This is a record of an interview with Wen Tianxiang, a national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 750 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on April 9, 2026.
Wen Tianxiang speaks:
". I once said that my loyal heart would shine through the annals of history, but where are those annals now? Everything is inherently empty and clear, from the teachings of Confucius and Mencius to the profound truths of the Buddha. In the days within the prison, the turbidity of my mind gradually cleared. Without any worldly attachments, I lived only for the sake of the suffering masses, hoping to continue this path in another life.
At that time, I did not yet know of Namo Amituofo, and the conditions for the Great had not yet matured. Yet, both in the past and in the future, the seeds of being a child of the Buddha had already been planted. Having spent several decades in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, those past years have become crystal clear to me. Now, I urge all beings to follow the Buddha-vow, for in this world, there is nothing to which this body and mind should cling."
A Personal Debt of Gratitude
"Wen Tianxiang offers his most sincere gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for their guidance over a decade ago. I am also deeply grateful to the Buddha for mentioning my name at this time, allowing me to accept this interview. While residing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I heard someone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia call out the name 'Wen Tianxiang.' I could not help but smile; beyond the peace I felt, I knew this was a duty I had to fulfil.
Fa Ning, my child, you did not expect my name to finally appear, did you? Throughout the vast five thousand years of Chinese history, you and I have shared a deep connection, spanning more than one lifetime. In this long history, we have been fellow practitioners on the path of spiritual achievement, and we have even been father and child. In truth, the nature of these Causal Conditions is something your heart should already clearly understand."
Reconnecting Across the Millennia
"When you were young, reading my books and listening to my poems, you could not help but shed tears—sometimes even weeping bitterly—as if the karmic connections of past lives were right before your eyes. You even travelled to Jiangxi and Beijing, just to explore my hometown and ancestral hall. It is simply that your sensitivity at the time could not grasp the full truth. There is no need to dwell on the events of the past millennium; the road ahead is the true path of light.
I am Wen Tianxiang, a soul who has resided in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss for ten years. Thanks to the guidance provided by Practitioner Su in Taiwan over a decade ago, which led my spirit to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, the transformation I experienced was truly enlightening. In these ten years, I have worked diligently to stay by the Buddha's side, practicing earnestly and knowing that one must be grounded in chanting the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo,' without any other distracting thoughts."
The Reality of the Western Pure Land
"These past ten years have been a life of profound peace and tranquillity. Living by the Buddha's side, there is naturally no affliction and no worry. Beyond the absence of suffering, life in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is vastly different from the human world. Here, everyone's heart is truly and securely anchored in the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo.' We are constantly bathed in the Buddha-light, filled with Dharma . It is impossible to have even the slightest thought for oneself; if a thought arises, it is only out of for the suffering of all beings in the world.
I once considered returning to the human world to undertake a great cause for the sake of sentient beings, leading them to understand the true Buddhist education. In the short decade I have spent in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, looking back at the changes in the human world, and observing the lives of people across the Divine Land and the rest of the world from my perspective in the spiritual realms over the past few centuries, everything has become clear to me. I see it all—plainly and distinctly. Thus, before I found Practitioner Su, my spirit was indeed a soul that could move freely, searching for the Truth, yet I was not a soul that could fully govern itself. Of course, before one has awakened to their true nature, who can truly be their own master?"
The Dark Days of the Southern Song
"After I passed away, I spent a very long time in the spiritual realms. I often pondered how, in my life, I had exhausted all my strength for the sake of the country and the people, fighting for the survival of the Southern Song Dynasty and seeking a way out for the masses. I was born in the late Southern Song, during the darkest and most arduous era when the Yuan Dynasty invaded. What shocked my heart most during that time was not merely the change of dynasties from the Song to the Mongols.
When I was born, I already knew that the Song court could not last long. The emperors were replaced one after another, each more incompetent than the last, never keeping the people in their hearts. The prime ministers of each generation were much the same, mostly living lives of luxury and decadence in the south, completely forgetting the people living in dire misery outside the palace walls. Against this historical backdrop, although I was born into a very affluent family, my heart was filled from a young age with the ambition to seek justice for the people. I was well-read, and my parents cared for me well; my brother and I grew up healthy. I wanted to use my extensive knowledge to serve the country and the people.
However, the political situation of the time left me drifting in the officialdom, never knowing a day of peace. I knew for certain that the Southern Song court was in imminent danger and that the Mongol army's southward march would never cease. I only hoped that when the Mongol army arrived, they would do so in a more peaceful manner, with greater care for the people. Although I could not resist the overwhelming force of the Yuan army, I truly wanted to use my own physical body to ignite the hearts of loyal and righteous people, working together to mitigate this catastrophe."
