A Reflection from the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chiang Ching-kuo, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his current state of practice. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa-hui, on April 19, 2026.

Chiang Ching-kuo speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chiang Ching-kuo. I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the grace of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Because of their boundless compassion, countless sentient beings have been saved and successfully reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am currently filled with Dharma joy here in the Western Pure Land, following Namo Amituofo in my daily practice. Compared to where I was ten years ago, I have undergone a truly profound transformation.

The dignity and beauty of the Western Pure Land are beyond words. To be able to listen to the Dharma directly before the Buddha every single day—to sit at the feet of Namo Amituofo—this is an immeasurable blessing. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. Every day, I diligently practise here in the West, aspiring to attain Buddhahood as soon as possible. When I finally enter the Land of Eternally Quiescent Light, that will be the moment I can freely return to the world to deliver sentient beings."

A Debt of Gratitude

"I am Chiang Ching-kuo. Fourteen years ago, I was fortunate enough to receive the grace of Practitioner Su, who led my spirit from the hells to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. After that interview, I chanted the Buddha's name ten times, and I was guided to the Western Pure Land. It is because of that magnificent karmic condition that I am able to accept this interview today from the Western Pure Land. Such great kindness and virtue—I dare not forget it, not even for a moment.

As the former President of the Republic of China, I held a very deep affection for the land of Taiwan. Throughout my life, I worked diligently at my post, fulfilling my duties while navigating many great and small upheavals. The most well-known of these was the twelve years I spent in forced exile in the Soviet Union during my youth, unable to return to China. Because of my status as the son of Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Chinese Revolutionary Army, the Soviet leader Stalin refused to let me return home. Living in such an environment for twelve years, my body, mind, and spirit were subjected to extreme devastation."

Transcending the Political Divide

"Looking back now from the perspective of the Western Pure Land, I see that everything was part of the Law of Cause, Condition, and Effect. As for the rights and wrongs of those days, I believe there is no longer any need to dwell on them. After all, concepts like political stances, parties, and ideologies are merely perspectives held by people in the world. From the perspective of the transcendental, all beings are children of the Buddha. We are all equal to the Buddha, possessing the same Buddha-nature and Wisdom. It is only because of the delusion, discrimination, and attachment within our hearts that the inherent light and power of our true nature have been obscured.

The opposition between political parties, the assertion of different stances, and the resulting heart-states—where one seeks to harm or destroy the other, viewing them as a great threat or even an enemy—all of these arise from 'discrimination.' From there, all sorts of sins are created. This was something I could not understand during my time on Earth. It was only after my rebirth in the Western Pure Land, through the process of purification and spiritual elevation, that I naturally came to realise this truth. Within the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, there is not a single trace of discrimination or attachment. There is no such thing as 'you are right and I am wrong,' no conflict between 'self' and 'other,' and no opposition between two sides."

The Power of the Heart

"How many people in the world quarrel, fight, or refuse to speak to one another because of differing political stances? They plot and scheme, all to harm the other to achieve their own specific goals. During my time in the Soviet Union, I was forced to write many letters that went against my own beliefs and thoughts, and I endured immense pressure. The most well-known instance was when I was forced to publicly sever ties with my father, Chiang Kai-shek, in the newspapers.

Those twelve years of life certainly devastated my body and mind, but they also forged a resilient character. There is no need for me to recount my life in detail; the world already knows it well, as there are too many records circulating. Whether the details were right or wrong is not the point I wish to make today. Those things belong only to the world, and there is no need to discuss them further. Everything in the world is like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, or a shadow. What is left behind after it passes? In truth, nothing is left. As the Buddha's teachings say: 'You cannot take anything with you; only your karma follows you.'"

A New Perspective on Duty

"In this life, I followed my father in China, working long and hard for the revolutionary cause. Later, in Taiwan, I did the same, dedicating my heart and soul to the goal of opposing communism and recovering the nation. This was the life's work I committed myself to, never daring to slacken, and it was the legacy passed down from my father. At the time, I identified with these goals from the bottom of my heart, believing this was the path I was meant to walk. I even wrote these convictions into my will, hoping that the government and the people of the Republic of China would hold fast to these beliefs and strive together for the great cause of unifying China.

When I was alive, I felt there was nothing wrong with this decision. But looking at it now from the Western Pure Land, I see it was profoundly mistaken. This 'mistake' is not from the perspective of a President, nor from the perspective of Chiang Ching-kuo as an individual, nor even from the perspective of being Taiwanese or Chinese. It is from the perspective of a practitioner here in the Western Pure Land. I can clearly see how much of it contradicted the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. The key lies in the heart. In Buddhist teachings, we learn the 'Heart Dharma'—that the heart can manifest all phenomena, and the heart can transform the environment. Everything in the world is born from the heart. Many people have heard this concept, but how many truly believe it? That is the question. For beings in the spiritual realms, however, this is crystal clear. We can see that when a person's heart changes, their body's cells and even their surrounding environment change. It is an immediate and rapid transformation."

