Interview with Zhuang Zhu Yu-nu and Zhuang Ji-xiong (The Ten-Dollar Grandma, Mother-Son Philanthropists)

Summary: They are Taiwan's most moving "mother-son philanthropists": the mother willingly sold her houses to make ten-dollar bento boxes, warming countless poor people; the son devoted his efforts to funding and continuing the legacy. Together, they illuminated the grassroots of Taiwan with great love for half a century.

Interview Chief Writer: Fa Ning

June 22, 2026

Ten-Dollar Grandma Zhuang Zhu Yu-nu:

Namo Amituofo, my name is Zhuang Zhu Yu-nu. Everyone affectionately calls me "Ten-Dollar Grandma," and this title truly moves me deeply. Although I did indeed sell ten-dollar bento boxes for decades, and the name sounds particularly pleasant, I have always felt grateful for everyone's long-standing love and support, and I have never dared to think of myself as great.

All of this is because I came from a poor background. I had a period of poverty in my childhood, and later, my husband and I also experienced a very impoverished time. We built our business step by step until it grew larger and larger, and eventually, I was even able to accumulate seven houses, haha. At that time, I was truly quite a wealthy person!

Therefore, I believe that "taking from society and using it for society" is a very natural thing. Since I was able to accumulate this wealth, I could naturally donate it back to all those in need; to me, everything was just a matter of course. At that time, I was thinking that because I came from the island of Penghu and arrived in Kaohsiung to build a life and business with my husband, I saw many, many people who also came from Penghu. They lived very difficult lives here, and in order to earn a little money, they often could not get enough to eat. Because they were engaged in heavy manual labour at the docks, they often struggled to have a decent meal for their three daily meals.

Therefore, I used my own ability to cook some rice to help them eat their fill. However, everyone urged me to charge a small fee, otherwise, they would often feel embarrassed to come and eat my food. Because if I did not charge, they would at most come once, twice, or three times, and then they would refuse to come again. So, I thought of a method: to charge them at least a little money, starting from five dollars, and later increasing it to ten dollars, which has remained unchanged. By charging a ten-dollar meal fee, I could let them eat until they were full, and those who were still hungry could have extra rice.

In this way, everyone could eat a full meal for ten dollars, which was already a very happy thing for them. I was very joyful because I never thought about raising the price in my entire life. Although the cost of living has been rising, I believe that ten dollars is only a symbolic fee; it is not that I truly wanted to collect any payment. I only hoped to use this opportunity to let them eat a full meal with peace of mind, and that made me feel very satisfied.

I have always been low-key in my actions; it is not that I truly hope everyone remembers me. However, if I can be remembered, it must also be able to make more people believe in the Buddha’s teachings. As long as everyone can know about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, I am content. It turns out my fame actually has some use! If it is used in a good place, such as letting everyone know about the Buddha’s teachings, that is a very meaningful thing.

Today, I am chatting with everyone as a spirit, and I have now arrived at the Western Land of Dharma Nature of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This is a Buddha-land; everyone might find it hard to believe, but I have already left the human world for more than a decade.

Not long ago, I heard that Practitioner Su was performing Chao Du for celebrities or corporate figures from all over the world and Taiwan. At that time, my son, Zhuang Ji-xiong, who was also an entrepreneur of our generation, had accumulated quite a bit of wealth. Therefore, he was selected and included in the list of those whom Practitioner Su guided to the Western Land of Dharma Nature. I was also very fortunate to be well-known by everyone, so I also had the opportunity to be guided to the Western Land of Dharma Nature; this is truly a very special thing. In the ten-plus years since I left the human world, I had been living in the first heaven of the heavenly realm. Because I did not do any evil deeds in my life and only did good things, I suppose that is why I had such blessings; I believe this to be the case.

However, after I arrived at the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I discovered that it is far better than the first heaven of the heavenly realm. There is a Buddha here, and there is Buddha’s light shining upon us. My spirit has elevated very quickly, and I am able to see many things I did not know before. Many truths have surfaced before my eyes, which surprised me and made me truly realise how precious Buddhist education is.