A Life of Duty and Sacrifice
"I once believed that the Song Dynasty had hope of resisting the Yuan attacks and recovering the lost territories. In my view, the Song was a dynasty that valued culture over military might, often adopting a submissive attitude to negotiate coexistence with powerful enemies. I hoped that even if our country could not recover its full territory, we could at least reduce the harm through negotiation, securing a measure of stability so the people could live in peace.
The borders of the Song Dynasty were always shifting, and the invasions from the Jin, Liao, and Yuan in the north never stopped. Born into such a dynasty, I hoped with all my heart that people everywhere could attain a truly peaceful life. When the Mongol army marched south with such cruelty, my heart bled. Their invasion was unlike any other. If a city resisted or refused to surrender, they would slaughter every single person within, leaving no one alive.
This left me in a state of utter turmoil, yet I tried to remain calm, wanting to put my talent for governance into action. My career was initially meteoric, and I performed well in all respects. I passed the imperial examination as the top scholar at the age of twenty, and my ten-thousand-character essay moved Emperor Lizong of Song. He knew I was someone willing to stand up for the court and give everything. It is a pity that in that era, the government was dominated by cowardly and incompetent corrupt officials.
My time in the officialdom was a series of advances and retreats. When I advanced, I strove to devise better strategies for the country; when I retreated, serving as a local official, I fulfilled my duties, benefiting the people and helping them live and work in peace. Life as an official was actually quite pleasant. I always considered the interests of the public, never calculating for my own gain, and I worked diligently and with peace of mind for the people. Such a life allowed me to be at ease, but it was not truly worry-free. Seeing the Yuan army accumulating strength bit by bit, preparing to invade the south, I knew in my heart that I must be ready to serve the country at any moment.
Indeed, when the Yuan Dynasty launched its massive southward invasion and the Song court, which had been clinging to safety in Lin'an, was already tottering, the Empress Dowager issued a decree calling for loyalists to defend the throne. My family was wealthy, and I had savings and land. But I knew that wealth is an external possession; if used only for the enjoyment of myself and my family, it would be a waste of the decades I spent studying the sages' books! I resolutely decided to dedicate this wealth to the court. I did not simply hand the money over; I exhausted my family fortune, dismissed my servants, and allowed everyone to return home to live their own lives. Then, using the savings left by my ancestors and myself, I recruited a temporary army of ten thousand men. Although I was a civil official, leading an army of ten thousand was not a difficult task for me. I gathered people from all walks of life and invited many military generals to plan and train the army with me, helping the court resist the Yuan army's massive invasion at any time.
Thus, the life of defending the country and the people, and resisting the Yuan invasion, began. This life of anti-Yuan struggle was full of ups and downs. Sometimes I achieved victories, securing peace for the people and preventing them from living lives of constant peril; at other times, I lived in destitution, struggling to survive on the run amidst treacherous environments. Although I was tall, I was a lean civil official. Years of war transformed me from a graceful young nobleman into a gaunt, destitute minister; yet, my heart was always filled with righteousness, and I did not fear death in the slightest. If my death could buy the survival and peace of countless people, then my death would be worth it. From the moment I initiated the call to arms and accepted the decree, I never regarded my own life as important. This was a vow I made from the time I first read the sages' books as a child. Perhaps it was the karmic connection of many lifetimes that made me completely unattached to life and death, never feeling any worry. Many mocked my small army for trying to resist the hundreds of thousands of Yuan cavalry, calling it like throwing an egg against a rock. But in my heart, I thought: how can I, with the strength of one person, awaken the patriotic and compassionate hearts of the loyal and brave throughout the land, so that everyone might stand up for the safety of the people? If, amidst the chaos of war, people thought of others rather than themselves, then at least in this painful fire of war, more people would have a chance to survive. That was truly what I envisioned in my heart at the time. Later, as a representative of the Southern Song court, I went north to negotiate with the Yuan Prime Minister Bayan, still maintaining my unyielding integrity. Although the other side kept urging me to surrender—my reputation had already spread in the Yuan court, and they knew Wen Tianxiang was a man of great character who could mobilise volunteer armies—do not underestimate that group of peasant-led insurgents; they truly became a stumbling block for the Mongol army's southward march, sometimes even making it impossible for the enemy to advance. During those negotiations in the north, because my words were too fierce, I was detained by the Yuan Prime Minister Bayan. I also attempted a series of escapes, not wanting to remain in the north to be used by the Yuan army. As long as I had a shred of strength, I would strive to return to my homeland to protect the country and the people." Namo Amituofo."
