The Bitter Fruit of Selfishness: A Master's Confession

This is a record of an interview with Zeng Shiqiang, a renowned I Ching master, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his life and the spiritual consequences of his actions. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fatong, on January 26, 2026.

Zeng Shiqiang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am the I Ching master, Zeng Shiqiang. My spirit currently resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, where I listen to the Dharma teachings delivered by Practitioner Su. If it were not for the compassionate rescue and deliverance provided by Practitioner Su, I fear I would still be suffering the consequences of my actions in the hells, with no hope of ever finding a way out.

I am filled with immense gratitude for the assistance of Brother Huang Zhisheng, who pointed the way and helped me connect with the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Practitioner Su is an exceptionally gifted practitioner. Her ability to help wandering spirits escape their confined spaces is truly miraculous. It was her intervention that saved me from the agonising suffering of the hells, and I am still in awe of her capabilities. In this world, such power belongs only to the Buddhas. As Practitioner Su saved me, she also opened my eyes to the truth. In less than an instant, I was liberated from that dark, suffocating prison and brought to this bright, radiant realm—the Western Land of Dharma Nature at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—where I have finally found a moment to breathe."

The Bitter Fruit of Selfishness

"While I was in the hells, I was consumed by absolute terror. It was only then that I truly understood that I had not been walking the righteous path. I had failed to uphold the universal principles of the Truth, which is why, upon my death, I did not immediately attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. When I look back now at how I went astray, I realise it was because I was intoxicated by fame and fortune. I was obsessed with the prestige and wealth that my status brought me. Because of my reputation, a few casual words from me could convince millions of people. I lived comfortably, never giving a second thought to the life or death of my followers. And they, in turn, revered my words as if they were the absolute Truth!

Many of the people in mainland China who followed me were hardworking individuals who had not had the opportunity for much formal education. They easily found direction for their lives in my books on the I Ching, believing that they had discovered the secret to managing their affairs and achieving success. However, they did not truly understand the path to liberation from the cycle of rebirth. They became deeply entrenched in the belief that studying the I Ching was the only way to reach a prosperous future. Consequently, they felt that studying the Buddha’s teachings was unimportant and that following the Precepts of the Buddha’s gate was simply too troublesome."

A Puppet of the Ancient Demons

"I taught them that by mastering the I Ching and understanding feng shui, they could excel in their careers, find success in love, and even alter the karma inherited from their ancestors. My rhetoric captivated them completely. I attracted countless people to study the I Ching and apply it to their daily lives. I promoted the I Ching until it was as prominent as the midday sun, and I felt invincible! I wanted everyone to know that I was the great I Ching master, and I thrived on their adoration. Little did I know that I had already connected myself to the hells. While the whole world was busy studying the I Ching, they were forgetting that studying the Buddha’s teachings is the true foundation of existence.

I was even smugly proud of my legacy, believing that the entire world was filled with my students, all of whom knew at least a little bit of the I Ching. Speaking of this now, I am ashamed of the arrogance I harboured! I even posted on social media, predicting which of the major powers would rise to dominance. I spoke with the air of a divine being, claiming these were natural laws. Such claims made people believe in me as if I were a god.

I, Zeng Shiqiang, had long since become a puppet of the demons. My thoughts were no longer my own. Because my rhetoric could influence the entire population of China—and even reach beyond its borders—I was used to incite those who thrive on chaos and to create division. I was no longer in control. The demons used the I Ching to manipulate humanity, while the ancient demon leaders distributed their demon children and grandchildren to infiltrate human bodies, ensuring that this cycle of evil continued. I desperately wanted to stop these terrible things from happening, but I was no longer myself; I was powerless to turn the tide."

The True Path of Universal Principles

"Every word I spoke and every action I took was no longer my own. I was locked in the grip of the ancient demons of the internet. I struggled in vain, for the true essence of the I Ching is not what I was projecting. It was originally meant to respect the universal principles, but it had been hijacked and exploited by the demon leaders. I wept in the spiritual space of my heart, but the ancient demons only mocked me, claiming that it was my own heavy attachment to gain and loss that had summoned them to control my body, speech, and mind.

Because I was a prominent figure in the human world, I carefully selected my invitations. I focused on influential corporate lectures, potential development seminars in universities, and small business briefings—all of which were specifically designated by the demon crowds. To the outside world, I seemed no different, but in reality, I had turned the I Ching into a substitute for the universal principles. I used hexagrams as the standard for everything: from the colour of the clothes I wore to the orientation of the houses I bought, and even for the decisions of nations. It was all part of the demons' plan.

I, Zeng Shiqiang, never imagined that I was being played like a toy in the hands of the ancient demons, making me a sinner against the people of China. I led people into excessive superstition and caused them to abandon the true universal principles. This should have been a path of natural development, where everyone lived in accordance with the rules of righteousness."

A Final Plea to My Students

"The suppression of the Buddha’s teachings in China was also the work of the ancient demons. The Buddha’s teachings should be like a flowing stream—gentle, persistent, and nourishing the human heart, making everyone pure and good. When one is pure, no demon can disturb them, and one’s good thoughts will be in sync with the Dharma protectors. That is the true universal principle!

The Buddha’s teachings should not be stifled. Even if the I Ching is the wisdom of our ancestors, it must be understood within the framework of universal principles to truly benefit sentient beings, rather than being used to create chaos. It should be a tool to save people. My heart aches, and I sincerely wish for the Buddha’s teachings to be passed on to correct the mistaken views and thoughts of the people.

There are so many temples in China. The True Teachings should be spread, and the Buddha’s teachings should be the medicine to save the world, not the demon path that currently leaves the people of China living in such suffering. 'Chant Namo Amituofo all the way' can extinguish deluded thoughts. If everyone can be nurtured by the Buddha’s teachings, they will no longer be selfish, and the three poisons of greed, anger, and delusion will be eradicated. Everyone can wake up and become the master of their own destiny.

In the past, I lost the greater good for the sake of the lesser. I was always hoping for great achievements, and in the competition, evil thoughts were inevitable. My greed and my sense of justice were in a tug-of-war within my heart, but I lost to my attachment to gain and loss. I was quickly targeted by demons, and in the end, I lost everything. Even after death, I had to pay the price for the demon crowds; it was truly unbearable! The Law of Cause and Effect is irreversible.

Now, I spend every second chanting Namo Amituofo in repentance, striving to atone for my past sins. It is the compassionate Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su who have helped me. To those Chinese people who believed in me, I owe you a debt. Please read my confession. You, too, can save yourselves. Diligently perform prostrations to the Buddha, hold fast to Namo Amituofo, and please, I beg you, walk out of superstition. Do not let the I Ching be your master; everyone can find the Buddha nature within themselves.

Finally, I must express my gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for allowing me to reveal the reasons for my control, thereby helping to lighten my karmic retribution. My students are everywhere; I hope this can be promoted through e-books so that everyone has the chance to find themselves again. I sincerely counsel everyone to chant 'Namo Amituofo' more often.

Zeng Shiqiang bows in gratitude.

Namo Amituofo."