The Eternal Loyalty of Zhao Yun: From the Three Kingdoms to the Western Pure Land

The Vow of a Warrior

I am Zhao Yun, known to many as Zhao Zilong. I was born during the twilight of the Eastern Han Dynasty, an era defined by the fragmentation of power and the rise of competing warlords. From my earliest years, I was raised in a family that valued moral foundations, and I developed my own understanding of martial arts. I often yearned for the day when I could serve a leader who truly cared for the people and the nation. The concepts of benevolence and righteousness were deeply embedded in my heart from my youth; they became the guiding stars of my life, the very foundation upon which I stood. I understood early on that a blade must never be drawn in vain. Every life taken in battle was a heavy burden, and I fought only with the singular purpose of protecting the innocent and preserving the lives of the many, rather than for personal gain.

My connection with my lord, Liu Bei, was profound and enduring. I recognised in him a man of true benevolence and integrity, a leader who genuinely cared for the welfare of the people. Even when he was at his lowest, I knew he was the one who could serve the people and restore order to the land. Together with brothers like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, we embarked on the great mission of restoring the Han Dynasty and improving the lives of the civilians. Throughout my life, I remained steadfast in my loyalty to my lord and my commitment to the people. I lived by the principles of benevolence and righteousness, and the people I sought to protect remained the focus of my heart from beginning to end.

The Guardian of the Land

My life as a warrior was filled with countless battles, yet my heart remained remarkably calm, free from fear or unnecessary afflictions. When we were defeated by Cao Cao’s forces and the people were scattered, I knew that the young heir, Liu Shan, had to be protected to ensure the future of our cause. During the Battle of Changban, I did not think of my own life; I thought only of the duty to protect the young master. I navigated the chaos of the battlefield with the courage of a lone rider, avoiding unnecessary slaughter while ensuring his safety. Even Cao Cao, who admired talent, chose not to end my life, a gesture for which I was grateful, though my loyalty to my lord and the people remained unmoved. I lived by the principles of benevolence and righteousness, and my commitment never wavered.

After my passing, my spirit did not fade into nothingness. For over a thousand years, I lingered within the vast landscape of China. I moved silently through the mountains and rivers, watching over the people and quietly safeguarding the seeds of goodness and benevolence. I witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, the endless cycles of conflict, and the suffering that arises when men act only for their own gain. As a spirit, I felt the pulse of the land and the needs of those who suffered. I did my utmost to protect the virtuous and to mitigate the harm caused by war, hoping to use the power of my intent to bring peace to those in distress. I saw many others like me, spirits of the past, silently guarding the land, each fulfilling our own roles in the vast sea of humanity.

A Reunion Beyond Time

Yet, the most astonishing revelation of my existence came when I was brought into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It was here that I encountered the most profound truth of all. The lord whom I served so faithfully in the past, Liu Bei, has returned in this present age as Practitioner Su. To be reunited with him in this magnificent realm, under the light of Namo Amituofo, is a source of immense comfort and strength for me. All the aspirations I once held for the nation and its people have now become clear in the light of the Dharma. I saw my former lord, my comrades, and even those who were once my adversaries. Many of them have now taken on human form, with some having the precious opportunity to enter the Buddha’s gate and practise at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. They have formed a deep connection with Namo Amituofo, while others remain in the spirit realm, sitting peacefully upon their lotus seats in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

It is truly inconceivable that the one who leads us all today—Practitioner Su—is the very same soul I served so long ago. He has attained Awakening and Buddhahood, and he now possesses the ability to manifest in countless forms to perform Chao Du across the vast lands of China. Seeing him today, I am filled with joy and admiration. I realise now that my lord was always a being of great compassion and wisdom. His ability to remain calm in the face of danger, his constant concern for the welfare of the common people, and his willingness to sacrifice his own comfort for the sake of others were all signs of the Buddha-nature he carried within. He has achieved such mastery that every cell in his body obeys his will, and his spirit of embracing the entire universe with his compassion is a testament to the greatness I witnessed in him over eighteen hundred years ago.

The Path to Ultimate Liberation

Today, as I sit upon my lotus seat in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I watch Practitioner Su with profound reverence. I have come to understand that my life of service was not merely a historical duty, but a part of a larger karmic arrangement that has led me to this moment of liberation. Though I lived a life of loyalty and integrity, I carried the weight of my attachments until the very end. I often felt the sorrow of not being able to restore the peace I so deeply desired for the people. Yet, in the light of the Western Pure Land, I have learned that all things in this world are formed by the combination of multiple karmic conditions. They arise and pass away according to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. I was once a being caught in the whirlpool of karma, drifting through the vast sea of humanity without knowing my true destination.

Now, by listening to the teachings of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, I have found my true home. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of Namo Amituofo and the guidance of Practitioner Su. My heart is now settled, filled with the joy of the Dharma. I have been purified by the Buddha-light, and my spirit has been transformed. I am no longer the warrior of the past, but a practitioner of the Buddha’s path, dedicated to the work of saving all beings. I offer my deepest gratitude to the Buddha and to my teacher, and I vow to continue this journey with a heart full of devotion. Namo Amituofo.