The Diplomat's Journey from Hell to the Pure Land

This is a record of an interview with Cheng Chien-jen, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan and Representative to the United States. He sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life and his transition after death. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on May 30, 2026.

Cheng Chien-jen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Everything has changed so rapidly! I truly could never have imagined that the world after death would be so tumultuous and full of such dramatic shifts. To fall into the very depths of the abyss and then be brought to such a magnificent place—this is a reality of the afterlife that is simply beyond human comprehension. It turns out that the human spirit is eternal; it does not vanish just because the physical body ceases to exist. This is a truly wondrous thing. All these changes left me in a state of shock, but now, they fill me with immense relief and comfort.

Let me first introduce myself to everyone. I am Cheng Chien-jen, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan and the former Representative to the United States. My entire life was spent navigating the complex world of diplomacy. I lived every moment walking on thin ice, striving with all my might to secure even a fraction more international standing for Taiwan, that precious island, and to ensure it maintained positive relationships with other nations.

A Diplomat's Life and the Afterlife

This is but a brief summary of my life. If I were to go into detail, there would be so much to say. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I witnessed far too much. I saw every major event in the history of Taiwan's diplomacy unfold before my eyes. I lived for a very long time, serving as a key representative figure for the Kuomintang in its early days and eventually rising to become the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Looking back, that experience was incredibly rich and varied.

Now, residing in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I look back upon everything from the perspective of the spiritual realm, which is a truly unique experience. I am deeply grateful for this precious opportunity. I no longer have to suffer, and I have been brought to such a beautiful place. I sincerely offer my utmost gratitude and respect to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I never expected that the Buddha truly existed, and that every person has the potential to become a Buddha. It is incredible that someone like Practitioner Su can realise their true nature and attain Buddhahood while still in the human world, helping beings like us to leave suffering behind and gain happiness.

Do I sound different when I speak now? Perhaps there is a hint of Buddha-nature in my tone? Ha! This is only natural, so please do not be surprised.

The Terror of the Heart-Gouging Hell

I have been in the Western Dharma-Nature Land for about three days now. To be honest, even in these short three days, I have witnessed so much that I am filled with deep reflection. I want to reveal my true heart to everyone, and I hope you will come to know the true Buddha and understand what the Buddha can actually accomplish when He comes into this world. I believe this is something you will all find very interesting. My own miraculous experience must begin from the time I fell ill and eventually passed away.

In my later years, I was diagnosed with leukaemia, which was incredibly painful. Cancer is, by its very nature, a disease that tortures the heart and mind. I assumed that after death, all this suffering would end, that I would finally be liberated and no longer have to endure such agony. But I never expected that the world after death would be even more terrifying—a terror that is impossible for you to imagine. I, Cheng Chien-jen, truly went to hell to suffer retribution. It was a place called the Heart-Gouging Hell, and it was absolutely miserable.

As the name suggests, they literally gouged my heart out, causing me to die in excruciating pain. But this suffering did not stop there. I would quickly come back to life, only to repeat the same cycle of torment over and over again. I experienced this repeatedly for a period of time. If I calculate it correctly, it has been about nine months since I left the human world. Although I am very fortunate compared to many others who have been suffering in hell for years, those nine months felt like every day was a year. It was so, so painful!

The Light of Deliverance

I originally did not want to tell my family about this, as I was worried it would cause them grief. But for the sake of the greater good, I must speak out. There is no need to worry about 'saving face' here, because this is simply the truth—the reality of the situation. By honestly telling everyone, I can also help dissolve my own karma and sins.

Ha! Now, my spiritual obstacles have actually been alleviated, thanks to the salvation of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. When I was undergoing those extreme tortures in hell, they shone a brilliant light upon me. I heard a voice calling out: 'Cheng Chien-jen, Cheng Chien-jen, rise!' I was shocked. I knew this was undoubtedly a voice of salvation, though I was not sure where it came from. It was so, so beautiful.

