This is a record of an interview with Lu Xiaoxian, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Nature. This account reflects upon his life approximately 1,400 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on March 6, 2026.
Lu Xiaoxian speaks:
". I am Lu Xiaoxian. I was born in a small, quiet village in the Northeast of China. My parents had arranged a child bride for me—the woman who would later become my devoted wife. We grew up together, sharing the simple joys and hardships of village life, and our bond was incredibly deep and enduring. In those days, war was a constant shadow over our lives, and the state conducted massive, relentless conscriptions. My family had been physicians for generations, and I felt a profound sense of honour in this heritage. I believed that using one's skills to relieve the suffering of others was a noble and meaningful pursuit. My father and grandfather held high expectations for me, hoping I would follow in their footsteps and become a doctor for the people, carrying the torch of our family's medical tradition.
A Hidden Calling and
From a very young age, I possessed a deeply compassionate heart. If I saw a stray cat or dog injured on the road, I would instinctively stop to bandage them. Even when I saw horses in pain, I would do my absolute best to help them, hoping to ease their agony. When my grandfather and father discovered this, they asked if I wished to become a veterinarian. I was stunned, for that was indeed my true, secret desire. However, because my ancestors had always focused on human medicine, I had never dared to voice this aspiration, fearing it might be seen as a deviation from our family's path.
To my surprise, they spoke directly to my heart's desire that day. I answered without hesitation: 'Yes.' I felt that animals were inherently spiritual beings; compared to humans, they were merely different in form, yet each was a precious life. I wanted to dedicate my life to helping them. My father and grandfather were surprised, but they supported my decision. That support gave me immense strength, as it was the most important thing in my life. It allowed me to pursue my calling with a clear conscience and a steady heart.
The Weight of Tradition and the Looming War
In that era, the concepts of ethics and morality were deeply ingrained, far more so than in modern times. Whether one's actions received the approval of one's family was the key to whether one could continue on a chosen path. With their blessing, I began to study diligently to become a skilled veterinarian. By the time I was twenty-two, I was already married—having wed my wife when I was fifteen—and we had a son. We lived a very happy, albeit simple, life.
My understanding of medicine grew daily, and I spent much effort adapting my family's medical knowledge to treat animals. Through hard work, I achieved significant progress. I had hoped to move to a larger city to further my studies, but then the news of the national conscription arrived. Our family was plunged into despair, for everyone knew that in those times of war, going to the battlefield was a journey from which few returned. I was not a man of great martial prowess. How could I survive on the battlefield? My wife wept uncontrollably, asking, 'If you are gone, what will become of our child?' My father and grandfather remained silent. They knew that the Emperor's command was like a sacred decree; commoners had no power to resist.
Service in the Military
Thus, I set off to join the Northeast Army. Upon entering the military, I revealed my medical skills and volunteered to be a medic. In those days, military doctors were rare, and few with such skills were found in the dangerous environment of the front lines. Although my ambition was to be a veterinarian, to me, there was no difference between healing a human or an animal. I had already learned to apply my knowledge to both, so I began treating everyone in the camp. The army was filled with all sorts of strange illnesses. Perhaps because the battlefield was an inauspicious place, I encountered many difficult problems I had never seen before, but this only fueled my determination. Seeing my comrades fall one after another, suffering in pain, I could not bear it. I worked day and night to treat them and bandage their wounds. The number of patients was overwhelming, but I persisted.
Because of my medical value, the general protected me well. He believed that since I was not a warrior, I was more valuable in the rear, healing the soldiers. Consequently, I never actually had to fight on the front lines. However, by chance, I finally witnessed the brutality of the front lines. The sight truly shook my soul. I could not believe that human beings, who share the same emotions and wisdom, could inflict such harm upon one another. War is truly cruel. I also saw many warhorses injured, wailing on the battlefield, which made me resolve to serve on the front lines. The general initially refused, but after my firm petition, he sent two guards to allow me to treat soldiers and horses at the very edge of the conflict.
From Healer to Warhorse
Many horses were injured. Although they survived the initial battle, their mobility was severely compromised. My past training finally proved its worth. I had gained experience treating injured horses in my home village, and this knowledge proved vital. In a single day, there might be a hundred injured horses. Without my help, they would have perished. Because of my care, many recovered and were able to return to the field with a higher chance of survival. I served in the army for nearly ten years. The northern wars against the Turkic people never ceased. After a decade of constant fighting, I was physically and mentally exhausted. The battlefield is a place that changes a person. Eventually, I returned home to spend the rest of my life with my family. My wife had raised our son well, and I was deeply grateful to her. My son eventually inherited our family's medical skills. I told him that as a healer, we must do our utmost to help anyone in need, whether human or animal—that is our duty.
I never left my hometown again. At ninety-five, I caught a cold and passed away amidst a fit of coughing. After death, I became a warhorse—a horse that helped its rider survive. I always believed that a truly good warhorse is not one that grants the rider more combat power, but one that ensures the rider has a higher chance of staying alive. After being a warhorse for over a dozen lifetimes, I left that space and became a blade of grass on the earth. I remained a blade of grass for 1,400 years.
Deliverance and the Light of Namo Amituofo
It was only recently, when Practitioner Su radiated the across the land, that I left that space and arrived at the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. When I saw how Practitioner Su opened the space of China's five-thousand-year history to perform this deliverance, I was filled with admiration. I never imagined one person could save so many beings. It is far more profound than the medicine I practised! Seeing so many beings rescued from various realms—realms I never knew existed—was truly shocking. It is a great blessing that Practitioner Su is here to save us all.
The motto of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is 'No aging, no sickness, the spirit never dies.' As a healer, I am deeply interested in this, as I have always wished for people to be free from illness. But honestly, I had never thought about 'no aging' or 'no death,' as I believed them impossible. Now, by listening to the Dharma here, I realise that if one truly practises, all of this is possible. Like Practitioner Su, if one keeps the heart pure and good, without a trace of pollution, and chants 'Namo Amituofo,' one can achieve freedom from sickness and aging, and even attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This was something I never knew. Now I understand that this name, 'Namo Amituofo,' is incredibly precious. I will seize this opportunity and keep chanting it. I hope that one day, I too can learn Amitabha Buddha's spiritual power and save immeasurable and boundless beings. Gratitude to Amitabha Buddha. Gratitude to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo. Lu Xiaoxian"
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