The Warrior's Conscience: A Reflection on War and Mercy

Ge Zhongliang, a spirit who served as a soldier during the Three Kingdoms period, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This interview was recorded on February 21, 2026.

Ge Zhongliang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Ge Zhongliang. I am filled with immense, boundless gratitude toward Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. It is only because these two have manifested in this world to perform Chao Du for countless spirits that I have been able to escape my original, tragic fate. I was born in the Jiangdong region during the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period. For generations, my family were steadfast allies of the Sun family; you could say we were their loyal retainers. When I was born, the head of the family was Sun Jian, and by the time I passed away, Sun Quan was on the throne. That era was defined by constant, brutal warfare and suffering. Because there was no enlightened ruler to unify the land, the common people lived in perpetual turmoil. Yet, it was also an era that produced many heroes. Liu Xuande, Cao Mengde, and our own Sun family of Jiangdong formed a tripartite balance of power. I was a 'fire-head soldier'—a cook—responsible for preparing meals for my brothers in the army. But do not think that a cook did not have to fight. We were not professional chefs; cooking was merely one of our duties. Our primary role was to charge into battle and slay the enemy. Driven by a sincere desire to serve my country, I joined the military."

The Burden of the Kitchen and the Battlefield

"In those days, the Jiangdong army was famous for its naval prowess. We were skilled on the water and adept at ship-to-ship combat. This gave us a significant advantage, for even a warrior of great strength struggles to exert power on a rocking, unstable deck. It tests one's true skill. I followed the army through countless battles, witnessing the cruelty of war firsthand. Over time, I began to lose sight of why we were fighting. Instead, I developed a profound sense of sorrow regarding the heartlessness of the battlefield and the fragility of human life. My reputation was not great, but this was not because my martial skills were lacking. On the contrary, I once fought the famous Gan Xingba on the water, and I was able to slightly best him. I knew that in times of war, the louder your name, the sooner you die. More importantly, a great reputation often means you have killed and harmed many people. I had joined the army to serve my country, not to be a butcher, which is why I chose to be a cook. Because everyone enjoyed my cooking, I became a head cook. That was far better than being a general who had to lead the charge into slaughter."

The Weight of a Soldier's Blade

"The people of China in those days were generally much taller and more robust than those of today. The weapons we used were incredibly heavy. To wield them effectively, one needed a deep foundation of internal energy. If you saw someone on the battlefield carrying a massive weapon, you knew he was a formidable fighter. If he could not wield that weapon as flexibly as his own limbs, he would surely die in the chaotic, ever-changing environment of the battlefield. The weapon I carried was a special one crafted by my family—a large blade that looked somewhat like a giant kitchen knife. In truth, it was a kitchen knife. One of our family traditions involved the preparation of medicinal wines using animal products to strengthen our bodies and martial arts. My father taught me that when we had to take the life of an animal, we should hold this large knife as a sign of respect for the food, reminding ourselves that we were taking a life only to survive. Thus, this knife was the tool we used for our medicinal preparations."

"After joining the army, I held onto that same concept. I told myself that every life I took was for the sake of the nation, the people, and the hope that the people of China might one day live better lives. I chose to carry that large knife to remind myself to respect life and to hold it in awe. I understood that the act of taking a life is a heavy burden, and one must always maintain a heart of reverence, even in the midst of the most violent conflicts."

A Final Act of Compassion

"I became known as a 'God of War' because of an incident when the Jiangdong army encountered Cao Cao's forces. We set a massive fire. I do not know why, but it seemed many civilians were mixed in with Cao's troops. I discovered that a group of refugees was under the protection of Cao's army, attempting to move to a city under their control. I did not want to harm the innocent, but as a mere cook, I had no authority. My words carried little weight. I secretly took action to help these civilians and the Cao soldiers escape our encirclement. Afterward, my actions were discovered, and I was executed for my 'betrayal'."

"After death, I became a spirit known as a God of War. This title does not mean I encourage the escalation of war. Rather, it means I help remind people: what are you truly fighting for? For humanity, especially on this land of China, war has been far too frequent. I could not change that, but I could help those with good hearts not to forget their original intention for stepping onto the battlefield. Simply put, I awakened the seeds of Goodness within them to reduce the loss of life."

Deliverance to the Western Dharma-Nature Land

"More than a thousand years after becoming this spirit, I had the fortune to be saved by Practitioner Su and guided to the Western Dharma-Nature Land. In that world of light, after listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma, I finally understood that the meaning of life lies in practice. One who attains achievement can liberate oneself and also help those with karmic affinity to attain liberation. This is the only thing of true value. I hope that one day, when I regain a human body, I can be like Practitioner Su, attain Buddhahood, and save countless suffering beings. Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."