A Statesman's Reflection from the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with the late Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, who sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his observations of the human world and his gratitude for the path of liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Ning, on January 4, 2026.

Lee Kuan Yew speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lee Kuan Yew. Today, standing here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I feel as though the distance between this place and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, where I now reside, is merely a thin veil. Moving between these realms is quite natural for me now; there is no sense of distance at all. That I, Lee Kuan Yew, can enjoy such freedom and clarity of spirit today is entirely due to the guidance of Practitioner Su years ago. It was her compassion that saved me from having to suffer retribution in hell, granting me the opportunity to reach this pure and dignified Buddha-land."

A Journey Beyond the Veil

"Looking back at the human world today—it has only been about ten years since I departed, has it not? Yet, the changes on Earth seem quite significant. Setting aside the transformations within my own small nation of Singapore, if we look at the world as a whole, it has not become much more peaceful. Despite the constant rhetoric from humanity about ending all wars, the world remains filled with conflict and crisis. Even Australia, which I once considered one of the safest countries in the world, suffered a shocking shooting incident just a few weeks ago. All of this indicates that human education is truly insufficient. We have failed to educate the next generation properly, and we have failed to provide them with a bright, positive environment in which to grow. Thinking back on my own governance, I feel a deep sense of shame regarding this. I never received an education in the Buddha’s teachings, and as someone whose mother tongue was English, my own educational philosophy and values were largely derived from Western nations. Consequently, I did not implement the necessary foundational moral education for children during my time."

The Hidden Void in Modern Education

"Singapore, being a small nation, lacked the confidence and security to stand firmly in the society of that era. We were in the midst of the Cold War, and every nation was wary of the movements of the superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, fearing they would become mere pawns. As a small country, we had to walk on eggshells, acting with extreme caution. Therefore, our focus for the people was primarily on high academic achievement and high technology. While moral education was not entirely ignored, in such an environment, although the children grew up to be very capable and the nation became prosperous, there remained a void in people's hearts that was never filled. This void is often the very reason why people become selfish and indifferent. Of course, the influence of high technology in today's society has undeniably exacerbated these human weaknesses."

A Witness to the Flourishing Dharma

"At this moment, as I look at Singapore and then observe the changes here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I must say, from the bottom of my heart, I admire Practitioner Su’s great vow and boldness. In just a few short years, the Centre has been completely transformed; it is vastly different from the small white house it once was. Practitioner Su’s painstaking efforts have finally brought about a scene where the Centre is ready to open its doors to welcome guests. Whenever I imagine the gates of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre wide open, with countless people entering to pay homage to Namo Amituofo, I couldn't help but smile. It is truly magnificent, truly moving. The fact that Namo Amituofo is residing here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a treasure that people are finally beginning to recognise!

The Australian people are truly blessed. Along the road from Brisbane to Goombungee, Toowoomba, there are several Namo Amituofo billboards. Whether day or night, they are shining brightly, leading countless sentient beings and demon crowds into the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I watch all of this as if I were watching a film. While the physical eyes of humans cannot see it, we see it very clearly! Recently, I heard that Singapore has also put up Namo Amituofo billboards, and countless spirits from Singapore have come seeking Spiritual Deliverance. I am filled with joy hearing this! It is not just Australia and Singapore; countries across the world now have Namo Amituofo billboards, including Taiwan, Japan, Germany, and mainland China, as well as the Namo Amituofo buses in Poland. Seeing the news that Namo Amituofo is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre spreading to the four corners of the earth, and seeing countless suffering beings in the spiritual realms benefiting from this—how could this be the degenerate age of the Buddha’s teachings? This is clearly the flourishing age of the Buddha’s teachings!"

The Reality of Spiritual Attachment

"Today, watching Practitioner Su and the fourfold assembly of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners busy at work—especially during the magnificent scenes of Spiritual Deliverance during the Dharma assembly—I can only sigh. The human world is severely plagued by spiritual attachment. Even the fourfold assembly residing in this pure Buddha-land seem to lack spirit at times. Although the Buddha-light during the Dharma assembly is immense and the scenes of deliverance are spectacular, the fourfold assembly cannot see it, and thus they cannot fully grasp the profound meaning and vastness of it all.