Now that I am able to truly study the Buddha’s teachings and, by the grace of the Buddhist education of Namo Amituofo, I have indeed learned a lot. I have also gradually come to understand that every little detail of how one conducts oneself in life is clearly recorded in the books of the laws of karma and cause and effect. In my life, fortunately, I did not give rise to any evil thoughts, and I lived quite smoothly; this is likely because I still had some remaining blessings, which allowed me to walk through this life so peacefully and easily. Although everyone might think I was very hardworking, selling rice and making bento boxes, I was always very happy in my heart and did not have many afflictions.

I have a filial son named Zhuang Ji-xiong. He inherited my business and, after I left the human world, continued to practise Generosity (Giving) and do good deeds in my name, continuing the good deed of the ten-dollar bento boxes. I am very comforted by this. He also left the human world a month ago. I originally thought that leaving the human world at the age of over eighty was quite a good thing. But I did not expect, and only now do I know, that he actually went to the hells to suffer retribution, which shocked me.

After understanding the true Buddhist education, I also know why this happened; everything has its causes and effects. As a successful entrepreneur, in the process of working, interacting with others, and starting a business in this life, it was inevitable that many complex emotions and calculations were mixed in. Although he did not truly want to exclude others' interests for his own, how could there be no selfishness in the process of starting a business, and no thoughts for himself? Many times, various calculations and plans caused him to manifest a lot of karma. In the end, although he did good deeds his entire life, he still had to suffer retribution in the hells; this is also a natural occurrence.

As his mother, although I feel a bit heartbroken, now that I see him also arrive at the Western Land of Dharma Nature, my heart is very joyful, knowing that the Buddha’s compassion is delivering all those connected by karmic affinity. I hope that we can exert some strength in the Western Land of Dharma Nature to pass on this very precious message to the people in the world.

I think the most important message is that Namo Amituofo has come to the human world. Now that Namo Amituofo abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, having the Buddha in the world can help immeasurable and boundless beings leave suffering and gain happiness.

I would like to introduce this Practitioner Su from Taiwan, who is eighty-three years old this year; he is also a man of some age. Thirty years ago, he already realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood, which means he became an awakened being. After attaining Buddhahood, Practitioner Su, with his human body and Dharma Body, can deliver many, many beings in the human world, as well as beings in the spiritual realms. Because Practitioner Su has the ability to travel back and forth to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he has also guided many deceased to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Practitioner Su’s skills are even more remarkable now; he not only performs Chao Du for immeasurable and boundless beings on Earth to be reborn in the Western Land of Dharma Nature—this Buddha-land established by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su—but he can also perform Chao Du for immeasurable and boundless beings throughout the entire universe and the entire Dharma Realm, enabling them to be reborn in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. I have never heard of such a good thing before. Now that I have heard of it, I want to share this very important matter with everyone. I think all the people in Taiwan must know about it so that everyone has the opportunity to no longer suffer the pain of reincarnation and can leave suffering and gain happiness sooner.

My son’s story and mine can also serve as a reference for everyone. In life, as long as there is even a little bit of selfishness, it is very easy to be controlled by karmic creditors and be forced to suffer retribution in the hells; this is a very natural thing within the laws of karma and cause and effect. I only had the opportunity to be reborn in the heavenly realm, and not suffer in the lower realms, because I lived a relatively simple life, did not make enemies with others, did not have too many thoughts, and just did good deeds straight ahead without asking for any return.

It seems that the Universal Principles and the Right Way can only be explained clearly in the world of the Buddha’s teachings. Although I learned about the Buddha’s teachings a bit late, it does not matter; at least now I can speak to everyone as a spirit, express my own true experience, and share the precious content of the Buddha’s teachings I have learned. For me, that is already enough to be content.

Just as I truly did not have many thoughts in this life, I am even more so now in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, feeling completely cool and refreshed. Watching Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su perform Chao Du here, I have always been filled with Dharma joy, chanting the Buddha’s name and performing prostrations here, wanting to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss as soon as possible, and thus happily starting my brand-new spiritual practice.

