he doesn't seem to listen to the Dharma now! Sigh! There is no way to save him; he is being controlled."

A Legacy of Devotion

Bai Qi: "Next is Lai Cang-yang, who followed for one lifetime during Practitioner Su's time and one lifetime during Master Kuiji's time, totaling two lifetimes, plus one lifetime as a great elder, totaling three lifetimes. Furthermore, his wife, Huang Shu-qin, was a great elder for one lifetime. During Practitioner Su's time, she was a benefactor but did not listen to the Dharma well; she only provided offerings."

Practitioner Su: "What a pity! The Buddha's teachings could not penetrate deeply!"

Bai Qi: "Furthermore, Huang Ya-ling followed for one lifetime during Practitioner Su's time, one lifetime as an emperor, and one lifetime as a great elder, totaling three lifetimes. And Wu Can-yue followed for one lifetime during Practitioner Su's time and one lifetime as an emperor, in the inner palace."

Practitioner Su: "Zeng Kai-qun seems to have followed me too. He listens very well when I speak."

Bai Qi: "Zeng Kai-qun was there during the time of Master Kuiji, was an emperor for one lifetime, and was the grandson of a great elder."

Practitioner Xiu-li: "So Zeng Kai-qun has followed for three lifetimes? One lifetime with Master Kuiji, one as an emperor, and one as a great elder."

Practitioner Su: "I ask General Bai Qi, was Wang Min-jie my Dharma protector or my attendant in the past?"

Bai Qi: "She was a disciple, having been both a disciple and a great Dharma protector. In the past, she was once your child and vowed to follow you throughout your many lives."

Practitioner Su: "She is very filial. Oh! Vowing to follow throughout many lives, that is why Ah-jie is so filial and is still following me."

Bai Qi: "Your eldest daughter is the same."

Practitioner Su: "Is Wang Min-jing also my disciple?"

Bai Qi: "One lifetime during Practitioner Su's time, one lifetime with Master Kuiji, and two lifetimes as a great elder."

Practitioner Su: "What about Wang Min-shan?"

Bai Qi: "One lifetime as an emperor. As for Wang Min-shan, she appeared at the door and peeked in during Practitioner Su's time, but she did not enter because there were too many people."

Practitioner Su: "What a pity!"

Bai Qi: "Everyone was seated, she peeked in, and then retreated."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. What a pity! No wonder she is less obedient."

Bai Qi: "During the time of Master Kuiji, she did appear and helped out as a lamp-bearer."

Practitioner Su: "No wonder she is so beautiful and looks so dignified. Our Yuan-yuan does not seem to be an ordinary person?"

Bai Qi: "An eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. Now that he has fallen, what should we do?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, as long as you protect him, he will not fall. Just teach him like this, giving him correct Goodness and Buddha's teachings day by day. He has actually been listening more and more to what you say lately."

Practitioner Su: "He can listen to it now."

Bai Qi: "Everything you say."

Practitioner Su: "Yes, it seems so."

Bai Qi: "Although his expression doesn't seem like he is listening, every word and every sentence is entering his heart."

Practitioner Su: "What about Qiu Nai-wen?"

Bai Qi: "Qiu Nai-wen is still in his childhood."

Practitioner Su: "He doesn't study! He can't even write characters; this is terrible!"

Bai Qi: "He is still in the state of a child. He refuses to grow up; in his heart, he refuses to grow up. Therefore, he often has childish actions, childish behaviors, throwing tantrums and making a scene. He creates this only so that his mother will care for him more. Other children think that by smiling, they can gain the love of their parents, but his smiling doesn't work; he has to make a scene for it to be effective. That is just how it is."

Practitioner Su: "Yes, that is exactly how he is. Namo Amituofo. Bai Qi, you speak so well! That little child Lai Ju-dong is different from others; he chants the Buddha's name very well."

Bai Qi: "Lai Ju-dong has also followed Practitioner Su for many lifetimes: one lifetime during Practitioner Su's time, one with Master Kuiji, one as an emperor, and two lifetimes as your child when you were a great elder."

Practitioner Su: "Our family all has these origins. My son-in-law, the better one is Ah-xiang, Lai Teng-xiang."

Bai Qi: "One lifetime as an emperor and general."

Practitioner Su: "He is covered up now, which is very troublesome."