The Responsibility of Every Thought

"The power of the heart is boundless. When a person's heart fluctuates, the energy generated—whether it is positive or negative—can be sent to infinite distances. This means that when a person on Earth produces a single good thought, no matter how small, the positive energy generated not only permeates the entire Earth but can also be transmitted to the Milky Way, the universe, and even further beyond. This is what is meant by 'the ten ages of the past and present are never separate from the current thought.'

If you look at it from this perspective, you will understand how important it is to take care of this heart. Every one of our thoughts can influence the vastness of the Dharma Realm. In that case, the responsibility we each carry is immense. This is the focus of the Buddhist education at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre: to put in the work from the heart, to truly adjust oneself from within. This is not just a slogan; it is a real, practical application. What do I mean by 'practical'? It means in your daily life, when you interact with others, how many fewer deluded thoughts do you have today? When someone speaks to you in an unpleasant tone, do you use some strategy or psychological defense to get through it? Or are you truly able to watch your mind, and with tolerance and forgiveness, accept the other person?

Whether one has truly changed is measured by whether thoughts arise in one's heart during the process. If you can interact with others today without a single thought arising, wow! I, Chiang Ching-kuo, would give you a great commendation from the Western Pure Land. Because someone who can do that is already a true practitioner with cultivation and virtue."

A Sanctuary for the Soul

"This is not an easy thing to do. Everyone can examine their own daily lives—when completing tasks, or speaking with parents, siblings, teachers, or friends—how many thoughts, feelings, or emotions arise? These represent countless thoughts being generated. These fluctuations, as mentioned above, not only affect you and those around you, but their energy also extends to the entire vastness of the Dharma Realm.

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, because there is Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su—a human practitioner who has realised their true nature and attained Buddhahood—we have these three Buddhas as mentors to guide and protect the fourfold assembly in their practice. They can truly help everyone face their own habits and transform their hearts. This is a goal many wish to achieve but find difficult to complete. Yet, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, because Namo Amituofo is residing here and because of the presence of a virtuous teacher, the possibility of completion and success exists. This is a matter of great joy, excitement, and immense gratitude.

From the Western Pure Land, I see that many people on Earth today live in an environment of advanced technology. A portion of them are slowly looking for various ways to find a breathing space in their busy lives, or even seeking a method to transcend the world while living within the complexities of work and interpersonal relationships.

This is indeed not an easy thing; one might even say it is impossible. If you truly want your body, mind, and spirit to find respite, rest, and relaxation, and even to return to a normal state, you truly need a place of practice far from the noise. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is such a bodhimanda. Located in the small town of Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, on four hundred acres of land, Namo Amituofo radiates great light 24/7, and this compassionate light shines upon every spirit around the temple. Everyone within this Buddha-light has the opportunity to receive the blessings of the Buddha.

Under the leadership of Practitioner Su, the fourfold assembly of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre works day and night to bring Namo Amituofo to the forefront, letting more people know that the Buddha is currently residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. You can come to draw near and seek the Dharma, or contact the scriptures and teachings spoken by the Buddha through various channels. If you have the karmic affinity to encounter these teachings and believe and practise them, you will have the opportunity to be saved."

Seeing the salvation team working tirelessly and proactively on their mission to save the world, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. I am grateful that there is still such a group of people in this world willing to dedicate their spirit, physical strength, and time to propagate the Buddha’s teachings for the sake of immeasurable and boundless sentient beings. What is most eye-opening is the leader, Practitioner Su, who is my noble person. Ten years ago, Practitioner Su saved countless beings from various dimensions and guided them to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Over these past ten years, his skills have reached an even higher level.

The Manifestation of Infinite Buddha-Light

Recently, during a large-scale Chao Du operation in China, I witnessed how Practitioner Su could, in an incredibly short amount of time, project his spirit and manifest hundreds of billions of bodies. This is difficult to describe in words; in short, the entire sky over China was filled with the manifestations of Practitioner Su. Each manifestation carried the brilliant light of Namo Amituofo—a Buddha-light so vast and warm that it illuminated the immeasurable and boundless dimensions of China.

Whether it was the surface dimensions, the dimensions of war, the realms within mountains and waters, the subterranean layers, or even the mental and living spaces created by human thoughts—all these infinite dimensions were opened up under the radiance of the Buddha-light. The sentient beings within them rushed out, sprinting into the Buddha-light, and many arrived at the Western Land of Dharma Nature. At this very moment, they are all sitting on lotus seats, listening to the sutras, hearing the Dharma, and joyfully chanting Namo Amituofo.

The Transformation of the Soul

I can see many beings who, like me, have been saved by Practitioner Su, now wearing faces filled with Dharma joy. Everyone’s heart is filled with gratitude, and there has been a profound transformation in their character. This is all due to the miraculous power of the Western Land of Dharma Nature, a world of light. The Buddha-light shines upon everyone there 24/7, nourishing their souls—a treatment that simply does not exist in the human world. Now, because they have been saved by Practitioner Su, everyone can enjoy such magnificence and dignity.

In terms of the Buddha’s teachings, everything in this world arises from Causal Conditions and ceases from Causal Conditions; it is illusory and impermanent. There is nothing worth clinging to, nor is there any reason to spend one's life planning, scheming, or plotting. Such thoughts and actions are contrary to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Consequently, they create sins, which, when the conditions ripen, will invite karmic retribution and bitter fruit.

The Illusion of Planning

This is a truth that many who have not received Buddhist education find difficult to understand or accept. From a worldly perspective, how can one accomplish anything without thinking? To achieve a goal, how can one avoid planning, strategizing, or even making calculated decisions? In the process of human struggle and the pursuit of goals, this is considered perfectly natural.

However, from the perspective of the Buddha’s teachings, this is described as creating sins, which is why so many people cannot accept it. But if people would only reflect: in the process of achieving their goals, have they ever harboured thoughts, spoken words, or committed acts that harmed others?

To be honest, it is hard to say no; in fact, it is almost inevitable. Because the process of achieving goals is often for the sake of one's own body—the so-called "self." Under the influence of such selfish thoughts, one’s considerations are usually limited to one's own position, ignoring the feelings and interests of others. Guided by such thoughts, how could one not cause harm to other beings?

The Mystery of the Human Body

This is a slightly more secular explanation. Now, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, after Buddhist education has unveiled the mysteries of the human body and its connection to the spiritual realms, we can provide a more direct answer to this problem. Within the human body, there are infinite dimensions and sentient beings. Every cell actually contains countless karmic creditors from the past. The human body is like a container; if one’s thoughts and intentions are not purely for the sake of all beings, or if the thoughts are not pure enough, each thought generates an incredibly powerful thought power. This force attracts spiritual entities outside the body—those with similar character and habits—to enter, which is the phenomenon known as spiritual attachment.

Such things happen every moment in everyone's life. Unless one is a true practitioner, who can claim to have no thoughts or mental notes? Ordinary people certainly generate countless thoughts every moment, discriminating, thinking, and planning. Under such circumstances, they naturally attract countless spirits into their bodies at every moment. The more serious problem is that this process awakens the countless karmic creditors within the body, triggering their quest for revenge.

Because Namo Amituofo is currently residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, and because Practitioner Su, who has realised his true nature in the human world, is present, all these conditions have come together to allow for a detailed explanation of human spiritual attachment and the countless beings within our cellular space. This is not an easy task; rather, it can be said to be "difficult to encounter in millions of years."

A Rare Opportunity for Truth

From the perspective of those who have truly achieved practice and opened their Dharma eye, the patriarchs and venerable masters of Buddhism throughout history were not unaware of these truths. But why did they not analyse these principles from this angle in the past? The reason is that the Dharma affinity was not sufficient, and the conditions were not yet mature. Today, due to Practitioner Su’s own achievements in practice, and the presence of Venerables and lay practitioners who can converse with Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the spiritual realms, we are finally able to help people understand the mysteries of the human body, the karmic retribution within our cells, and the interference of demons. This is an unprecedented and magnificent causal condition. Even my being interviewed here by a Venerable while I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is part of this process. Through this, the public can learn the true state of the spiritual realms and the situations that remain invisible to those whose eyes have not yet been opened.

When I was young and in the Soviet Union, I became acquainted with Deng Xiaoping, who was also young at the time, and we maintained a good relationship. The Nanjing government had not yet been formally established, which meant that my father, Chiang Kai-shek, had not yet truly broken ties with the Soviet Union. Later, when the opposition between my father and the Soviet government became clear, I was held hostage by Stalin in the Soviet Union for twelve years. During this period, I lived as a member of the Soviet working class and, for the sake of survival, applied to join the Soviet Communist Party. Later, I met my wife, Chiang Fang-liang. Although she had a pure Chinese name, she was a Russian I met while I was a hostage. We fell in love and married, and she was very loyal to me. When I returned to China, she followed me without hesitation; later, when we went to Taiwan, she remained by my side. I am very grateful to her.

Reflections on Leadership

In this life, I held various positions in Taiwan, eventually serving as Premier. After my father, Chiang Kai-shek, passed away, I succeeded him as President of the Republic of China. Standing at the peak of a nation’s power was indeed a test for Chiang Ching-kuo, but through years of tempering and learning in various roles, my heart had already been prepared for it.

After becoming President of the Republic of China, I devoted myself heart and soul to this work, treating it as my life’s duty and carrying a strong sense of mission. I exhausted my efforts to promote the development of the Republic of China, which was certainly not an easy task given the international situation at the time. I made a very significant decision: to lift martial law. This decision was not initiated solely by me; it was something my father had vaguely mentioned to me in his instructions years ago. I simply had to wait for the right time to make such a massive change.

