The Final Act: A Peking Opera Legend Finds Deliverance

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Mei Lanfang, the legendary Peking Opera master, who sought Spiritual Deliverance 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 sixty years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on March 31, 2026.

Mei Lanfang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. My life was, by all accounts, one of significant achievement. Born into a family steeped in the tradition of Peking Opera, I followed in my father's footsteps, dedicating my existence to this art form. Yet, I never imagined that I would be the one to reform our traditional opera, nor that I would bring the beauty of Chinese theatre to the global stage. I travelled to the Soviet Union, Japan, and the United States, performing for extended periods. Those performances resonated deeply, creating a sensation that remains a brilliant chapter in my life story. I was honoured to serve as a representative to the National People's Congress and eventually joined the Communist Party. However, my time in the world was cut short when I passed away due to illness.

The Hidden Sorrow Behind the Stage

Throughout my career in Peking Opera, I felt I had few regrets regarding my professional life. However, there was a profound, aching void in my personal life: the loss of my children. Many of them passed away in infancy, never having the chance to grow up. This was a source of unbearable grief, a tragedy I was utterly powerless to prevent. With my first wife, I had two sons, both of whom died young. Later, with my second wife, we had nine children, five of whom also perished in childhood. Out of my eleven children, seven were lost before they could reach adulthood. This remains the deepest sorrow and regret of my heart.

I could not comprehend why such a fate had befallen me, yet I sensed there must have been a cause. I dared not complain against such a destiny; I could only accept it, burying my sorrow deep within and focusing entirely on my work. My simple hope at the time was to provide a better life for myself and my remaining family. In the realm of Peking Opera, I possessed a natural talent that few others could claim. I naturally refined the traditional art, innovating everything from stage makeup and lighting to the creation of new scripts. These efforts propelled my performances to heights that had never been reached before.

A Journey Through the Sound Space

After I passed away, I entered a unique sound space—a realm composed of the echoes and vibrations of the opera I had dedicated my life to. I remained in this space for over sixty years. Then, quite recently, I suddenly heard a resonant, powerful chanting of the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo.' It arrived accompanied by boundless, compassionate golden light, which shattered the boundaries of that sound space. My spirit, filled with an indescribable joy, entered that light and was brought here, to the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This is the place where the spirit of Mei Lanfang has been reborn.

Here, I am bathed in the Buddha-light. Each day, I feel more awake and clear-headed. I am no longer the somewhat dazed spirit I was in that confined space; I have become a spirit of profound clarity. Now, I can hear the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo' at any moment. I do not know who is chanting it, but I must say, I have never heard a sound so beautiful. It is far more melodious, rounded, and peaceful than any voice I ever trained for decades in the opera. I listen to this Buddha-name constantly, and the more I hear it, the more I feel compelled to join in, chanting this simple, holy name. This sound has truly saved the spirit of Mei Lanfang.

The Compassion of Practitioner Su

I have come to realise that it is Practitioner Su who has made a great vow of compassion to save the suffering spirits of all of China. Practitioner Su uses his Dharma Body to open the historical spaces of China, and his countless manifestations are performing Chao Du across the entire nation. Whether in Zhejiang, Nanjing, Shaanxi, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Beijing, or Tianjin, every province is filled with the immeasurable manifestations of Practitioner Su. He carries the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo, infusing the space of every province with Buddha-light. For a moment, it seemed as if the entire land of China was glowing, as the golden light gathered immeasurable sentient beings and led them to the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

I can see that this mission to save the spirits of China is no simple task. Throughout the process, there were countless dark spirits known as 'demon crowds' inhabiting various spaces in China. Disturbed by the Buddha-light emitted by Practitioner Su, they gathered in groups to launch magical attacks against him, causing physical harm to his body. Despite this, nothing could hinder Practitioner Su's determination to deliver them. Instead, it only compelled him to work even harder to subdue these demon crowds and bring them into the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I witnessed countless, immeasurable demon crowds vanish under the golden light of Practitioner Su, entering the Western Dharma-Nature Land to receive a chance at rebirth.

The Truth of Karma and the Path to Awakening

The magnetic field of all China became significantly brighter following the Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su. I heard Practitioner Su explain that all of this is done to deliver the demon crowds of China, reducing the chances of the Chinese people being controlled by these beings, thereby offering them a possibility of awakening. Hearing this, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I never imagined that there could be such a compassionate Buddha in the world, willing to sacrifice himself for the well-being of the people, silently and tirelessly delivering the spirits of China. This is truly an act of supreme compassion, and I, Mei Lanfang, am one of the souls who has benefited. I see so many others, just as fortunate as I am, arriving in the Western Dharma-Nature Land under the deliverance of Practitioner Su, all now having the opportunity to be completely transformed.

The Western Dharma-Nature Land is a truly extraordinary and magical place. Here, one can see the magnificent Namo Amituofo radiating light, hear the uninterrupted chanting of 'Namo Amituofo' 24/7, and listen to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks. The principles within these scriptures were things I never had the opportunity to encounter while I was alive. I never knew that life could offer such a choice: to see through the 'false body,' to understand the illusory nature of the physical form and the impermanence of life, and to embark on the path of practice to truly elevate one's spirit. This path is entirely different from what people in the world learn or pursue, yet it is real, authentic, and not in the least bit illusory.

A New Life in the Light

The early death of my children was always a wound in my heart. Here, by listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma, I am slowly letting go of my attachment to these past sorrows. I have come to understand that all of this was the karmic retribution I was meant to bear. The laws of karma and cause and effect are the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Every bit of karma created must be repaid; it is only a matter of whether the timing is ripe. In this process, there may be laughter, but there is far more suffering. I now understand that the essence of life is suffering, because no one has ever truly stopped to let go of their pursuit of desire; no one has ever truly felt satisfied in their heart and lived peacefully in the world. Once one lets go of the pursuit of desire, one clearly realises how much pain and helplessness exist in life. This is a truth that is difficult for everyone to bear, because no one knows how to face it.

Now, listening to the Dharma at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I understand that the Buddha's teachings are a ray of hope for humanity. They tell us that there is a true exit from life, and that through practice, one can face the pain and suffering of life to truly turn one's destiny around. This is like Practitioner Su, who no longer lives for himself, but has reclaimed his true self and lives day and night for the sake of all sentient beings. It may seem laborious, but it is filled with true Dharma joy—free from worry, free from pain. Because he has truly let go of the 'self,' dedicating this body to all sentient beings. I see now that the body is the source of all suffering; as long as one takes this false body as real, the cycle of suffering and samsara will never end. This is the compassion of Namo Amituofo, taught to the masses at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Having heard these teachings, I have gained many insights, allowing me to release the attachments in my heart and wash away the pollution in my spirit.

In this pure and bright world of the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I chant 'Namo Amituofo' happily every day. I feel my spirit becoming more luminous with each passing day, and I hope that one day I will be able to truly transform and possess the ability to help sentient beings, just as Practitioner Su does.

Namo Amituofo.

Mei Lanfang"