This interview was recorded on September 3, 2018. The spirit of the late Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. He now resides in the spiritual realm and shares his profound reflections on the nature of attachment and the vital importance of spiritual cultivation.
Lee Kuan Yew speaks:
". I am Lee Kuan Yew. From my current vantage point, I can see clearly how the entire world is preoccupied with the maintenance and glorification of this physical body. Everyone is deeply caught in the trap of attachment to this vessel—inside and out, from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet. There is always some part of that people are obsessed with. Consider the hair on one's head: there are endless varieties of barbershops, hair transplants, styling services, and hair care treatments. Then there are the eyes, the eyebrows, the eyelashes, the face, the lips, the teeth, the ears, the shoulders, the neck, skin care, fitness training, manicures, and pedicures. Beyond that, there is the entire medical industry—internal medicine, surgery, and a vast array of specialized clinics, not to mention mental health services and psychological counseling.
The Futility of Worldly Preoccupation
Think about it—have you ever stopped to consider how much of your life is spent solely on the maintenance of your own body? We spend our entire lives working to provide for three meals a day, for clothing, for housing, for transportation, for education, and for entertainment. We are constantly pouring resources into these worldly pursuits. But how precious is this life, really? If all we do is spend our time and energy on these fleeting things, what happens when the human body is gone? When this flesh decays, what is left of you? What can you truly take with you?
The pursuit and elevation of one's spirit should be the only thing that matters, the most important task of all. What is truly real? Everyone should strive to understand this point more clearly. Some people spend their entire lives building a family and a career, yet these pursuits remain rooted in illusion. Even when we have children and want the best for them, if we do not pursue the ultimate Truth, then neither we nor our children will ever escape the cycle of living solely for the sake of the body. Investing in the body only serves us for this one lifetime, but investing in the spirit cultivates a refined awareness that we can carry forward beyond death.
A Father's Regret and a Plea for Clarity
In my past life, I was just as foolish. I pursued these ignorant desires and directed all my efforts toward this physical form. But after death, not a single thing remained. Instead, I found that because of the I created—or through improper means of acquisition—I had only added to the heavy burden of my own confusion. Only now do I realize the magnitude of my past mistakes and the errors in my pursuit of power. I should not have lived in that state of ignorance. Now that I see everything clearly, I desperately want to tell everyone the truth. I hope my children can wake up to this reality.
Hsien Loong is a man of exceptional talent, but if he could see through these worldly illusions now, he would be able to live this life without regrets. I do not want Hsien Loong to wait until he is in my position to feel the weight of regret. Life only happens once. If you spend your entire existence focused only on this physical body, it is truly the greatest tragedy. You must wake up. As your father, I only want you to live a better life. Hsien Loong, you have been the pride of my life, and now, as a father, I am using all my strength to hope that I can teach you to see your true self once more.
A Final Message of Gratitude
I am deeply grateful for the positive energy that exists here. It is only because of this place, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, that I am able to speak these words. You must come here to find me, Hsien Loong. Father will be waiting for you.
Namo Amituofo."
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