I am someone who has already walked the path, so I know all too well the situation of human spiritual attachment. As a head of state, I was certainly not the one in control of my own body; compared to the fourfold assembly, the extent to which I was used by sentient beings and demon crowds was surely even greater. Of course, I believe this is a transitional period. I trust that under the leadership of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, the fourfold assembly will gradually get on the right track. When the masses flood into the temple, they will be able to fully exert their power to save the world. This is what I believe, and what I look forward to."

A Regret and a Hope for the Future

"Furthermore, I have seen the scenes where Practitioner Su is attacked by demon crowds. The number of these demons is not small! What the fourfold assembly sees is merely the names written on the memorial tablets, but the actual demons who come to attack, and those who are finally sent into the Western Dharma-Nature Land by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su—that is a truly spectacular sight!

What is also visible now is that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is truly stepping out into the world; it has opened its doors to the world! Of course, not many people in the human world are familiar with it yet, but in the spiritual realms, it is a ray of light for the Earth! Take the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong two months ago, for example. The scene where Practitioner Su led Namo Amituofo to shine great light and receive the beings was a sensation in the spiritual realms! The number of spirits who came seeking Spiritual Deliverance was immeasurable.

I have a slight regret that I do not have a physical body to experience this Buddha-work in the human world. If I had the chance, I would certainly not choose to be a Prime Minister. Perhaps if I followed Practitioner Su to practise the Buddha’s teachings, I might even become a monastic! The power one can exert with a human body is immense! Seeing my own immeasurable and boundless connected beings still suffering, I can only hope that one day, when Practitioner Su returns to the human world, I can participate in the salvation team and exert some strength to save the world. Therefore, those of you in the fourfold assembly who have the opportunity to practise the Buddha’s teachings with a human body are truly people of tremendous blessing! Moreover, your teachers are Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su—where else could you find such an opportunity?"

A Call to Action for Singapore

"I have also seen students from Singapore coming to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to seek the Dharma, brought by President Lin. I felt very comforted by this. Singapore finally has people who recognise that Namo Amituofo is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre! This blessed land of Singapore must vigorously promote Namo Amituofo and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in the future, so that people can recognise the true Buddha’s teachings. Establishing a base in Singapore to vigorously propagate the Buddha’s teachings of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is my heartfelt wish.

It has been a long time since I last spoke with Practitioner Su across the realms. I am very happy to have this opportunity to look at the current state of the Earth and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre again. I heard that these words of mine today are to be included in a book about to be published by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, is that correct? I am grateful to Practitioner Su for giving me this opportunity to be interviewed. I hope that the people who see this, especially the people of Singapore, will know that there is a Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Queensland, Australia, that is doing Buddha-work that is beyond the planet. Naturally, the people of Earth—especially Australians and Asians—will be the first to benefit, because the Dharma affinity is blossoming and bearing fruit here. This is a tremendous blessing shared by all!

I also hope that those who come to the temple can let go of their subjective views and preconceptions about how they have studied the Buddha’s teachings in the past. Open your hearts to listen to the Buddha’s voice, and let the Buddha’s words naturally flow into your heart-fields. You do not need to do anything extra; just naturally accept the nourishing nutrients of purification. Seek the Dharma with a pure heart, and this will certainly be of help to your spiritual achievements."

A Final Blessing

"Finally, I pay my respects to Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su. I am grateful for the efforts you have made for the people of Earth. Although it is very hard work, I believe it will all be worth it. If you were to ask me, Lee Kuan Yew, how to effectively propagate the Buddha’s teachings in today’s society, I believe it must be done through high-tech internet media, as this is the most effective way to enter people’s hearts. Seeing the monks and nuns actively managing internet media also gives me great comfort. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre will surely become known to the world; it is only a matter of time. I sincerely look forward to this day, and I sincerely wish for the fourfold assembly to achieve purification and success in your practice soon. You must believe that you can do it!"

Namo Amituofo.

Lee Kuan Yew, spoken in person."