The Medic of the Battlefield: A Journey to Liberation

This is a record of an interview with Chen Gaohe, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life approximately five hundred years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on February 27, 2026.

Chen Gaohe speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chen Gaohe. In my previous life, I was a monk residing in a temple within the great city of Luoyang. In those days, Luoyang was truly a place of immense prosperity and flourishing culture, standing as a rival to the capital, Chang'an. The temple where I resided was one of the largest in the city. Back then, to become a monk was considered a great honour that brought glory to one's entire family. The requirements for entry were incredibly strict, and most of the monastics were deeply learned, possessing a profound foundation in literature and the classics. As a member of the Chen clan, I had been well-educated from a young age; by the time I was fifteen, I was already composing poetry and possessed a fine hand at calligraphy."

A Scholarly Monk in Luoyang

"One day, my mother took me to the temple to pay my respects to the Buddha. As I stepped into the temple grounds, I was struck by the solemn and dignified atmosphere. My heart felt an immediate, profound sense of peace and stability. It was in that moment that I decided to renounce the worldly life and become a monk. Though my parents were reluctant to let me go, they were ultimately filled with joy for my decision. I began my journey as a little novice, practising step by step, until I finally became a fully ordained bhikshu, fulfilling my deepest aspiration."

"The Dharma has no fixed form—this is the brilliance of the Buddha’s teachings that I came to admire so deeply. Once you cling to specific methods or rigid practices, you inevitably fall into limitations. In the Confucian tradition of the Middle Way, we are taught that the truth lies in the middle, where neither extreme exists. When teaching the Dharma, one must not be attached to emptiness, nor to existence. My master was renowned for his mastery of the sutras and treatises. I always harboured a wish to be like him, to lecture on the sutras and benefit all sentient beings. I studied day and night, yet I could never seem to find the true gateway to understanding. Even as my academic knowledge grew, I knew I was still worlds apart from my master. His way of teaching was so fluid and varied, never rigid like mine. He had a way of being flexible that helped people find their own awakening, which in turn inspired them to change their lives. I once asked him, 'Master, what must I do?' He simply told me, 'Just stop studying the scriptures.' At the time, I had no idea what he meant."

The Path of the Battlefield Medic

"Years passed, and by the time I was twenty-five, I could recite various sutras and treatises by heart. Yet, my own teachings lacked the vibrant life that my master possessed. Eventually, I chose to return to secular life. My master did not stop me; he only gave me one final piece of advice: 'Do not forget the Buddha.' After returning to the secular world, I felt lost and adrift. It was a time of frequent warfare in the north, and I decided to enlist in the army to serve my country. For about thirty years, I served in the military, but I never took a life. Instead, I worked as a medic, using the knowledge I had gained to treat wounds and bandage the injured. It was not easy to maintain such a role in the army. On one hand, I relied on the influence of the Chen family, and on the other, I prayed constantly for the Buddha’s blessings. I remained law-abiding and self-disciplined, staying with the army as we guarded the northern borders. I was content with this life because I felt I was contributing something meaningful. Whenever I could, I would share the benefits of the Dharma with my fellow soldiers, hoping to help them find liberation for their hearts. Some were truly stirred by my words, while others were dismissive. I would simply smile in response. As long as even one person could receive some benefit from the Dharma, I felt satisfied."

Five Centuries in the Ghost Realm

"When I reached the age of sixty-five, my health began to fail, and the wars in the north reached a critical turning point. During a fierce battle, I could not escape the fate of a soldier, and I died on the battlefield. In my final moments, I remembered my master’s words: 'Do not forget the Buddha.' I chanted, 'Namo Amituofo.' However, I did not go to the Western Pure Land. Instead, I entered the ghost realm, becoming a spirit trapped within the space of that battlefield. For five hundred years, I remained in that space, wandering about, bandaging wounds, disinfecting injuries, and sharing the truths of the Dharma with other spirits, until recently, when Practitioner Su began conducting large-scale Chao Du across China. By opening up the space of that ancient war, I was finally able to leave that battlefield behind. I am so grateful. I did not suffer too much in that space, but many other spirits trapped there with me were in immense agony. For a long time, I did not know how to help them. It was only after Practitioner Su used the name 'Namo Amituofo' to open up the space that I realised I had been sitting on a mountain of treasure without knowing how to use it. Strangely, while I was in that battlefield space, I seemed to forget to chant the Buddha’s name, living each day in a repetitive cycle."

The Golden Light of Deliverance

"It was not until Practitioner Su appeared, radiating brilliant golden light, that I finally remembered to chant 'Namo Amituofo.' Just like that, I entered the light and arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I saw that the true Buddha is indeed here, on these four hundred acres of land in Australia. Namo Amituofo is truly here, constantly radiating light to lead all sentient beings. I felt such immense joy—I never imagined I would have the chance to encounter the Buddha again. Listening to the lectures in the Dharma-Nature Land, I realised that the true Buddha’s teachings are so different from what I had known; my master in the past had never explained it to me this way. I witnessed the manifestation of Practitioner Su’s practice—taking on the suffering of all sentient beings to deliver the entire nation of China, saving countless suffering spirits from the past five thousand years. It is truly awe-inspiring. I have been listening to Practitioner Su’s lectures, trying to understand why this Buddha-name holds such immense power. Slowly, I have come to understand: it is because Practitioner Su has a heart of pure sincerity, holding only sentient beings and no 'self.' He never rests, always working to help others. As I listen, I feel my own heart slowly opening. I finally understand that when my master told me to 'let go of studying the scriptures,' he was hoping I would truly live the Dharma, step by step, with every action dedicated to the benefit of all. Whatever I do, think, or say, it must be for the sake of sentient beings. Only then can I, like my master, bring a fresh, vibrant life to the Dharma I teach. Now, hearing the sutras explained by Practitioner Su is like discovering a priceless treasure; every word seems to stir my heart. Now, sitting on my lotus seat in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I cherish every second to listen to the Dharma and chant the Buddha’s name. I hope that one day, I will be reborn in the Western Pure Land, and then return to the world to save all sentient beings."

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

"Namo Amituofo."

"Chen Gaohe"