This is a record of an interview with Wei Wuji, known as Lord Xinling, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the . This account reflects upon his life approximately 2,200 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on April 1, 2026.
Lord Xinling, Wei Wuji, speaks:
"Life is but a few short decades, with its ups and downs governed by the heart. Holding the military tally in my hand, I kept in my heart; to act with benevolence and righteousness was my duty. I lived with an open heart, earning the trust of others, and treated those of talent with the utmost respect, winning their hearts in return. Human hearts are as changeable as clouds; never forget that true connection is built only upon trust.
I am Wei Wuji, the son of King Zhao of Wei. After my brother, King Anxi of Wei, ascended the throne, he enfeoffed me in Xinling, which is why I am known as Lord Xinling. In that era of chaos, I deeply understood the importance of talent, so I recruited scholars and experts from all walks of life. I cherished those with wisdom. Treating the worthy with respect and lowering oneself to the humble was my attitude toward talent. To me, a capable person could sometimes play a decisive role in a war or provide critical help at a pivotal moment. Therefore, regardless of their status, as long as they were talented, I would disregard social standing, forget my own position, and humble myself to befriend them. I sincerely did my best to satisfy their needs, for this was the sincerity I offered them. I understood that if a worthy person worked for me, they would surely play a crucial role when needed.
The Necessity of Recruiting Talent
Among my retainers were all kinds of brilliant minds. The power these people could exert was immense, so much so that my brother, King Anxi, grew suspicious and alienated me. This was a source of deep frustration in my heart. Yet I knew that the work of recruiting talent could never stop. In an age where many states vied for supremacy, failing to recruit retainers was like being a fish on a chopping block—others are the butchers, and I am the meat. When problems arose, I would be powerless to resist and could only be slaughtered. Thus, I thirsted for talent.
When I heard of the hermit Hou Ying, I personally went to welcome him with the highest-ranking carriage. Many people felt that going to such lengths for one person, and satisfying his every request, was excessive. But in the heart of Wei Wuji, it was as clear as a mirror: to have a worthy person serve me, if I could not truly respect and revere them, how could I expect them to serve me without reservation? So, whenever I sought talent and was subjected to their deliberate tests, I felt only gratitude and . Through this process, I could truly win them over and show them that I was a prince who thirsted for talent and was willing to trust and employ them.
The Burden of the Military Tally
In those days, the State of Qin was tyrannical and had dealt a crushing defeat to the State of Zhao. The King of Zhao sent several letters to my brother, King Anxi, begging for help, but received no positive response because my brother feared the powerful Qin army and adopted a strategy of delay. However, I knew the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. If Zhao were destroyed, how could Wei survive? Therefore, with no other options, I followed the strategy of my retainers, managed to steal the military tally, and seized command of the army on the spot.
I had a deep understanding of the cruelty of war, and once on the battlefield, how could there be a guaranteed victory? With a heart of compassion, I ordered among the hundred thousand troops: Those whose father and son are both in the army, let the father return home; those whose brothers are both in the army, let the elder brother return home; if there is only one son in the family, let him return home to support his parents. This was my true nature. After this order, I kept eighty thousand elite soldiers and finally joined forces with other states to defeat the Qin army, lifting the siege of Handan.
A Decade of Exile and Reflection
After the great victory at Handan, I knew that because I had stolen the military tally, regardless of the reason, I had committed a crime. Therefore, I let the army return to Wei, while I and my retainers remained in Zhao, where we lived for ten years. The King of Zhao, grateful for my righteous act of sending troops to save them, gave me a fiefdom so I could develop well in Zhao. I was deeply moved by this kindness. During those ten years, I continued to use every means to befriend worthy scholars from all sides, for I knew that the success of the rescue of Zhao was due to the strategies offered by my retainers, which had saved Handan and allowed Wei to survive. This made me realize even more the value of talent. During my time in Zhao, as long as someone was talented, regardless of whether they were a gambler or a tavern worker, I did not hesitate to befriend them. During this period, the number of my retainers increased greatly; I knew that in this era, there would eventually be an opportunity for me to return to Wei, so I waited for the right moment.
Finally, the powerful State of Qin attacked Wei, and my brother, King Anxi, in this dangerous situation, hurriedly asked me to return home to save the country. After much hesitation, I finally decided to return to see my brother. When we met, our hearts were filled with mixed emotions. We were brothers, yet we had not seen each other for ten years. The various and the rights and wrongs could no longer be explored. When we met, we were filled with emotion and could not help but look at each other and weep.
The Final Betrayal
I knew that Wei had truly reached a life-or-death moment, so I gladly accepted my brother's appointment as the highest military official—the Supreme General. I did not fail my brother's expectations; I led the allied forces of five states to defeat the Qin army, even pursuing them to Hangu Pass, making the Qin army afraid to fight again. Being able to achieve this had a great deal to do with the reputation for benevolence and righteousness I had built during my ten years in Zhao, as well as my practice of treating the worthy with respect. All states knew of me, Wei Wuji, and my righteous act of saving Zhao even at the risk of the crime of stealing the tally. The lords of various states trusted my character, so when they learned I had been appointed Supreme General of Wei, they were filled with hope and were willing to send troops to rescue Wei. Thus, with the coalition of various states, the situation was settled, and we finally defeated the Qin army. After this victory, my prestige was greatly enhanced, and all states knew the name of Prince Wei, Lord Xinling.
