Interview with Hsu Heng-Tzu (Chairperson of Taiwan Chia-Lien Cable TV)

Interview Chief Writer: Fa Ning

June 22, 2026

Hsu Heng-Tzu:

Namo Amituofo, my name is Hsu Heng-Tzu. Everyone affectionately calls me Teacher Hsu, a title that has defined my life and one that everyone is accustomed to. Here, I sincerely thank everyone who supported and helped me in the past, especially all the people in Yunlin County with whom I have had contact. I am grateful that you can see this letter. I truly hope that everything I express here can reach your ears, letting you know my current situation.

Although I have left the human world, after arriving at this place called the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I realised that the spirit never dies, and I can communicate with everyone here in a spiritual way. This surprised me greatly; it is truly remarkable. I used to be a Christian, and I never imagined I would come to a Buddha-land. Now, receiving the teachings of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su here, my heart is filled with Dharma joy.

I remain as cheerful and optimistic as I was before, fond of laughing, and without too many afflictions. Today, I live a more fulfilling life than before, and my Wisdom has grown significantly; one could say I have been completely transformed. You might not be able to imagine what I am like now. The image I presented to everyone before was that of the inspiring Teacher Hsu, always bringing joy to others. Today, I can still bring joy to everyone, but what I want to share here is my experience and changes within just a few days in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. These changes are so important to me—more important and profound than everything I experienced in my eighty-five years of life, and even more so than the cruel experience of suffering retribution in hell after death.

Do not be alarmed; how could someone as good as me end up in hell? I know it is difficult for everyone to accept this fact, but please believe what I am saying now. It is true; some things are indeed this way. I have left the human world for over a year, and I imagine that all of you in the human world are still living decent lives. However, I have indeed suffered torment over this past year, and I never imagined such pain. I have always been unable to understand why it happened, why it was me, and why I was sent to hell. We Christians also believe in Heaven and Hell, but I thought that with the firmness of my faith and my life principles of doing good and practising Generosity, why would I still need to go to hell to suffer retribution? I could not fathom it, and I cried in hell, feeling very sad and pained, because this was not something I could understand.

After listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I gradually began to understand many truths. Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su not only saved my spirit and allowed me to stop suffering, but they also enabled me to truly understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, allowing my heart to truly settle and live a real life, rather than a painful and illusory one. I say it was an illusory life because I have truly seen clearly here that no matter how one lives these few decades, it is all illusory. A human life is like a dream; once the good and the bad pass, they are gone. However, the karma created must still be repaid; this is the Universal Principle.

In the past, we Christians did not think so much; there was only the distinction between Heaven and Hell. Therefore, I was certain that I would go to the Heavenly Father's Kingdom, and my children thought the same. Let me tell you all honestly: those of us who operate in this industry, although our hearts are not bad, we manage television, the internet, and related industries, and we have expanded these businesses. Although we did not broadcast images or content that were extremely harmful or detrimental to social development, having operated in this field for decades, we certainly broadcasted various news or programmes—some good, some bad, some virtuous, and some evil. If any of this violated the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, causing people to undergo various changes in their nature/mind, we leaders must bear a certain responsibility. This is the Universal Principle; it is inescapable, and everything is subject to the laws of karma and cause and effect.

At that time, my husband was the Magistrate of Yunlin County. Through this opportunity, after working as a teacher, I took over and managed the then-Chia-Lien Cable TV, which was a television station in Yunlin County. Later, my daughter and I operated it together, expanded it, and merged it into the famous Taiwan Digital Optical Technology Group. This merger was grand in scale, integrating television stations across various counties and cities in central Taiwan and exerting greater influence.

Why do I say that being involved in the television industry is in itself an act of creating evil? As I mentioned earlier, once the programmes broadcast on television violate moral foundations, we must bear the karma. Therefore, it is clear that the local television programmes or various industries we promoted over these years, to a greater or lesser extent, caused people to develop various emotions or feelings, some of which easily stirred up people's greed, or even caused them to become trapped and unable to extricate themselves. The wider the broadcast range, the more people were affected, and the deeper the karma we created; this is a natural principle.

At that time, I was indeed single-mindedly trying to make this industry better. Therefore, in my deliberations, it was inevitable that there was a lot of selfishness, thinking for myself and my family, and so on. This seems very normal in society; what chairperson does not think for their own company? However, in doing so, we had already used our status in Yunlin County to bring this under our own banner. It is evident that we were already carrying a selfish desire, hoping that I and my family members could benefit more.

In this life, while engaging in government affairs, handling my duties, and participating in various strategies and planning for my husband's work, I indeed had quite a bit of selfishness. In order to protect my family and the interests of the local people, there were always instances of rejecting and harming others, whether done openly or covertly. These actions were also the reason I went to hell. Many of these things were not done intentionally, but I allowed such things to happen, whether consciously or unconsciously, which led to harm to others.

Yes, I entered the heart-gouging hell, because I influenced people's hearts, so it was inevitable that I had to report to the heart-gouging hell. Although the time spent suffering this retribution was not long, the pain it brought me remains deeply etched in my memory. I have spent about three or four days in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, but it feels like I have been here for a very, very long time, because I have seen too many things I had never seen before, so I am very grateful and deeply moved.

I know that this matter must be made known quickly to my family, our company, and all the employees of the television station, so that everyone can know my story, Hsu Heng-Tzu. There are many people in the Yunlin area who know me, and those who had deep social connections with me have a very deep impression of me.

If I can use this influence of mine to help them even after death, then going to hell is very worthwhile, and I do not feel aggrieved at all. If going to hell can make them raise a sense of vigilance, let many people know to repent and turn towards goodness, and follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way taught by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, and if everyone has the opportunity to learn Buddhism, and even the elderly can reach the state where they not grow old, not get sick, and the spirit does not die, how wonderful that would be!

Our Christianity has never spoken so profoundly. We believe the spirit never dies, but the Heaven we can reach does not truly allow us to attain eternal life, because Heaven is, after all, part of the heavenly realm and is part of the six realms of rebirth. Therefore, no matter how long one stays in Heaven, there is always a day when one must be reincarnated.

These are all things I learned in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, and I also learned what the six realms of rebirth are and the truth that the laws of karma and cause and effect are not empty. I was indeed a devout Christian throughout my life, and I upheld Christian doctrines, was charitable, and built many good connections. The good deeds I did will not be in vain, but I must suffer retribution before I can enjoy blessings; this is what I know now.

Now, in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I still have some of my past characteristics, such as being round and dignified, but honestly, I look much, much better than before. Now I am not old at all; I have become very young, very clean, and the temperament radiating from within me is completely different.

People in Yunlin know far too little about this world, the Western Land of Dharma Nature. But do you know that in Taiwan, there is a person called Lay Practitioner Su, Practitioner Su, who once realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood in Taiwan, and in the thirty years since, has helped many beings leave suffering and gain happiness and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? This is a true story. With the help of Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su also established the Western Land of Dharma Nature, giving many of us deceased spirits—whether wandering in space, suffering retribution in hell, or even souls from higher-level worlds—a place to rely on. Now that I have come to the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I truly have no regrets.

I used to have high expectations for the world after death, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that nothing is ever completely satisfactory. In my life, I was a good mother, a good wife, and a good leader in everyone's eyes, and everything I did made everyone truly convinced. I also upheld a righteous heart and helped many disadvantaged groups and students. Many students who benefited from me felt deeply nostalgic about my passing, and I am very moved by this.

Having walked through life, I have now let go of the good and the bad I experienced. In the past, I might have felt happy or moved by these things, and there would have been various thoughts and emotions involved; when bad things happened, there would be a thorn in my heart, and although I did not speak of it openly, it remained in my heart. Like most people, I am a flesh-and-blood ordinary person and not as perfect as everyone imagines.

However, all the good I did is meant to tell everyone: as long as it benefits others, it is a good deed; not thinking for oneself is a good deed. I have understood this principle clearly in the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

Looking back, I know that when I did good deeds, there were indeed benevolent spirits protecting me. But while doing good deeds, I still thought for myself, doing things for my own sake, or thinking about fame, status, image, etc., which meant I had failed in my cultivation. These good deeds could only bring a little bit of Blessings, because once the word "I" is mixed into good deeds, they are no longer truly good deeds, nor are they purely good deeds anymore.

Everything said in the Buddha’s teachings is very transparent and easy to understand. I finally know why people must be selfless; truly letting go of oneself and working for the sake of all beings is the only way to be one's true self. Otherwise, looking around, there are not many people in the world who can be their own master, unless you realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood, like Practitioner Su, who has great cultivation; that is the only person who can truly be their own master.

For example, in our own lives, when we leave or when we get sick, these are not things we can master. But Practitioner Su is different. After Practitioner Su attained Buddhahood, his Dharma Body could travel freely from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, going wherever he wished to save beings without any restrictions. Such a life is truly perfect, and only then can one truly save all suffering beings, rather than just being like us ordinary people, who can only take care of surrounding groups or familiar people but have no way to transmit messages to all the spirits we cannot see.

When life came to an end, I did indeed get sick, which was because I also had things I did not do well. Fortunately, I did not suffer for too long before leaving the human world. Today, more than a year later, sharing all this in such a wonderful Buddha-land, it is clear that this journey was not in vain.

However, if every single thing carries karma, then the warning to everyone is very important. You may have heard me say a lot, and you might not know what the point of my expression is, or perhaps my ability to express myself is indeed not good. Regardless, I hope that everyone who sees this letter can understand: Buddhist education is the best education in the universe. Because it teaches everyone the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, allowing everyone to avoid sickness, afflictions, and worries, and simply learn Buddhism. Like Practitioner Su at that time, the heart for learning Buddhism was so firm and simple, without any thought for oneself, just hoping to learn the true education, implement it in life, and be down-to-earth, so that one can pave the way for one's own liberation and help more beings.

This is why, after Practitioner Su obtained this great Dharma of Namo Amituofo and came to understand the Infinite Life Sutra, he decided to exhaust his family wealth and very actively promote all of this. From his youth to his old age, Practitioner Su's heart has remained the same: he hopes to spread good things so that everyone may know about them. When he obtains one treasure, he shares it vigorously; when he obtains two, he shares them just as vigorously. This is all vital information that can help people move away from birth, aging, sickness, and death, walk towards ultimate liberation, and recognise Namo Amituofo so that they may be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is precisely because of this heart, this incomparably vast strength, and this broad-mindedness that Practitioner Su has achieved what he has today. Practitioner Su does not only save the people of Taiwan; he saves the Chinese people, people all over the world, and even the spirit realm beings that the human eye cannot see. Within the layers upon layers of space, the countless beings and demon crowds are all objects of the Buddhas' salvation. My children, you may feel that you cannot truly understand what I have said today. This is normal, as we have never before been exposed to such profound, thorough, and heart-piercing education. This is a very perfect education, teaching everyone not to have selfish desires and to truly live for all beings. You may feel that what I say now is vastly different from before, but this is normal, because my spirit is elevating, and it is elevating rapidly. Without the constraints of the body, and without the interference of many beings, I am much clearer than I was before. Especially under the illumination of Buddha-light, I have been purified significantly, and in listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma, many doubts in my heart have been resolved. I now speak these words to you as a transparent soul. To all the employees of my former company, as well as all the colleagues in the large company my daughter has now taken over (which was established after the merger of television stations in other counties), no matter what, to all who know me, the students I once taught, all the friends I interacted with in the political sphere, and all my fellow villagers: I have so many things to share with you here, and I hope you can understand even just one or two points. As long as it can be of help to your life, that is a good thing. I also sincerely hope that everyone can learn the true Buddha’s teachings, so that this life will not have been in vain. Practitioner Su hopes to vigorously promote the Buddha’s teachings in Taiwan, allowing all children to be exposed to the Dharma from a young age and remain untainted; I have truly and deeply felt this intention. I must also do my utmost to support this cause of Practitioner Su. I was once a primary school teacher, and in the process of teaching children, although I always taught them good qualities such as diligence, hard work, and turning towards goodness, because I had not received true Buddhist education, I was unable to teach them deeper and more profound life principles. Sometimes I even accidentally said a few biased words, and I hope they can forgive me. In their hearts, I have always been that very kind Teacher Hsu, and I hope they can now listen to the words of this Teacher Hsu who has passed away. I am still the same me; I have not changed. In the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I am still the same cheerful, good-natured person I was before. It is just that my spirit has elevated, and having experienced suffering, I now know many things I dared not think of or had never thought of before. The word 'morality' is very subtle; I hope everyone will hold onto this kindness in their hearts, and remember to think for others and not for oneself—this is true goodness. If one is stained by the blemishes of 'self' and 'me', then one's life has been lived in vain. Practitioner Su always says bluntly, 'It was all in vain!' This sounds very distressing, but it is the truth of reality. Please, everyone, you must believe this. In one's life, no matter what, one must live for others. As for me now, I must live for the propagation of the Buddha’s teachings. Although I no longer have a body, I hope this letter of mine can reach your hands and provide you with great help and inspiration. Many people know me, and I hope that those who know me can receive this letter from me, Hsu Heng-Tzu. I lived my life well, but I did indeed have such karma. I hope everyone will take this as a warning, do not follow my old path, and must walk towards true purity and true goodness, so that you can truly attain a state where you do not grow old, do not get sick, and the spirit does not die. These are my sincere words, and I hope you can take them to heart. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su for giving me this opportunity to share all of this. My heart is full of gratitude and emotion. Thank you all! Namo Amituofo Hsu Heng-Tzu [[BLOCK_1]]