It has only been a few days, and I have already learned a lot. I believe that in the days to come, I will definitely be able to get closer and closer to the Buddha-heart. I also hope that all the people in Taiwan, whether they are elderly or children, have the opportunity to learn the Buddha’s teachings, which is a good thing that can truly change everyone’s destiny.

Everyone used to admire me so much, and even hoped to engrave my image on Taiwan’s ten-dollar coins. Please do not do that; I do not want to be so high-profile. I only hope that every ten-dollar coin can be engraved with the image of "Namo Amituofo"; that would be the best. Although this is just a dream, I hope it can come true one day.

Taiwan, this precious island, is truly very valuable. If everyone can recognise the education of the Buddha’s teachings, it will definitely be able to spread in Taiwan, because many of us here have a foundation in learning the Buddha’s teachings and are kind-hearted people.

Especially, the most incredible thing is that someone like Practitioner Su has emerged. I think all the people in Taiwan should feel very joyful. Please start learning the Buddha’s teachings as soon as possible and do not miss this good Causal Condition that is difficult to encounter in millions of years. I sincerely wish everyone to embark on the path of learning the Buddha’s teachings soon.

Thank you all, Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo

Ten-Dollar Grandma Zhuang Zhu Yu-nu

Zhuang Ji-xiong

Namo Amituofo, my name is Zhuang Ji-xiong. My mother, Zhuang Zhu Yu-nu, has just accepted an interview from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and I would also like to add a few words here. Although this is an interview for both of us, I believe the protagonist today should be my mother; she is truly the hero in everyone’s heart, and also the hero in my heart.

I also view the ten-dollar bento business she operated in the same way. She spent her entire life, over fifty years, doing this. The values she taught me from a young age were not to calculate, not to think too much, and that good deeds should just be done straight ahead. Today, being able to be with my mother in the Western Land of Dharma Nature and receive the teachings of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su is the most special thing and the thing that brings us the most Dharma joy.

My mother came from Penghu Island. After putting down roots in Kaohsiung, her unique feelings for her hometown, as well as her heart for helping others and her broad-mindedness, meant that she never stopped on the path of practising Generosity (Giving) and doing good deeds throughout her life. Therefore, having been influenced by her since I was young, I also knew that I should give back to society and give back to everyone for their kindness to us. All the good things received should be wholeheartedly given back; only in this way can the cycle of goodness continue and circulate from generation to generation in society. This is the belief we have always upheld.

What I want to tell everyone now is that although I considered myself a good person, and everyone else thought so too, I still could not avoid the suffering of hell. I suffered in the hells for more than a month before being guided up by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, and finally, I am no longer suffering.

Why did I go to hell? Let me tell everyone—because I did not have the purity and kindness that my mother had; and that kindness was without any feeling, just doing it straight ahead, doing it all the way. Therefore, this mental note is very important. Although my actions did not commit any evil deeds, as long as there was still selfishness in my thoughts, and I still craved fame and wealth, or in the process of doing good deeds, I hoped to be affirmed and win more applause, such a heart was already not pure enough.

Moreover, in the process of operating my own business, because the business scale was indeed quite large, the money earned was not small, and there were quite a few employees under me. Therefore, in the process of my operation, I always used this brain countless times, with countless calculations, plans, and arrangements. All of this inevitably involved "selfishness." As long as a person has a little selfishness in their heart, it is like staining this heart.

Especially for the sake of the business, I racked my brains to find every way to obtain higher profits and better results. Such thoughts, turning and turning in my mind without stopping, were all for my own pocket, and so that I could be more and more successful in my business. Although my success did indeed give back to society, as I walked step by step, the desire to succeed had already caused many beings on my body to wake up and seek revenge from me.

Therefore, the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way in the Buddha’s teachings are absolutely correct. Only a pure heart that acts for others rather than for oneself can truly align with the universal principle and avoid suffering retribution. My mother is a perfect example; her mental state was very pure and kind. Consequently, she did not have many afflictions or illnesses throughout her life; this is the true heart of compassion. As for me, Zhuang Jixiong, I inherited my mother’s actions but did not fully inherit her heart, which is why I still had to suffer retribution in hell.