Looking back now, that moment was truly moving. I knew that this light was good, and I was desperate to leave hell and stop suffering. So, the moment I saw the light, I entered it without a single moment of hesitation, yearning for liberation. And just as I hoped, I was quickly brought to the Western Dharma-Nature Land.

The Reality of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

This place is truly magnificent. No one could ever imagine that there is such a Buddha-land right here in the human world, which is slightly different from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a spiritual world established by Practitioner Su, who attained Buddhahood by realising his true nature in the human world, and who was able to do so with the help of Namo Amituofo. It is located at the current Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Queensland, Australia.

Regarding Practitioner Su—do not be surprised—he is a Taiwanese man. It was because he attained the skill of realising his true nature while in Taiwan that he later travelled to Australia to establish this Buddha-land, which subsequently led to the birth of the Western Dharma-Nature Land.

We beings in the spiritual realms finally have a place to return to! Our blessings may not yet be sufficient for us to be reborn directly into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, but if we can properly purify ourselves here, study the Buddha’s teachings, and are willing to chant Namo Amituofo and have faith in the Buddha, we too have the possibility of being reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is not a privilege reserved only for me.

The Complexity of Diplomacy and the Roots of Karma

However, to truly have faith in the Buddha is not an easy thing to do, looking at the world today. Taiwan is already a precious island with so many people who believe in the Buddha’s teachings, but the teachings most people learn are not the truly ultimate and perfect path. This is because, even in a country with a majority of Buddhists, the teachings provided by major temples often only help people become 'good people' and reduce their psychological stress and afflictions. But the ability to truly transcend the spiritual realm, elevate one's spirit, and be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—these are things that most people do not realise are actually achievable.

Even if people believe they can chant the Buddha's name to seek rebirth in the West, how many people throughout history have truly been able to chant one Buddha's name to the end and be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? It seems extremely difficult. Even the renowned Venerable Master Chin Kung, who chanted the Buddha's name his entire life and gave lectures for sixty years, could not achieve this. How much more difficult is it for us ordinary people, who still carry a lifetime of personality traits and habits?

This has never been a simple matter, but now that a Buddha is residing in the world, it has suddenly become feasible, which is truly extraordinary. If everyone in the world could draw close to the Buddha’s teachings and study them, that would be the best thing imaginable.

Having said all this, I feel I have not yet truly told you why I ended up in hell in the first place! As I mentioned earlier, I spent my entire life running about in the world of diplomacy.

Ever since I graduated from the Department of Diplomacy and later went to the United Kingdom and the United States for further studies, I had always set this as my goal. I knew deeply that for a small place like Taiwan to stand on its own, it had to build its own diplomatic system and maintain good relationships with other countries. All of this required laying a very deep foundation.

As someone with a keen interest in diplomatic research, I was very happy to work in this industry, and I was full of enthusiasm for learning new languages. Therefore, I spent my life cultivating this field, and most of the people I knew were high-ranking officials from various countries. This includes the long period I spent in the United States, travelling back and forth while serving as the Representative to the US, which is something everyone is familiar with. I can say that I understood American politics and its bureaucratic culture very well.

For example, I had very deep exchanges and cooperative relationships with many Washington officials at the time. But to be honest, in the process of conducting these exchanges and negotiations, I often harboured many improper thoughts. What do I mean by this? In truth, the world of diplomacy is extremely complex. I was often adept at navigating between people, knowing how to read their expressions and how to respond in a way that followed their lead. All of this had to be built upon extremely meticulous thinking and very sharp judgement and observation skills.

Everything I did was in the hope of gaining greater trust from the other side for Taiwan, and to secure more political benefits and advantages for us. The results of all this were actually built upon my good interpersonal relationships and extensive network. I could move among people, maintain good relations with all parties, and avoid being met with cold shoulders or unequal treatment from other countries.

I was always pondering how to do these things better. However, such a heart had long ago planted the seeds of hell. Such meticulous thinking, where everything thought and planned was for oneself and one's own country, was, in the end, selfish and full of schemes.

