The Burden of Influence and the Path to Awakening

This is a record of a spiritual interview with Liang Qichao, a renowned intellectual and reformist of the late Qing and early Republic eras. Having sought deliverance through Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, he now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account, which reflects upon his life approximately ninety years ago, was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on March 8, 2026.

Liang Qichao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Liang Qichao. I have been waiting for some time here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. From the moment I learned that I would have the opportunity to be interviewed, I looked forward to sharing my journey with the general public. During my time in the world, I spearheaded numerous movements, including youth initiatives, student organisations, the Gongche Shangshu petition, and the founding of various newspapers. I am no stranger to mass movements; I even delivered public speeches in several cities across Australia to raise funds for our cause. These were the brilliant chapters of my life. However, all of that pales in comparison to the significance of this spiritual interview conducted by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre."

A Higher Purpose Beyond Nations

"The content of this interview is intended to help more people recognise the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and assist in bringing the teachings of Namo Amituofo to the forefront. This is a magnificent goal that the Liang Qichao of the past never possessed. When I was alive, my struggles were confined to the interests of a single nation, yet even between nations, there are boundaries.

The Buddhist education provided by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is, in essence, the education given to all beings by Namo Amituofo. It has the capacity to help and influence all of China, the entire Earth, and indeed, the vastness of the Dharma Realm. Those who have the karmic affinity to hear these teachings have the opportunity to attain the magnificent benefits of being free from aging, free from illness, and ensuring their spirit never dies, as well as securing a ticket to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a truly eternal enterprise that is worth dedicating one's entire life to."

The Selfless Dedication of Practitioner Su

"Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia uses his awakened Dharma Body to open the space of China's five-thousand-year history, rescuing countless suffering souls. Among them are many well-known historical figures; Liang Qichao is but a small point in that long river of history.

Here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I watch Practitioner Su working tirelessly every day for the sake of all beings, even sacrificing his own physical comfort to help them. Such boldness and compassion have filled me with admiration, and I cannot help but feel a desire to emulate him. In my lifetime, from the moment I began my career, I was involved in public opinion and organising crowds, eventually becoming a famous figure who controlled the discourse of the press. This is different from Practitioner Su, who works silently without seeking fame. He simply gives of himself, hoping that more people can receive the magnificent benefits of the Buddha’s teachings. Compared to him, my heart seems far less pure; his is truly the embodiment of selflessness and no-self."

The Double-Edged Sword of Fame

"When I was alive, I frequently wrote articles, managed newspapers, and published novel ideas. I travelled abroad to study various ideologies—Marxism, socialism, American republicanism, and the British constitutional monarchy—all of which served as fuel for my writing. At the time, my ideas were considered avant-garde, and many people identified deeply with my work. I received a great deal of feedback.

However, I must admit that there was an element of 'fame' involved. It is not that I was a person who craved fame, but as a prominent intellectual known both at home and abroad, my role in the constitutional monarchy movement and my position among the royalists meant that my books, articles, and editorials represented 'fame' itself. Whether you desire it or not, as a famous person, you have a responsibility for the words you write, the things you say, and the influence you exert on the public. The laws of karma and cause and effect do not deceive anyone; every single bit of it is accounted for."

The Influence of Mara

"As a commoner who specialised in ideological and mass movements, I created a new literary style that became the foundation of my influence. For someone in my position, the power to mobilise was crucial. I abandoned the obscure and difficult 'eight-legged essay' and instead used modern vocabulary, blending classical and vernacular Chinese to make my writing accessible. At the time, I claimed that my new style 'carried emotion in the tip of the pen, exerting a kind of magic on the reader.'

Heavens, I must say, now that I am here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I can see that I was truly being controlled by demon crowds. They allowed me to write articles and express opinions that had such a massive impact on society and the intellectuals of that time, which was a major reason why I eventually fell into the hells."

The Illusion of Worldly Glory

"I was aware of the inflammatory power and influence of my writing, and I must admit, I even enjoyed the feeling to some extent. Or perhaps 'enjoyed' is not the right word; for me, it was simply too easy, too natural. The skill of moving people's hearts through the emotion and meaning between the lines felt like something I was born to do. Many called me a genius, and while I didn't pay much attention to such praise, my ambition to save China was very clear. Yet, I must admit that I accepted those accolades. How many people in China at that time could use their pens and their thoughts to influence the era as I did? There were some, but certainly not many.