The Taiwan that has developed since the lifting of martial law has undergone many changes. I am very happy to see that the Taiwan of today has an atmosphere different from when I was alive. However, I also see that there is indeed a piece missing in the hearts of the Taiwanese people today—the support of a force of inner Goodness. I believe that is Buddhist education. My sincere hope now, from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, is that every Taiwanese person, especially the children, can receive Buddhist education. From a young age, they can understand the principle of "taking good care of this heart," truly learning to look well, think well, speak well, and act well, and to take the salvation of sentient beings as their own responsibility.

A Shift in Perspective

This is the biggest change between my life in the world and my existence now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. When I was alive, I always hoped that everyone would, like me and my father Chiang Kai-shek, take "opposing communism and recovering the nation, unifying China" as their lifelong goal, and I repeatedly urged my close assistants to do the same. However, now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I know that this decision actually had a huge deviation, because it lacked the recognition of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Now, without a physical body, practicing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I finally understand the preciousness and value of this human body. To be able to obtain a human body within the cycle of rebirth is truly not an easy thing. Every Taiwanese person who possesses this body now should know how to grasp and cherish it, using it for the cause of saving the world.

This cause of saving the world is not about engaging in so-called "humanistic Buddhism," nor is it simply about doing charity, providing education, or donating money in the world. It is not to say these things are bad, but in the end, they lack the ultimate meaning. If one can understand, in the process of doing good deeds, that what is truly important is for one's own soul and the immeasurable and boundless suffering beings to be liberated from the pain of the cycle of rebirth, then that is the true path. Namo Amituofo.

Do not wander aimlessly within the six realms of rebirth, taking on bodies only to be reincarnated and consumed by one another, suffering the endless pain of samsara without any hope of escape. This is a truly tragic and agonising state of existence. Therefore, the current education provided by the Buddha’s teachings is meant to tell everyone: maintain a simple, pure heart. Do not hold onto complex thoughts, plans, schemes, political rivalries, or distinctions between people. Keep your heart and mind in a state of absolute purity and goodness, and with the vow to help others, chant this phrase, 'Namo Amituofo,' to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the only thing that is truly important. This is the one thing that I, Chiang Ching-kuo, truly wish to tell the people of Taiwan after having travelled from the hells to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Reality of Suffering and Karmic Retribution

In this lifetime, before I passed away, my physical health suffered from severe issues. Primarily, my diabetes grew increasingly grave, causing my eyesight to deteriorate rapidly, alongside a host of other illnesses that plagued me. I underwent numerous surgeries, and in the end, I departed this world amidst great physical pain. After death, my spirit was sent to the hells to undergo punishment. King Yama clearly and explicitly displayed all the good and negative karma I had created throughout my life before me. I had nothing to say in my defence. I had been to the brain-gouging hell, the heart-gouging hell, and the limb-amputation hell. The punishments in the hells are unimaginably painful. During those thirty-eight years of suffering in the hells, I often thought about repenting, but I could not truly understand where my mistakes lay. Now, residing in the Western Pure Land, I see everything clearly, and this is exactly what I wish to convey to the public today.

The so-called 'scheming mind' is something most people possess. It means that within one's heart, there are plans, calculations, analyses, and discriminatory attitudes towards others. All of these fall under the scope of 'scheming,' varying only in depth and intensity.

The Burden of Power and Strategy

During the twelve years I was under house arrest in the Soviet Union, I must admit that this experience transformed my once open and optimistic disposition into a composed, reserved, and seasoned character. And this 'seasoned' nature implies political manoeuvring, planning, and constant observation and analysis of the situation—all of which belong to the realm of the scheming mind. Although at the time I was mostly trying to preserve my life and find an opportunity to return to China, from the perspective of the laws of karma and cause and effect, I was ultimately creating all sorts of negative karma.

Not to mention later, when I served as the President of the Republic of China in Taiwan. In order to prevent infiltration by the Chinese Communist Party and to maintain national stability and security—whether before or after the lifting of martial law—it was sometimes inevitable to plan and act out of a bit of self-interest. More often than not, these actions were indeed for the development of the entire Republic of China. Especially when considering the Republic of China’s international status and its relations with other nations, I had to adjust diplomacy and policies to ensure stable economic development, strengthen national power, and enable the civilians to live better lives.

In the midst of all this, I must admit that the planning, calculating, and strategising I engaged in were far too numerous. During this process, my heart was constantly calculating based on various gains and losses, never once finding a moment of rest. In reality, this had already created immeasurable and boundless sins.

The Universal Principle of Oneness

The universal principle is one of pure 'Oneness.' This means that when interacting with others, there is not the slightest bit of worry, suspicion, or concern for the safety, interests, or position of one's own body. This is because one truly understands that the other person and oneself, the masses and oneself, are all one, and there is no distinction whatsoever between oneself and others.

Under the premise of this Oneness, people do not have any afflictions or complex thoughts when interacting with one another. The heart does not experience any fluctuations or mental notes. If one can achieve this, one will not create negative karma, and thus will not attract the bitter fruits of negative retribution. If it were not for the education provided by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, which reveals the truth of these facts, many people would still be unable to recognise this point.

Conversely, during those twelve years in the Soviet Union, I, Chiang Ching-kuo, was constantly using my mind to think, analyse, plan, and strategise. For a long time, my body and mind were under immense pressure. To many, this might seem like a situation worthy of sympathy, but in terms of the laws of karma and cause and effect, one does not escape the necessary retribution simply because one is worthy of sympathy. Back in the Soviet Union, every little plan I made for my future, every thought for my survival, and every calculated decision I made for the sake of staying alive—all of it was creating negative karma.

The Nature of Life and the Path to Liberation

Oh, if we put it this way, how many people in this world can avoid creating sins? However, now that I am in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and observing the various states of human life, I feel this is a very reasonable occurrence. I see that whether they are wealthy and powerful or living at the bottom of society, everyone faces numerous difficulties, trials, and pains in their lives. It can be said that no one’s life is without suffering; this is indeed the essence of life. One could say that we come to this world to suffer. I can now see that everything is inseparable from the laws of karma and cause and effect.

The suffering endured by the vast majority of people is, in fact, the bitter fruit attracted by the negative karma created through their own actions in this lifetime. In other words, it is all self-inflicted. Of course, everyone is born with different blessings; some are born into wealth, while others are born into poverty. However, in the Western Pure Land, I can clearly see that regardless of the blessings manifested in this life, a large part of the pain everyone suffers is due to their ignorance of the universal principles, the Truth, and the Right Path. Because they have not received the education of the Buddha’s teachings and do not understand these principles, they create sins, which in turn leads them to suffer even more pain later on. This is the truth I have witnessed from the Western Pure Land.

Many people find joy amidst suffering in their lives, their hearts deluded by the fleeting and illusory entertainment of this painful existence, forgetting just how painful life truly is, or perhaps they are too afraid to remind themselves of this truth. Because it is truly too painful, and people know of this suffering but do not know how to escape it, is that not too cruel to oneself?

The Power of the True Dharma

Speaking up to this point, I, Chiang Ching-kuo, hope even more that the education of the Buddha’s teachings can be widely spread throughout the world, allowing everyone to come into contact with the True Teachings taught by Amitabha Buddha. Such True Teachings are waiting for everyone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. If you respectfully seek the Dharma, you will receive unexpected surprises. In the Western Pure Land, I have truly seen that the Buddha’s teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are fundamentally different from what is commonly understood by people in the world today. Beyond the personal teachings and guidance given by Amitabha Buddha, there is Practitioner Su, an awakened being who has realised her true nature. With the power of her Dharma Body, she can help the masses achieve breakthroughs at critical moments on their path of practice. The power of the True Dharma is directly embodied in Practitioner Su at the temple, making people understand that the true Buddha’s teachings are a great Dharma capable of saving the world. It is absolutely not just about seeking one's own liberation, but about being able to act with great strength to produce real benefits for the people of the world and the sentient beings in the spiritual realms.

This can be seen from how Practitioner Su has opened up the space of China’s five-thousand to ten-thousand-year history. In fact, the scope of the Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su is by no means limited to China; it includes Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and even the entire Earth, the Milky Way, the universe, the heavens beyond the heavens, and the vastness of the Dharma Realm. From this, one can slightly grasp the vastness of the Buddha’s teachings and gain a small understanding of the help that those who have truly achieved success in their practice can provide to the world.

A Life of Debt and the Truth of the Body

My life could be described as having many ups and downs, with a richness that few ordinary people could ever attain. Having served as the highest authority of a nation, while I did my best during my presidency, there were still many biases and flaws. From a macroscopic perspective, the deviations in every decision I made, when expanded to the national level, created impacts for which I must pay back every single bit. Oh, this is truly a terrifying thing, for 'to err is human,' is it not?

I, Chiang Ching-kuo, know deeply that I still have many shortcomings; how could I dare to say that the decisions I made while leading the nation were without error? Sometimes, under various interferences, I would make clearly wrong decisions. During my presidency, the harm suffered by the people affected by every decision I made was all counted against me. In this way, how many such debts are there? They are simply countless.

Before coming to Taiwan, my various actions in China, although they involved the legal execution of many illegal individuals, still resulted in the taking of human lives. From the perspective of universal principles, Truth, and the Right Path, I cannot be exempted from the bitter fruits of retribution just because I was performing my duties and legally disposing of lives to complete a mission; on the contrary, every single bit of this is recorded in the files.

