The Eternal Bond of Guan and Bao

This is a record of an interview with Bao Shuya, the legendary friend of the ancient statesman Guan Zhong, 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 2,600 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on February 27, 2026.

Bao Shuya speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Bao Shuya. I have been waiting for this interview for a very long time. I heard that this title was bestowed by Namo Amituofo Himself, and I am filled with immense joy. Yes, I am indeed Bao Shuya, the friend of Guan Zhong. Throughout history, the 'Guan-Bao Friendship' has been celebrated as the gold standard of mutual understanding and appreciation. Guan Yiwu, my old friend, do you still remember your Bao Shuya?

A Millennium of Change

A thousand years pass like a single smile; people and events have all changed. In the past, everyone knew Guan Zhong, but who today recognises Practitioner Su? Guan Zhong, it has been such a long time. It seems my judgment of character was not too bad after all. Who would have thought that you, once called 'Father Zhong' by our sovereign, would reincarnate as a human, realise your true nature, and attain Buddhahood, becoming the world-renowned Practitioner Su in the spiritual realms? Over 2,600 years have passed in the blink of an eye. The world knows Guan Zhong, the famous Prime Minister of Qi, but who knows that the Guan Zhong of the past is the Practitioner Su of today? It is truly wondrous! My friend, these two thousand years have been both long and short. I served as a 'Mirror God' for so many years, never imagining that my spiritual life could undergo such a transformation. Thank you for saving me. It is the greatest fortune of my life to have known you. I must address you as 'Practitioner Su' now, or it would seem disrespectful. At this very moment, I am kneeling here in the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, kowtowing to express my gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for the grace of my rebirth.

The Wondrous Dharma-Nature Land

The Western Land of Dharma Nature established by Practitioner Su is truly extraordinary. I never imagined such a magnificent world existed—boundless and vast, bathed in the light of the Buddha, with the fragrance of pure lotus flowers drifting through the air. As I stand here in the Dharma-Nature Land, I am watching the scene of Practitioner Su’s deliverance. During this Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Practitioner Su sits in the main seat, yet his spirit has manifested into hundreds of billions of forms. This number is merely a symbolic representation; in truth, it is an immeasurable, infinite number of manifestations. These countless forms of Practitioner Su are rushing to every corner of the universe to save suffering spirits. In particular, this time, Practitioner Su has vowed to deliver all of China, enveloping the entire vast space of the country. He is continuously emitting the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo to guide sentient beings. So many spirits who were trapped in suffering, or confined within various spaces, or even lonely wandering spirits and vast crowds of demons, are being sent into the Western Land of Dharma Nature by the Twelve Lights used by Practitioner Su. I cannot find the words to describe how deeply this has stirred my heart.

The Path of the True Self

It is astonishing that the talent of the former Guan Zhong, which could assist a sovereign in achieving hegemony and governing a nation, has today far surpassed those worldly capabilities. He has transcended the framework of the secular world and progressed to the point of helping souls escape suffering and providing them with a place of ultimate peace. In the past, people praised my ability to recognise talent, but now, I would not dare claim to understand the true capacity of Practitioner Su. With his status as an awakened being who has realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood, he has truly transcended the imagination of the secular world. After 2,600 years, my own spiritual life had made no further progress after I entered the realm of the gods, yet Guan Zhong had already rediscovered his true nature and attained the Buddha’s path. I am overjoyed for my friend’s transcendence, yet I also lament how unpredictable the cycle of rebirth is. One moment, it felt as if we were still together assisting our sovereign; the next, we were worlds apart. It is exactly as Practitioner Su says in his Dharma talks: 'We are born alone, we die alone, we come alone, and we go alone.' No one can help another. But fortunately, perhaps due to the good karmic connection we forged long ago, I have finally been reunited with my friend and saved. Here, in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I am beginning a brand-new spiritual life.

