From Business Tycoon to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

This interview was recorded at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Venerable HaiZe, a disciple of the Centre, conducted this session to document the deliverance of Mr. Kao Ching-yen, the late founder of the Uni-President Corporation. After passing away, Mr. Kao sought refuge and was guided by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account serves as a testament to the reality of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and the compassionate guidance of Namo Amituofo.

Venerable HaiZe speaks: "I perform ten bows to the Buddha. I respectfully invite Mr. Kao Ching-yen of the Uni-President Corporation. Namo Amituofo. Today, due to special Causal Conditions, I am able to interview Mr. Kao Ching-yen. Everyone knows that it is because of Mr. Kao that the Uni-President Group exists. The 7-Eleven stores are everywhere, serving as an indispensable friend to both adults and children. Now, Mr. Kao has been guided by Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Could you please tell everyone about the circumstances under which the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre guided you to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss after you passed away? I hope that by sharing your story, those who see and hear it will come to believe in the existence of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and Namo Amituofo."

Kao Ching-yen speaks: "Greetings to everyone. I am Kao Ching-yen, a native of Tainan, Taiwan. I did not study much when I was young; books always gave me a headache. As soon as I put them down, I would run off to play. I was just a village child, and no one really bothered to manage me. If I was scolded, it would be a quick word or two, and then it would pass. So, studying never really caused me much pressure. In fact, I loved to create. I would write and draw in the dirt or on the sand. When I was small, I would even help my mother wash rice. Rice was very expensive back then; only the wealthy could afford it. We only ate a full bowl of white rice during festivals or when making offerings. I would draw on the rice with my fingers, and once, my mother caught me and scolded me severely, saying, 'Even the rice we eat, you dare to play with!'"

A Life Forged in Hardship

"Regardless, one still had to finish school. The day I received my primary school graduation certificate was the happiest day of my life. At home, they would never let you be idle; you had to work to earn money! Otherwise, the food and daily necessities for the family all relied on my parents. I wanted to share the burden as much as I could. I sold vegetables, chopped wood, and did odd jobs. Back then, to bathe, we had to chop wood to start a fire to boil hot water. Cooking rice was the same; we had to start a fire. The wealthy bought their firewood, but otherwise, you had to chop it yourself. Sometimes, when it rained, the wood was wet and wouldn't catch fire. You had to wait quite a while just to get a meal."

"After my father passed away from illness, we felt helpless in our hometown, so we moved near my uncle's house in Tainan city to look after each other. My uncle helped me find work. I worked in processing plants and fabric shops. Later, I worked at a school canteen, and after work, I would deliver goods and do odd jobs. I watched the students carrying heavy school bags to school every day, clutching their textbooks to memorize lessons after class, and then entering the classroom again. After a whole day, they would carry their bags home, and many would go to their teachers' homes for extra tutoring. All of this was to compete for university entrance. At that time, being able to attend high school was already considered excellent. If you managed to get into a public university, it was a major event for the family and the neighbourhood—something worth beating drums and setting off firecrackers for. Even then, I understood clearly that I was cut out for the 'martial market'—the world of trade and commerce—while those students were destined for the 'literary market.' Society needs both to function."

The Foundation of Trust and Industry

"No matter which line of work I was in, although I never stayed in one place for long, I always diligently completed my duties. I was particularly interested in logistics and distribution. Before a finished product is created, there is the selection of raw materials, cost management, processing, hiring delivery staff, expanding the client base, and managing cash flow. I learned as I worked, remaining dutiful, hardworking, and frugal. Even if I had to deliver more goods or travel further, even in wind and rain, because I had accepted the order, I would ensure the goods were delivered that day so the client's operations would not be delayed. I believe this is the most basic foundation of trust between two parties in a transaction; only then can a business last long. I never learned these things in school; I learned them naturally through practical experience. This was a completely different background, professional development process, personality, and attitude compared to those who carried heavy school bags, participated in competitive exams, and entered the workforce after graduation. These were the very elements that helped me later in observing people, employing them, and achieving success."

"Later, building on my experience in the fabric trade, I moved into the textile industry. Taiwan's economy was taking off, requiring a massive influx of textile work and manpower. At that time, whether in big cities or small alleys, from large factories to small family workshops, the demand for labor fueled a new wave of economic development in Taiwan. The textile industry was a key focus for both domestic and international sales, establishing Taiwan's international standing in the field. Even now, that period remains a glorious page in the history of the garment industry."

The Birth of an Empire

"At that time, the economy was soaring, and traditional industries and consumer goods were eager to expand. Under the high-pressure management of the Japanese era, people had only dared to listen and obey, fearing that any creativity might provoke the Japanese authorities. After the Republic of China government arrived and the Japanese military withdrew, Taiwan was liberated. It was as if we were birds that had been locked in a cage; suddenly, the door was opened, and we could fly into the sky. Although we were still somewhat restricted, it was a vast improvement. The society of that time presented a mix of old ideologies and a rising new generation. In that simple, honest environment, the society showed a flourishing vitality. It was then that I had the idea to start a business. 'Food is the heaven of the people'; no matter how things change, people must eat. Only when the stomach is full do people have the strength to work. That is how the Uni-President Corporation began. We focused on food, and because people needed to eat quickly when working overtime, we developed instant noodles. The Uni-President instant noodles became famous throughout the streets and alleys; everyone knew them."

"As the business expanded, I thought about consolidating our food products to make it convenient for the public to purchase them whenever they needed. That led to the creation of the 7-Eleven convenience stores. Initially, it was just a trial, but the response was excellent, and branches expanded one after another. However, this brought internal challenges: raw materials, procurement, production, fresh product distribution, delivery speed, personnel management, transfers, contracts with store managers, advertising, and public relations. All of this required a massive amount of professional and management talent. The office had to expand, and we had to manage annual and seasonal cost plans, revenue status, profit margins, employee benefits, insurance, health checks, and quotas for disabled employees. These were all part of the company's operations."

Gratitude and the Hidden Truth

"Additionally, there was payroll, resolving disputes between frontline staff and customers, and overseas expansion—especially in mainland China. We had to analyze local demand and supply, conduct pre-assessments, and perform regular reviews. After all, every place has different customs and cultures, especially in vast areas where the population is dispersed. We had to consider whether to set up stores based on service and public welfare rather than just profit. These bits and pieces required countless meetings, reviews, and post-analysis. Although we tried to match the needs of each department with the right personnel, it still required an unimaginable amount of mental and physical energy. In a family business, many family members hold different positions, and as the business expands, the younger generation must join, starting from the grassroots level according to their expertise. We expanded from domestic to international. It was a large team, developing from the center outward. No matter what, I would tell the younger generation: 'Never forget your roots.' Therefore, if a public welfare project was discussed, it would often receive sponsorship and support. We took from society and gave back to society. Every year, a portion of the company's surplus was allocated to public welfare. The Uni-President enterprise reached its current scale and development because of the support and love of the people of Taiwan. As a child of Tainan, I express my infinite gratitude. Although my physical body is no longer in the human world, my spirit, guided by Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, is now in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Since I am mentioning that past, I must express my full gratitude."

"I spent my whole life busy with work. My body felt like it was made of iron; as long as I was working, I would forget about my body. I often forgot when it was time to eat, or I would only realize I was hungry after the mealtime had long passed. Work was the center of my life. I remember when I got older, although my reactions were a bit slower, I was still capable. Gradually, I had to pass the baton to the next generation. I am also a son of Taiwan, and I built this world together with everyone. We needed new blood, and the second generation had to take over."

The Awakening from the Dream of Reincarnation

"It has been a year since I passed away. What I want to say now is what I encountered after my death. One day, while I was busy moving things, I suddenly heard a voice: 'Kao Ching-yen, Kao Ching-yen.' Then, a bright light shone upon me, and very quickly, I was brought to a bright place. I heard a voice ask, 'Are you Kao Ching-yen?' I nodded. 'Where are you now?' I looked at myself. 'Why am I an ant?' The voice asked again, 'How did you end up being an ant?' I said, 'I only know that I must keep working, keep working, find food, carry it back, and then go out to find more food and carry it back. I repeat this endlessly. I don't know what fatigue is, and I don't feel tired.' Then the voice said, 'First, take off your clothes and go to the Western Land of Dharma Nature of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.'"

"I was originally in a daze, but suddenly I felt as if I had shed a layer of clothing. My body became light and grew larger; I had been trapped in a tiny body. Now, I felt I could stretch out. I am Kao Ching-yen. Suddenly, the past surfaced in layers. I was only sixty-two years old then. It turned out that I had been in a daze, asleep, and had a dream. I saw so many ants. I could clearly see their antennae, their long legs, their oval-shaped bellies, and their two hands gesturing as they whispered to their companions. I moved forward to look, and somehow, I entered their world! I began to constantly move in and out with my companions, carrying things back and forth. This continued until the voice that woke me appeared. It was the voice of Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Without that call, I would still be an ant today. It turns out that my three hun souls and seven po souls had been captured in a dream more than twenty years ago—one hun soul and one po soul were taken to be an ant. How could this be? I could not believe this fact, yet it was so real. At that time, my business was in full swing. I often stayed up late, and when I woke up, I felt as if I hadn't slept enough. I didn't think much of it and continued working. Now I know that the reason I gradually felt my physical strength failing was because one hun soul and one po soul had already been taken. Later, my stomach often felt uncomfortable. Actually, I didn't like social engagements; I preferred traditional rice with braised egg and minced meat—that is why the Uni-President minced meat noodles and Tainan danzai noodles were so popular. I let my subordinates attend banquets or meetings whenever possible. My stomach problems existed before, but I just endured them. In fact, at that time, another po soul had already been taken. Looking back, it was all due to the debt collection of karmic creditors. They manifested as the ants in my dream, and just like my busy work life, they dragged my soul into it."

A Final Plea to the Living

"Speaking of this, I feel infinite emotion. I spent my whole life busy with my career, only to end up as an ant. Fortunately, I was saved by Practitioner Su, and during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, I was guided to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. How can I repay this great kindness? Now, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre wants to help more people, to let them believe that there truly is Namo Amituofo and a Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. People do not have to 'die'—only the physical body is bad; the spirit does not die. It is not that everything is gone after death; the spirit can go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I also want to help the temple do some work, to help more people like me be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss."

"The Uni-President family business is my life's work. I hope that any of my family members, upon seeing or knowing the content of this article, will come here. I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. You can come here and talk to me. Also, please arrange for reporters to come here for an interview so they will know that everything I say is true. There is also a General Manager Liu, because he told Practitioner Su the news of my passing, which led to Practitioner Su saving me. The Buddha's grace is hard to repay, and Practitioner Su's kindness is hard to repay. I hope my family can help me fulfill this wish. Actually, this is also saving yourselves. Have you ever thought about what you are exchanging your busy work for? Worldly fame, profit, wealth, and power—when this breath is gone, you cannot take anything with you. Today, because I heard the sutras at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I know that if what you gain is just another life of busyness, or even suffering in the hells or the animal realm, it is not worth it! Or perhaps becoming a ghost in an ancestral tablet for descendants to worship is also possible. Even if you are lucky enough to enjoy blessings in the heavenly realm, it is only temporary; once the blessings are exhausted, you must enter the six realms of rebirth again. It is better to take the opportunity now to go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and never enter the cycle of rebirth again. It is truly terrifying! While you work hard, you must also think about your next life and pave the way. Having said so much, did you understand? You must believe that I am truly Kao Ching-yen. I have heard and learned many things here that I did not know while I was alive. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is a very good place. I hope someone from my family can come here once and arrange for a reporter to come."

Kao Ching-yen

Message recorded by the chief writer, the Buddhist disciple Venerable HaiZe.