The Integrity of a National Hero

This is a record of an interview with Lin Zexu, the renowned national hero who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life approximately 175 years ago. Recorded by the chief interviewer, Venerable FaHui, on March 30, 2026.

Lin Zexu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lin Zexu. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that in this lifetime, I would be granted the supreme, unparalleled opportunity to behold the radiant presence of Namo Amituofo. I was rescued from the depths of my own karmic entanglements by the boundless, infinite compassion of Namo Amituofo and the tireless, selfless efforts of Practitioner Su. Now, I reside in the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, where I pay my sincere, heartfelt respects to the compassionate Namo Amituofo every single day. It is a peace I could never have conceived of during my time in the human realm."

The Foundations of a Life

"I am Lin Zexu. I have been incredibly, profoundly fortunate in this life. Although my family was poor, living in humble circumstances, I was blessed beyond measure with a virtuous father and a mother of great character. From a very young age, my mother’s discipline was strict; she taught me what a man ought to do, instilling in me a sense of duty and encouraging me to broaden my horizons, to look beyond the immediate and see the greater purpose of existence. She was the bedrock of my early moral development, and her voice still echoes in my mind when I face difficult decisions.

My father, a teacher by profession, also held high expectations for me. Among his students, many went on to achieve great success in their imperial examinations, yet my father did not believe in the hollow practice of rote memorisation, which so many others relied upon. He possessed the rare gift of teaching according to each student’s unique aptitude, nurturing their individual potential with patience and wisdom. More importantly, he emphasised the cultivation of morality, character, and integrity as the very foundation of life. The education, personal conduct, and wise words of my parents had a profound, lasting influence on me. Therefore, in this life, I am most grateful to my parents. Without their guidance, there would be no Lin Zexu and none of the small achievements I attained throughout my life."

A Mentor and the Pure Land Path

"Beyond my parents, the greatest benefactor and noble person in my life was Zhang Shicheng, the Governor of Fujian. At that time, he saw something in me—he appreciated my talent and my character. He did not look down upon me for my humble origins; instead, he recruited me as his staff member, treating me with a kindness that I can never fully repay. My teacher shared all his knowledge with me, guiding me through the complexities of governance and life. Most significantly, he was a devout follower of the Pure Land Dharma Gate. Think about it—to have such a mentor at a pivotal time in my career was a blessing beyond words.

Influenced by him, I remained deeply committed to the Pure Land teachings throughout my life, no matter what hardships or political storms I encountered. I carried a hand-copied, pocket-sized edition of the Infinite Life Sutra with me at all times to facilitate my daily practice, and I upheld the Holy Name ‘Namo Amituofo’ as my constant refuge. It was also through my teacher, Zhang Shicheng, that I came to understand the profound laws of karma and cause and effect. He was truly my foundational teacher, and I am deeply, eternally grateful to him for setting my feet upon this path, which has ultimately led me here to the Western Dharma-Nature Land."

The Burden of Duty and the Truth of Karma

"When I was determined to eradicate the scourge of opium, I chose to pour the confiscated opium into the sea. It was a measure of last resort, a decision that weighed heavily upon my soul. Because I was a devout follower of the Pure Land Dharma Gate, I understood the laws of karma and cause and effect. I knew that the aquatic life in the sea possessed consciousness and deserved respect; they were sentient beings, just as we are. The thought of harming them caused me great distress, yet the suffering of my people under the influence of opium was a tragedy I could not ignore.

Therefore, I specifically wrote the Proclamation to the Sea God, informing the Sea God and all the creatures in the water—even the smallest shrimp, crabs, and shellfish—hoping that they would take refuge and avoid harm so they could continue to survive in the ocean. At that time, although I was a believer, I did not fully grasp the true, infinite magnificence of the Holy Name ‘Namo Amituofo’. Had I known then what I know now, I would have added one more instruction: I would have asked the beings in the sea to chant the Holy Name ‘Namo Amituofo’ so they could have the opportunity for liberation and leave their suffering behind forever."