Bai Qi: "One lifetime as a great elder, one lifetime with Master Kuiji."

Practitioner Su: "What about Qiu Jiasheng? To be my son-in-law, one must have tremendous blessings; without such blessings, it would be impossible."

Bai Qi: "Emperor, Practitioner Su, they have all heard you give Dharma talks. This Qiu Jiasheng was, in one of his past lives, a great elder during your time."

Practitioner Su: "These are all Causal Conditions. Our family is all connected by Causal Conditions. Thank goodness—Renhao is also my disciple!"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, everyone in this life is connected to you by karmic affinity."

The Legacy of the Warring States

Practitioner Su: "Indeed. Today, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is different; we must save all of you from the Warring States period. Now, Bai Qi, is there anything else you would like to counsel the world with? We are about to conclude. Does Practitioner Cai have any questions?"

Practitioner Xiuli: "May I ask General Bai Qi, you mentioned Qiu Jiahong and Qiu Xianming earlier as having heard Practitioner Su give Dharma talks. Are there any other connections?"

Bai Qi: "Are you asking about the relationship between Qiu Jiahong and Qiu Xianming?"

Practitioner Xiuli: "Their relationship with Practitioner Su. Since the others had their past lives mentioned, but these three seem to only be mentioned as having heard Practitioner Su's Dharma talks, I wonder if there are other connections?"

Bai Qi: "Qiu Jiahong was a great elder in one life and an emperor in another. Qiu Xianming was a friend of the great elder, and as I just mentioned, he was also a contemporary of Practitioner Su in one life. Li Xiufeng was a contemporary of Practitioner Su in one life, a great elder in two lives, and a disciple of Kuiji in one life—during the time of Kuiji, she became a monastic halfway through her life."

Past Lives and Karmic Threads

Practitioner Xiuli: "Did Qiu Jiahong also have a life with Practitioner Su?"

Practitioner Su: "Chen Jianhong was also with me. If you don't believe it, ask Bai Qi."

Bai Qi: "Chen Jianhong was a disciple of Kuiji in one life."

Practitioner Su: (To Practitioner Yaling) "Your son, Chen Xuande, has a very good connection with me."

Bai Qi: "He was an imperial general, an emperor in one life, and a disciple of Kuiji in one life."

Practitioner Jiaxian: "What about Boya?"

Bai Qi: "Boya was an emperor in one life and the granddaughter-in-law of the great elder."

Practitioner Xiuli: "Zeng Kaiqun is the grandson of the great elder, and Boya is the granddaughter-in-law of the great elder."

Bai Qi: "It is not the same! The great elder did not have only one life."

Practitioner Su: "It is all Causal Conditions. Wow! This cycle of rebirth, when everyone looks at it..."

Bai Qi: "Boya is also a person who loves to learn. She was a student during Practitioner Su's time, sitting at the end of the second row."

Awakening from the Dream

Practitioner Su: "Wow! Today, chatting with General Bai Qi about the past, it really feels like a dream! Today, we have finally awakened from the dream. We can say that everyone must be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. General Bai Qi, please give us some final teachings as we conclude."

Bai Qi: "I dare not offer teachings, Practitioner Su!"

Practitioner Su: "Please, go ahead."

Bai Qi: "It is Practitioner Su's compassion."

Practitioner Su: "It is the great compassion of Amitabha Buddha."

Bai Qi: "The compassion of Amitabha Buddha and the compassion of Practitioner Su—I, Bai Qi, am eternally grateful!"

Practitioner Su: "Indeed, Amitabha Buddha is of great compassion. We are grateful for the Buddha's compassion."

Bai Qi: (Weeping) "For all the sentient beings I killed and harmed, and for the civilians I unintentionally injured, I no longer know how to seek their forgiveness. Because of my desire to win and my pursuit of fame, I treated human lives like blades of grass. Now, I truly feel I have no face to face anyone."

Practitioner Su: "Lay down the butcher's knife and you can become a Buddha instantly! The Buddha is compassionate."

