A Statesman's Reflection from the Western Pure Land

This article records a message from the late Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. Having sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, he now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This testimony was recorded on August 12, 2017.

Lee Kuan Yew speaks:

"Greetings to everyone. I am Lee Kuan Yew. When one compares the human world to the Western Pure Land, the differences are absolute and vast. Yet, amidst all these differences, there is one thing that remains identical: the heart. That infinitely precious heart! I am not referring to the physical heart—the fleshy organ—nor am I speaking of the anxious mind that fluctuates, grows depressed, restless, and uneasy based on the external world it encounters. I am referring to the Spirit of Knowing described in the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, a heart that remains unconfused amidst a thousand differences and remains unchanged through the three periods of time."

The Eternal Heart of Knowing

"Regardless of where you are, or in which era, time, or space you exist, this heart remains the same. It is a heart that cannot be lost and cannot be altered! It is clear, bright, and unwavering; it is the inherent instinct of our true nature that everyone possesses. Because we all share this heart, when we work to save beings, our practice of the Six Harmonies and the actions of our Body, Speech, and Mind gain a commonality and a connection. Only then do we cease to have distinctions between you and me. Only then can we truly be called one family, truly existing as one entity! This is the conclusion I have reached now that I am in the West, observing the work that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is doing for all beings.

The only thing that can truly save beings is this Spirit of Knowing. To treat others with a heart that is sincere, honest, and pure—regardless of how others view you, criticize you, slander you, or misunderstand you—and to remain firm, moving forward without regret or resentment, that is the true, selfless Great Love. It is Great Wisdom, Great Prajna, and Great Compassion! Only this can truly help everyone move away from the suffering of illness and liberate them from the sorrows of worldly hardship and the cycle of rebirth. I feel a deep sense of respect for this. This is not a realm that the ordinary mind can reach; it is the heart of Practitioner Su, who leads the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre forward. We all possess this heart—I have it too—though it is still waiting to be developed."

Efficiency Beyond the Physical Realm

"Beyond this, the environment of the Western Pure Land and the kindness of its people are magnificent and dignified in a way that no place in the human world can compare. For instance, consider the completion of a task. In the human world, the process requires written reports, face-to-face meetings, approvals, and the archiving of digital or paper files. One must use verbal communication, phone calls, or mobile messages to delegate responsibilities. The back-and-forth, the reporting, and the coordination are not only time-consuming and exhausting, but no matter how efficient a team may be, it cannot compare to the speed of direct communication through the heart in the West. Here, one knows instantly.

If there is a problem, we communicate directly through the heart. It does not matter if the other person is far away or right in front of you; we do not need paper, computers, telephones, or mobile devices to handle matters. Furthermore, this does not cause environmental problems. In the human world, paper consumption leads to deforestation and soil erosion, while computers, telephones, and mobile devices create radiation that harms the human body and causes signal interference. These are the situations that Practitioner Su often speaks of. In the West, communication through the heart is fast, efficient, and free of such after-effects; there is absolutely no radiation interference. In contrast, human communication, if not handled immediately and effectively, often leads to barriers or causes one party to be afraid to express themselves, resulting in poor communication and various other issues."

The Burden of the Illusory Body

"The difference between these two places is that the human world is filled with obstacles to overcome, especially that heart which has not yet been tamed. Thoughts fly about like wild birds, much like my own mind used to be—constantly thinking, planning, and racking my brain to improve and adapt to the practical needs of the time. The result was that while I accomplished things, my body broke down early. That is what we now call being found by karmic creditors. The reputation was that I was working hard for the nation, but in reality, I was physically unable to keep up. I had to rely on medicine and various health regimens to maintain a good state. It was truly tragic.

However, that is all in the past. Here, there is no such thing as a sleep problem. One does not need to sleep; one is always full of energy. The need for sleep is a problem that only exists when one has a physical body. It is a major issue that humanity must solve and overcome. In short, everything everyone does is for the sake of human happiness and welfare. Yet, they do not realize that the peace and tranquility after death is also a major matter—it is the source of stability while one is still alive."

A Message to My Son

"Hsien Loong, my son, if you could see my current state, you would be greatly startled and astonished. I have become young, natural, at ease, and full of vitality. This is the rejuvenation that people in the world desire most! No amount of wealth or status can buy it. In the Western Pure Land, there are no limitations of the body. One lives a spiritual life, and the space is so vast and boundless! Looking back now, the wealth, status, fame, and power I exchanged for this body could not be taken with me when I died. What I gained was a body full of pain before death—a mere stinking skin bag. It would have been far better to use the time while I had a body to do things that could be taken with me. That would have been the smartest, most intelligent choice.

What can be taken with you? It is the immeasurable merit, Dharma-wealth, blessings, and wisdom gained by bringing happiness and peace to people in this life and the next. The world of Namo Amituofo is exactly like this! Take advantage of the fact that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre exists and that Practitioner Su is there; come and visit. You will know that what your father says is true. Your father is currently living in the Pure Land of Namo Amituofo."

A Final Blessing

"I hope that my son Hsien Loong, my family members, anyone connected to me, the people of Singapore, or any beings here or elsewhere who have a karmic connection, can be constantly bathed in the Buddha-light of Namo Amituofo while they are still in this world. May the Buddha-water cleanse your hearts, and may the sound of the Buddha-name penetrate your Six Roots—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—to bring you clarity. Whether you know me or not, to anyone who can read this, I offer one most sincere and earnest sentence: Namo Amituofo. Blessings to you!"

Written by Lee Kuan Yew

The content of this message was recorded by the Buddhist disciple, Venerable HaiZe.