A Heart for the World

"Think about it—the weight of such a decision! To protect the people of my nation, I had to act, yet I was terrified of the karmic consequences of harming those innocent creatures in the sea. It was a constant struggle between my duty as a statesman and my compassion as a practitioner. I lived my life in that tension, always trying to balance the needs of the world with the purity of my own heart. It was not easy, but the Holy Name was my anchor. Even in the darkest moments of my political career, when the world seemed to be closing in on me, the practice of chanting kept me grounded and reminded me of the ultimate truth of our existence."

"I once said, 'I do not seek comfort for myself, but only wish for all beings to be free from suffering.' This was a sincere vow born from my deep immersion in the Buddhist sutras, and I lived by it throughout my entire life. Serving the country and saving the nation were the deepest, most burning desires of my heart. After becoming an official, I always tried my absolute best to fulfil my duties with integrity. However, there were many complex factors influencing whether I could truly make a difference in the officialdom, one of the most significant being the trust and appointment of the Emperor. I understood that these were tests every official would inevitably face; it was only natural. Yet, I must confess, I never truly achieved the 'ease of following causal conditions' that the Buddha’s teachings speak of. The sutras were my constant, unwavering reliance. I persisted in reading them daily, especially the Infinite Life Sutra, which was a tremendous help in guiding me through many of my most difficult trials."

The Descent and the Long Wait

"At the end of my life, I passed away during a long illness. Regardless of the physical cause, it was ultimately my own spiritual obstacles manifesting. From the perspective of true practice, I know this meant I had not truly penetrated the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. It was not a flaw in the Dharma, but a flaw in me, Lin Zexu. Even so, the Pure Land Dharma Gate provided me with immense support throughout my life. Many times, I firmly believed it was the Buddha’s blessings that sustained me—a magnificence I never doubted. However, in my final, most critical moments, I did not chant the Buddha’s name. After death, I fell into the hells. In my severely ill state, I had already been tracked down by my karmic creditors seeking revenge. Even at the very end, I remained headstrong, shouting 'Xing Dou Nan' three times. Whatever I intended to express, it reflected my intense, unyielding temperament. I suffered greatly before I died. Before the King of Hell, I was made to confront my karmic creditors in court. It made me realise that many of my personality traits remained unchanged from my past lives. In this lifetime, due to my education and study of Buddhism, I had indeed committed fewer evils and performed many good deeds, but the temperament at my core remained strong. I accepted the judgment of the King of Hell with composure. The days of suffering in the hells were agonising. Perhaps due to my inner repentance, after one hundred years, I was released from hell and became a lonely wandering spirit in the world. The political situation in China changed rapidly; the Qing Dynasty had already fallen. Watching the changes in the world, I felt lost. As a spirit, I watched the people on the land of China. For the first time, I deeply realised how impermanent the human body is. Looking at the myriad states of human life, I felt even more lost; it seemed the human body held no real significance. After another seventy-five years, I was incredibly fortunate to encounter Practitioner Su conducting a Great Chao Du in China. I saw Practitioner Su manifesting in countless golden lights, carrying the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo. Between heaven and earth, the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo' chanted by Practitioner Su resonated. My heart was deeply shaken, for I had never known this Holy Name possessed such power and energy. In fact, there were many times I had forgotten to chant it myself."

A New Life in the Dharma-Nature Land

"Seeing the light of the Buddha, I felt a sudden, profound clarity. It was as if a heavy veil had been lifted from my soul. I realised that all my struggles, my pride, and my attachment to the affairs of the world were but shadows. Practitioner Su’s voice was like a beacon, cutting through the darkness of my long, wandering existence. I felt the immense compassion of Namo Amituofo pulling me toward the light. I did not hesitate; I surrendered my pride and my past. I am now residing in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, a place of such peace and purity that it defies human description. Here, I continue to learn, to repent, and to grow under the guidance of the Buddha. I am eternally grateful to Practitioner Su for this deliverance. Namo Amituofo."