Regarding the matter of 'karmic creditors in the cells,' I had no understanding of it at all. If I had known, I would never have dared to live my life the way I did, because it would have caused me too much suffering. The main reason is that from immeasurable eons ago until now, I have created too much negative karma, owed too many debts, and harmed too many sentient beings. And these creditors were all residing within the cells of my body while I was alive—this is a truly horrifying fact.

Most people treat their bodies as treasures, loving this body, praising this body, and making all sorts of plans, considerations, and maintenance for it; yet they do not know that the body they love so deeply is actually composed of immeasurable and boundless karmic creditors. Once they awaken within the body, they can deal a massive blow to oneself, causing one to suffer extreme pain. And this is a debt that everyone must repay, a retribution that everyone must endure.

Therefore, in terms of Buddhist education, we must reveal the mysteries of the human body and the truth about its countless cells to everyone. We must tell you:

First, one must maintain a pure and kind heart, free from any selfishness or evil thoughts.

Second, one must not harbour any personal ego or bad habits.

Only by doing this can you avoid awakening these karmic creditors and being controlled by them as their puppet. During my time in the world, I was truly such a puppet, controlled by countless karmic creditors within my body! This is a truth I would never have admitted or believed while I was alive, but here in the Western Pure Land, I see it clearly and understand it perfectly.

The Weight of a Father's Expectations

Reflecting on my life, when I was young, my father, Chiang Kai-shek, always placed great importance on the education of my brother, Chiang Wei-kuo, and me. Even when he was busy, he would often write to us, instructing us on which sutras to read and what kind of articles to study. From these letters, I could fully feel the high hopes my father placed in his two sons, as well as his deep fatherly love. I deeply respect and am grateful for the education my father gave me in my youth. Because of his strict family governance and upbringing, I did not have many deviations in my beliefs when I was young, and therefore, I was not easily found by karmic creditors.

However, during the twelve years I spent in the Soviet Union, I was forced by the Soviet Communist Party to do many things that went against my true inner thoughts. This included them impersonating me to publicly issue statements breaking ties with my father, and using my identity and name to make all sorts of slanders and libels against my father, Chiang Kai-shek.

Survival and the Loss of Self

At that time, in order to survive, I had no choice but to make such decisions. In fact, even if I had disagreed, they would have found ways to force it through, so after much deliberation, I had to compromise to survive. Under the surveillance of the Soviet Communist Party, I did not have a single moment of true space or freedom to relax. Although it was against my will, these extremely unfilial public statements were ultimately issued in my name. At that time, my heart was filled with torment, constantly thinking about how to handle such situations and how to endure the various trials of my life under house arrest.

Because my beliefs deviated and I was trapped in negative emotions, I was found by karmic creditors. In the Western Pure Land, I saw that many karmic creditors awakened within my body at that time, angrily seeking revenge against me. They controlled my brain and subtly influenced me; this was the initial situation.

The Illusion of Success

It was not until twelve years later that I finally returned to China. I was quite happy to be able to stand with my father again to carry out the great cause of revolution. I truly used a very good mindset to work diligently for the Kuomintang, and one could say for the people as well, but I was still influenced by the karmic creditors who had already found me. Ultimately, I never managed to shed the habit of constantly planning and strategizing that I had developed during those twelve years in the Soviet Union.

Although after returning to my homeland, I often appeared to people with a very cheerful and magnanimous face, and because my father, Chiang Kai-shek, was the supreme leader of the National Revolutionary Army, I was treated with some special regard as his son. With my father's help, and because I did indeed have decent abilities, many things went very smoothly.

However, deep in my heart, I was still the young man from the Soviet era who was skilled at analyzing situations, dissecting human hearts, and making plans. During this period, the karmic creditors continued to awaken slowly. It is worth mentioning that as I, Chiang Ching-kuo, look back on this process in the Western Pure Land, I can see that before karmic creditors manifest, a person's body and mind remain in a very peaceful and normal state. But once there are signs of them manifesting, once this process begins, it does not stop.

The Downward Spiral of Karma

Taking my own case as an example, I can see that from the first time a karmic creditor was awakened by me, the speed and frequency of their manifestation only increased; it did not naturally stop or slow down. This is what I observed, and it is a very serious matter. If one does not encounter external virtuous power or Buddhist education that teaches people to timely adjust their beliefs—the magnificent Causal Conditions—then once a person is found by karmic creditors for the first time, their subsequent life will only accelerate in its deterioration within a negative cycle.

As for how this deterioration manifests externally, it depends on how much blessings and merits the person accumulated during their lifetime. If one has great merits, like in my case or my father's case, the external situation might appear acceptable or even enviable to ordinary people. But if viewed by those with open eyes, those who have achieved success in their practice, or by Practitioner Su, who possesses the five eyes and divine sight and hearing, one can clearly see that regardless of the external image, when the situation of being targeted by karmic creditors becomes severe enough, such a person can no longer be said to be the master of themselves. It can be said that most of their body's cells and most of the control over their body have been occupied and taken over by the karmic creditors awakened within them, not to mention the layer of interference from demon crowds.