After my physical body died, none of that held any meaning. With the death of the body, all glory, criticism, prosperity, and decline vanished. This is what the Buddha’s teachings mean: this body is formed by the combination of the four elements; it arises due to Causal Conditions and ceases when those conditions end. After death, everything experienced in life—whether it was wealth and status or displacement and poverty, whether it was one person shouting with thousands responding—all of it has ended, becoming a past that can never be reclaimed."

Reflections on a Turbulent Life

"I was prominent in China, travelling extensively and studying political systems in many countries under the tutelage of Kang Youwei. I am deeply grateful to my teacher, Kang Youwei. When I failed my examinations, I was fortunate to meet him, which broadened my horizons and thoughts. Later, when I travelled between Hawaii and Australia to raise funds, I did so under his orders. We established the Baohuanghui, and many overseas Chinese supported us enthusiastically, which allowed our cause to save the nation to continue.

I had unique insights into constitutional monarchy. Many in the revolutionary republican camp were puzzled by my choice, though some eventually came to share my views. After the Republic of China was established, I served as an official, but it only made me more sentimental. Even after the revolution succeeded, political factors prevented my aspirations from being truly realised. When Yuan Shikai attempted to restore the monarchy, it crossed the line I had set, leading to the famous War to Protect the Nation. I joined my student, Cai E, to establish the National Protection Army, which preserved the Republic. Exhausted by the political environment, I left the political arena to dedicate myself to teaching. In my later years, my health was poor, but I continued to serve the country and the people in my own way."

Deliverance from the Hells

"I died in a hospital. A rare disease at the time tormented me for a long time. After I died, I entered the hells. I spent over ninety years there, and the punishments were incredibly painful. It was only in the last two years that I finally emerged. My spirit first appeared at Tsinghua University in China, where I had once worked. I felt very unfamiliar with the state of the world, but I soon wandered everywhere. I was particularly curious to understand the state of young Chinese students today and what they were thinking.

After a long period of observation, I discovered that the thoughts of modern Chinese people are vastly different from those of my time. The primary difference is the development of modern computer technology, which has transformed lifestyles. From the mental notes of these young people, I can clearly feel the comfort and the delayed maturity of modern life. In my era, a twenty-year-old might already be an official, married with children. Today, many people in their thirties are still unmarried and have no offspring. Not to mention that modern entertainment is far richer than in the past. Seeing this, I can only sigh that in such an environment, people's minds have become much more complex, and their thoughts change far more rapidly than those of my generation."

The Truth of the Universal Principle

"Recently, a massive golden light descended from the sky. I had never seen such radiance before. In that light, I felt as if I had become much clearer. I followed the golden light to the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This is an excellent learning environment. I can see what is happening in the world from my lotus seat, and I can hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks on the scriptures transmitted by Namo Amituofo. I listen very attentively, wanting to understand the profound mysteries. Slowly, I have come to realise what the universal principle and the righteous path of Truth are. I realised that one cannot afford to be even a little bit selfish. I founded the newspaper industry in China, which led to the prosperity of news media, and my students called me the 'pride of public opinion, a literary genius.' However, I now know that mastering the sharp weapon of public opinion is a double-edged sword that inevitably harms everyone involved."

A Vow for the Future

"In terms of the Buddha’s teachings, if the words one speaks cause others to have thoughts and intentions, then karma is inevitably created. If others think good thoughts and perform Goodness because of your words, that is naturally good; but if they commit evil or think bad thoughts because of your words, that is disastrous. My articles were highly inflammatory. Regardless of my original intentions, they did not bring people peace or positive influence; rather, much of my writing tapped into the dark side of human nature, stirring up sorrow, grief, sadness, and anger. This is an undeniable fact. I can now see that when I was young, demon crowds had already entered my body, and my karmic creditors were controlling me. They worked together to use my talent to make me create karma, which ultimately led me to the hells.

To all those who have been influenced by my words and thoughts from the past to the present, if you are still in the world, I sincerely hope you can let go of these things. Everything in the world is illusory and impermanent. All the attachments and discriminations within it are merely the creation of karma, which causes immense harm to oneself and others. Now, as I listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to be reborn. I am humbly and modestly relearning the true principles—the great Dharma of realising one's true nature and attaining Buddhahood. Holding tightly to the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo', I have vowed to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, hoping that one day I may return to save sentient beings with karmic affinity."

"Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su."

"Namo Amituofo."

"Liang Qichao"