Bai Qi: "I sincerely beg for it! The Buddha is compassionate. Disciple Bai Qi begs the Buddha—may the Buddha have compassion. I kneel before the Buddha to repent for the sins I have committed." (Choking with sobs)

The Path to Deliverance

Practitioner Su: "General Bai Qi, you must still listen to the Dharma on Monday, because many soldiers are sitting on lotus seats in the space above us while we give Dharma talks. Because we have interviews at noon, we only give Dharma talks from 4:00 AM to 6:30 AM. You must guide them. On Sunday, at the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, the Buddha will compassionately guide you to the West. Everyone, chant Namo Amituofo with utmost sincerity and be reborn in the land of Amitabha Buddha. If you repent with true sincerity and respect, you can all be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is very important; you cannot be reborn as a human again. You were in wars, which could be said to be for personal fame, profit, and competitiveness, causing so much harm. It was truly miserable during the Warring States and Spring and Autumn periods. Today, we have brought the truth to light by interviewing you. The issue now is that you must guide your army, including your karmic creditors from immeasurable past lives, and your father. On Sunday, at the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, the Buddha will compassionately send you all to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss together. You cannot return to the human realm. You cannot go now; you must wait until the Thrice Yearning Ceremony on Sunday for the Buddha to come and guide you to the West."

Bai Qi: "I will obey everything Practitioner Su says."

Practitioner Su: "Is there anything else you would like to say? Chief writer Xiuli, is there anything else? General Bai Qi, please give us some final guidance. The human heart is very important. Please guide us—when a person is not careful, it is like when you were killing; you were warlike and brave. I want to ask, were you possessed by a demon? Why were you so warlike and brave?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, as I mentioned unintentionally earlier, when I went into battle, I never felt tired."

Practitioner Su: "Was there a demon inside you? Is that it? You were competitive and the demon cooperated with you, is that how it was? So the negative karma created today—where is that demon now? I suspect he didn't end up well."

Bai Qi: "They are all on the battlefield, never leaving the battlefield."

Practitioner Su: "The demons are all on the battlefield."

Bai Qi: "They are all in the space of the battlefield, controlling this place, and also controlling that place."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. Those who are competitive will be controlled."

Bai Qi: "They don't just control people; they also control horses."

Practitioner Su: "How do they have such energy? How do they have such power?"

Bai Qi: "This is what is called a type of demonic energy!"

Practitioner Su: "In this universe, how can something that is not the True Teachings live for so long?"

Bai Qi: "This is what is called being summoned by those with similar habits. Those with similar habits can summon them, and demons can also manifest bodies—what are called 'demon children and grandchildren'."

The Demon's Repentance

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. Birds of a feather flock together, becoming 'demon children and grandchildren'. It is all about competitiveness. He didn't end up well, did he? It has been over two thousand years. Did he become dust? Like the dust of the desert, in the Demon Realm?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, he has already gone to the West."

Practitioner Su: "What! He went to the West?"

Bai Qi: "He has already gone to the West."

Practitioner Su: "He controlled you and he could still go to the West!"

Bai Qi: "He went to the West long ago. When I say 'long ago', I mean he went from here."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo. When he reached the West, he must have repented deeply! One must repent very deeply. Because of his own competitiveness—this is terrifying! He created immeasurable and boundless sins."

Bai Qi: "When he first came to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, he had already repented. Because he saw the sentient beings that Practitioner Su saved—the number of sentient beings in the space was so vast. What he saw was that you were compassionately saving them to the West. He reflected on himself, realizing that what he was controlling was killing! In that moment, because of his discriminations, he wondered why what he saw Practitioner Su doing was this, while what he himself did was that. His true nature suddenly manifested. Seeing Practitioner Su saving so many beings—more than the sands of the Ganges—at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, he realized that what he controlled and what Practitioner Su did were a world of difference!"

Practitioner Su: "Our General Manager, Liu Mingyu, please ask General Bai Qi to give us some teachings, hahaha! Perhaps you knew each other before. It is rare to meet General Bai Qi at the Hsiang Kuang Buddha-land."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, this person was originally also a very ambitious person. In his youth and prime, he was full of great aspirations and ambition. Not just in this life, but for several lives, he wanted to do what people call 'doing something big'—that is, to have a great career. However, his Causal Conditions were better than mine; he did not have the Causal Conditions to create negative karma, unlike me who created such negative karma."

Practitioner Su: "He says you didn't create negative karma, but he did."

Bai Qi: "And because his actions were upright, he has this blessing. He can come to the Buddha-land because his heart and actions are upright!"

Practitioner Su: "His heart is very upright. Brother Liu is extremely intelligent and has the tremendous blessing of knowing Amitabha Buddha."

Bai Qi: "But at first, when coming to the Buddha-land, one must also go through all kinds of tests. What is not yet revealed will slowly manifest. One must have awareness."

Practitioner Su: "That is the most important thing. What should he pay attention to? What is more important? Please, General Bai Qi, give us some teachings and write it down."

Bai Qi: "Be equal and do not be biased."

Practitioner Su: "Be equal and do not be biased—this is the most important. Once you are biased, it is all over. I have been practicing Buddhism for twenty-eight years, and I have seen people who practiced very well, but one moment of bias and all their previous efforts were wasted. This is very terrifying! Okay, may I ask General Bai Qi if there is anything else you would like to say?"

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, today I am grateful to Practitioner Su for giving Bai Qi such Causal Conditions."

Practitioner Su: "The Buddha is compassionate."

Bai Qi: "Everything that needed to be said has been said."

Practitioner Su: "This week, you had better listen to the Dharma, and also tell the generals and your loyal ministers. On Sunday, at the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, everyone is to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo. Practice it 24/7. Is there any place that needs to be grasped? The throat. Okay, take refuge in the Buddha and do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma and do not fall into the hungry ghost realm; take refuge in the Sangha and do not fall into the animal realm. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo."

Bai Qi: "The wound from the suicide."

Practitioner Su: "You committed suicide; this was a slit throat, right? It will be completely restored to its original state. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. That is how he died. Okay, do you want to write it down? I am going to have General Bai Qi ascend the lotus seat."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su, at the time of the suicide, actually, this was all... this was all..."

Practitioner Su: "Like the sands of the Ganges, like the sands of the Ganges, like the sands of the Ganges, like the sands of the Ganges."

Bai Qi: "Slit throats, killing enemies, soldiers—three hundred and sixty people. Qin generals, soldiers—they were Bai Qi's followers. Representative: Luo Shiliang."

Practitioner Xiuli: "So, may I ask, General, was Yuchan's throat earlier the wound from General Bai Qi's suicide? There were three hundred and sixty soldiers who had their throats slit and were killed. The second group: Qin generals, soldiers, civilians, and Bai Qi's followers."

Bai Qi: "These three hundred and sixty were the followers who followed Bai Qi. They were all followers specifically for killing enemies."

Practitioner Xiuli: "Yes, yes! On the same memorial tablet, three hundred and sixty people."

Bai Qi: "Practitioner Su is compassionate."

Practitioner Su: "Very well. Regarding Yuchan's throat, the three hundred and sixty generals and soldiers who were killed by throat-slitting—they are the followers of General Bai Qi. Their representative is Luo Shiliang. Very well, let the throat be restored to its original state. Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo. Take refuge in the Buddha, do not enter the hells; take refuge in the Dharma, do not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts; take refuge in the Sangha, do not fall into the animal realm. Rebirth in the Pure Land, be reborn with a new body, and ascend the lotus seat."

"We shall now chant the Buddha-name ten times to send General Bai Qi to his lotus seat."

October 28, 2015, Wednesday, 1:05 PM

Revisiting the Qin General of the Warring States: Bai Qi

Practitioner Su: "Very well, let us invite General Bai Qi. Life in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is quite good, is it not?"

Bai Qi: "Namo Amituofo. It is all thanks to the blessings of Practitioner Su!"

Practitioner Su: "It is thanks to the blessings of my Buddha, Namo Amituofo. Now, to interview you again: please look back into the past. How many lifetimes have you been a monastic? You must have practised very well to have become the great General Bai Qi."

Bai Qi: "To speak of this, one must look back even further than the life of Bai Qi. To be honest, at that time in China, the Buddha’s teachings had not yet entered the land. Therefore, Practitioner Su, you ask me to observe—as I look back, the causal conditions for my monastic life must have occurred much earlier."

Practitioner Su: "Much earlier, before the Buddha’s teachings had entered China."

Bai Qi: "That is correct."

Practitioner Su: "How long ago? How long ago were you a monastic? Because if you had not practised very well, it would have been impossible for you to become the great General Bai Qi."