Later, I reached a turning point in my life. Because I had repeatedly defeated the Qin army, the King of Qin was very wary and hateful of me. The King of Qin actually spent a large amount of gold as a reward, sending people to speak to my brother, King Anxi, claiming that I, Wei Wuji, wanted to declare myself king and overthrow my brother. In that environment, rumors were everywhere. My brother eventually failed to maintain his trust in me, grew suspicious, and removed me from my position as Supreme General. I knew the rumors had taken hold. In that environment, I was indeed a threat to my brother, and with malicious people constantly interfering, I knew I could no longer do anything for Wei. But if I were to declare myself king and roam between states, I would only be falling into the trap of Qin. Since that was the case, I might as well choose another way to die. From then on, I was disheartened, indulging in wine and women every day, and in my self-abandonment, I eventually died of depression.
The Guardian Spirit and the Illusion of the World
After my death, I became the guardian spirit of Wei, protecting its people. At that time, as soon as the State of Qin learned that I had died, they launched a massive invasion and gradually devoured Wei. In just over a decade, Wei perished and became history. In this process, as the guardian spirit of Wei, I had tried my best to help, but the situation was already set, and it was truly not something I could forcibly reverse. After Wei perished, as a guardian spirit, the more I understood the affairs of various states, the more I felt that once a person dies, it seems they have nothing to do with everything in this world anymore. Everything in the world is like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, or a shadow. It is like a dream—seemingly real yet so illusory, with nothing permanent, just constant change. Just like me, Wei Wuji, once famous across all states, finally died in wine and women because of my brother's suspicion. Human hearts are changeable; there is nothing more so.
More than 2,200 years have passed since I became a guardian spirit. I have been drifting on the land of China. For those who have benevolence and compassion in their hearts, I would give them help, especially those who are open and trust others; I would help them turn danger into safety. For over 2,200 years, the situation in China has changed rapidly, with many wars occurring, and people suffering within them; even in times of peace, people's lives are often accompanied by pain.
Wei Wuji has seen that surviving in this world is truly not easy. The difficulty lies in the inability to truly open one's heart and face the various impermanent changes in life. Those who can treat these impermanent encounters with indifference will have an easier life, while those who cannot pass the tests of these impermanent realms will have a harder life.
I see that no matter what kind of person they are, it ultimately depends on whether they can take good care of this heart. Those who have kindness, compassion, benevolence, and righteousness in their hearts can often live more freely regardless of what they encounter. Conversely, those who have suspicion, attachment, evil thoughts, and wicked intentions in their hearts, no matter how good their lives are, their hearts are often bitter, living in various bonds, unable to obtain true joy within.
A New Life in the -Nature Land
Recently, I was very fortunate to meet Practitioner Su in China. At that time, Practitioner Su brought to shine the Twelve Lights, and with extreme speed, the Buddha-light shone upon my spirit. Thus, my life as a guardian spirit ended, and I arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, to be reborn.
I never imagined that there could be such a pure, bright, and beautiful world in this world. After listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks, I learned that this is the Buddha-land of a Buddha, and this Buddha is Practitioner Su, who saved me. I am very curious about my benefactor and watch what Practitioner Su does every day. Soon I discovered that Practitioner Su spends most of his time performing Chao Du for sentient beings, especially in the land of China, where Practitioner Su performs Chao Du with very high frequency. I often see that in a snap of a finger, in an instant, Practitioner Su's golden spirit manifests countless incarnations, rushing to the sky over the entire Chinese mainland in a very short time, directly covering the whole land. The number of Practitioner Su's incarnations is immense, and the density is extremely high, like golden flowing light, carrying the , covering the entire space of China without any gaps. I can see countless spirits emerging from various spaces. Many spirits are very happy to see the Buddha-light and enter the golden light one after another. This is truly a spectacular scene that is hard to describe in words. It is truly saving the world in the truest sense, and in a short time, immeasurable and boundless suffering spirits are saved.
What surprises me is that there are so many demons in China. These demons have a great difference in soul state and luminosity compared to when I was a guardian spirit; most of them tend toward black, dark light, and their appearance is not kind. When I watched Practitioner Su performing Chao Du for China from the lotus seat in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I was surprised to find that in various spaces in every province of China, and even around large crowds of people, there are many demons. When a large number of demons appear around people, the impact on people is not positive, but has a very obvious negative interference. These large numbers of demons, in a short time, through Practitioner Su's countless manifestations, were all taken into the Western Dharma-Nature Land by the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo. A large amount of black flowing light, like substantial black seawater, flowed into the Western Dharma-Nature Land established by Practitioner Su. Now, these demons have all been reborn and transformed in the Dharma-Nature Land. This is the magical power of the Western Dharma-Nature Land, a world achieved by the Buddha's compassionate vow power. It is precisely because of Practitioner Su's compassionate heart to perform Chao Du for the beings of China that a historical figure like Wei Wuji has the opportunity to enter the Western Dharma-Nature Land and welcome a great transformation of spiritual life.