The Truth Behind the Legend

I am Bao Shuya, the 'Baozi' familiar to all. The words of the famous Prime Minister of Qi, Guan Zhong—'Those who gave birth to me were my parents, but the one who truly knows me is Baozi'—left a deep impression on many. Guan Zhong and I became friends before either of us had achieved success. From our youth, we often travelled together and discussed all manner of topics. People know of the events between us, including how I yielded profit to him and stepped aside to let him take the lead, but they do not know that in my youth, I received much help from Guan Zhong. More importantly, during that time, I realised that Guan Zhong was no ordinary man. From then on, I knew that by his side, I could achieve my greatest potential. It is true that we did business together, and Guan Zhong took the lion's share of the profit, but as long as he was there, I could rest easy. Very early on, we expressed our ambition to bring order to the world. Even then, I knew in my heart that if I ever had the chance to serve a wise sovereign with this Guan Yiwu, I would willingly serve under him.

A Mirror to the Soul

The world knows I recommended Guan Zhong to Duke Huan of Qi and stepped down, praising my insight. It is true that I had a unique ability to recognise talent. However, I was also acutely aware of my own strengths and weaknesses. When the Duke asked Guan Zhong to recommend a successor, Guan Zhong’s assessment of me was accurate: I was too upright and clean. It is not an exaggeration to call me a man of integrity. Yet, as Guan Yiwu said, I could not tolerate a single grain of sand in my eyes. For those who were not as capable as I, I saw their faults with absolute clarity, and 'once I heard of their faults, I would never forget them for the rest of my life.' I knew this about my own character, but it was difficult to change. Perhaps I never truly wanted to change. That is why I am so deeply grateful to Guan Zhong. Because of his existence, my own talents could be better utilised. With him as the Prime Minister above me, I received the greatest protection and support, and I no longer had to expend my energy on countless trivial matters.

The Rarity of True Understanding

The world only understands that Bao Shuya knew the talent of Guan Zhong, but they should also know that in all the world, only Guan Zhong knew the shortcomings of Bao Shuya. To recognise a person's talent is not easy, but many can do it. However, to have someone who truly understands your strengths, sees your weaknesses clearly, tolerates them, and even helps you so that your flaws are no longer flaws and your strengths are fully realised—how many such people can one meet in a lifetime? My answer is: 'One is enough.' Meeting Guan Zhong was the greatest blessing of my life. This is the heartfelt truth I am revealing to the public today, which no one knew before. I know Guan Zhong does not need my thanks, but I must still say to Guan Yiwu: 'Thank you!'

From Mirror God to Pure Land

At the end of my life, I died in depression. The sovereign did not listen to the advice of Guan Zhong or myself, and instead allowed the three treacherous officials, including Yiya, to remain by his side. I died in despair, and the state of Qi was indeed seized by those three, destroying the hegemony we had built. After death, I became a 'Mirror God' because my personality was like a mirror, reflecting everything in others, especially their flaws. In my eyes, nothing could be hidden. Thus, my soul became the god in charge of mirrors; all mirrors in existence were within the reach of my soul. Because I had felt regret for my personality before I died, as a Mirror God, I helped those who held mirrors to see their own strengths and, more importantly, to see their own faults clearly, while guiding them not to focus on the faults of others. I was quite happy being a Mirror God; no matter what, being able to help others in that way was worthwhile. I lived that life for 2,600 years until I was recently saved by the reincarnation of my dear friend, Practitioner Su.

A New Beginning

Listening to the Dharma here in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I have learned so much. The education of the Buddha’s teachings is something everyone truly needs. Changing one's personality—I did not take this seriously enough when I was alive. Although I was aware of my faults, I lacked the motivation to change because I did not see any problem with being a man of integrity. I thought my ability to judge others was natural. I did not know that failing to change one's personality would cause such great harm to oneself. My own death in depression was actually the result of not changing my personality, which attracted karmic creditors to manifest and bring about that retribution. I see this clearly now. Listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks, my soul becomes clearer every day. I praise the achievements of my friend, and I make a vow before the Buddha that one day, I too will realise my true nature and attain Buddhahood in a human body, just like Practitioner Su, to save countless suffering beings.

Now, Bao Shuya spends every day under the Buddha-light of the Dharma-Nature Land, happily chanting 'Namo Amituofo.' Practitioner Su says that if one chants the Buddha’s name sincerely, one can go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. That will be the next station of my spiritual life.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude for the meeting, the understanding, and the mutual appreciation I shared with Guan Zhong. Gratitude for the deliverance of Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Guan Zhong’s friend: Bao Shuya"