Bai Qi: "Indeed. At that time, I was in India. Because of the Buddha’s presence, the Buddha’s teachings were flourishing there. I was once a member of that community—I was truly a member!"

A Past Life in India

Practitioner Su: "Oh! Because of the Buddha, you were once a member of the community in India."

Bai Qi: "Yes, a member of the community."

Practitioner Su: "And when you were in India, how many lifetimes ago was that, looking back from the time you were General Bai Qi?"

Bai Qi: "That was a very long time ago! Hmm, perhaps ten, eleven, or twelve lifetimes ago."

Practitioner Su: "That is not so long. I have interviewed many beings in the borderland of doubt who were in that same position; it takes about eleven or twelve lifetimes to trace it back. So, eleven or twelve lifetimes ago in India, were you an eminent monk?"

Bai Qi: "I would not call myself an eminent monk. I was simply part of a group where everyone was practising together in what you would now call a bodhimanda."

Practitioner Su: "Were you the abbot?"

Bai Qi: "I was not the abbot. At that time, there were many eminent monks, and everyone was a person of practice and accomplishment!"

Practitioner Su: "Oh! And how many students did you have?"

Bai Qi: "I would not dare call them students; they were more like juniors, as I had come into contact with the Buddha’s teachings slightly earlier than they had. The number of learners was not large—about one hundred and fifty people."

Practitioner Su: "One hundred and fifty people—that is remarkable! Did any of the people you taught achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land?"

Bai Qi: "At that time, the Pure Land Dharma Gate was not as flourishing as it is now. Most people simply sat in meditation, observing their own minds! Just sitting in meditation!"

Practitioner Su: "Sitting in meditation, that is, Zen meditation."

Bai Qi: "Yes, we practised sitting and observing the mind."

The Path of Reincarnation

Practitioner Su: "May I ask, General Bai Qi, did the eminent monks you practised with reach the Flower Adornment World?"

Bai Qi: "No, they did not! To enter the Flower Adornment World requires such immense good roots, Blessings, and Causal Conditions. We were still caught in the cycle of reincarnation."

Practitioner Su: "During your cycle of reincarnation, did you ever ascend to the heavens? Since you taught so many students in India, you should have ascended to the heavens, right?"

Bai Qi: "Yes, but I only reached the second level of heaven."

Practitioner Su: "Oh, and when your lifespan in the second heaven ended, you came back down to be reincarnated?"

Bai Qi: "The time in the second heaven was not long; I was still in the cycle of reincarnation."

Practitioner Su: "May I ask, General Bai Qi, what is the causal connection between you and me? I heard my Buddha, Namo Amituofo, say that for you to be able to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center, there must be a causal connection."

Bai Qi: "That is true! In the lifetimes before that, Practitioner Su was a 'Elder'. In India at that time, those known as 'Elders' were descendants of noble and wealthy families. At that time, I also had dealings with Practitioner Su. The Elders were business people—those who conducted business on a grand scale."

Practitioner Su: "In my past life, I was an Elder?"

Bai Qi: "Yes. At that time, I was also a business person, and I had dealings with Practitioner Su."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! So there was this causal connection from a past life."

Bai Qi: "Yes! It is a great honour!"

The Regrets of the Warring States

Practitioner Su: "And this time, when you appeared in the world as General Bai Qi, the Warring States period was truly terrifying!"

Bai Qi: "Alas! To speak of the Warring States period, I truly regret it!"

Practitioner Su: "Without the education of the Buddha’s teachings, one cannot come to be a human!"

Bai Qi: "If being a human means being able to save people like Practitioner Su does, then it is acceptable. But if one comes only to kill, then it is better not to come at all!"

Practitioner Su: "And now that you have entered the Western Land, are you in the high, middle, or low grade?"

Bai Qi: "Alas! I am ashamed! To be able to enter the Western Land is already rare, so rare! I dare not claim to be high, middle, or low. Alas! Is it high, middle, or low? It is the low grade."

Practitioner Su: "That is correct. Having a heart of open repentance is very important; the grade depends on the depth and breadth of one's vows. Now, regarding the beings you harmed, my Buddha is compassionate—they have mostly been saved, have they not?"

Bai Qi: "Are you referring to those from the Warring States period?"

Practitioner Su: "Yes."

Bai Qi: "My Buddha is compassionate, and the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies are indeed performing Chao Du for them."