Therefore, when I, Chiang Ching-kuo, was in the world, towards the end of my life, I had completely detached from my three hun souls and seven po souls. Except for my true self, everything else had been kicked out of my body, and my true self was locked in the space of my brain. This is something I must tell the public so that they may be vigilant.

A Mother's Love and the Seeds of Hatred

Returning to the story, after I returned to China, an event occurred that caused a large number of karmic creditors within me to awaken. That was because there was intense murderous intent and hatred in my heart at the time. My biological mother, Mao Fumei, was living a peaceful life in our hometown. Due to the international situation at the time, one day, she died in our hometown under the bombs dropped by Japanese bombers.

When I rushed back to where my mother was and saw her corpse, holding her body, I felt as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had split. I wailed in pain, nearly fainting. At that time, I wrote the four characters 'wash blood with blood,' expressing the intense hatred in my heart for the Japanese to 'pay blood debt with blood.'

For me, my mother was the most important person in my life, no less than my father, Chiang Kai-shek. In some respects, she was even more important than him.

When I was in the Soviet Union, the person I missed most was not my father, but my mother, Mao Fumei. I knew she was a strong woman who, at that time, had separated from the family and was living in our hometown as a single woman. Although I understood that her safety was not in immediate danger, I felt that she had neither my father's company nor my support as her son. For a woman, living through a long life requires strong perseverance and extremely optimistic beliefs. Of course, my mother possessed all these qualities. Because my mother was a devout Buddhist, she would piously pay respects to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva every morning and evening. Influenced by my mother, although I did not delve deeply into the Buddha’s teachings in this life, I always had a heartfelt respect for them.

Because whenever I thought of Buddhism, I would think of my mother, Mao Fumei. From this perspective, my mother was quite a successful practitioner; at least she made me, her son, think of the compassion and greatness of the Buddha whenever I thought of her.

The Cycle of Retribution

For a period after my mother's death, my heart was always filled with resentment and anger. Although I had to hold my post and fulfill my duties, I must admit that my heart was indeed significantly affected. During that time, taking advantage of my incorrect mental notes, a large number of karmic creditors emerged.

Take the so-called 'White Terror' during the martial law period; many people lost their lives, and others had their personal freedom restricted or were imprisoned. There was karma involved in all of this. After these events occurred, a large number of karmic creditors within me emerged as a result.

Now in the Western Pure Land, I have finally realized that this is the universal principle, the Truth, and the true path. When a person commits an act that violates the Truth, they are actually receiving retribution in that very moment. Such retribution is primarily reflected in one's heart: when a sin is committed, the heart is already polluted. Karmic creditors then naturally manifest, leading to the body and mind being controlled by them, and mental notes becoming deviated. This repeats continuously in a person's life, forming a negative cycle.

During the martial law period in Taiwan, every measure I took, as long as there was even a slight deviation or as long as it caused harm to others, at that very moment, the laws of karma and cause and effect did not need to wait for the fruit to manifest; the karmic creditors actually already had the opportunity to manifest and control more parts of my body.

In this life, I can say that I have always been struggling. Especially during my time as President of the Republic of China, driven by the mission of opposing communism and recovering the nation, I never dared to stop. And the situation of the Republic of China at that time did not allow me, as President, to stop.

Therefore, throughout my life, I truly did too many things, and the deviations among them are countless. By the time I reached my later years, the final period of my life, my whole body already had too many karmic creditors manifested, and there was no lack of demon crowds entering my body to control me. Namo Amituofo.

At that time, it was common knowledge that I suffered from diabetes. Later, my vision deteriorated to the point of near-blindness, and I faced severe complications with my eyesight. All of this was the direct result of my karmic creditors manifesting to seek revenge. This is a fundamental truth that all people in this world must wake up to and take seriously.

Now that I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I speak these words with a sincere and heavy heart, hoping that others will not repeat the mistakes I made. The reality is that when people violate the universal principles, the result in the later stages of life is very simple: they fall ill.

Therefore, anyone who is currently suffering from illness must understand that, at this very moment, they have been found by their karmic creditors. Their mental notes and their actions have already deviated from the righteous path. You must adjust and correct your course immediately if you wish to have any chance of changing your condition. The best way to do this is to stop planning for your own body and instead start thinking of others and acting for the sake of all sentient beings. Furthermore, sincerely and continuously chanting the name 'Namo Amituofo' is the most effective medicine of all.

The Futility of Surgical Intervention

In summary, while I was suffering from severe illness, I underwent numerous surgeries in the hope that I could reverse my rapidly deteriorating health. I wanted to live a little longer, to do a little more for the Republic of China—that, to me, was a good intention. But how could I have known that this was a deeply flawed decision? Because of those surgeries, the karmic creditors within my body became even more enraged. As a result, my life, which had not yet reached its natural end, took a sharp turn for the worse. Shortly after, I departed from this world amidst that sickness.