Eventually, I travelled back and forth between the north and south, reaching as far as Guangdong in the south and Beijing in the north. Over those thousands of miles, I crisscrossed this vast territory, sometimes fleeing, sometimes held captive, sometimes fighting the Yuan army, and even being ordered by the Emperor to stand down and let the Yuan forces slaughter us at will.
Throughout this bitter history, I fought with all my might, yet in the end, the country fell, and the Yuan army occupied the entire Central Plains.
The Choice Between Dharma and Duty
As the Song Dynasty perished and the Yuan rose, I swore that I would never surrender. I had contemplated that if the situation was beyond saving and the Southern Song could not be restored, I might as well become a Daoist priest or enter the Buddha’s gate to practice meditation and rediscover my original heart. I wandered countless times between the paths of Daoism and Buddhism, seeking true stability and the Truth. While Truth was not the primary focus of my life on the surface, people did not know that while Wen Tianxiang was protecting his home and country, he was also striving to find inner peace and the truth of the universe. It was just that my responsibilities were too great; I could not stop. It was not until I was imprisoned in the Yuan capital—the prison in modern-day Beijing—that I finally had ample time. There, I began my days of meditation, and my heart became truly calm and peaceful.
The earthen cell at that time was, as I described in my 'Song of Righteousness,' filled with all manner of foul energy. The cell was perpetually dark and damp, with rotting animal carcasses a common sight. The earthiness of the walls and the moisture of the floor—there were seven types of 'qi' described in my poem—made life incredibly painful for many. This was no ordinary prison; it was a deep, lightless dungeon. I was held in an isolated cell for over three years. During those years, no matter how Kublai Khan tried to persuade me to surrender—promising me a life of glory and wealth, the reunion of my family, and even the position of Prime Minister of the Yuan Dynasty—my heart never wavered. I knew the Yuan was not a benevolent dynasty, and I could never betray the cultivation of the Southern Song court. Although the Song had fallen, I had lived off the Song's salary my entire life; I could never serve two masters. Thus, I steadfastly refused all attempts to make me surrender.
The Resilience of the Spirit
Kublai Khan was truly troubled. He admired my talent but feared that the remaining Southern Song loyalists would rise up in my name. Although I had long been removed from the court, they remained filled with hatred for the Yuan army's actions and sought justice. My heart was as still as water; I knew of these things but could say nothing. During those three years, Kublai Khan used both soft and hard tactics, sometimes resorting to torture, hoping that I would surrender out of fear of physical pain, or that my frail body would succumb to the suffering in a cell where so many died of illness. But my heart did not move in the slightest. I knew that people in the dungeon often contracted plagues or died from the harsh conditions, yet I miraculously lived for over three years without ever falling seriously ill. Despite eating only simple meals, my body remained strong, and I composed many poems in prison, the most famous being the 'Song of Righteousness.'
After more than three years, Kublai Khan could no longer tolerate it. Though he cherished my talent, he feared my name would destabilize his regime and finally ordered my execution. When he tried to persuade me one last time, I said without regret, 'Just grant me death!' On the way from the dungeon to the execution ground, I was calm and composed, knowing this moment would eventually come. My heart was bright and upright, without a shred of fear. Although I had not yet found the so-called Truth and was unsure of what the world after death would hold, my heart was firm and serene.
Before my death, I wrote my final poem: 'Confucius speaks of benevolence, Mencius speaks of righteousness; only when righteousness is fulfilled, is benevolence achieved. Having read the books of the sages, what have I learned? From now on, I have no regrets.' My heart truly held no guilt or remorse. Even though my family suffered because of my refusal to surrender, and my wife and daughter were treated as slaves in the palace, I would not worry excessively for them in the face of such temptations, for I knew that this private emotion was not enough to make me betray the people of the world and the righteous men of history.
Wandering the Spiritual Realms
After I met my end with composure, although my body and head were separated, my spirit remained very clear. I could exist as a soul wandering through space, possessing a degree of autonomy, knowing the direction and purpose of my coming and going. Although as a lonely spirit I could not do much for the civilians, my deep love for this land and its people prevented my spiritual from ascending. That attachment to doing my utmost for the people kept me wandering in space for over seven hundred years. Yet, this free soul never forgot to seek the Truth, nor did it forget its original intention.