Bai Qi: "To be honest, as you said, Practitioner Su, within space there are infinitely layered spaces. It is endless! As I observe now, there are still many who remain within those spaces."

Practitioner Su: "I see. My Buddha is compassionate, and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center is still performing Chao Du. Logically speaking, we still need to perform Chao Du for Confucius and Mencius, and we still need to perform it for the Warring States period, right?"

Bai Qi: "Confucius and Mencius lived even earlier than the Warring States period!"

Practitioner Su: "Oh! So if we perform the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we still need to perform Chao Du for the Warring States period."

Bai Qi: "Alas! If Practitioner Su has the opportunity to observe, more people from the Warring States period can be saved."

The Infinite Layers of Space

Practitioner Su: "General Bai Qi, please be compassionate and write down a goal, a focal point. My Buddha is compassionate, and the Thrice Yearning Ceremony can be very effective. How should I visualise the infinitely layered sentient beings so that my Buddha’s compassion can save them?"

Bai Qi: (Writes down: "Within space")

Practitioner Su: "Within space. Was the location in Nanjing or Beijing?"

Bai Qi: "The territory during the Warring States period was extremely vast."

Practitioner Su: "So I should visualise the entire map of China?"

Bai Qi: "It does not quite cover the entire map of China, because the current map of China is larger than the Warring States period."

Practitioner Su: "Regarding the memorial tablets written at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center, which area should be the main focus? How should I visualise it? That way, it will be faster to enter."

Bai Qi: "Because there were seven states during the Warring States period, each located in different positions."

Practitioner Su: "Yes, they were all small states."

Bai Qi: "To be honest, there are still many sentient beings remaining in each of those states."

Practitioner Su: (To the fellow practitioner beside her) "Help me get that map of China. Nanjing... I am performing Chao Du and observing during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. If there is a focal point, I will observe more. There are too many sentient beings. Wow! This space is truly infinitely layered!"

Bai Qi: "Infinitely layered! Every layer is infinitely layered. My Buddha is compassionate!"

Practitioner Su: "People in the world must not have attachments. Once you have an attachment, you enter these spaces. It is too terrifying!"

Bai Qi: "Does Practitioner Su know that this 'infinitely layered' nature means there are spaces for generals and soldiers, and spaces for the civilians and the people of that time?"

Practitioner Su: "Yes, I can see that now!"

Bai Qi: "And the eras are different, spanning hundreds of years! As you just said, Practitioner Su, there are spaces for the sentient beings of every year—the 104th year of the Republic, the 103rd, the 102nd..."

Practitioner Su: "Wow! That is too terrifying! How can we ever finish saving them all?"

Bai Qi: "The Warring States period spanned over two hundred years, and every year had its own space. Within the space of each year, there are the spaces of generals and soldiers, the spaces of civilians and the people, the spaces of the physical world, and the spaces of the palaces or their family members—each is different. The causal conditions and timing for each person to be saved are also different. Some can be opened at that time, while others cannot. Perhaps they are waiting for the right conditions, waiting for Practitioner Su, so that there will be an opportunity to use the Buddha’s teachings or the Buddha-name 'Namo Amituofo' to open them."

Practitioner Su: "Yes, it is Namo Amituofo. Its vast power is incomparable; it transcends space and time!"

Bai Qi: "Indeed! So there are so many sentient beings in these infinitely layered spaces!"

Practitioner Su: "Is it that Beijing has infinitely layered spaces, Nanjing has infinitely layered spaces, Zhejiang has infinitely layered spaces, Heilongjiang has infinitely layered spaces? Is that how it is?"

Bai Qi: "Yes! Without the great compassion and the Buddha’s blessings of Namo Amituofo, it would be impossible to finish saving them all!"

Practitioner Su: "Now, regarding the current administrative divisions of China—Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Ningxia—you look and see where the most beings are."

Bai Qi: "Actually, the provinces you mentioned, Practitioner Su, are names given under the current map of China. At that time, those names might not have existed; they were divided by states and natural terrain. Therefore, a single state might have spanned several of what you now call provinces. The sentient beings of that time would not know these provinces."

Practitioner Su: "Oh! I understand what you mean. For example, if I go to Liaoning, I will look up hundreds of layers. My Buddha is compassionate; I must visualise pressing them down and sending them to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now I understand."

