From the Halls of Power to the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Huang Shao-ku, who sought 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 life and his journey beyond the cycle of rebirth. Recorded by the disciple Cao Rudi on June 1, 2017.

Cao Rudi speaks: "Namo Amituofo. We respectfully invite Senior Advisor Huang Shao-ku to speak. Several years ago, Practitioner Su, with great compassion, helped you leave suffering behind and attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Today, Namo Amituofo resides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, opening a direct path to the West for all beings. To repay the grace of Namo Amituofo, could you please explain the process of your deliverance? We intend to make this interview public so that more people may come to know Namo Amituofo. Your merit is immeasurable."

The Hidden Truth of the Afterlife

Senior Advisor Huang Shao-ku speaks: "Namo Amituofo. Practitioner Su is truly compassionate. If it were not for her help in pulling me out of the hells and guiding me to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I believe I would still be trapped in the cycle of rebirth, suffering the consequences of my actions. People in the world might find this strange. They might think, 'I was upright and unyielding in my life; surely I would ascend to heaven or a good place after death. How could I possibly end up in hell?' If Practitioner Su had not broken through the barriers of space and time, the people of this world would never have known this secret.

"When I bore the heavy responsibilities of the nation, retreating from the mainland to Taiwan, there was so much to be done. Every moment, every second, I was thinking of how to improve the lives of the people. As a key leader, I naturally had a very strong will. I often believed my own ideas were the only correct ones. I insisted on my own views, argued to win, and pushed my policies to the end. I was always loud and assertive. After I died, I fell directly into the 'Tongue-Ripping Hell' to suffer retribution. Because I overused my brain planning how to improve the lives of the people, and because there were inevitably those who suffered under my policies, I also went to the 'Brain-Gouging Hell' and the 'Heart-Gouging Hell' after death.

The Necessity of Changing One's Nature

"During my life, I never encountered the Buddha's teachings. I did not study Buddhism, and I did not realise that what I thought was 'right' was entirely the opposite. It was only after I died and stood trial before the King of Hell that I realised my mistakes, but it was already too late. Fortunately, my ancestors had accumulated virtue, and in this life, I was able to encounter Practitioner Su—known as 'Sister Su'—at the 'Fragrant Light Buddha-Land' (the predecessor to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre). When she was inviting spirits at Shiding, she pulled me out of hell, helped me leave suffering behind, and sent me to the Western Land of Dharma Nature to listen to the sutras before guiding me to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

"This is a place without suffering, where all the superior beings gather. Since arriving here, I can still hear Practitioner Su giving Dharma talks. It was only then that I understood that to study Buddhism and learn to be a Buddha, one must change one's personality and the habits accumulated over countless eons. Our bodies contain fifty trillion cells, which house fifty trillion groups of sentient beings—our karmic creditors from many lifetimes. Illness is not just 'illness.' From minor things like feeling drowsy to sneezing, everything is an interference from these beings. As long as we can resolve our conflicts with our karmic creditors, we will naturally recover without medicine. What the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is doing is a work that benefits both the living and the deceased.

The Reality of Karmic Interference

"Practitioner Su is a true practitioner. She helps our sentient beings and karmic creditors from many lifetimes to be sent to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I no longer have a physical body, but that does not mean my karmic creditors have ceased to exist. They are always waiting in the space around us. As long as we possess a human body and have not changed our habits or personality, the moment we have a negative thought, these karmic creditors—invisible to the physical eye—arrive immediately. They manifest as insomnia, aches and pains, cancer, or tumours. The grace of the Buddha is hard to repay. I have not been listening to the sutras for long, but I must ensure that when my family, friends, and the people of the world see this message, they can understand that studying Buddhism is truly vital."

The Gradual Loss of the Soul

Cao Rudi speaks: "Respected Senior Advisor, could you look back and tell us at what age your three hun souls and seven po souls began to be taken away? That is, when did you start feeling your body becoming heavier and less agile?"

Senior Advisor Huang Shao-ku speaks: "When I was about forty-nine, I had a dream. I dreamt that I was with my colleagues, discussing national strategies and work plans. When I woke up, I felt my body had become heavier and weaker. Looking back now, that was the first time one of my souls was taken. In the past, I didn't know; I just thought that as I aged, it was normal for my movements to become stiff, and that seeing a doctor for injections and medicine was normal. Now I know that my three hun souls and seven po souls were being taken away. My karmic creditors manifested as the things I loved most to lure my souls away one by one, which is why my body gradually decayed.

"I was always proud of my exceptional memory, but at the age of seventy-six, it began to decline. Between the ages of eighty-three and eighty-five, it became even worse. I would often forget things I had just said. I was a person with a strong personality; I tried to do everything myself and rarely asked for help. As I grew older, this deep-seated stubbornness caused me some suffering, as I simply could not do what I once could. I passed away at the age of ninety-five. Having lived a life in this world, if I had not met Practitioner Su, I dare not imagine the consequences. I advise the people of the world: human life is truly hard to obtain, and the Buddha's teachings are hard to hear. You must seize the moment."

A Message to the Next Generation

Cao Rudi speaks: "Senior Advisor, is there anything you would like to say to your granddaughter?"

Senior Advisor Huang Shao-ku speaks: "Yes. Years ago, during my first interview, I wanted to ask Practitioner Su to advise my granddaughter, Nini. 'Nini, your grandfather wants to tell you: do not be so strong-willed. Everything is illusory and will eventually vanish. Your body needs adjustment! You know Practitioner Su's character better than I do. If you don't ask her to help you adjust your body, you are the one who will suffer the loss. I can see everything you do clearly from the Western Pure Land. Please, do not be so attached. Money is enough if it covers your needs; in the end, you cannot take anything with you. Although everyone must bear the karma they have created, if you want to turn your karma around, following Practitioner Su is the right path.'

"'Nini, your grandfather is now at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. You have contributed your own efforts here, and I truly hope that in the future, there will be an opportunity for us to speak in this Buddha hall—to share heart-to-heart words. This is a place you could not find even if you searched with a lantern; please cherish it. That is all for now. I will be waiting for you!'"

Cao Rudi speaks: "Thank you, Senior Advisor Huang, for your precious sharing. You have provided important concepts and knowledge for many who have not yet deeply encountered the Buddha's teachings. Your merit is immeasurable. Namo Amituofo."

This message was written by the Buddhist disciple Cao Rudi.