The Illusion of the Human Body
Now I am on the lotus seat of the Western Dharma-Nature Land, listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma every day, chanting this Namo Amituofo. As I receive education in the Buddha's teachings time and time again and listen to the sutras spoken by the Buddha, I understand more and more that the human body is truly a dream. Fortunately, when I was alive, no matter what, I still had a heart of compassion and benevolence. And most importantly, I truly gave one hundred percent sincerity and trust to my retainers, and even to my brother, King Anxi. This is a rare and precious thing. Wei Wuji of that time achieved it, which is my lucky point. But in the final stage of life, I ultimately did not pass this final test. Under my brother's suspicion and jealousy, my heart was indeed disheartened; with no other way, I could only indulge in wine and women all day long.
Now Wei Wuji knows that life is actually completely and thoroughly fake, including this body, which is also fake. Such a simple and supreme path is truly an experience I have never had before. When I heard Practitioner Su speak of these principles, I was shocked, as if my whole heart had lit up. It turns out that this body and even life are illusory, impermanent, and false existences. Then what is there to dwell on, be attached to, grieve over, or be sentimental about? It is truly a ridiculous thing. Understanding this principle, my heart seemed to be opened, and the light of hope was reignited. It turns out that everything in the world is fake and has no meaning. This is truly unexpected and unbelievable, but it is also such a true principle.
Just like when I, Wei Wuji, was alive, I thirsted for talent and interacted with my three thousand retainers with my heart, interacting with trust. This is indeed rare and precious, but is all this real? No, it is actually also a false existence. It turns out that this is just a manifestation of and causes and effects within , and there is no reality in it. After hearing these principles, I, Wei Wuji, could not help but laugh three times. I did not expect that the answer to life is so simple. It just requires a true understanding of its illusory nature, truly being able to see through and let go, so that one will no longer be bound by this word suffering.
The Power of Namo Amituofo
Now, receiving the education of the Buddha's teachings, I understand that the Buddha is so compassionate, putting all his supreme merit and the compassionate vow power to save sentient beings into this Namo Amituofo. As long as one can let go of everything and chant this Namo Amituofo with a heart of compassion to save sentient beings, one will be able to exert inconceivable power. The best proof of this is Practitioner Su. Because when Practitioner Su came to China to perform Chao Du, he was really just chanting this Namo Amituofo so simply. Only this Namo Amituofo opened countless spaces and saved the suffering souls trapped within. All of this is based on the supreme merit of this Namo Amituofo. Of course, not everyone who chants this Buddha-name can have such an effect. That is why the Buddha has always taught everyone to develop a heart of compassion to save others. It turns out that developing the mind is so important. It is a pity that when Wei Wuji was alive, there was no Buddha Dharma, and no one ever knew that the human body could be used to practice to become a Buddha, to be free from aging, free from illness, and the spirit does not die. If this were said in the era I lived in, it would definitely make people think it was a fantasy.
However, if I had heard of such a person who could do such a thing, with my character, I would probably have immediately taken a thousand chariots, ten thousand taels of gold, and all my retainers to pay a visit, and I would definitely have asked them how to obtain such magnificent benefits. This is the most basic respect and reverence for talented people, and even for virtuous people.
Now Practitioner Su hopes to let people all over the world know about such a great Dharma, to let everyone know that Namo Amituofo is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and to give people the opportunity to receive the education of the Buddha's teachings. This mind-capacity is truly too broad and boundless, because such a great Dharma should be worth giving everything one has to exchange for the opportunity to hear it, and even to be taught by a true spiritual friend. But now, as long as those who can believe come to the temple to seek the Dharma, they have the opportunity to receive such teaching. That is truly the great compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Of course, how much benefit one can get depends on how much sincerity and respect each person has. This is an unchanging principle.
I can see the fourfold assembly of disciples at the temple, receiving the teachings of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su every day, and being able to practice purely in the holy land under the illumination of the Buddha-light 24/7. They are truly too lucky and have too many ! It makes Wei Wuji unable to help but have a thought: if I could get a human body again and be able to listen to the Dharma and practice under the Buddha's seat, how happy that would be! Now I have decided to make a vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, chanting this Namo Amituofo. I know that after arriving in the West, there will be a day when I will descend to the world again to save sentient beings. At that time, I hope I will have the opportunity to meet Namo Amituofo again, follow the Buddha to practice, and save sentient beings.
Gratitude to Namo Amituofo, gratitude to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.
Lord Xinling, Wei Wuji"
IN THIS COLLECTION
More from Twelve Rays Deliverance to China (Chinese Historical Figures)
