The Scientist's Journey to the Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Qian Xuesen (Tsien Hsue-Shen), who sought Spiritual Deliverance 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 ten years after his passing in the human world. Recorded by the chief interviewer, Fa Ning, on March 30, 2026.

Qian Xuesen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Qian Xuesen. I am well aware that mentioning this name—a name that has echoed through the halls of history and the hearts of millions—might come as a profound shock to the vast number of Chinese people who remember me. It has been over a decade since I departed from the human world, yet here I am, having transitioned into a completely new state of existence at the Western Land of Dharma Nature, located here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This transformation has been so rapid, so sudden, and truly inconceivable to the logical, analytical mind I once possessed. It is a reality that defies all the scientific laws I once held dear.

In my previous life, the Dharma had no place in my world. I did not entirely deny the existence of Buddhas while I was alive, but throughout my human life, I truly lacked a deep affinity with the Buddha. I dedicated my entire life to my country and to scientific research. To me, every formula, every trajectory, and every calculation was a fundamental tool for uncovering the Universal Principles. As for Buddhism, it seemed like a mere product of human spiritual culture, something far removed from the cold, hard reality of my laboratory, as if it had absolutely nothing to do with me at all. I was a man of science, and science was my only truth."

The Hero of a Nation

"The name ‘Qian Xuesen’ is regarded by the Chinese people as that of a genius, a national hero who defended the country. People have painted such a beautiful, almost mythic picture of me, and I am truly humbled and feel quite unworthy of such high praise. I spent my life diligently researching aerospace technology, not for fame, but for survival. This was not merely a personal pursuit, but a heavy responsibility entrusted to me by the nation—it was my life’s mission. Science was my greatest passion, my sanctuary. No matter where I was, as long as I had a scrap of paper and a pen, I would happily lose myself in countless scientific calculations, oblivious to the world around me. I lived for the breakthrough, for the moment when the numbers finally aligned to reveal a new possibility for our nation's defence.

When I was in my twenties, I became one of the students sponsored by the Chinese government to study in the United States, and thus began my long journey abroad. I did not have many other thoughts at the time; I knew my motherland needed this knowledge more than anything. I wanted to learn, return home, and serve the people and the country to the best of my ability. This precious knowledge was my life’s greatest interest. As a young man, I was filled with boundless aspirations for the future and for the subjects I studied. I earned my master’s degree at MIT, then went on to Caltech, where I received my doctorate several years later. My mentor was the renowned aerospace professor Theodore von Kármán. Through our many collaborations and studies, I contributed significantly to the aerospace developments of that era, yet I always felt the pull of home, the weight of the responsibility to return and build something lasting for my people."

The Weight of Scientific Responsibility

"Think about it—a young man, thousands of miles from home, surrounded by the most advanced technology of the time, yet my heart was always tethered to the soil of my motherland. I felt the urgency of the times. Every day was a race against time, a race against the limitations of our own resources. I was driven by a singular, burning desire to see my country stand tall among the nations of the world. I did not care for the comforts of the West; I only cared for the equations that would allow us to reach the stars, to secure our skies, and to ensure that no one could ever look down upon us again. It was a heavy burden, but one I carried with a sense of pride and duty. I was a servant of the nation, and in that service, I found my identity. I never imagined that one day, all those years of calculation would lead me not to a final equation, but to the infinite compassion of Namo Amituofo."

"Fluid dynamics and aerodynamics were subjects that fascinated me from my undergraduate days. The field of aerospace, which was largely unfamiliar to most Chinese people at the time, ignited a powerful interest within me. The heavens and the trajectories through the sky could have a profound impact on human life, yet most people were unaware of this. They did not know that within this vast expanse, there were fields for scientists to explore and practise, and that these practices could provide security for the nation. This was a vague concept to my younger self, but to truly understand it, only the United States could satisfy my yearning for scientific learning at that time. In the eyes of Americans, I was a scientist, and people often forgot that I was Chinese, because all the research I conducted in the U.S. was funded by American government grants and university resources. To others, I might have appeared to be a typical American intellectual, but that was not the case."

The Burden of Scientific Allegiance

"I was deeply aware that in the research of aerospace and missiles, I could not truly trust the American authorities. By 'trust,' I mean that if a country could use this knowledge to defend itself rather than threaten the safety of the world, then I believed the work could be developed in the U.S. However, I felt strongly that the United States was an expansionist military power, one that would actively threaten other nations to consolidate its own hegemony, which posed a danger to world peace and security. From the day I returned to my motherland, I told myself completely that all the knowledge I had acquired would be dedicated to the construction of my country and the lives of its people. Although my field was primarily aerospace, supplemented by various other disciplines, this did not mean I was far removed from the lives of the common people. When I returned to China, I had already lived through decades of an academic life, most of which was spent in the United States."

The Promise of Peace

"With an understanding of my motherland, I could confidently conduct research on the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' project on Chinese soil. This was because the Chinese government guaranteed that it would not actively launch nuclear weapons against any country, nor would it launch them against nations that did not possess them. Only with such assurances could my conscience rest easy. I knew that research in this area would have a massive impact on world safety. If scientific technology could be used well, it would indeed help world peace; but if it could not be used properly, the harm would be endless. Countless lives were in our hands. Researching missiles, nuclear bombs, and satellites—these things seemed somewhat distant to the people of that time, advanced products beyond the imagination of the average Chinese citizen, especially after the wars, when people were struggling to have enough food and clothing. Some even scoffed at these inventions, believing that they were the very cause of war."

A Shield Against Bullying

"The national leaders at the time, myself included, saw clearly that if China wanted to stand tall in the world and no longer be bullied by the great powers, the development of these technological products—the atomic bomb, the missile, and the artificial satellite—was unavoidable. These inventions were not meant to incite war, but precisely to prevent it. I believe everyone can understand this now, can they not? Namo Amituofo."

"If China did not possess its own nuclear deterrent, such a vast nation—if it remained militarily and technologically vulnerable—would have been an easy target for foreign powers. Because the world knew China lacked the capacity to resist, they felt emboldened to launch various invasions or engage in blatant plunder. However, once China established a robust foundation in nuclear weaponry, those foreign powers could no longer pose such direct military threats. They understood clearly that any act of aggression would be met with a reciprocal response. This was not about aggression; it was about the fundamental right to exist in peace."

A Life of Dedication

"Therefore, my life’s greatest work—leading the research and the successful launch of China’s 'Two Bombs, One Satellite'—was of immense, historical significance for the security of all Chinese people. Once I grasped the necessity of this, I resolutely threw myself into the research. Those decades passed by in the blink of an eye. Although I lived to be ninety-six, I always felt that my time was incredibly fulfilling and moved with startling speed. A person’s life truly passes by in a flash when one is immersed in endless research. Such a life was always something that made me feel deeply satisfied and happy. Although the process was fraught with peril—I experienced life-and-death situations while attempting to return from the United States, and even after arriving back in the motherland, I lived a life of hardship that most people today could not even begin to imagine."

"Upon returning to the motherland, I threw myself into the most fundamental research work without a moment's pause. At that time, China’s equipment in this field was extremely backward; we had to start everything from zero. Whether it was the physical construction of facilities or the urgent task of cultivating talent to participate in the project, every single step was vital for the long-term development and survival of the country. Consequently, I was sent to the desolate deserts of the Great Northwest to conduct the precursors for our nuclear and missile tests. This series of tests was far from easy. Because of the primitive conditions and the lack of advanced equipment, we relied heavily on the manual labour and the selfless dedication of countless people to complete the vast construction required for our success."

The Choice of the Motherland

"People often wonder why I accepted such treatment and chose to live in such a harsh, unforgiving environment. At the time, if I had simply chosen to remain in the United States and continue my career as a professor at Caltech, with my age and professional qualifications, I would have had plenty of room to excel and live a life of comfort. Although I was a professor and held permanent residency in the U.S., I had always maintained that I never forgot my fundamental desire to serve my motherland. Furthermore, the actions of the U.S. government in the realm of world security were often, in my view, negative examples. I never believed it was a place where one could reside long-term or truly place one's trust."

The Eternal Pursuit of Science

"Science is a pursuit that transcends borders, but the application of science is always tied to the fate of one's people. When I look back, I do not regret a single day spent in the desert. The wind, the sand, and the isolation were merely the backdrop for the birth of a new era for my country. Many ask if I felt lonely. How could I be lonely when I was surrounded by the collective spirit of a nation striving for dignity? We were not just building bombs; we were building a shield. We were ensuring that the 'white-haired person sending off the black-haired person' would not be a common tragedy caused by the ravages of war. We were securing the future. Namo Amituofo."

The Call of the Motherland

The Illusion of the Physical Body

A New Awakening

"My later years were still spent in great satisfaction and simplicity. For the various honours the country bestowed upon me and the praise the people showered upon me, I accepted everything with a heart of profound gratitude. Yet, I never felt that I was particularly great or superior. I always felt that everything I achieved was simply a mission entrusted to me by the era in which I lived. Because I possessed a certain aptitude for these sciences, it was only natural that I was well-suited for this profession; there was truly nothing to be arrogant about. In the end, I simply did my best to contribute what I could, ensuring that on the long, arduous road of cultivating talent for the nation’s future, the aerospace expertise I researched could continuously serve the country. Then, I could retire with a genuine sense of accomplishment. I also hold a deep, lingering hope that the country can continue to walk steadily in this regard and will never, under any circumstances, actively launch nuclear weapons for the sake of mere profit or geopolitical gain."

The Eternal Observer of the Laboratory

"After I sadly departed from the human world, because I was so deeply attached to my scientific research during my life, my soul lingered in the human realm. I continued to inhabit all the laboratories and research institutes where I had spent my most productive years. I watched the next generation of scholars conduct the same research and study as I once did, and I observed the country’s direction in this critical area with a keen, invisible eye. I never truly left the field I studied; it was like that while I was alive, and it remained like that even after I had passed away. It was just that for the ten-plus years following my death, I did the same thing, over and over, day after day, without ever feeling a moment of fatigue. I was a ghost in the machine, a silent witness to the progress of human knowledge."

"Then, one day, more than ten years after my death, I was still lingering at my alma mater, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, watching generations of students happily conducting various experiments. I felt a deep, quiet comfort in my heart, but it was at this very moment that my existence underwent an earth-shattering change. As a soul, I suddenly felt a massive, overwhelming light shining into the laboratory where I was standing. It was not the harsh, artificial light of the fluorescent tubes I had grown accustomed to, but a warm, all-encompassing radiance. I saw many beings—souls just like me—walking toward this light one by one, their expressions shifting from confusion to a profound, serene clarity."

The Ultimate High Technology

"So, I naturally walked toward this light, because this light brought with it a kind of stable, unshakable power, which was the only thing I could truly perceive at the time. Entering this light, I was instantly reborn and arrived in another world—the world I mentioned earlier, the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This is a spiritual world, and it is perfectly suited for souls like me to reside here. But what is truly special is that this is a Buddha’s world. My affinity with the Buddha could be said to have been non-existent while I was alive; I was a man of logic, of atoms and equations. But after I died, I was actually brought by the Buddha to the Buddha’s world to enjoy peace and happiness, haha! It is quite ironic, is it not? A scientist finding his ultimate destination in the light of the Buddha."

"After I began to deeply understand the Dharma—which has been in these past few weeks—I have been bathing in the Buddha-light every day, following Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su to learn. Listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma is my daily homework, and I have already begun to learn how to make prostrations to the Buddha. It is a humbling experience, far more complex and rewarding than any experiment I ever conducted in my life. I am learning that the universe is not just matter and energy, but a vast, infinite compassion that binds all things together. Namo Amituofo."

The Limitations of the Physical Lens

In the past, regarding the four words ‘birth, aging, sickness, death,’ I might have had brief, fleeting doubts, wondering why humanity must be shackled to such a cruel process. But based on the definitions I held from my past studies, I convinced myself that this was just a natural, physiological process that every living being must endure. I accepted this fact without a second thought, burying my questions under the weight of my own arrogance. Now, I know that all of this is so absurd! Based on my past fanaticism for science, I was deeply obsessed with the knowledge I had accumulated and the observations I had made, and I completely failed to have a deep realisation of the vibrant, spiritual world that surrounded me at every moment. But coming to the Western Dharma-Nature Land now, it is truly a massive, life-altering turnaround. I have finally calmed my heart to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma.

The Dharma explained by Practitioner Su uses such simple, direct language—it is not complicated at all. Every word and every sentence is so easy to understand, and it captures the heart with a precision that no scientific paper ever could. As I listened, I began to realise many fascinating principles. These truths, which I was completely blind to while I was alive, are now becoming clear to me one by one. It is like a veil has been lifted from my eyes, and for the first time, I am seeing the universe as it truly is.

The Ultimate High Technology

People are all one with each other; we are all interconnected in ways that science is only beginning to scratch the surface of. It is because this world is plagued by the limitations of the physical body that people cannot believe that the body is false and short-lived. They ignore the reality and the immense preciousness of the spiritual world, choosing instead to cling to their fleeting, material existence. I smiled happily in front of the Buddha. Having walked a lifetime as a scientist, I was still able to return to the Buddha’s seat, listen to the sutras, hear the Dharma, and understand the true Universal Principles, the Truth, and the Right Path. All of this is so precious and so difficult to come by! It is a miracle that I am here.

After deeply understanding Practitioner Su’s background, I could not help but sigh in awe. Practitioner Su is the most top-tier scientist in humanity today. His vision is by no means limited to the realm of the physical body or the narrow confines of modern science. Many things can only be understood after truly realising one’s true nature and attaining Buddhahood. Only by reaching a state like Practitioner Su can one truly discern the Universal Principles, the Truth, and the Right Path. In terms of the Dharma, this is the rule that all things fundamentally follow. Only by truly being able to follow this natural rule can people improve their wisdom and, step by step, walk toward the path of realising one’s true nature and attaining Buddhahood. I am finally on that path, and I am eternally grateful to Namo Amituofo and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for this deliverance. Namo Amituofo."

The very concept of 'Buddha' has undergone a profound, almost tectonic shift within my heart. For decades, I viewed the world through the lens of empirical data, rigid equations, and observable phenomena. I once perceived the Dharma as a mere religious construct—a set of stereotypical principles to be studied from a distance. But now? I realise that the Dharma is not a religion at all; it is the fundamental, natural law that governs the entire cosmos, a law that every sentient being is inherently bound to follow. To speak of attaining Buddhahood is no longer a mystical abstraction to me. It is the ultimate path, the only path that every single soul must eventually walk. Why? Because every one of us, regardless of our station in life or our scientific achievements, possesses the Buddha-nature within our original nature. When I first grasped this, it was a shock to my very core—a revelation more profound than any scientific breakthrough I had ever witnessed in my career. To think that I, Qian Xuesen, a man of logic and measurement, also possess this Buddha-nature, and that I, too, have the potential to attain Buddhahood! Compared to the limited frameworks of other religions I have encountered, this is a paradigm shift of the highest order.

Beyond the Limits of Human Knowledge

Haha! I find myself still speaking with the precise, analytical tone of a scientist, don't I? It is a habit of a lifetime. Yet, deep within my heart, I know where the true essence of the Dharma resides. It is not something that can be neatly packaged, quantified, or summarised by the scientific community in a few dry sentences. The depth, the mystery, and the sheer majesty of the Dharma are things that every human being should have the opportunity to encounter in this lifetime. This is our true foundation, the home to which every soul will eventually return after the long, weary journey through samsara. Having understood the truth of these universal principles, I now feel an incomparable, burning yearning for the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I know, with the certainty of a scientist who has finally found the ultimate equation, that it is the Buddha-land personally established by Namo Amituofo. It is my future home, the place where all questions are answered and all suffering ceases. To be able to chant the holy name of 'Namo Amituofo'—what an immense, immeasurable blessing this is!

A Scientist’s Final Discovery

Being able to know the Buddha and to finally grasp the truth of this universe has left my heart more solid, more tranquil, and more at ease than it has ever been in my entire life. I sincerely wish for the next generation of students in China—the bright, inquisitive minds of the future—to have the opportunity to encounter the true Dharma. All the profound knowledge in the scientific world, no matter how complex, how fascinating, or how revolutionary it may seem, cannot compare to the absolute reality of the true Universal Principles and the Right Path. I am eternally grateful to Namo Amituofo and to Practitioner Su for granting me this precious opportunity. Qian Xuesen has undergone a transformation—from a man of science to a student of the Dharma—and this is a metamorphosis that brings me a joy beyond words. It is a joy that transcends the physical, a joy that resonates with the very frequency of the universe itself. I have spent my life searching for the secrets of matter and energy, only to realise that the greatest secret of all was waiting within me, hidden in plain sight, waiting for the light of the Dharma to reveal it. Namo Amituofo.

"After I arrived in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, my perspective shifted entirely. Everything I witnessed became infinitely broader and more long-term. I found myself filled with a profound, deep-seated admiration for Practitioner Su’s extraordinary skills in realising his true nature and his tireless dedication to saving the world. Practitioner Su’s mind-capacity is truly vast—it is boundless. It is by no means for his own sake that he performs this monumental work of salvation; rather, he is constantly engaged in the work of Chao Du, ensuring that all sentient beings, without exception, can leave behind the cycle of suffering and attain true, lasting happiness together.

The Ultimate Technology of the Universe

I saw with my own eyes, right here, Practitioner Su’s countless manifestations performing great Chao Du across the vast land of China. In a single, fleeting instant, he could rescue many, many beings who were trapped in various dark, suffocating spaces, guiding them into the light to be reborn in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. I was personally saved by such a profound act of Chao Du at that time. The number of beings saved alongside me was truly immeasurable—there were so, so many. I do not believe you could find a second person in this entire world who possesses such incredible, transcendent skills! This is the true, ultimate high technology! I absolutely could not have believed it when I was limited by my physical eyes and my scientific training, but at this moment, everything is presented with absolute clarity before me. Even my own soul was saved in this very way. There is no suspense, no doubt; everything is true, lofty, and beyond the reach of ordinary logic.

Beyond the Limits of Material Science

I, Qian Xuesen, am deeply impressed by the Dharma, especially the profound Buddhist education taught by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. My entire life was built upon the foundation of material science, and I never expected that something would appear at this moment to completely overturn my previous thoughts—a reality I absolutely could not have imagined before. So, if you want to ask me today if Buddhism is the most scientific discipline in existence, I can now fully, wholeheartedly believe and agree with it. It is the science of the mind, the science of the universe itself.

A Scientist’s Humble Request

Now, I, Qian Xuesen, also wish to learn this great, supreme skill of saving the world. I only hope that it is not too late for me to begin. I truly want to do something meaningful for the vast number of young students who are still searching for the truth. Only the Dharma is the most ultimate, perfect, and complete education. At this moment, I am speaking these words with deep satisfaction and peace here in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. I also sincerely hope that all the people in the world who worship science and high technology can have a sudden awakening—to realise what is merely short-lived and what is truly long-lasting and eternal. The current Qian Xuesen is a humble student of the Dharma, and this spiritual high technology is exactly what I most desire to learn at this moment.

I am eternally grateful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for the massive, life-changing shock they have brought to the world. On behalf of all the people in the scientific community, I offer a word of deepest gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su!

Namo Amituofo.

Qian Xuesen"