If I had not been fortunate enough to be saved from the hells by Practitioner Su and guided to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I might still be living a life of endless, agonizing punishment in the hells today.

Reflections on Taiwan's Democratic Journey

Today, Taiwan has become increasingly stable on its path toward democracy. Regarding political parties, the situation is no longer dominated by the Kuomintang or a single-party monopoly; there is now a much more diverse range of choices. From the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I see many outstanding individuals from various political parties. Everyone’s heart is genuinely focused on the well-being of Taiwan. However, it is inevitable that in the conflict of opinions or the pursuit of one's own ideals, people end up hurting or suppressing others, or creating various forms of opposition. This is something that fills me with regret.

In this democratic era, such situations do not occur only between political parties. From the macro level down to the micro level, and even within family education, the wisdom of the people is being tested in many ways. I have observed that the current social environment and the education people receive are vastly different from when I served as President of Taiwan.

A Sanctuary for the Truth

Whether this transformation is good or bad is not for me to discuss now, but I hope that the people of Taiwan can open their hearts and come to visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. Here, you will find the Truth that everyone has been searching for—or perhaps, the Truth that you have forgotten you were searching for.

The Truth exists right now at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. By coming here, you can personally witness what the true Buddha’s teachings are:

• What is the Truth?
• What are the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way?
• How should one walk the path of life and how should one act?

All these questions can be answered here. Most importantly, by coming to this place, you will have the opportunity to achieve the same state as Practitioner Su: to not grow old, not get sick, and for your spirit to never die. In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I am comforted to see that many of the people in Taiwan today are just as kind-hearted as they were when I was alive; deep down, they remain simple, honest, and know how to think of others.

However, I have discovered that many of these kind-hearted Taiwanese people still have to face the inevitable end of aging, sickness, and death. So, how does one walk a path that is free from aging, free from illness, and where the spirit does not die? The answer is provided concretely at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Furthermore, there are already those who have attained these magnificent benefits of the Dharma. All of this awaits those who have the karmic affinity to come to the temple and discover this treasure.

The Hidden Dangers of Modern Technology

In our modern environment, technology is highly developed. People are proficient in using it, and in every aspect of life, we rely on technology to some extent. This is one manifestation of the progress of the times. However, what is worth deep reflection is the impact that technology has on people's body, mind, and spirit. Most people are unable to see the conditions of the spiritual realms, and therefore, they do not understand the underlying principles.

From the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I see that when people use computers, the most obvious situation is that it becomes very easy for their karmic creditors to manifest, and they are often accompanied by demon crowds that attach themselves to the user. In other words, those who use technology are rarely able to escape the clutches of these demon crowds. This is a difficult fact for many to accept, but it is happening in reality.

Take online video content as an example: the moment many people set their eyes on such content, their hearts are already stirred. Under this agitation, the demon crowds, who have been waiting in ambush, seize the opportunity to enter that person's body. Those who are less affected will suffer from various forms of interference, while those who are severely affected will become puppets of the demon crowds, unable to truly master their own lives. This is a very serious problem, and it is happening to countless people.

The Only Path to Liberation

Therefore, how should one coexist with technology without allowing one's body, mind, and spirit to be polluted and subsequently controlled by demon crowds or karmic creditors? This is a matter that every modern person—everyone living in this day and age—needs to face and learn to navigate.

And how, specifically, should one act? Only by coming to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to receive the teachings of Namo Amituofo can one truly understand what must be done. From this point, one can see even more clearly the preciousness of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Because if Namo Amituofo were not residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, all those who are currently possessed by demon crowds, those whose karmic creditors have awakened, or those who are already suffering from aging and illness, would lose the possibility of a fresh start and the chance to be liberated.

Regardless of the circumstances, the fundamental solution to everything remains returning to this heart. As long as you can keep your heart steadfastly fixed on the name 'Namo Amituofo,' you will be able to resolve all problems.

Of course, this heart of chanting the Buddha's name can never be achieved with a selfish or self-interested mindset; it is certainly not something that can be done while thinking only of one's own body, one's own position, or one's own interests. To be able to fix your heart on the name 'Namo Amituofo,' you must truly let go of your body, mind, and the entire world, and you must truly make a vow to help the vast and boundless number of sentient beings. Only under these conditions is it possible to truly chant this Buddha-name well, to the point where every single thought is Namo Amituofo.

This is also the important lesson that I, Chiang Ching-kuo, am currently undertaking in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss: to remain steadfast in this six-character name. I am practicing diligently every day in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, hoping to achieve enlightenment soon so that I may have the ability to save sentient beings. Once again, I thank Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for their salvation, which allowed me to avoid the suffering of the hells and to practice alongside the Buddha in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Chiang Ching-kuo