The Calligrapher’s Final Stroke: An Interview with Liu Gongquan

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Liu Gongquan, a renowned calligrapher from the late Tang Dynasty, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life approximately 1,100 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on March 28, 2026.

Liu Gongquan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Today is the day I, Liu Gongquan, have been granted this interview at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—a day I have anticipated for a very long time. I have known for quite a while that my name was written down by Namo Amituofo, yet the interview was delayed. I imagine everyone at the temple is incredibly busy, so our appointment was pushed back time and again. Please understand, I do not say this to cast blame; I only wish to express how deeply I value this opportunity and how much I have looked forward to it.

Over the past few weeks, which is a significant amount of time in this realm, I have received an abundance of purifying energy here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I must share with you that the first time I chanted the six characters 'Namo Amituofo,' tears streamed down my face. I have always known that I possessed a deep Buddhist affinity, and this faith and longing for the Buddha have never wavered. Yet, the path of life is long, and for over a thousand years, I never again formed a profound connection with the true Dharma.

The Fame of the Brush in Chang'an

When I lived as a human, I was Liu Gongquan. In the late Tang Dynasty, that name was known in every household, from the homes of high-ranking officials to the dwellings of common folk. When people thought of me, they inevitably thought of my calligraphy. My work was immensely famous in the city of Chang'an. People would come to my door in an endless stream, willing to pay a thousand pieces of gold or travel hundreds of miles just to obtain a single character or a scroll written by my hand. At the time, I often wondered to myself: 'Is my calligraphy truly of such high standing?' However, I never offered an explanation. Since people came seeking my work, I simply made it my principle in life and in my dealings with others to 'write it for them immediately' whenever asked.

In truth, my state of mind back then was simple and clear. In the turbulent era of the mid-to-late Tang Dynasty, I always maintained a calm and joyful heart. My life was free from great ups and downs; it was, one might say, peaceful and contented. Looking back now from the Western Dharma-Nature Land at everything I experienced in the human world, I can honestly say that I have no regrets. Although I did not encounter the true Dharma or hear the Great Dharma at that time, the seeds of Buddhist affinity planted in that life have finally blossomed and borne fruit. It is just that, back then, I had not yet truly resolved the cycle of birth and death or transcended the three realms of rebirth.

The Integrity of the Soul

Perhaps this was the causal condition of the era, as well as my own karmic destiny. I, Liu Gongquan, was destined to wait for over a millennium to continue my connection with the Buddha—to reconnect with the most magnificent Namo Amituofo, and with Practitioner Su, who is currently in the human world, having realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood. This affinity is incomparable, and my heart is filled with gratitude and peace. Those who knew me should remember that I was an open-minded and generous person, and my calligraphy was always imbued with a sense of uprightness. It may not be entirely appropriate to call myself a 'good person,' but I truly lived my life with a clear conscience, free from afflictions, and without ever plotting for my own gain at the expense of others.

From my youth, through passing the imperial examinations and serving as an official, until I passed away naturally at home, I lived a full life of eighty-eight years. Compared to many, I was truly blessed. To be blessed means that in all aspects of my life, there was never anything that caused me worry. I was a person of broad temperament, and nothing could easily disturb my heart. Therefore, I viewed those eighty-eight long years with an attitude of enjoyment and appreciation. Enjoying life meant pursuing my interests, and calligraphy was one of them—something I was proud of throughout my life. I did not consider myself the best, but I was certainly surprised when people began to compare me with the great calligrapher Yan Zhenqing.

A Hero and a Mirror of Character

Yan Zhenqing, that martyr, was always a calligrapher and national hero whom I deeply admired. I knew he was a man of immense integrity, and from a young age, I had a unique fondness for his work. One can discern a person's character and nature through their handwriting; this is something I could clearly foresee from childhood through my keen observation and sensitive eyes. I remember the first time I saw Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy as a young boy; I fell in love with it at first sight. I knew the person behind those characters was a good man—a man worthy of admiration and trust. And indeed, I was not wrong; he was a man who sacrificed his life for the people and the country.