For hundreds of years, I witnessed China transition from the Song to the fall of the Qing, the Republic, and eventually the current situation of the new China. The country remained as it had always been, with periods of frequent war and periods of peace and harmony. I saw the laws of and cause and effect clearly, and gradually my heart opened up. The fall of the Southern Song was inevitable, all within the laws of karma. I contemplated these principles in space, no longer clinging to resistance, and realized that Truth has always existed in the heart that is selfless and dedicated to others. My state of mind had always been similar to this, but it was the attachment rooted in my heart that prevented my spirit from ascending, causing me to float in space as a soul for these past few centuries.
The Light of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
It was not until over a decade ago that, with my own sensory abilities, I sensed a light radiating from this place on the island of Taiwan. This was a place where one could truly achieve spiritual liberation, a place to seek the Truth. I did not know why I had such a response; perhaps it was the Buddhist affinity I had planted in the past, which had gradually matured through my various experiences over the centuries, allowing me to return once again to the seat of Namo Amituofo.
So, I followed this sense of guidance, travelling all the way from mainland China to the Hsiang Kuang room in Shiding, Taiwan. I already knew that a Practitioner Su was there, who could help guide deceased spirits to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Upon hearing this, I was filled with joy, hurried forward, and walked grandly through the doors of the Hsiang Kuang room.
The moment I saw Practitioner Su, I was truly stunned. It was the first time I had seen a true Buddha in the human world. From the perspective of the spiritual realms, what I saw was an incomparably vast light, something invisible to the physical eyes of people. At that moment, I knew at a glance that this place not only held the Truth but was also the site of a great undertaking to save the world with Truth—something the universe had never seen since the dawn of time. I had entered quite dashingly, causing those with sensory abilities at the scene to gasp in surprise.
Looking at my seemingly bedraggled soul, with eyes that were piercing and bright, carrying a bit of dominance and a bit of piety, I shook my body and walked through the door of the Hsiang Kuang room, creating a great sound that caught Practitioner Su's attention. She said at a glance, 'Haha, who is this?' I reported my name directly: 'I am Wen Tianxiang, and I have come here seeking Spiritual Deliverance.' In that instant, Practitioner Su took me by the hand, and in one second, I arrived directly at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. My spirit was thus completely transformed, and I arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
A Call to
I mentioned the beauty of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss at the beginning, and it is indeed so. I have stayed here for over a decade, spending my days listening to sutras, hearing the Dharma, and understanding the truth of the universe. After gradual purification, I see things much more clearly. What I see is not just my own actions over the past thousand years, but the endless wandering in the spiritual world throughout my many lives. This has also caused me to sever the heart of reincarnation, and I am determined to follow the Buddha to attain Buddhahood and save the masses of the world.
I have wanted to return to the human world to save beings more than once, but I also know each time that my mere ten years in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, compared to the practice of over a decade in the human world, is not enough to give me the meditative concentration to not be drowned in the human world. In this defiled world, how could I not be drowned? If I had not encountered the true Great Dharma and could not learn by Practitioner Su's side, I, Wen Tianxiang, would truly lack the foundation to wander and drift in the human world again. Thus, I have continued to stay in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss until today, when I accepted this interview with Fa Ning of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
Fa Ning, you should be the one who knows the story of my life best! You have read so many books about me since you were young, understanding and contemplating my life as if it were your own. Haha, do you know why you have such a state of mind? You were born in this era of peace and prosperity, and both your country and family have provided you with a life of abundance. Yet, you always remember this person who sacrificed his life for the Great Song Dynasty over nine hundred years ago.
I once said that the Causal Conditions between us are very deep. Although you have had various spiritual responses, in order not to disturb your practice at this time and not to cause you more fluctuations, I decided to avoid talking about it. As long as you know the path ahead, and know that the heart to follow Namo Amituofo and follow Practitioner Su to save boundless beings must be truly raised, that is what matters. Do not dwell on the past; having lived so passionately and having also lived a life of destitution, these things have already become the past.
Now that you have truly entered the Buddha’s gate, you should indeed wake up. You have wandered between the Buddha’s gate and the secular world for many lives, and you have even been to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss just as I am now, but why is your heart still unable to truly settle down and follow Namo Amituofo with a single mind? This is the fact you must explore today. No matter how clearly you remember my story or how fluently you recite my poems, all of this will not help your practice at this moment, nor will it help you stand up and truly work for the vast masses and contribute to all beings in the world. Namo Amituofo.