Bai Qi: "Yes! The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center can do it. It is compassionate!"

Practitioner Su: "I understand now, Bai Qi. I understand what you said. Very well, my Buddha is compassionate and knows how to do this. And Bai Qi, you were also a practitioner in India, and you practised very well?"

Bai Qi: "Yes, I was a practitioner."

Practitioner Su: "You were a practitioner, and you must have accumulated virtue to become the great General Bai Qi; your mind was so sharp! Alas! It is a pity that you were born in a different era, which led to the creation of such karma."

Bai Qi: "Alas! A sharp mind must be used in the right place. At that time, I thought I was using it in the right place, but looking back, it is unbearable. The karma I created is piled as high as a mountain. I repent! I repent!"

Practitioner Su: "And now, as you listen to Amitabha Buddha give Dharma talks in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, what are your feelings?"

Bai Qi: "Sigh! Oh, the compassion of the Buddha! So that is the truth of it. Looking back at those days, sigh! The boundless compassion of the Buddha truly makes us feel such profound shame and deep remorse! At that time, there was absolutely no compassion to be found in my heart. I was consumed by a singular, obsessive drive to occupy and invade. Oh, the vanity of it all! The so-called victories and the triumphs I once boasted of. It is only now that I realise how critical a person's character and the environment they inhabit truly are to their spiritual path."

The Path of the Practitioner

Practitioner Su: "That intense, burning desire to win! The human heart is truly a terrifying thing. But tell me, it was because you accumulated merit and dedicated yourself to counseling others in the path of Goodness as a practitioner that you were able to manifest as General Bai Qi, and then continue through the cycle of rebirth for over a dozen lifetimes in relatively favourable circumstances, is that not so? When you were practicing in India, you were a practitioner of the Dharma, were you not? Was it not the Buddha’s teachings that you were following in India?"

Bai Qi: "Yes, we were indeed practicing the Buddha’s teachings."

Practitioner Su: "And what specific sutras did you study during that time?"

Bai Qi: (He pauses, then slowly writes down: Yogacarabhumi-sastra.)

Practitioner Su: "Ah! The Yogacarabhumi-sastra. A profound text indeed."

Bai Qi: "Yes, the Yogacarabhumi-sastra."

The Art of Purification

Practitioner Su: "Right, I imagine you all spent your time in deep meditation, correct?"

Bai Qi: (He nods slowly, his expression solemn.) "We were all focused on the process of purification."

Practitioner Su: "That is remarkable. And tell me, how long were you able to travel through the universe in that state? A month would have been no problem for you, I imagine?"

Bai Qi: "At that time, for those of us who had attained even a small measure of practice, such feats were actually quite ordinary; the spirit could easily leave the physical form. The measurement of days and months back then seems to differ somewhat from the current understanding, but roughly speaking, one week, two weeks, or even three weeks—that was certainly within our capabilities."

The Cycle of Rebirth

Practitioner Su: "Wow! The practitioners in India back then were truly extraordinary! Their mastery of meditation was exceptional. But tell me, have your students from that time also ascended?"

Bai Qi: "No, they have not."

Practitioner Su: "They are still trapped in that space in India, or perhaps still caught in the cycle of rebirth. If one’s practice does not lead to a thorough purification, it is incredibly difficult to find one’s true self!"

Bai Qi: "It is true. They are all still wandering within the cycle of rebirth."

Practitioner Su: "Oh, that is a heavy burden! You must quickly return to the world to save sentient beings!"

Bai Qi: "Sigh! I am repenting, truly repenting."

A Final Departure

Practitioner Su: "That is the right path. Now, what was your name back then in India? Please write down your Dharma name. And what was the name of the temple where you resided? I wish to know the name of the place and your title."

Bai Qi: (He writes down: Goyada.) "My name was Goyada. Sometimes, people would respectfully add the title 'Master' after it."

Practitioner Su: "So, your Dharma name was Master Goyada. And what was the name of that temple?"

Bai Qi: (He writes down: Alanka Temple.)

Practitioner Su: "Very well. We thank you, Bai Qi, for your testimony. Please, step onto the lotus seat and prepare for your journey."

Bai Qi: "Namo Amituofo."

Practitioner Su: "Namo Amituofo."