This is a truly terrifying thing. When my heart was not sincere, it meant I could not achieve 'unity of heart and action,' where what I thought was different from what I expressed. Therefore, when most people met me, I would wear different masks for different people, hoping to gain their good impressions and praise, thereby raising Taiwan's status internationally.

I knew deeply that once I stepped onto the international stage as a diplomat or Minister of Foreign Affairs, I represented Taiwan, this emerging small nation. Perhaps the international community could not recognise Taiwan as a country, but in my heart, I truly believed it was one. Even if Taiwan was viewed as a region, I would do everything in my power to protect Taiwan's interests internationally.

Regarding the United States, we were the most cautious. Because the United States, as the 'big brother' of the international community, was the most trusted ally for Taiwan at the time—and perhaps it still is. But regardless, in order to gain the favour and recognition of American officials to continue maintaining Taiwan-US relations, we often had to rely on our own mouths."

Namo Amituofo.

"This mouth of mine—it had to be capable of stepping out into the world and uttering words that, on the surface, might not have seemed entirely righteous or aligned with the true path. How does that sound? It makes me sound like a lawyer, doesn't it?

When it all comes down to it, those of us in the diplomatic field rely not only on our extensive knowledge and experience but also on our public image and this very mouth. The more eloquently we speak, the more we gain the trust of leaders from major nations. Consequently, my heart was no longer pure. To gain more, to strive for more, I had to exert immense mental energy, keeping this impure heart functioning just to secure everything I desired in a world where good and evil are inextricably mixed.

The Pain of a Fading Nation

Watching Taiwan—the Republic of China—lose diplomatic ties with one small nation after another on the international stage was deeply painful for me. Yet, there was nothing I could do. This is, after all, a world governed by the interests of great powers.

However, I often harboured feelings of injustice and dissatisfaction, which meant that every negotiation or exchange I conducted was tainted by a selfish desire to protect myself and my country. If such a mindset continues, it gradually covers the heart in filth and plants the negative causes that lead to the hells. At the time, I did not understand these principles, but here in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I have learned so much. Practitioner Su’s lectures have made my heart far clearer and brighter, and only now do I realise that everything done solely for one's own benefit is something that should never be done.

The Hidden Cost of Fame

Throughout history, how many ministers and officials have there been? They were not necessarily bad people, yet they still ended up in the hells. This is actually due to the many deviations in their thoughts. Because their work involved the affairs of state and nation, the scope of their influence was vast. When a single deviant thought leads people onto a selfish or unrighteous path, that is precisely when we famous figures begin to suffer. Looking around, it is fair to say that the vast majority of famous people cannot escape the suffering of the hells!

Perhaps you are all surprised by what I am saying! Why do so many people end up in the hells? What kind of heart attracts such an outcome? As I said before, one must not have a heart of 'selfishness.' Often, because we lack Buddhist education, we unknowingly commit irrevocable sins and create regrets that can never be undone.

The Purity of the Buddha’s Heart

The reason I admire Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su so much now that I am in the Western Land of Dharma Nature is that when Buddhas and Bodhisattvas help the world, they do so with a heart of complete equality, selflessness, and compassion. Conversely, everything we do in the human world is often framed as being for the sake of helping others or the country, but it is mixed with too many complex, selfish, and self-serving motives. Unknowingly, we have already accumulated a great deal of sins.

The Buddha’s heart is the best reference for me to adjust myself now, because there is no heart more pure than the Buddha’s. It is a heart that truly walks according to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Such a heart is inherent in our true self; each of us originally possessed this heart, but after we were born, we were subjected to too much pollution from the world, and we awakened many of our past habits, thereby obscuring this original, true heart.

A Warning from Beyond

I have a very profound understanding of the Buddha and the Buddha’s teachings here. I truly could never have imagined that I would end up in the hells; it felt too distant and impossible for me. But it happened, and it has happened to so many others who, like me, were famous figures. It could be said that among us politicians, diplomats, or those in similar professions, it seems not one can escape the suffering of the hells. This is truly shocking. The Buddha’s teachings are based on true equality, which breaks down all discriminations between nations, so that one no longer stands in opposition to other countries for the sake of one's own.