From childhood, my family instilled in me pure Confucian thought. Consequently, I lived with upright character and never did anything to harm others for my own benefit; of this, I am certain. In the society of that time, all kinds of people existed in the imperial court, but I often chose to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear. Regarding the various rights and wrongs occurring in the outside world, I remained indifferent. Because of this, the Emperor often regarded me as a neutral and highly trustworthy official. Firstly, I never favoured any side; secondly, I did not care how others treated me. I could view everyone with great calmness and rationality, always trying to see the best in them. However, if a person's character was not upright, I could easily see through them. As a high minister close to the Emperor, whenever he asked, I would handle matters impartially and report the truth. If no one asked, I would not deliberately create opportunities to gossip. I believed that everything was arranged by causal conditions and that the laws of karma and cause and effect had their own order.

Beyond the Surface of Zen

I was once a person who 'studied' Buddhism, but since encountering the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I dare not regard what people then called 'Buddhist attainments' as true practice. At the time, I only understood the surface, never truly taking the Dharma as the foundation of my practice, let alone reaching the state of 'resolving birth and death and transcending the three realms.' In the past, I merely treated Buddhism as a psychological comfort in my leisure time, applying its principles to my daily interactions. But this was limited to superficial correspondence rather than a thorough purification of the self, which would lead to the path of awakening one's true nature. I had no such intention back then.

In Tang Dynasty culture, Zen was a very popular lifestyle. People enjoyed practicing meditation at home and discussing the Dharma after meals, especially the teachings of the various Zen schools. I was very keen on participating in such discussions and finding like-minded friends to study the major sutras and understand their meanings. Yet, I never thought that I was merely treating the Dharma as a pastime, rather than truly letting go of the self to reach a state of complete no-self. For us, having a spiritual anchor in life was enough; we did not think further or look toward more distant goals.

Haha, speaking of this, I cannot help but laugh. During these days of listening to Practitioner Su teach the Dharma in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I have become very familiar with his teachings. I can imagine Practitioner Su looking at my story and knowing that I had a foundation in Buddhism. Practitioner Su has a catchphrase: 'Everyone likes to fuss over the body.' This applies perfectly to me. I treated the Dharma as a great philosophy, and I believed that the Dharma described the universal principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, but I never truly regarded myself as a Buddha, nor did I treat everyone else as a Buddha. I did not make a vow to study the Dharma to attain Buddhahood, and my wish to save sentient beings was far narrower than what Practitioner Su describes. This is why I, Liu Gongquan, am so moved and filled with Dharma joy after arriving at the Western Dharma-Nature Land. The spiritual anchor I sought for so long has finally become real. It turns out that all my previous studies were limited to the surface of the sutras, and even the understandings I reached with others were far inferior to the perfect teachings given directly by a Buddha or Bodhisattva.

A Witness to the Great Deliverance

However, with my character, I have no regrets. They say that causal conditions come and go, and this is all part of the arrangement of those conditions. These conditions made me wait for over a thousand years to encounter the true Dharma again. I believe that in the future, I can still do many things that benefit the Dharma in the form of a spirit. Even today, having the opportunity to be interviewed as a historical figure of five thousand years by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is something that makes me, Liu Gongquan, feel incredibly excited.

I value this interview so highly because the spirit realm beings are well aware of everything the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is doing, and it is an unprecedented feat. Practitioner Su’s great Chao Du in China is a magnificent undertaking. This has already spread throughout many spaces in the spirit realms across the vast land of China. Everyone knows this is precious news that has not been heard in thousands of years. The spirits are all listening intently, deeply moved and eager to participate in this deliverance.

We heard this news long ago. After being truly saved, a sense of gratitude welled up within us. We are filled with emotion. Although the lives we lived were long, we drifted in China for over a thousand years after death, only to realize that everything that happened was a dream. Only by truly finding one's home is there reality. Now, our minds are clear, and we know the preciousness of the Dharma.

