Reflections of Lee Kuan Yew in the Western Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, 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 experiences as a new arrival in the Pure Land. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on August 1, 2017.

Lee Kuan Yew speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Greetings to everyone. I am Lee Kuan Yew. At this moment, I feel much like an author in the human world, recording what I have observed, learned, and heard. Here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I am a new student—just enrolled. Everything is fresh, surprising, and filled with the inconceivable. I am like an eager student, looking everywhere, touching everything, and exploring every corner. My eyes never tire of the sights; there are so many different landscapes that it is truly overwhelming. There are all kinds of palaces and houses—some resemble ancient imperial palaces, while others are like small cottages in the fields. There are modern international metropolises, rustic wooden cabins, Japanese-style tatami rooms, hot spring inns, business suites, and small, exquisite hotels. Some people live in groups, while others live alone. There are even garden villas like those in the foreign DuPont country. Every residence is bright, clean, and orderly, even though there are no street addresses or house numbers. Some people even live in treehouses!"

A World of Thought-Manifestation

"My ears never tire of the sounds, either. There is a symphony of birdsong here that cannot be compared to any collection of rare birds in a human zoo. Suddenly, I heard the sound of flowing water, yet I could not see a river. Why was there the sound of water? It turned out that I had just thought to myself: 'Such beautiful scenery should be accompanied by a small bridge and flowing water.' Immediately, the sound of gurgling water appeared! It is truly as they say here: one's wishes are fulfilled instantly—it is the manifestation of the heart! Before long, I actually saw the water, and the sound was a thousand times more beautiful than what I had imagined. It was even accompanied by the gentle sound of a breeze blowing through the trees. It was absolutely magnificent!

The air is filled with a faint, fresh, and rich fragrance of flowers. Everywhere I look, there are flowers of different scents, colours, and sizes blooming across the ground. My nose is kept quite busy smelling all these different aromas. My legs never feel tired, no matter how much I walk or explore. Let me tell you, I have been searching and exploring as if I were circling the entire globe. There are no snack bars or night markets here, but if I want to eat something, it appears right before my eyes the moment I think of it. I do not have to endure the hunger of waiting for a meal to be cooked or served. Moreover, there are flavours from every nation. Sometimes, when I crave exotic food, it appears instantly, and the seasoning is exactly as I imagined it would be. It is truly an inconceivable world!"

The Cinema of the Soul

"If I wish to see my family in the human world, there is a place here that resembles a cinema. When you enter, you see countless screens playing different scenes. If you look closely, each film shows different content. Beside the screen, there is something like a keyboard; you can input what you want to see by typing, or simply by using your mind, and it will naturally present the content you desire. Here, there is no need for spoken language; we communicate through the heart and mind. It seems that once you arrive, you naturally understand how things work—no one needs to teach you; you just know.

I wanted to see the current situation in the human world, and the screen immediately displayed the image of the Earth. I wanted to see the latest developments in Singapore, and as soon as I thought of it, the screen naturally shifted to show the bustling streets of Singapore, filled with people and traffic. It was absolutely incredible! I never expected such a world to exist! I felt my own sense of calm being stirred by the wonder of it all. This is truly an inconceivable world, and this is where I reside now. This great environment of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss cannot be bought with any amount of worldly wealth. It is an international community where people from different countries, languages, and skin colours live together, understanding each other's intentions without saying a single word."

Gratitude and the Path to Deliverance

"This brings me back to Practitioner Su. Without Practitioner Su, I would not be here today to report to you all about the conditions of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. What kind of power allows Namo Amituofo to build such a beautiful world? Perhaps it is more appropriate to call it a 'Dignified World of the Heart,' where everything one thinks of comes to fruition! There is no shortage of housing, clothing, or food. Whatever you want to eat or wear, it is there the moment you think of it. There is no suffering, only joy. This means that the people here do not have to endure the suffering of the cycle of rebirth. There are so many inconceivable things here. It is no wonder that many religious figures advise people to make vows and chant Namo Amituofo to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. This matter of 'immigration' to the Pure Land is something you, while you still possess a human body, must grasp firmly!

My son, Hsien Loong, you can see the life your father is living now. No holiday resort in the human world can compare to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Come here for a visit! Go to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and you will be able to find your father in the West. I am waiting for you."

Written by Lee Kuan Yew. The message was recorded by the Buddhist disciple, Venerable HaiZe. Namo Amituofo.