The Guardian of the Fallen Empire

This is a record of an interview with Gu Hanren, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life during the Qing Dynasty. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on February 9, 2024.

Gu Hanren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful for the Causal Conditions of today. I am grateful to the Buddha, and I am grateful to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Being able to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss today, to arrive at the assembly of the Buddha, and to witness the magnificence of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss has brought a profound sense of peace to my heart.

The great compassion of the Buddha is truly boundless, where all superior beings gather in one place. It is my sincere hope that more spirits, once they awaken, will be able to come here as well."

A Scholar's Upbringing in a Crumbling Empire

"I am Gu Hanren, a man of the Qing Dynasty. My father was a scholar, and from a very young age, he taught me the Four Books and the Five Classics. By the time I came of age, the political situation was no longer what it had been during the height of the Great Qing Empire. Forces were rising from every direction, and the entirety of China was being carved up by various powers. Many of these factions sought to exploit the weakness of the imperial court to establish their own domains.

Across China, land had already been ceded to the British years earlier. Before long, other nations also began to covet our territory, launching invasions against our sovereign soil. In order to control our nation, the British used opium as a weapon, plunging many of our civilians into the depths of addiction. Many people of status and influence began to smoke opium, and the British supplied it to China in massive quantities. Through this method, our nation was brought under their control."

The Burden of Patriotism

"From the time I was a young boy, my father shared these heartbreaking realities with me. In his heart, he truly hoped that the situation could change. However, it was impossible for a few officials alone to turn the tide. Those officials who stood on the same side as my father were suppressed at every turn. In the end, some were forced to retire to their hometowns, while others were framed and put to death, or even paraded through the streets to be humiliated. This caused officials who had their own ideas to fear taking any bold action. Many, seeing such results, simply retreated into silence.

My father had his own convictions. He would say, 'As long as I have one breath left, I will resist to the end. I will not lose my country, nor will I abandon it.' My father wanted to send me away, hoping to ensure my safety, but I was just like him—there was a stubbornness in my bones. No matter what, I refused to leave.

In the end, because my father was struggling so hard in body and mind, he fell gravely ill. Even on his deathbed, while his consciousness was fading, he was still worrying about the affairs of the state. Seeing my father like that, I felt the depth of his patriotic spirit. After he passed away, I took up his official post. Many people around me tried to persuade me, telling me that being a common civilian was far better than being an official. They warned me that the times were treacherous and that my own survival was more important. But thinking of my father, I insisted on following this path."

The Trap of the Opium Trade

"Within the imperial court, I saw the corruption of the empire clearly. I saw the faces of so many officials who were driven only by greed and the desire to protect their own interests. I knew that the path I had chosen would be incredibly difficult, and I even anticipated that I might not meet a peaceful end. But regardless of the cost, I was determined to hold my ground.

The situation grew more tense with each passing day, as several nations continued to plot to divide our land. I knelt and begged the Emperor not to agree to their demands, but under the threats of the various powers in the hall, the Emperor no longer had the right to refuse. Each time another unequal treaty was signed, my heart felt as though it were being torn apart. From the moment I voiced my opposition in the court, I was targeted by foreign powers who wanted to eliminate me. They colluded with officials who were my rivals, using underhanded tactics to force me to consume opium.

Once I had consumed the opium, I did not want to be controlled by it, so I was determined never to touch it again. However, every time the addiction flared up, my whole body felt as if it were being sliced by knives. It was unbearable, and I could barely maintain my own autonomy. My body would burn with heat, and I could only rely on rolling on the floor and screaming to survive those agonizing periods."

The Burning of the Yuanmingyuan

"Time and again, the frequency of the addiction increased until, finally, I could only lock myself in a room. My consciousness became increasingly delirious. Yet, whenever I was clear-headed, my heart was still focused on protecting the Great Qing Empire. The person who cared for me was my old butler, who never abandoned me. When I had decided to resist the foreign powers, I had already sent my wife and children to the countryside, allowing them to live in seclusion. I kept only this old butler by my side.

We had grown up together since we were children. He was older than me, and I always treated him like an older brother, respecting him deeply. When he saw me in such a state, his eyes were often filled with tears. Eventually, in his heartbreak, he tied me to a chair, fearing that I would harm myself when the addiction took hold. Many times, when I was bound to that chair, I begged him to end my life, but he could never bear to do it and would simply turn away in sorrow.

I knew in my heart that the situation outside was worsening, but seeing myself in this state, I had no ability to help the country. I demanded that the old butler tell me the actual situation outside from time to time. Before long, when I heard that the Yuanmingyuan had been burned down by the allied forces, I felt a deep, piercing pain. I remembered that when the Yuanmingyuan was being built, my father had participated in the project and would often share the details of its architecture with us. Now, it had all been reduced to nothing."

A Vow Beyond Death

"Day after day, I felt I had no reason to go on living. I prayed to the Heavens to take me away; I had tasted all the suffering this world had to offer. One day, I dreamed that the Yuanmingyuan was burning. I rushed to help extinguish the fire, but no matter how hard I tried, the fire could not be put out. Everything was destroyed right before my eyes. I knelt on the ground and swore a vow to protect this place.

After that dream, my spirit entered into the remaining pillars of the Yuanmingyuan. After a series of convulsions, my body stopped breathing. I was willing to guard that place, and I do not know how much time passed. Then, one day, a monastic community came to perform a Dharma assembly there. Amidst the magnificent Buddha-name being chanted, I left the space of the Yuanmingyuan pillars, and my soul was led to the Hall of Yama.

The King of Yama, who appeared so majestic and awe-inspiring, filled me with reverence. The King of Yama said, 'Gu Hanren, your heart to protect your country is commendable and awe-inspiring. The suffering of this life was meant to be endured; it was the result of your past karma. Since you have already endured it, your Blessings allow you to take the position of a prison guard. You must seize this opportunity well.'"

Deliverance and Gratitude

"After the King of Yama finished speaking, I went to the place where I was to serve. The response platform was filled with sentient beings, and the sounds of their wailing never ceased for a single moment. My heart ached to hear it, yet I knew that these were all the results of the karma they had created themselves. In the hells, the laws of karma and cause and effect are inescapable. From that time on, the resentment I had held in my heart was finally resolved. I am very grateful to the King of Yama for giving me such an opportunity.

During my time on duty, I was fortunate enough to hear Practitioner Su expound the Dharma. Everything he taught was the great Dharma of liberation. I learned of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and came to know the Buddha; my heart was filled with gratitude. I also hoped that one day I would be able to return to the Buddha's side. I am grateful that my wish has been fulfilled today, as I walk the path to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss together with fifty-nine other prison guards.

I am grateful for the great compassion of the Buddha and for the guidance of Practitioner Su. I am grateful that the Buddha abides in the world today. I hope that the suffering in this world can be reduced, that everyone can hold peace and joy in their hearts, and that the spreading of the Buddha’s teachings can help countless sentient beings. I know that Practitioner Su has always been performing Chao Du for China; not only the Qing Dynasty, but many other dynasties and spaces have been saved. I am deeply moved by this, and I am also very grateful to Practitioner Su."

Gu Hanren, kneeling in reverence.