When we do anything, even if it is for the good of our own country, if we have a heart of opposition, we are already unequal. The sins created by such a heart are immense. Furthermore, I often moved among major figures, always dealing with people with a calculating attitude. This is the tragedy of the adult world! Everyone is performing something that is not part of their true nature for the sake of their own interests. Although people thought I was upright and kind, the reality is that this world is inherently filled with too much complexity.

Therefore, I sincerely counsel my family: while you are still in the human world, you must grasp your heart and cultivate it well. If you do, you will not have the chance to fall into the three lower realms and suffer. If you can come to know the true Buddha’s teachings, that would be even better.

The Magnificent Hsiang Kuang

The Buddhist education taught at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia truly leads everyone toward leaving suffering and gaining happiness, and provides an opportunity to elevate one's spirituality. Such education is unique in the whole world. This is because only where a Buddha resides can one hear the Buddha’s words—the true education that comes directly from Namo Amituofo. This is a magnificent and rare blessing.

In the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, every single assembly provides us with personal teachings from the Buddha, as well as teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju. This experience of receiving the Buddha’s teachings heart-to-heart can only be achieved at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I encourage you all to try it: enter the seven characters '澳洲香光大佛寺' into a search engine to visit the temple’s official website. You will see tens of thousands of the Buddha’s teachings and interview transcripts. My own interview transcript, Cheng Chien-jen’s, will soon be published on the temple’s website for people all over the world to see.

This is a great honour! In a temple where a Buddha resides, I am still able to say a few words, and I must seize this opportunity to share my insights and reflections with everyone. I hope you can understand the profound realization I wish to express through my simple words. This is a very precious experience. I hope you all have the opportunity to study, understand, and put the Buddha’s education into practice in your daily lives. This is a truly rare and valuable thing.

A Call for Support

Although the scale of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in the human world is not yet large, I believe that with our active promotion, more people—especially corporations and famous figures—will come to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, help the temple promote its work, and strive to gain corporate support for the construction here.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre was built single-handedly by Practitioner Su, which is truly no easy feat. Although it currently relies on the donations of followers and the Chao Du Dharma assemblies to maintain operations, if it is to truly expand to help immeasurable and boundless beings of the human world to practice in peace, it certainly needs corporate assistance for construction.

I watch Practitioner Su living a very arduous life in Australia, busy from morning till night. Besides giving lectures, he also leads the Dharma assemblies. In such a busy life, he still has to find time to go out and purchase supplies for every part of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It is truly hard to imagine that this is something an eighty-three-year-old can do. In my view, only one who has realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood could have such physical strength and energy. If the world could know this, it would be for the best!

The Power of the Buddha’s Compassion

I believe the reputation of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has already begun to spread, as the temple has set up 'Namo Amituofo' billboards in many countries around the world. These billboards are exerting a tremendous effect; besides being able to lead beings from the spirit realms, they also serve to promote the teachings in the human world.

I wonder if friends in Taiwan have ever seen these billboards in major cities? On the highways of Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan, there are large Namo Amituofo billboards. When you pass by, please take note—do not underestimate them. Although they look similar to ordinary billboards, their utility is immense. Many spirits suffering in space can follow the light of the billboards directly to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to seek Spiritual Deliverance. Beings thus obtain the opportunity for deliverance and no longer need to wander aimlessly.

The Buddha’s compassion is manifested in all things, and the Buddha uses various 'skillful means' to save people. Saving beings from the spirit realms is the first time such a thing has happened in the human world. After seeing this, my heart is filled with Dharma joy. During my time in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, I have witnessed too many inconceivable things, so I wish to share this with everyone using my current identity, hoping that you will believe what I say.

Finally, I hope my family can come to know the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and help promote everything the temple does. The Venerables of the temple will also take the initiative to contact my family to tell them this good news, and I hope they will also be able to come.

Cheng Chien-jen"