The Emperor's Long Road to Deliverance

This is a record of an interview with Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, Yuwen Yong, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life approximately 1,400 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on February 28, 2026.

Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I, Yuwen Yong, have now been saved by the compassionate Practitioner Su, allowing me to emerge from the Lonely Hell. At this very moment, I am at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, residing in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, and I am honoured to be interviewed by the Venerable. I am struck by the inconceivable nature of these Causal Conditions. To think that the Emperor Wu of Liang from my era has returned as the present-day Practitioner Su. As an emperor, one's reign must eventually decline and come to an end, yet Practitioner Su, having realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood, possesses a spirit that never dies. His spirit can manifest in countless forms to save sentient beings. The great Chao Du that took place in China—which I witnessed from the Western Land of Dharma Nature—is something that fills me with deep respect and gratitude. I never imagined that the Emperor of Liang from the past would not cease his mission to save the world, but instead reincarnate to accomplish an even greater cause. I am grateful for Practitioner Su's appearance in this world, which has allowed immeasurable and boundless suffering spirits in China to be saved. From the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I offer my most sincere prostrations to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, in gratitude for their great kindness and virtue."

The Meaning of a Sovereign's Life

"As an emperor, I accomplished many things during my time in the world, but none of them hold as much significance as this interview at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. My past deeds were for the benefit of the world, which is illusory and marked by impermanence, whereas this current opportunity is for the benefit of the world beyond, which is true and ultimate.

During the era I inhabited—the Northern and Southern Dynasties of Northern Zhou—I was the ruler of the Northern Zhou. I endured years of restraint before I could truly consolidate my political power. People in the world often consider my greatest achievement to be the unification of Northern China, the destruction of Northern Qi, or my military and political reforms. However, I personally believe my greatest achievement was the closure of all Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries across the North, the confiscation of their assets, and the forced laicisation of all monks and nuns. I am aware that many have criticised this policy of mine. I did not merely force them to return to lay life; I even had all the bronze Buddhist and Taoist statues melted down to be recast into coins to replenish the national treasury. It was, indeed, a highly controversial move."

The Logic of a Ruler

"At the time, to implement my policies, I first invited scholars of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism to gather at court for a debate. I established Confucianism as the primary doctrine and subsequently ordered the abolition of Buddhism and Taoism. There were two reasons for this: first, the national treasury was indeed empty and required significant replenishment; second, the quality of the monks, nuns, and Taoists at the time was very low—many possessed only the outward appearance of practitioners without the inner substance. In that era of frequent warfare and national instability, the millions of monks and nuns—amounting to one-tenth of the Northern population—were, in my conclusion after long observation, of no real benefit to the stability of the nation or the people; rather, they had become a burden. At that time, my style of governance was rational, calm, and decisive. Choosing the lesser of two evils, after several years of debate among the three teachings, I made the firm decision to abolish Buddhism and Taoism in the North based on economic and military considerations.

Under this policy of abolition, I did not carry out a massacre of the clergy. Instead, I made a rational decision based on the circumstances: since these monks and nuns were exempted from taxes and labour by the state, I decided to force them to return to lay life so they could become citizens who paid taxes. However, I did not destroy any of the Buddhist or Taoist sutras or scriptures; on the contrary, I maintained an attitude of respect and believed they should be preserved. At that time, the Southern regime was the Chen Dynasty, and due to the great efforts of the former Emperor Wu of Liang, many temples had been founded and Buddhism had flourished. I held great respect for that."

A Glimmer of Hope

"I actually held a respectful attitude toward the Buddha’s teachings, but the atmosphere of Buddhism in the North at that time was truly unsustainable. After much consideration, I decided to abolish Buddhism in the North on the premise that I would not harm the clergy and would preserve the scriptures. But I knew that true practitioners who were genuinely committed to saving the world could gather in the South. Regarding this, I intentionally relaxed the enforcement of my policies to give them a chance to breathe; this was the glimmer of hope I left for them back then.

In that lifetime, I successfully destroyed Northern Qi and unified the North. However, I knew that the confrontation between the North and South would eventually end; one side would inevitably prevail. I died suddenly while on a campaign against the Turks. Upon my death, I entered the Lonely Hell. This hell is not located anywhere else but deep beneath the mountains of China, where I endured repetitive torture day and night. I knew in my heart that this was what I deserved. The suffering in hell was immense, and I spent 1,400 years there. Yet, I always believed that the single act of kindness I showed by leaving a glimmer of hope for the monks and nuns would one day bring me an opportunity for deliverance."

The True Buddha Abides

"After arriving at the Western Land of Dharma Nature from the Lonely Hell, my spirit was restored to a complete human form; I was no longer in a wounded state. The Buddha-light here shines upon me constantly, healing the wounds within my soul. I have been chanting 'Namo Amituofo' here and listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks. I have come to realise that the true Namo Amituofo is right here. What I see in the spiritual realms is that on the four hundred acres of land belonging to this temple, the Buddha stands tall, emitting great light to lead sentient beings. I feel deep respect for the achievements of the Emperor of Liang in this lifetime. The Emperor of Liang was a unique monarch who aspired to save the world from suffering, and today, he has attained Buddhahood in a human body, capable of saving immeasurable and boundless sentient beings. This is the path I aspire to follow. I have made a vow before the Buddha to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, and in the future, I wish to be like Practitioner Su, saving sentient beings extensively. This is the only truly meaningful cause.

The education of the Buddha’s teachings is indeed what the world needs. Modern monks and nuns are much like those in the Northern Zhou era; they have lost the image and inner substance that a practitioner should possess. Fortunately, the world has the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, where Namo Amituofo is residing and Practitioner Su is present. Only then does the Buddha’s teachings have a glimmer of hope.

I am grateful to Namo Amituofo. I am grateful to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou"