The Soldier Who Found Peace in the Buddha-Name

This is a record of an interview with Lin Kao, who sought Spiritual 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 1,400 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on February 28, 2026.

Lin Kao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lin Kao. I was born in a small town in the northwest of Hunan Province. My childhood was defined by the biting cold of winter and the daily discipline of practising with the spear. From a very young age, my ambition was to protect my home and defend my country—a path deeply rooted in the teachings of my parents. My father always told me, 'Kao, I named you Kao, which means a test or an examination, because I want you to understand that as long as a person is alive, there will be tests.' My father hoped that I would become a man who could face challenges head-on and embrace them with courage. Because of this, I developed a character that was resilient, optimistic, and broad-minded. My father was a man of exceptional martial skill who made his living through hunting and fishing. Our family of three—my father, my mother, and I—lived a simple, harmonious life."

A Childhood Defined by Tests

"When I was fifteen, the northern wars intensified. My father was recruited by the state to join the military campaign, and he left home, leaving my mother and me to rely on each other. A year later, the devastating news arrived that my father had fallen in battle. My mother, upon hearing this, fell into a deep illness from which she never recovered. My heart was shattered by grief, yet I felt so utterly powerless. I could only do my best to be a dutiful son, accompanying her through those final, painful days. In the span of just over a year, our once-happy home had been reduced to nothing, and I was left entirely alone in this world."

"Facing these overwhelming changes, I remembered my father's teachings. I refused to be discouraged. I knew that complaining about heaven or blaming others would serve no purpose. When faced with the suffering of life, one can only move forward, never backward. Driven by this resolve, I decided to head to the northern battlefields. I wanted to see with my own eyes what war truly was and why so many people were willing to sacrifice their lives for it."

The Weight of War and the Amulet of Peace

"Before I left, I carried with me a small amulet that my parents had taken me to a temple to receive when I was a child. It was a tiny, precious pouch with the six characters 'Namo Amituofo' written on it. Inside were grains of golden light sand that had been blessed by a temple monastic. It looked like shimmering gold. I cherished this amulet deeply, as it was the only time in fifteen years that my parents had ever taken me to a temple."

"At that time, the Emperor was Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty. The Turks in the north were a constant threat to our people. Many noble-minded individuals volunteered for the army, not to show off their talents, but to protect their homeland and their people. My parents had never taught me these grand ideologies; they only taught me how to accept and face the tests of life, and how to coexist with those challenges. Beyond that, my father had taught me his martial arts, and so I joined the great army to defend against the Turks."

A Decade of Chanting Amidst the Chaos

"I was young and possessed exceptional martial skills, so I was promoted quickly. I spent ten years in the military. Unlike others who were filled with intense nationalistic fervor, I looked at the Turks and simply saw people who looked different. I could not understand why we had to kill each other. Throughout the battles, I maintained a sense of calm and rationality."

"I never forgot to wear the amulet my parents had sought for me. I would chant the words 'Namo Amituofo' written on it. I did not know what it meant at the time, but I believed it brought peace. Many times, I faced life-threatening crises and emerged unscathed. I truly believe it was this 'Namo Amituofo' that was protecting me. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for surviving the battlefield. Perhaps I also held a heart of compassion for the Turks; I truly hoped that our two peoples could find a way to coexist in peace, but the reality of the situation made such compromises impossible, and there was little I could do."

"For those ten years, I was searching for an answer: what is the meaning of war? I am not sure if I ever found that answer, but I came to understand the impermanence of life, the fragility of existence, and the importance of the heart. Many who stay on the battlefield for too long suffer from psychological scars—some become too aggressive, while others are consumed by fear. Yet, after ten years, my character did not change like theirs. I maintained a detached and optimistic state of mind. I spent much time reflecting on why I was different, and I realised it was likely due to this miraculous amulet and the Buddha-name. Aside from the spear in my hand, the thing that accompanied me most was this Buddha-name. I chanted it in the morning, I chanted it at night, and I chanted whenever I had a spare moment. It was the last gift my parents left me, and chanting it felt like I was still with them."

The Golden Light of Deliverance

"Ten years later, I left the army and retreated into the deep mountains of my hometown to live a simple life. I continued to chant every day, and the more I chanted, the happier I became. The entire mountain became my place of practice. After I passed away, I ascended to the heavens and became a celestial deity. I did not understand how this was possible until I recently saw Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia conducting large-scale Chao Du in China. I saw infinite golden light illuminating every inch of the land and space in China. I heard Practitioner Su chanting 'Namo Amituofo,' and my heart was moved to enter that golden light. That is how I arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre."

"In the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I saw the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su. It was like the golden light sand in my amulet—immeasurable and boundless—sprinkled across all of China, saving countless sentient beings. I was deeply moved and made a vow that, in the future, I too would save sentient beings just as Practitioner Su does. Listening to Practitioner Su give Dharma talks, I finally understand: every time I chanted 'Namo Amituofo' back then, I was saving many beings in the surrounding space. Especially during the final years of my life on that mountain, I was unknowingly saving many spirits. I never knew the efficacy of this Buddha-name, but now I know that it can open up space and save spirits. It is truly an inconceivable treasure."

"I am filled with gratitude to Namo Amituofo, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su for saving the spirits of China."

"Namo Amituofo."

"Lin Kao"