The Guardian of Jiangdong: A Reflection on Peace and Compassion

The Heart of a Loyal Minister

My heart has always remained in Jiangdong. I served the Sun family with the sole purpose of bringing stability to the region. As an old minister, I was born into an era of chaos and war. Having risen from the grassroots, I understood the fundamental needs of the common people. I possessed a deep understanding of the strategy and balance required to pacify a region.

Looking back on my life, I spent my years galloping across the battlefield. However, my true achievements were not found in military conquest, but in the stable lives of the people in the regions I governed. When I reflect on the Battle of Red Cliffs, I recognise it as a brilliant strategic move. Yet, while I felt joy for the victory of Eastern Wu, I also felt profound remorse for the countless lives lost among the people. After my death, I entered the spiritual space of the guardian of the Jiangdong region, continuing to watch over the people of this land.

The Long Vigil of Eighteen Centuries

For eighteen hundred years, I remained in that space, witnessing the suffering of the people through changing dynasties and endless wars. Recently, a vast golden light shone down upon the Jiangdong region. I knew this was the turning point for my transformation. I followed this golden light and arrived at the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Here, I finally understood the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, which could truly allow the people of Jiangdong—and indeed, all of China—to live in peace and prosperity.

Growing Up in a Time of Chaos

I was born in a small village near Lin'an during a time of great upheaval. The people had no grand goals; they simply wished to survive each day. Those who could learn martial arts or possessed specific talents joined the army to seek a career. Those who could follow strategists learned the arts of leading troops and warfare. Growing up in that small village, I witnessed the rise of various insurgent armies and the direct impact of the instability of the Han dynasty. In regions far from the capital, the central government could rarely address local needs. Everything depended on whether the local governor was a virtuous official, a corrupt one, or simply a minor official powerless to act in a chaotic world.

This turbulent era required immense boldness to withstand the tests of time. To care for the people, one had to be self-reliant when central aid was unavailable. One had to stabilise the local populace, defend the borders, and pacify the volunteer armies. Ultimately, it was all for the sake of allowing the people to live in peace. Because I started from the grassroots, I knew the basic needs of the people. I was well-versed in the strategies of governance and pacification, having once been on both sides of the conflict—both the one being pacified and the one doing the pacifying.

The Path of Compassion and Stability

During my time with the volunteer army, I met Sun Jian, the Governor of Changsha. He understood the hardships of the people and the plight of those who had nowhere to turn. Instead of using brute force to suppress them, he sought to incorporate and naturalise them, giving the people of the volunteer armies formal work. Although the salaries were not high, they became official militia under the government. As militia, we understood the suffering of the people on all sides. We continued to adopt the method of incorporation, allowing those who wished to settle down and return to a stable life to leave the army. As our manpower grew, our flexibility in operations increased.

The Jiangdong region is actually very fertile if managed well. With sufficient food, many insurgent armies were willing to surrender. Aside from the few who wanted to declare themselves kings in the chaos, many joined the ranks of Sun Jian. I was one of them. From that time on, I followed Sun Jian, responsible for maintaining stability within Jiangdong. I began by managing small towns around Changsha and was entrusted with some military authority. When we reached a certain scale, I began to believe that the Eastern Wu army might have a chance to replace the existing Han dynasty and become the regime that would revive China. I could see that Sun Jian shared this vision, but unfortunately, he died young. I felt great regret for him, but I did not stop. I continued to hold my position because I saw hope in his successor, Sun Ce.

The Vision of a Peaceful Empire

Sun Ce’s ambitions were influenced by his father, his ministers, and the local people. His goal was clear: to revive China and use the management style of the Eastern Wu army to ensure the people could live in peace, ending the need for any further uprisings. Having been part of an insurgent army, I knew the suffering of the people, and therefore, I knew how to think for them. I followed Sun Ce in his campaigns, hoping to realise the establishment of an empire where the people could feel secure in Jiangdong. I did not know if I would see the unification of China in my lifetime, but I believed I could bring stability to Jiangdong first.

I followed the young master into battle, and while it was my duty to kill the enemy on the front lines, I never slaughtered the innocent. I knew clearly that regardless of who the enemy was, they were mostly common people living in hardship, forced onto the battlefield. Who would choose to hold a blade if they could hold a farming tool? Fighting was merely a temporary measure. I believed in the profound foresight and grand ambitions of the Sun family. If not for the end of the Han dynasty, they would have been the finest governors, ensuring the people were well-fed and clothed. Unfortunately, in a chaotic world, governance is but an empty talk until the war is pacified.

Reflections on War and Deliverance

After Sun Ce passed away, I continued to assist Sun Quan. He was also a leader who cared for the people, hoping for peace. Our alliance with Shu Han was intended to accelerate peace and stability for the people. In our battles against Cao Wei, I knew that all three kingdoms sought local peace, but their ambitions differed. To conquer the world and become the emperor of China inevitably meant more war. The Battle of Red Cliffs was one such instance. I still hesitate today when I think of the fire attack. Strategically, it was a brilliant move, but the countless deaths left me conflicted. Facing the fierce Wei army, without such a move, we would have been defeated. This was no longer a matter of pacifying local rebels; it was a war between two nations. I felt joy for the victory of Eastern Wu, but also remorse for the immense loss of life.

In my military career, I had to fulfill my duties clearly. I tried to balance kindness and authority, hoping the people would surrender without bloodshed. Looking back, I served Eastern Wu with many military achievements, but my true success was the stability of the people. In my later years, I did my best to pacify border disturbances and protect that hard-won stability. After my death, I knew I had created much karma, but perhaps because my heart was not entirely focused on hegemony, I entered the banner space of Eastern Wu, continuing to protect its peace. When the last flag of Eastern Wu was burned, I moved into the spiritual space of the Jiangdong region to watch over the people.

Finding the True Home

For eighteen hundred years, I witnessed the suffering of the people during dynastic changes. I tried to guide both the people and the authorities, helping to facilitate the transfer of power to reduce casualties. It was a long time of war and very little peace. This is the collective karma of the Chinese people. Recently, the golden light shone down, and I knew it was my chance for transformation. I followed the light to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. I arrived here with many other spirits from Jiangdong, having received Chao Du. Here, there is no war, and all spirits are at peace.

I immediately understood that this is the method for the people of Jiangdong—and the world—to live in peace and prosperity. I have learned that this stable, peaceful world is constructed through Namo Amituofo and the chanting of this Buddha-name. Any person or spirit who follows this path can find stability and enter this pure land. I was surprised by this method, but seeing my former masters and many friends here, I realised they had discovered this Great Dharma before me. I will continue to learn, hoping to one day help the people of Jiangdong and China. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for giving me this opportunity to know the Great Dharma.

Namo Amituofo