The General Who Found Peace in the Spear

This is a record of an interview with Xue Mingyi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life approximately 1,700 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on February 21, 2026.

Xue Mingyi speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. It has been eight years since I entered the Western Dharma-Nature Land. In my past life, I was known as Xue Li, though you may also call me Xue Mingyi. I was a military general during the Wei Dynasty, and my life was defined by my long spear. It is said that when one practises the art of the spear to its absolute limit, the weapon becomes an extension of the spirit—a state where the practitioner’s essence and the spear merge into one. This was the realm I yearned for, yet one I never truly attained during my time on earth.

A Warrior's Pride and the Bitter Taste of Defeat

Those were turbulent times, filled with endless war and chaos. As a general who had known only victory, my hands were stained with the blood of many. On the battlefield, I was invincible, and my reputation alone was enough to make enemies retreat before a single blow was struck. Because of this constant success, I grew arrogant. I forgot that there is always someone better, and that the heavens are vast beyond measure. Eventually, the day came when I suffered a crushing defeat. My entire army was annihilated, and I only managed to escape through the desperate protection of my loyal men.

The rain poured down in torrents as I dragged myself forward, using the last of my strength in my hands and my left leg. I knew that a temple dedicated to Guan Gong was nearby, and I believed that if I could reach it, I might have a glimmer of hope for survival. After enduring unimaginable hardship, I finally arrived at that temple in the Shanxi region. It was a place of great renown, where the local people worshipped Guan Yu—whom they called Guan Gong—in gratitude for the protection and kindness he had shown them during his life.

The Sanctuary of Guan Gong and the Path of Virtue

Whenever I visited that temple to offer incense, I would silently vow that one day, I too would become a man of true righteousness, just like Guan Gong. This was a natural feeling of reverence from one warrior to another. It was also a reminder to myself not to waste the skills I had spent a lifetime honing. Without martial virtue, I was nothing more than a brute. If I could possess both the supreme martial prowess and the noble character of Guan Gong, only then could I truly use my skills for the righteous path. Looking at the statue of Guan Gong, I thought to myself: 'If I can survive this ordeal, I will transform my life and become a man who truly serves his country and his people.'

While hiding in the temple, I discovered a secret chamber containing gold, treasures, and, most importantly, a manual of military strategy. I was overjoyed. In that hidden space, I not only escaped my pursuers but also mastered the strategies I had previously lacked. It was only when a close friend from the army tracked me down that I finally returned to the imperial court.

The Transformation of a General

Following my disastrous defeat, I should have been executed by the Emperor. However, thanks to the intervention of my friend and my own pledge—that I would win three consecutive battles or forfeit my head—the Emperor granted me one final chance to serve as commander. From that moment on, I never allowed myself a shred of arrogance. I approached every battle with extreme caution and total dedication. More importantly, I began to understand that victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. I gained a deeper insight into the impermanence of life. I took all the gold and treasures I had found in the temple and used them to help the refugees and those affected by the war. Knowing that direct handouts might lead to looting, I converted the wealth into daily necessities, supplies, and food to provide real, tangible help. People began to speak of a General Xue who had a kind heart and helped war victims rebuild their homes. I cared nothing for the fame; I only wanted to alleviate the suffering of others. I had realised a profound truth in that temple: 'Only those who know how to help the weak are truly strong.' I believed that if I saved them today, perhaps they would save me tomorrow.

I also used a large portion of the treasures to provide compensation for the families of the soldiers who had died under my command. I went to each family personally, kneeling at their doorsteps to kowtow. I dared not speak; I knew my presence was a painful reminder of their loss. I only said, 'I am sorry, please accept this.' If they refused, I would keep kowtowing until they accepted the money. It was the only thing I could do to bear the responsibility for their sacrifice.

Seventeen Centuries Trapped in Steel

Strangely, my spear skills, which had stagnated for years, began to improve after that crushing defeat. As I helped more refugees, I finally reached the realm where the spear became an extension of my body. I cannot describe it, but opponents I once found difficult to defeat were now easily overcome. I was fifty years old by then.