Please, Mother, do not feel heartbroken for me. I am now with her in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, where we can see each other, greet one another, and exchange a few words. Haha, such a wonderful thing—I truly never imagined that after death, we could be reunited in this way. This has already brought me great comfort.

Here, I sincerely express my gratitude for the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, which gives so many of us beings the opportunity to obtain deliverance. I am very fortunate to have been included on this list.

However, I know there are still many people, whether in Taiwan or across the world, who are still suffering. Whether they suffer as humans or as spirits, it is the same. As the saying goes, the number of beings to be saved is immeasurable and boundless. Therefore, while in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, knowing that these people are still suffering, I feel very dejected. I know I do not have the ability to help them; only when I can practise to the same level as Practitioner Su will I have the ability to perform Chao Du for these beings. Thus, I must be more proactive and diligent, focusing on my practice and purification here.

Now, I no longer dare to have any thoughts for myself. Under the purification of the Buddha-light in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, learning to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma has taught me the value of a sincere heart. Therefore, I now truly uphold a sincere heart, wishing to save myself and also save immeasurable and boundless beings. I dare not have too many of my own ideas, because I know that in the past, it was precisely because I had too many thoughts, personal views, and attachments that I attracted many karmic creditors to seek revenge against me; these things are all true. I have learned a lot here, and I know that only by sincerely following the Buddha’s teachings, without having my own subjective ideas, can I truly learn the essence of the Buddha’s teachings.

If one can be like Practitioner Su, chant one Buddha's name to the end, and honestly spend one's whole life acting for others rather than for oneself, only then can one truly learn the spirit of the Buddha’s teachings. This is why Buddhist education is so important.

Today, Practitioner Su also asked us: "Should we use Buddhist education to help the children in Taiwan regarding their education?" These questions are truly vital. I fully agree with everything Practitioner Su said; without Buddhist education as a foundation, children will step by step deviate from the universal principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. No matter how successful one’s life or career may be, if one has not received Buddhist education, one will still continue to revolve in the six realms of rebirth, which is a great pity.

In the Western Land of Dharma Nature, there are too many people like me; we all come from hell, each with a different life story. But what we have in common is that we all lacked education and did not know what should and should not be done in life, which is why we suffered such retribution.

Therefore, the next generation of children in Taiwan must have Buddhist education as a foundation so that they will not follow our old path. Furthermore, what breaks my heart is that although the children in Taiwan today are still relatively innocent when young, many become addicted after being tainted by the great dyeing vat of the internet world, blinded by layers of pollution.

Looking at the children in Taiwan today, their eyes are very different from those of children in the past; they have more personal calculations in their minds, and their hearts are more selfish than those of children before. This is also because of excessive material satisfaction and the development of the internet world, which gives them the opportunity to encounter a new world. However, because there is no Buddhist education to guide and correct everything they see, they easily absorb all the unwholesome things in the world and take them for granted.

These things are often unknown to parents because the generation gap between parents and children prevents them from understanding what their children are exploring in the internet world, which leads the children step by step towards the abyss.

I am also very heartbroken by this situation. I hope that Buddhist education can be used to guide the children, so that these young minds do not accept any pollution from the internet world from an early age, but instead focus wholeheartedly on learning the Buddha’s teachings and purifying themselves. From a young age, they should learn everything in the Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra), learn to chant Buddha's name, and perform prostrations, without having too many distracting thoughts and delusions.

Only children who grow up in such an environment can possibly inherit the mantle of Practitioner Su’s awakened being achievement and not walk the old path of reincarnation again.

I, Zhuang Jixiong, hope that this good news can be conveyed to all the employees and directors of my company as soon as possible, so that everyone knows about this. I am now speaking to everyone here, hoping that you will all join in supporting this very meaningful endeavour that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is undertaking.

I hope that everyone can contribute money if you have money, or contribute effort if you have strength; do not be stingy with what you have. For the sake of the education of Taiwan’s children, please do your best to protect this good cause together.

Finally, I once again sincerely express my gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Gratitude for the Buddha’s compassion, gratitude to Namo Amituofo, and gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Zhuang Jixiong