I found myself unable to do anything but fall to my knees, prostrating again and again before the infinite, golden radiance of Namo Amituofo. In that moment, the heavy weight of centuries of confusion simply dissolved into the light. I knew, with a certainty that transcended all human logic, that the Buddha had come specifically for me—a lost soul who had spent so long wandering the dark corridors of samsara, finally seeking the shore of true liberation. Just like that, amidst the brilliant, warm light of the Buddha, I arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I was reborn, granted a new life that is not bound by the limitations of the past. Here, my countenance becomes purer day by day, as the thick dust and stubborn stains of my spirit are rapidly washed away by the gentle, cleansing light of the Buddha.

I am filled with an overwhelming sense of Dharma-joy and profound gratitude to be able to behold Namo Amituofo. It is a miracle beyond words to discover that the Buddha is residing right now at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. This is not merely a location; it is a beacon of light for the entire world. It is only because Practitioner Su’s heart and vows are so perfectly aligned with the heart and vows of the Buddha that such a manifestation is possible. This is truly an encounter that one might not find in millions of years of searching. I never expected that although I did not practice with full clarity while I was alive, after my passing I would have the immense blessings to encounter the true Buddha. This brings me such great comfort; in the end, the Buddha did not forget this lost child, and for that, I am eternally humbled.

The True Essence of Practice

Listening to the sutras and hearing the profound Dharma in the Dharma-Nature Land, I realised how deeply and profoundly wrong I had been in the past. Regarding the Buddha’s teachings, although I persisted in my daily practice of reciting sutras, I did not truly understand the preciousness of this Holy Name. Many times, I focused on applying the principles of the Dharma to my life as a scholar and official; although I chanted, I was not focused enough on the essence. When I was alive, I spent more time reading the sutras with extreme sincerity than I did simply chanting the Holy Name, ‘Namo Amituofo’. At the time, I thought this was the most helpful path, and indeed it was beneficial, but I had not put in the real, foundational work regarding the Holy Name itself.

Now I know I was wrong, because the very foundation of the Pure Land Dharma Gate lies in this Holy Name, ‘Namo Amituofo’. By chanting it simply and directly, one can change their entire personality and radiate great light. Seeing the manifestations of Practitioner Su in the Dharma-Nature Land, I, Lin Zexu, finally understood what it means to truly study Buddhism. It is not about intellectual accumulation; it is to internalise all the Buddha’s teachings as one’s own, to truly follow the path of the Buddha, to reduce one’s own personality traits and ego to zero, and to simply focus on the singular mission of saving all sentient beings.

Saving the World by Saving the Self

People come to this world with the intention to save the world, but to truly save the world, one must first save oneself. This means saving one’s own spirit, as well as the countless sentient beings that reside within one’s own body—the karmic creditors who have followed us through lifetimes. This was a principle that the Lin Zexu of the past had never considered, and no one had ever told me such a truth with such surgical precision. Now, sitting on a lotus seat listening to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks, I understand that studying Buddhism is actually very simple: it lies in making the firm vow to save beings, using a pure and good heart to chant ‘Namo Amituofo’ for the sake of all beings. It is the most direct path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I am so grateful to have finally found it. Namo Amituofo.

"I am now dedicating myself with the utmost earnestness to studying every single word, gesture, and action of Practitioner Su. I have come to realise that Practitioner Su is not merely a teacher, but an awakened being who has fully realised their true nature and attained the state of Buddhahood. I find myself burning with a desire to understand how Practitioner Su practices, and to discern the fundamental difference between the path Practitioner Su walks and the path I once trod. The difference, I have discovered, lies entirely in the vow of the heart. My own heart, even in my past life, remained tethered to the concerns of this world; I had never truly made the iron-clad vow to leave this samsaric world behind. Consequently, all my actions, however noble they seemed, were confined to the worldly realm. To put it plainly, when faced with the choice between the transcendental path and the worldly path, I chose the latter. Even when my heart beat for the sake of my country and its people, and even when I performed my duties with excellence, I remained a worldly man, forever unable to transcend the mundane.

Practitioner Su, however, from the very inception of practice, made a Great Vow—not merely a vow of personal renunciation, but a great, compassionate vow to introduce the Great Pure Land Dharma to all sentient beings. Practitioner Su was able to truly, completely let go of all worldly affairs, persisting in solitude through prostrations and the recitation of sutras for nearly five years. The immense power generated in this period was never for personal liberation, but for the benefit of all. Practitioner Su’s heart was never worldly; from the very beginning, it was a thorough letting go, a true transcendence. Later, by courageously taking on the suffering of countless beings, Practitioner Su enabled Namo Amituofo to reside at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Now, Practitioner Su is tirelessly conducting Chao Du for the people and the historical spirits of China, guiding them home."

