A Life Transformed: From Tragedy to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Yu Chia-chang, who sought 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 passing in the 2025 Taipei MRT random stabbing incident. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on December 29, 2025.

Yu Chia-chang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Yu Chia-chang, the first victim of the well-known MRT station stabbing incident from a few weeks ago. I imagine quite a few people in Taiwan have heard my name by now! After all, this homicide case caused quite a stir in Taiwanese society and remains a topic of intense public concern. To be honest, I feel quite ashamed. So many people have started to view me as a hero because of my death, but I really do not deserve such praise. I simply had an intuitive sense that someone was about to commit an illegal act, so I stepped forward to intervene. The next second, I was stabbed. Everything happened so incredibly fast; I had neither the time nor the capacity to consider anything else. I believe I passed away instantly at that moment.

The Darkness of Karmic Retribution

If you ask me where I went after I died, I did not go to heaven. To be frank, it was a truly terrifying experience. I arrived in a place of absolute darkness where I could see nothing at all. I felt a sense of profound, overwhelming dread. I knew it was my spirit, for it was no longer my original physical body. Was I truly about to enter a world of eternal darkness? In that pitch-black void, my spirit was 'killed' over and over again. My chest was repeatedly pierced. Even though I was a spirit, the pain was identical to that of a physical body—it was excruciating. I would lose consciousness only to wake up and find myself being pierced through the chest again. I had no time to think; I was trapped in a cycle of recurring pain, suffering, and wailing. I would let out a cry of 'Ah!', and then the action would repeat. 'Ah!' again, and then it would continue...

A New Beginning in the Western Dharma-Nature Land

I really do not wish to revisit that part of my history. Even now, speaking of it brings back a faint sense of that agony. However, I am very happy now. I have arrived in a brand-new world, completely fulfilled, and I have adapted quite well. This place is called the Western Dharma-Nature Land, located at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in the small town of Goombungee, Australia. This entire experience has been a journey of countless twists and turns. In less than a few weeks, I went from death to suffering in a dark realm, and then to this world of light. I barely recognise myself anymore! I have been completely reborn and am entirely different from who I was before. I have become an old man who is very diligent in chanting Namo Amituofo—oh, wait, I seem to have become young again! I look much like I did when I was first married. So, let me say something important first: I hope my family will not be sad, and there is no need to seek justice for me anymore. I, Yu Chia-chang, am living a life better than heaven! It is beyond anything you could imagine!

The Truth Behind the Tragedy

Having said that, you might be curious: why did I, who was brave enough to do a good deed by trying to stop the perpetrator, Chang Wen, from committing violence in the MRT station, have to suffer so much after death? Why couldn't I go to heaven, or at least have a good rebirth as a decent person? Ah! You only see the scene that unfolded before your eyes. I was also dissatisfied and felt a sense of injustice at first. Although I didn't have time to think much, I was angry, hurt, and unwilling to accept that I had died in such a miserable way. But I am clear-headed now—truly clear-headed. I have arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land. Oh, I haven't introduced it yet: this is a Buddha-land, created by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su in the human world. I am here because someone submitted my name to Practitioner Su, allowing him to guide me. Otherwise, I would still be suffering.

When I say I am 'clear-headed,' I mean I have finally understood why I had to endure such intense pain and why this event—which everyone thought was a matter of seeking justice—actually occurred. It is because I had treated Chang Wen in the exact same way in the past! My lifespan in this life had reached its end, and he came to 'collect' my life. But of course, it wasn't just him; there were many, many beings within my body who had come to collect their debts from me! My death may have seemed like a split-second event, but in reality, it was something these beings had planned for a long time. It was destined that I would die in this calamity and experience this suffering. However, because my heart was good and I was generally a kind person, perhaps that is why my time in suffering was not long. I was quickly brought to this beautiful Buddha-world. Wouldn't you say that is worth it?

A Message to the Perpetrator

Chang Wen, I must apologise to you as well. You killed someone in this life, and you have suffered greatly and have also passed away. But I hope that this cycle of karmic retribution—this cycle of revenge—can end here. I will not hold a grudge. I have come to know Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, and I understand that people come to this world merely to suffer, or to repay debts from the past and continue karmic connections. There is nothing worth clinging to so tightly. I hope that no matter where you are, you can find a way out! Finding a way out is very simple. I will teach you: just chant 'Namo Amituofo,' and that is all you need to do. I know this now, and it is not too late to tell you. I hope you can hear me! You have no idea how great and extraordinary Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su are. As long as you chant the Buddha's name, the Buddha will save you. You must be sincere and repent. Let the past be the past! This single thought is truly vital!

The Great Blessing of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

I, Yu Chia-chang, am truly as happy as an immortal now! Or perhaps even happier, because the Buddha I have come to know is Namo Amituofo. I believe many Taiwanese people know the name Namo Amituofo, but how many truly know the Buddha? I don't think many do. Everyone thinks the Buddha is in a very distant place, not knowing that the Buddha is always by our side. They don't know that they, too, can become a Buddha, and they certainly don't know that Namo Amituofo has already come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This is because Taiwan has produced Practitioner Su. He attained Buddhahood long ago, even while he was in Taiwan, and then he went to Australia to establish the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. There, Namo Amituofo formally descended into the human world to help Practitioner Su save people, because Practitioner Su's heart is entirely focused on saving others! I don't know if I can explain it well enough, but you could try searching for 'Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre' online! See for yourself how incredible the Buddha at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is, and how many people from Taiwan, mainland China, and all over the world—the entire universe—have been saved by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su!

I believe more and more people in Taiwan are becoming aware of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The Centre has even set up several billboards in Taiwan, and even those billboards have saved immeasurable and boundless spirit realm beings! You might not believe it, but go and see for yourselves; verify it online, and you will know. We Taiwanese people are truly 'blessed without knowing it.' It is a great pity not to know the Buddha. If I hadn't gone through this life-and-death ordeal and been reborn, perhaps I wouldn't have been able to know the Buddha either. Therefore, while you are still alive, you have the chance to know the Buddha. You must cherish this and keep it in your heart.

A Final Word to My Family

Speaking of which, to my family: I am sorry. My sudden departure must have been a huge blow to you. You may need time to accept this, but please believe me: my spirit is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia right now, which is not very far from Taiwan. I hope you can accept my apology and take the time to learn about this place. If you wish to speak with me, it is very simple. Just come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and you can communicate with me through the masters at the temple. It is very simple, not difficult at all. I am truly blessed! Although I lived only half a life and died a tragic death, my spirit does not die! Haven't I arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre? I can speak with you a great deal, as long as you come and believe in the Buddha. We Taiwanese are very fortunate; we have someone who has realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood! That is the honour of all of Taiwan! So, please believe me—you will not suffer a loss by coming here!

I am now understanding many principles by listening to Practitioner Su's Dharma talks. I am different from before; I have been completely renewed to welcome a new life. Although it has just begun, I know my mission is far from over. I can do much more to help the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre so that everyone can know Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. If everyone can be saved, that is my wish! I want to tell everyone that my death was truly worth it; I have no regrets at all!

Well, having said all this, I hope you will come soon. Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo.

Yu Chia-chang"