The Illusion of Power and the Trap of Desire

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Koo Chen-fu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his transition into the light of the Buddha. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Ci, on August 9, 2019.

Koo Chen-fu speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have never experienced, never imagined, and never witnessed such a magnificent sight as this. The sky is filled with golden light and radiant clouds, accompanied by the resonant, clear sound of the Buddha-name echoing in my ears. Countless sentient beings are present—the elderly, middle-aged, youth, children, infant spirits, and all manner of creatures: chickens, ducks, geese, fish, cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and snakes. Every creature I could imagine, every being I have ever seen or heard of, is here.

Even more astonishing are the many deities I had never truly seen before—the Third Prince, Mazu, Guan Gong, Ji Gong, the Earth God and Earth Goddess, the Great Emperor of the North, Taishang Laojun, and the Wenchang Emperor. They are all dressed in ancient robes, constantly stepping forward through the air toward the source of the golden light. And this is only a small corner of what I have witnessed; there are many others in higher dimensions moving forward with even greater speed."

The Awakening of Dormant Spirits

"The scene suddenly shifts to a deep mountain range. I see the golden light piercing through the clouds, illuminating every corner of the mountains, even reaching beneath the stones. It awakens countless spirits who had been sleeping there for ages. Hearing the sound of the Buddha-name, their long-numbed senses are stirred back to life, just as I was awakened by the voice of Practitioner Su. It is as if a photograph has been brought to life; the power of the Buddha-name causes the frozen frame of time to begin moving once again.

Perhaps every sentient being enters this space for a different reason, but our situations are remarkably similar. When the space I was trapped in was finally opened, it felt like a paused film suddenly beginning to play again. My long-stagnant thoughts began to stir. Just a moment before, I was still mentally simulating business negotiations with others, searching for details or loopholes to exploit. I had no idea that, while holding such thoughts, a single lapse in focus had caused me to enter that frozen, static image. In that image, I was sitting in a chair, discussing matters with a blurred figure, and there I remained, trapped in that moment."

The Beast of Ambition

"If I look back carefully, I must have been forty-seven years old at the time. My career was developing rapidly; there were too many opportunities, too many affairs, and too many people to meet. I never stopped to rest for a single moment! My mind was filled with thoughts of expanding my influence—constantly increasing my impact on local affairs, the government, society, and the economy. In that era, which belonged to me, I could be said to have 'summoned the wind and the rain.' A single decision or judgment of mine would lead countless people to speculate endlessly. There was no one who did not know my name.

Because of this, my ambition grew ever larger. The beast in my mind, known as 'desire,' had long since lost control. It roared incessantly within my heart, devouring what little reason I had left. Many of my decisions and judgments gradually lost their original precision and objectivity, becoming increasingly tainted by selfishness and greed. If I had not been given the chance to observe my own emotions, thoughts, and mental notes so closely now, I would never have known how far I had fallen. By that time, I had lost all control. I was gradually targeted by my karmic creditors, and I lost a portion of my soul without even realising it. From then on, in my dreams, in reality, and within my physical body, these karmic creditors occupied more and more of my being. The retribution I suffered increased day by day."

The Secret of Karmic Creditors

"If not for this place allowing me to review all of this, I would have simply assumed that these things were 'fated.' Who would have known the secrets hidden within? Karmic creditors always use what you love most, what you desire most, and what you crave most to lure you into a trap from which you cannot escape. Without the Buddha's teachings to open the way, I believe the truth of all this would remain buried in the void forever.

It is only by making this public that people can understand: intense attachments, intense self-love, and intense 'I-want' thoughts will all cause one's spirit to fall into a cage of space from which there is no escape, leaving no chance for reincarnation. Any intelligent person should know how to choose! I only hope that those fortunate enough to see this message will take heed and tell others of the importance of truly learning the Buddha's teachings. Namo Amituofo."

Koo Chen-fu

Interview recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Fa Ci.