The Path to True Liberation

"Practitioner Su’s manifestation has shown me that the chasm between ‘self’ and ‘no-self’, between ‘having a body’ and ‘not having a body’, is vast and profound. The former is like the Lin Zexu of the past—even while I studied the Buddha’s teachings, it was only superficial, and I remained trapped in the relentless cycle of rebirth, suffering and unable to escape the pull of karma. The latter is like Practitioner Su, who is free from the decay of aging, free from the agony of illness, and whose spirit never dies. Practitioner Su is truly at ease with life and death, and possesses the boundless capacity to save countless beings through infinite manifestations. Sitting on my lotus seat in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, watching Practitioner Su work day and night for the sake of all beings, I feel such immense, overwhelming Dharma-joy. In the past, I truly did not know what the real Buddha’s teachings were. Although I studied the Pure Land Dharma Gate, I did not understand that the foundation of the Buddha’s teachings lies in ending the cycle of rebirth, and more importantly, in finding one’s true self, so that one has the ability to save others. Changing my personality and habits was a failure in my practice while I was alive; I did not truly realise the severity of this issue until now. I am incredibly fortunate that I can now re-learn at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre where Namo Amituofo resides. I am working very hard every day to study the true Great Pure Land Dharma and happily chant the Holy Name ‘Namo Amituofo’."

A Rare Opportunity

"This is a rare, golden opportunity that I cherish with every fibre of my being. To be able to listen to the teachings, to witness the work of the Buddha, and to be guided by Practitioner Su—this is the greatest blessing a spirit could ever hope for. I am no longer the man who was lost in the fog of worldly duty; I am a student of the Pure Land, walking the path of light. Every time I chant ‘Namo Amituofo’, I feel the weight of my past burdens lifting, replaced by the clarity and peace of the Western Pure Land. I am learning that the practice is not about what we do in the world, but about the state of our heart and our connection to Namo Amituofo. I am so grateful for this second chance, for the guidance of Practitioner Su, and for the infinite compassion of Namo Amituofo. I will continue to study, to chant, and to serve, until all beings are delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."

"Looking back from the perspective of studying the profound Dharma, the fourfold community of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre truly possesses an unparalleled environment for learning and spiritual growth. They are blessed to have Namo Amituofo as their ultimate teacher, and they have Practitioner Su—an awakened being who has truly realised their original nature—to guide them on this path. This is a magnificent causal condition, a rare and precious opportunity that is difficult to encounter even in millions of years of samsara. It is a beacon of light in a world often clouded by ignorance.

A Rare Opportunity in the Dharma

Furthermore, the fourfold community is incredibly fortunate to have the Infinite Life Sutra to recite and uphold. In the era I lived in, very few people had the chance to study the Infinite Life Sutra, let alone possess such a complete and profound compilation. At that time, I placed great importance on my daily practice of reciting sutras, but I primarily upheld the Amitabha Sutra. I was diligent, yes, but my understanding was limited. I lacked the guidance of a true master who could reveal the inner essence of these teachings.

The Power of the Holy Name

I realise now that I understood far too little about the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo and the infinite, transformative power of the Holy Name ‘Namo Amituofo’. That is why, although I chanted throughout my life, my mind was not focused, and I did not truly uphold the Buddha’s name with the sincerity required for complete liberation. Now, I understand that this Holy Name is the very heart and soul of the Pure Land Dharma Gate. I dare not forget it for even a single moment. I chant ‘Namo Amituofo’ with joy and clarity, hoping that, by following the example of Practitioner Su, I can become a truly devoted student of Namo Amituofo.

My heart is filled with gratitude—gratitude to Namo Amituofo for His boundless compassion, and gratitude to Practitioner Su for his tireless work in delivering beings from suffering. I am humbled to be here, to learn, and to serve, until all beings are delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo.

Lin Zexu"