The Peacekeeper of the Snowy Peaks

This is a record of an interview with Zeng Shu'an, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life approximately 580 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on March 1, 2026.

Zeng Shu'an speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zeng Shu'an. I was a Han Chinese man who grew up in the vast, rolling lands of the Mongolian tribes. From a very young age, I was remarkably mature, and my physical growth was unusually rapid. While children of my own age were still quite small, I already towered over them, standing half a head taller. I lived my entire childhood within a Mongolian tribe. Even though I was Han Chinese and our bloodlines were different, the people there accepted me as one of their own. I remember that my greatest joy was to run barefoot across the endless, wild grasslands. Many people would ask me, 'Why do you never wear shoes?' I would always tell them, 'A person must keep their feet firmly planted on the earth to live a truly happy and grounded life.' Many of them thought I was a bit strange, perhaps even foolish, for saying such things.

I was discovered in a pile of grass by the Mongolian people when I was just a small child, so it is fair to say that I was a Han child adopted by the tribe. I never felt that there was anything wrong with this arrangement. Because I had no biological parents, every adult in the tribe became my mother or my father. I integrated into the life of the tribe so completely that I felt like a true son of the plains."

A Childhood Among the Tribes

"I developed a special talent for training eagles, which was a vital skill in our way of life, serving many practical purposes. One day, while I was exploring a snow-capped mountain, I stumbled upon a roasted suckling pig left as an offering. I was incredibly hungry, but I dared not touch it because I did not know who had prepared it. It turned out to be the young leader of our tribe. He was a man of deep faith who believed in the spirits of the snow mountain. He would regularly bring roasted suckling pigs to the mountain to offer to the deities, hoping to receive their blessings.

I asked the young leader what he was praying for. He told me that he had heard rumors that our tribe was planning to expand its territory and launch attacks on neighboring tribes. He did not like the idea of harming life, and he was even more opposed to the senseless slaughter of war. He had heard that the spirits of the snow mountain could bring peace to the people, so he brought these offerings to pray for the safety of all and to ensure that conflicts were dissipated. I was deeply moved by his compassion and his heavy heart."

The Young Leader's Vow of Peace

"Tragically, the young leader's fears became a reality. During one of our tribe's campaigns against another group, he lost his life. I was devastated. I felt a profound sense of loss and decided that I must carry on his legacy of peace. I began to spread the message of harmony throughout the tribe. Some people were receptive to these ideas, but the warmongers within the tribe saw me as a thorn in their side. Eventually, they found an opportunity to ambush me, killing me and making it look like a tragic accident.

After I died, my spirit drifted to the snow mountain, and I became the mountain spirit. I did not know if the legends about the mountain spirits were truly real, but I decided that I would make them real through my own actions. I took up the mantle of the mountain spirit. Whenever a person of Goodness came to the mountain, I would do my best to help them find a path toward peace. While the final outcome always depended on their own choices, I felt that I was at least providing some small measure of assistance."

Betrayal and the Mountain Spirit

"I served as the mountain spirit for five hundred and seventy years. It was a long, solitary existence, but it was also a time of reflection. Finally, I reached the end of that chapter of my life, and a new, glorious chapter began. It was the Twelve Lights emitted by Practitioner Su that reached me. In that brilliant, warm golden light, I was guided into the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

Now, I reside in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, and I feel incredibly peaceful and joyful. I am so deeply grateful to the world for the existence of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. It is truly a miracle that, across the vast land of mainland China, so many suffering sentient beings are being saved. Everyone I see here has been saved through the Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su, allowing us to arrive at this beautiful land, to be reborn, and to find our true purpose. We are all filled with such immense gratitude."

The Golden Light of Deliverance

"I offer my deepest thanks to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su. My only hope is that one day, I, too, might be able to save as many sentient beings as Practitioner Su has, and to bring true, lasting peace to this world. Namo Amituofo."

Zeng Shu'an