The Buddha's Enterprise
An Interview with Chang Yung-fa, Founder of the Evergreen Group
Recorded on August 7, 2018
This interview features Chang Yung-fa, the founder of the Evergreen Group. After seeking deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia, he now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account, recorded on August 7, 2018, captures his reflections on business leadership and the ultimate investment in the Buddha's work. It was documented by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.
Chang Yung-fa speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Chang Yung-fa. If a person is constantly 'twisting and turning'—always calculating, always hesitant, always looking for angles—they become incredibly difficult to work with. This is an immutable truth, applicable in every corner of the world. No one enjoys dealing with someone who is indecisive, someone who is constantly shifting their stance or who cannot commit to a clear direction. Throughout my life, when I set my sights on a goal, I pursued it with unwavering focus. I moved straight ahead. This kind of boldness is a fundamental skill that anyone aiming to achieve great things must possess."
The Paralysis of Hesitation
"If you are constantly looking over your shoulder, worrying about this detail or that outcome, you will find yourself bound hand and foot. You become paralysed, unable to move. In such a state, there are only two paths forward. One is to continue in this state of self-destruction, forcing yourself to proceed while being torn apart by your own indecision. You end up unrecognisable, suffering immensely, and the work itself is never done well. If a person has experienced this once and allows it to happen a second time, that is truly what one would call foolish or dim-witted. Not only will no one sympathise with you, but people will look at you and say, 'How could anyone be so dense?' The other path is to abandon that way of thinking entirely and choose a different route. That is far more likely to lead you to a new lease on life.
In truth, the fundamental method for success is to put in the work within your own heart. The heart truly governs everything. Whether things are good or bad, whether you are progressing or regressing, you are the one who knows best. Whether you decide to pull yourself together and move forward or simply give up, it all happens in a split second."
Navigating the Crisis
"If others do not see the potential in a project, but you do, then you must follow your own conviction. Do not look left and right, worrying about what others think. When you encounter a difficulty, handle it in that very moment. Do not waste energy thinking about the rest; just continue to do the work. Often, it is precisely in those moments of crisis that a turning point appears. That is how you achieve success! However, you must do it with , with a heart that is truly willing. Otherwise, even if you get what you want, the negative thoughts of 'this will not work' will lead you into one dead end after another. Eventually, you will tell yourself to give up, and all the effort you put in beforehand will have been for nothing. It all comes down to one word: confidence. Do we really think we have more foresight than Namo Amituofo? Furthermore, we are all in this together, sharing the same boat. We have already overcome so many trials. As long as you still have attachments and worries within yourself, you will never be able to let go and do the work properly."
The Ultimate Investment
"Having said that, even if you were to step away from this environment, you could always turn back at any time. There is no one you cannot meet, and there is no task you cannot accomplish. It all depends on whether you are willing to do it, whether you are willing to meet. A temporary rest is fine, but you cannot rest for too long. The environment changes, events change, and people change. Everything is arising and ceasing. We are all living and working within an illusory world of false appearances. If you choose to engage in work that benefits the majority and all sentient beings, the return on that investment is priceless. Not to mention, this is the enterprise of Namo Amituofo—the business of the entire universe. The return on this investment is to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is truly worth the investment! This is far more valuable than any high-risk, high-reward investment in the human world. Do not be afraid to turn back; be afraid only that you will not turn back, for that is where you lose the greatest benefit of all."
"Namo Amituofo."
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library