The Education of the Heart

Jeffrey Koo Jr. sought spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview was recorded on February 24, 2018, by the chief writer, Shi Faxi.

Jeffrey Koo Jr. speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Jeffrey Koo Jr. When fame and profit manifest before us, it is not everyone who can maintain their composure. Sometimes, even the slightest deviation from the right path is enough to send one spiralling into the darkness. It is a subtle, creeping process that many fail to notice until it is too late.

The Slippery Slope of Greed

We find ourselves constantly forgiving our own transgressions, justifying our actions time and time again, until we are standing at the edge of a deep, dark valley from which there is no return. To speak plainly, this is because the root of greed has not been severed. Even for those who have entered the monastic life, it is not always easy to cut this attachment cleanly. It is a heavy burden that weighs upon the soul, pulling us further away from our original nature.

Religion as a Mere Consolation

Today, the Buddha’s teachings have often devolved into a mere ritual of worship or the act of donating incense money in exchange for a sense of safety. Yet, this does not truly change one's destiny. In truth, destiny is born from the human heart. It seems that we no longer have a genuine education of the heart—a system that teaches us how to look inward and cultivate the mind. This leaves humanity in a state of confusion. Where is the line between righteousness and evil? People seem unclear, and the moral compass of society has become fractured.

A Call for True Transformation

While religions generally encourage people to be good, their reach is limited. Most people treat religion merely as a form of psychological consolation, a way to soothe their anxieties without ever addressing the root cause of their suffering. This is why the education of the heart is something I now value above all else. It is the only way to truly transform the human condition. Once all conditions are harmonised, I will certainly do my utmost to support this cause. Namo Amituofo."