My child, time is fleeting, and you have already been at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for over two years, have you not? As you witness the speed of the transformation and progress of Practitioner Su over these past two years, you truly ought to have experienced an awakening by now. If a person can truly realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood, and then make the Ultimate Vow to work for the sake of all sentient beings, such an awakened being—much like Practitioner Su—is capable of truly saving infinite and boundless suffering beings. This is the very thing upon which you should settle your heart at this moment. The skills of Practitioner Su are truly breathtaking! I have spent over a decade in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and looking back at the changes over these ten years, it is truly inconceivable. Today, Practitioner Su possesses the ability to manifest countless manifestations, carrying out such massive Chao Du operations across the vast land of China.
The Urgency of Awakening
Such a vow and such power of merit are things he has spent his entire life accumulating. Only with these current achievements is he able to rely on this power of merit to save the infinite suffering beings of China. The reason this ability commands such respect is that his heart has long been free from even the slightest trace of pollution; there is not a single thought for himself, but rather, he thinks entirely and sincerely for the sake of all beings. Such a heart of great compassion and great Wisdom is like a bright lamp of a Buddha dwelling in the world today. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a ray of hope for the human world.
Fa Ning, as a child residing within this environment, you should have gained some understanding of this by now. You cannot simply let day after day pass without making progress, without truly making the Ultimate Vow, and while still clinging to your own personality and various habits. You must wake up sooner rather than later. In the past, you possessed even greater strength and a more expansive heart than you do now; it is merely that throughout the long cycles of samsara, you have been covered by layer upon layer of defilement, causing you to forget the incomparably vast heart you once held. I hope that in this lifetime, you can find it again soon; that would be the greatest blessing for all sentient beings. To rouse a heart of true compassion for the sake of all beings is truly a matter of the utmost importance. You, too, are a person with a compassionate heart; you must exert this heart more powerfully, allowing it to grow larger and ever larger.
A Beacon in the Human World
Watching Practitioner Su conduct these great Chao Du ceremonies across the Divine Land, province by province, regardless of the number of sentient beings, regardless of how the demon crowds attack, and regardless of how perilous the path ahead may be, Practitioner Su has never once ceased his work of saving beings. He has never stopped giving Dharma talks, always diligently shouldering such a heavy responsibility for the people of the world. To see such great compassion manifested in an eighty-two-year-old elder—it truly makes even Wen Tianxiang, here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, shed a tear! Ha! This is truly the greatest hope for humanity, the place of the greatest ray of hope.
Practitioner Su has supported the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre with his own body, and through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, he supports the entire Earth, and even the heavens beyond the heavens, the universe, the Milky Way, other realms, and the entire Dharma Realm in various great Chao Du operations. It is evident that the heart of Practitioner Su holds no discriminations; he does not distinguish between this place or that place. Regarding the locations and the scope of his Chao Du, there are absolutely no restrictions and no limitations. He simply uses the largest possible heart to save every place he can reach.
The Unwavering Compassion of an Elder
Because this heart is so vast, the beings and demon crowds he can save today can be from the most ancient of times. Practitioner Su can break through space with this heart of the Ultimate Vow; that is truly something an ordinary person could never achieve. It requires a very deep vow and power of merit, walking step by step, down-to-earth, following Namo Amituofo, to be able to break through layer after layer and save the infinite suffering beings.
This is truly the kind of heart that the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre today should strive to learn. If everyone could understand the true Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, and honestly abide by them, perhaps a second or third person like Practitioner Su could emerge. That would truly bring peace to the world, and it would also be a crucial reason for the Buddha’s teachings to be passed down from generation to generation.
A Path of Gratitude and Practice
Practitioner Su can now freely travel to and from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, yet he does not cling to such a wonderful state; instead, he chooses to remain in the human world in a physical body. This physical body must also endure powerful attacks from demon crowds, and even while suffering from intense pain throughout his body, he continues to work for all sentient beings with a smiling face, working to save sentient beings. The strength in Practitioner Su’s voice remains as powerful as ever; that is a very powerful heart leading everyone forward.
I am deeply envious of the people here at this moment, who can follow the true Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, and of course, our best teacher, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju. To be able to follow these three Buddhas at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—this Buddha-land—and practice without any distractions, without having to worry about daily life, clothing, or food, and to practice in such an excellent environment until one realises one's true nature and attains Buddhahood—everyone should be deeply grateful for such good fortune and hold this debt of gratitude deep within their hearts.
I, Wen Tianxiang, wandered for over seven hundred years, and now that I have arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I know what the true Truth is. In these very fulfilling days, my heart is filled with immense gratitude—gratitude for this Buddhist affinity, gratitude for Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I am grateful for today’s interview, which has allowed me to say a few words to the people of the world. I am grateful to you all.
Namo Amituofo.
Wen Tianxiang
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