No Regrets in the Heart

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chang Yung-fa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life and his observations from the spirit realm. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on September 27, 2019.

Chang Yung-fa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have always been a man of great seriousness and discipline. Anyone who has had the privilege of working alongside me would know that I, Chang Yung-fa, never did anything by halves. I insisted on a clear beginning and a definitive end to every endeavour. Even when it came to my philanthropic work, I demanded the highest standard of service. It was not merely about giving; it was about ensuring that the help provided was the best possible support for those in need.

Looking back at my life, I never truly anticipated accumulating such vast wealth. Perhaps it was the result of blessings cultivated in past lives. From the moment I entered the workforce as a young man, I worked with absolute sincerity. I was hungry to learn everything, and I was brave enough to attempt anything. I understood then that one must take that first step to have any chance at success. My philosophy regarding wealth has always been clear: money must be directed toward the right channels. If I had simply hoarded my earnings in my own pockets, that wealth would have been stagnant and useless. Therefore, my guiding principle has always been Generosity and the pursuit of good deeds. I wanted to return my success to society, and I believe those who worked closely with me understood this well. I established my foundation specifically to harness the power of helping others, to support vulnerable families and those in desperate need. I was more than willing to invest significant capital into these charitable causes; to me, that was far more meaningful than any personal luxury I could have purchased for myself."

The Frustration of Legacy and Attachment

"I have always hoped that the Evergreen Group would remain intrinsically linked to charitable work, and that remains my hope today. However, when I witnessed my own children failing to manage these charitable endeavours with the same dedication and heart that I had poured into them, I felt a profound sense of anger. When Practitioner Su first sent me back to the world of the living, I desperately hoped that I could use my influence to guide my children, but my efforts yielded little result.

It is truly astonishing how a human body functions. A person's thoughts and concepts are not only influenced by the various sentient beings surrounding them, but their own rigid attachment makes their minds incredibly stubborn and resistant to change. It is an immense challenge to inject the concept of Goodness into a person's mind, especially when their evil thought or selfish desires overpower everything else. In such cases, the power of Goodness has a very limited effect."

The Illusion of the World and the Weight of Karma

"There is not a single person in this world who is not selfish. It is the absolute truth, because no one is truly capable of letting go of this world. As long as one cannot let go, selfish thoughts will inevitably persist, simply because one is still clinging to the physical human body. Living in this world, this human body can be a tool of great utility, or it can be rendered entirely useless. I often felt a deep sense of sorrow whenever I saw homeless people begging on the streets. Many of them were physically capable individuals who could have contributed so much to society, yet they allowed themselves to become outcasts.

I once attempted to help them, but I discovered that their willingness to change was incredibly low—some even had no desire to change at all. While a life of wandering seems miserable to us, to them, it felt like a form of freedom. They would sleep in parking lots, spaces meant for vehicles, and I would look at them and wonder: these people once lived normal lives, so why have they allowed themselves to fall into such a state? I wanted to help, but they did not see anything wrong with their situation, nor did they believe they needed assistance. Now that I am a spirit, when I look at them clearly, I realise that many of them are filled with sentient beings attached to their bodies. In many cases, they are no longer acting as themselves. They have lost the ability to govern their own lives. The laws of karma and cause and effect in this world are truly something one must be cautious of. The more clearly I see, the more I realise how terrifying these laws are."

Faith in the Dharma and Gratitude

"The Buddha’s teachings can dismantle the mysteries of the universe and dissect the human body with perfect clarity, yet how many people truly believe? Although I have not yet achieved a great result, my faith in the Buddha’s teachings has remained constant; it has never wavered. I understand the vital importance of the Buddha’s teachings for all people, because every single day, I witness the suffering of the world through the people I encounter. I did not see it so clearly before, but now, it is as if the suffering of humanity is being performed before my eyes every day. Just by looking at my own children, I understand how much people in this world suffer.

I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for sending me back to the world. Had I not truly experienced this life again, I would never have grasped the depth of human suffering so profoundly. Now, I can make even greater vows and strive more diligently to do what I must. Regardless of the outcome, I must act in a way that leaves me with no regrets in my heart. Every day, as I watch Practitioner Su working tirelessly for the sake of all beings, I constantly remind myself to emulate that spirit—to never give up. I am grateful for the blessings that allow me to continue learning, and I will continue to strive with all my might.

Namo Amituofo."

This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing.