The Dream of a Peaceful Village

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He reflects upon his life, his political legacy, and his newfound perspective on the nature of existence. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on June 8, 2018.

Lee Kuan Yew speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Lee Kuan Yew. There is a winding, narrow path that I often recall. After turning a corner, it opens up into a serene and harmonious village. This scene once appeared in my dreams. Now, I realise that this profound sense of peace was exactly what I had been longing for in my heart all along. I simply wanted a life of basic sustenance and comfort, without the burden of excessive, complicated desires.

When I open my eyes, I find myself still dressed in a crisp, sharp suit—the very style I wore in my younger years. I see myself back in those endless, intense government meetings. Everyone spoke with such ferocity; one had to remain incredibly calm and composed to handle the pressure of it all. Amidst those heated debates and verbal battles, I held onto one singular goal: to do what was best for Singapore. I would use any method necessary to achieve that end.

The Burden of Governance and the Vision of Peace

Only now do I truly understand that what I should have brought to the people was a life of greater harmony, much like the peaceful village from my own dreams. While the Buddha’s teachings have taken root in Singapore, I did not have the opportunity to use my authority and policies at the time to fully promote and propagate them. I look back and see how many spirits still linger in the shadows of the prisons I oversaw, trapped by the weight of their pasts.

During this time, I have been observing the work of Practitioner Su as she performs Chao Du. It has been an eye-opening experience. I realise now that my mind-capacity should have been directed toward something far greater and more expansive. I should not have been concerned solely with the prosperity of Singapore. The beings I truly needed to help were not just those within my borders, but those throughout the entire universe.

Expanding the Mind-Capacity

It is a humbling realisation to see that the scope of one's duty extends far beyond the political realm. To truly serve, one must look toward the infinite. I am grateful for this opportunity to reflect and to see the path toward a greater, more universal compassion. Namo Amituofo."