The Illusion of Power and the Truth of Karma

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Lu Buwei, who served as the Chancellor of the Qin State approximately 2,260 years ago. He sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Shi Faru, on April 17, 2026.

Lu Buwei speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am deeply grateful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su.

I am Lu Buwei. I never imagined that after so many years, I would have the opportunity to be interviewed once again. Back then, at the Hsiang Kuang Shiding branch, I relied on Venerable Hai Liang and Venerable Hai Yuan to lend me their physical bodies so that I could voice what I wished to say to the world. However, perhaps the Dharma affinity was not yet fully mature; the information from that interview circulated only among a few fellow practitioners within the temple and did not have the chance to truly reach the public.

A Long-Awaited Revelation

Everything I said back then, and what I wish to convey to the world now, has been waiting for this magnificent Dharma affinity. I hope to join the ranks of other historical figures from China's five-thousand-year history, gathering our stories into a collection that reflects our respective eras and allows us to finally write our own truths.

The profound nature of those spiritual interviews—a phenomenon the world has long been curious about yet remains largely ignorant of—can now be revealed in its true form. Through the dialogue between Practitioner Su and myself, we uncovered many realities of the Warring States period that were never recorded in history. More importantly, I can now share the state of my body, speech, and mind during that era—the inner journey I took in my desperate pursuit of survival, wealth, and dominance.

The Weight of Ambition

I helped the Qin State rise to greatness, directly and indirectly, and assisted in laying the foundation for the eventual unification of the seven warring states. There is much in this process that the world does not understand.

At that time, having never encountered Buddhist education, I lived with a worldly, profit-driven, and selfish mindset, which led me to create immense karma. From the perspective of the world, I was a highly successful tycoon and a powerful Chancellor. I had close ties to the royal family, and the intricate laws of karma involved in those relationships are too complex to detail here.

Yet, it was precisely because of this seemingly glorious life that I created immeasurable and boundless karma. It was not just the killing; it was the various affairs, the insatiable greed, and the endless schemes and ambitions—all of it amounted to boundless sins. Later, as Chancellor, I directed the policies of a nation. While there were both merits and faults, the impact was profound. The good was great, but the faults were even greater, and every single bit of it must be borne by Lu Buwei.

The Reality of Karmic Retribution

Although I was fortunate enough to be guided by Practitioner Su into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and during the interview process, I wrote many memorial tablets to deliver the many generals, soldiers, and other sentient beings I had harmed, is that all there is to the sins I have created over countless eons?

In the Western Pure Land, seeing my past over immeasurable eons, I clearly understand that the saying 'karma can rival Mount Sumeru and the vast oceans' is absolutely true. Think about it: if the sins I created in just that one lifetime were so immeasurable, how much more karma have I created by living with the same personality across different dynasties, and through the infinite cycle of rebirth in the six realms?

It is rare to encounter the Buddha’s teachings. It is a pity that I no longer possessed a human body at that time and could only seek Spiritual Deliverance as a spirit at the temple. The debt I had to repay far exceeded the number of memorial tablets written back then. Every bit of this remains with me, and if I were to return to the worldly realm, I would have to repay it all, one by one.

A Warning to the World

Now, I am fortunate to be able to make the transcript of that interview public, which is of immense help to me. I hope the world can see the bits and pieces of what I created in the past and understand that these were not glorious achievements, but indelible sins.

Suffering in the hells is difficult to repay, and if one regains a human body in the world, all these sufferings must be experienced again. This is the terror of the laws of karma and cause and effect. I hope this interview can awaken the world. Please, do not think of my 'glory' when you look at Lu Buwei, and do not view me as a famous Chancellor or a renowned historical figure. Those fictional elements and fabricated glories are not the real Lu Buwei.

In the movies, novels, games, and animations that people love, those fictional stories and plots are merely later embellishments. The real Lu Buwei spent his life drifting in the currents of karma. Most of the time, I could not even master my own fate; I was controlled by sentient beings and demon crowds, creating immeasurable and boundless karma. I could not point this out so clearly in the previous interview.

The Puppet of Demon Nature

However, as the Dharma affinity expands, everyone should now understand that any action taken or thought arising for one's own sake or private interest actually contains demon nature and is influenced by demon crowds. The Lu Buwei of that time was merely a puppet, controlled by demon crowds to create boundless karma. I hope the world can awaken from this and stop worshipping characters like me or obsessing over their illusory glory. That was nothing more than demon crowds controlling my body to create karma.

If you in the world have the same pursuit of fame, power, status, and wealth as I did, should you not reflect on how much you are truly in control? Or is it already the demon crowds and your karmic creditors who are using your body? This is what I want to remind everyone.

The Peace of the Western Pure Land

I now live a very relaxed and comfortable life in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Here, there are no pursuits, no need for power or status, and certainly no such thing as high or low, or discrimination. Here, I am equal to all the pure, great assembly of Bodhisattvas in the Western Pure Land. When we meet, we are all very kind and respectful; there is no competition or hierarchy. Everyone here lives a very abundant life. Whatever we want—food, clothing, or daily necessities—appears as we wish. It is all at our beck and call. This is far superior to the enjoyment of an emperor.

I have lived in this world for nearly ten years now. Looking back, the way I fought tooth and nail and calculated every move while in the world was truly foolish. What I gained was merely fleeting power and status, followed by exile and death from illness, which proves that all of it was illusory and unreal.

My life in the Western Pure Land is completely different. I do not need any selfish thoughts or manipulations to enjoy a life far beyond that of an emperor. My heart is filled with incomparable peace, I do not create any sins, and my spirituality improves day by day. This world is far, far better than the human world. If you believe me, know that I can clearly foresee and hear everything in the human world; I understand both the great good and the great evil of the world. The beauty of the Western Pure Land far exceeds everything in the world—this is an absolutely true assessment.

A Call to Action

I hope these words can awaken the world and encourage you to let go of meaningless pursuits. A short life should be used to actively save others. If you can encounter Buddhist education and learn the skills of saving people from Namo Amituofo, and if you can realise your true nature and Dharma Body like Practitioner Su, you will be able to save immeasurable and boundless spirits.

When Practitioner Su guided me to the Western Pure Land, the speed at which she now delivers sentient beings through her countless manifestations far exceeds her capabilities at that time. Even then, inviting spirits was not easy, and the number of beings we could invite after much communication was limited. Even that ability was extraordinary in my eyes. Yet, she has now elevated her level countless times over; it is truly beyond words. The current Body-Mind-Spirit healing is far beyond the realm of that time, countless times over. It can truly be said that a Buddha in a physical body has manifested in the world—it is inconceivable! Only the truly compassionate Practitioner Su, who has vowed to save the world, and Namo Amituofo could have such ability.

Now, from the Western Pure Land, I can see the sentient beings on Earth very clearly, especially those across the various spaces of China's five-thousand-year history. I am deeply moved by how much more complex the world has become, which is the result of people's collective karma. Therefore, I also want to counsel everyone: only by learning Buddhist education can you have the opportunity to turn your fate around. Do not be like me, who struggled for a lifetime only to discover that it was wrong from beginning to end.

Well, I have briefly reported to you what I have seen and heard in the Western Pure Land today. If you are interested in Lu Buwei or have any questions, you can come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to find me. I can arrive with a single thought; there is no barrier of time or space between the Western Pure Land and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. You can come to the temple to meet me and speak with me at any time.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.

Lu Buwei"