I decided to retire to the countryside. I had realised that a person's greatest obstacle is their own attachment. Because I had been obsessed with my own martial power, I could not break through. When I stopped obsessing over winning and started thinking about how to save lives and improve the welfare of my soldiers, I achieved the breakthrough I had sought for decades. I had spent my life on the battlefield with a blood-stained weapon, only to learn in the end how to 'lay down the butcher's knife.' Isn't that ironic? When I first realised this, I laughed until I wept.

After I died, I became the spirit of that spear. Anyone who held it would feel a sudden surge of compassion, which prevented them from creating much negative karma. I remained trapped in that spear for nearly 1,700 years. Then, one day, a young man was practicing with me. Although the art of the spear has declined in modern times, some still practice it. Suddenly, I saw a massive golden light appear in the sky. It was the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su—not just one, but countless manifestations. The entire horizon was filled with golden Buddha-light, like a great net descending to cover the world. I was released from the spear, filled with immense joy. The golden light illuminated me, and I felt a profound sense of comfort as I was guided into the Western Dharma-Nature Land.

The Magnificent Progress of Practitioner Su

In the Western Dharma-Nature Land, my spirit has become clearer and brighter with each passing day. This is a truly beautiful and peaceful world. I can see clearly what happened in the past, and I can see what is happening in the world today. Every day, I listen to the Dharma and purify my spirit, happily chanting 'Namo Amituofo.'

Practitioner Su looks different than he did eight years ago. Back then, he had black hair; now, though his hair has turned white, he possesses even greater boldness and compassion. Perhaps this is why Namo Amituofo allows Practitioner Su to have white hair—it makes him even more capable of inspiring those who see him. Everything is for the sake of sentient beings. Practitioner Su is truly an excellent student of Namo Amituofo. When I was first saved, he was at the Fragrant Light room; now, he is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, and it has developed remarkably. A bodhimanda where Namo Amituofo truly abides is extraordinary. The entire land is bathed in golden Buddha-light. In the spiritual realms, we see Namo Amituofo radiating brilliant light 24/7. It is truly magnificent.

For me, the most significant change is in the skills of Practitioner Su. In the past, when he saved us, he used countless manifestations, but he did not use the Twelve Lights. His meditative concentration has also become much more powerful. Now, in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I see Practitioner Su using the Twelve Lights to cover all of China. In an instant, the entire country is enveloped by his immeasurable manifestations. It is an unimaginable and spectacular sight. The golden light shines continuously, and immeasurable sentient beings are guided into the Western Dharma-Nature Land. It is like a tsunami of beings rushing into this realm. Furthermore, the scope and depth of his deliverance have changed drastically. Eight years ago, it reached the Milky Way; now, it covers the entire Earth, the universe, the galaxy, the heavens beyond heavens, demonic beings, and even the deepest spaces of the Dharma Realm. The beings he saves have evolved from those with thousands of years of karma to demons with billions of years of age. This speed of progress is truly astonishing.

A Call to the People of China

Mainland China is currently in the Dharma-ending age, which saddens me. From the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I can see clearly that only the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, can save the Chinese people. Compared to my era, modern people have a much weaker understanding of ethics and morality. If I, a general, had to spend 1,700 years trapped in a spear before being lucky enough to be saved by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, where will the people of China go after they pass away? This is a question worth pondering. The answer lies in the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

If I could regain a human body, I would never again be obsessed with the physical form. This is what I have learned from listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks in the Dharma-Nature Land. What good is a lifetime of martial skill in the cycle of rebirth? One is merely swept away by the flow of karma, unable to be the master of one's own fate. I have made a vow in the Dharma-Nature Land to be a true man of righteousness like Practitioner Su—to be the master of my own fate and to teach others to do the same. A person who can master their own fate can save immeasurable beings, for they are no longer controlled by the spirits within their bodies or external demons. They can achieve a state where they do not grow old, do not get sick, and the spirit does not die. Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is exactly such a person. Those who have the karmic affinity should come to this place to seek the Dharma and see what the true Buddha’s teachings are.

I am grateful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for giving me the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and to be free from the suffering of samsara.

Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo.

Xue Mingyi"