A Legacy of Righteousness

My life was considered very long for that time; I lived until eighty-eight, passing away peacefully at home. During the process of aging, I did not suffer any discomfort. Only in the final days did I begin to feel slightly weary, and the thought that my time was near flashed through my mind. It is said that my ability to perceive things was always good, so I had some intuition about what was happening to me. When I left, my body was free of any illness; I simply felt tired and departed naturally, which was a rare and precious thing in the society of that time.

My life's experiences and duties were fulfilled. I served as a civil official, rising from the second rank to the first rank, and held the important responsibility of being the Crown Prince's tutor, nurturing the next generation of talent for the country. I served under seven Tang Emperors and was considered a veteran of the state. I never felt there was anything in my life worth clinging to; I never specifically looked back on the path I had walked. I simply lived to eighty-eight and passed away peacefully. Many people came to pay their respects, and everyone cherished the calligraphy I left behind, treating it as a treasure.

After death, my spirit was very light, and I could feel myself drifting to a level of the heavenly realms. It was only then that I realized I had ascended to become a celestial being. I was a deity who could travel between the human world and the heavenly realms, though I did not know what my specific duties were. I did not want to enjoy the various benefits or privileges of being a deity. I knew that arriving there was a result of great blessings, but I chose to return to the vast land of China where I had lived as a human to wander. I also cherished the sacrifices made by later generations in my honour, but whenever they worshipped me, I would silently leave a bit of positive energy in their hearts. Just as I brought positive power to others through my calligraphy while I was alive: what kind of person you are and what kind of heart you have will determine the calligraphy you produce. This is something I have always firmly believed. And this sense of righteousness remained with me even after I became a deity. When later generations practice calligraphy, they should often be able to feel the traces of my presence. For anyone who is upright and does good for the country and the people, I will silently give their calligraphy a sense of power, silently blessing all those who write with an Upright Heart and Right Mind.

This is the good deed I have insisted on doing for over a thousand years while serving as a deity in China. I have no other special skills, and I do not know what else I can do, but I know I can help people correct their beliefs. As a spirit, I can still exert a small influence on human thought, so I have always insisted on not returning to the heavens to enjoy myself, but rather making a silent contribution in the human world.

A Future of Hope

Until today, when Practitioner Su arrived in China with the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo and his countless manifestations to conduct this great Chao Du, my heart suddenly opened. I know this is the true Dharma, the righteous path that can truly help more people find their home. This light felt incredibly familiar; although I had never seen it in my physical body, the energy within the Buddha-light was extremely intense. Upon feeling it, I could perceive that this was an energy of supreme Goodness and purity. Compared to my realm as a celestial being, it is truly worlds apart.

I immediately accepted the illumination of the Buddha-light and entered the Western Dharma-Nature Land with everyone else. Everything is so natural and beautiful. My heart is open and honest, and I constantly bow in gratitude to Namo Amituofo. I am truly grateful to the Buddha for giving me this opportunity and for providing the vast Chinese people with a chance to leave suffering behind. We are all people with blessings who cherish them, and we all hope to contribute our humble efforts to the inheritance of the Dharma. I, Liu Gongquan, sincerely hope that the next generation in China will have the opportunity to learn the Dharma, allowing the True Teachings to abide in China, rather than seeing the decline of the Dharma as it is today.

I know we must rely on the efforts of this generation to have any hope of resisting the attacks of the massive demon crowds and the control of the spirit realms. We in the spirit realms see the great work Practitioner Su is doing clearly. Operating this life-saving mission on the land of China is extremely difficult, as it carries the heavy souls and historical memories of thousands, even tens of thousands of years. Although the collective karma of sentient beings is deep, their blessings are equally vast. Every step Practitioner Su takes is precious. Being able to encounter Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, we, this great mass of spirits, feel infinite gratitude and are full of hope for the future.

For the future, I hope that Practitioner Su’s power of deliverance will grow ever more profound, and I look forward to someone inheriting this great cause, so that the Dharma will not be cut off here, but will continue to spread for ten thousand generations. This is my sincere hope and blessing. That is all I have to say for today. Namo Amituofo."