This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chang Yung-fa, the founder of the Evergreen Group, who sought to be saved at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now reflects upon the true nature of his life and the illusions he once held dear. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 11, 2019.
Chang Yung-fa speaks:
". I am Chang Yung-fa. When one lives without a clear goal or a true direction, it is exactly like steering a ship across a vast, churning ocean without a compass. You are utterly lost. And what is the result of such a journey? It is nothing but a state of profound confusion—a 'foggy' existence. You wander through the human world, never once questioning the purpose of your arrival here. Instead, you allow yourself to be driven by the base desires of the physical body, constantly chasing after the deceptive promises of this world. Love, family ties, wealth, and fame—they are all illusions. They are nothing but elaborate scams! If I had not already lost this physical body, I would never have realised that my entire life was truly just a grand deception."
The Illusion of the Treasure Island
"There is a story often whispered among those lost at sea: they say that on the other side of the ocean, there lies a beautiful treasure island. They claim that once you reach those shores, you can obtain anything your heart desires. Upon hearing this 'good news,' everyone becomes desperate. They scramble to jump into the sea, frantically trying to swim to the other side to claim their prize. Most of these people do not even know how to swim; the moment they leap into the water, they are immediately swallowed by the depths of the ocean. They perish in an instant, their lives extinguished by their own greed.
"Among them, there are a few who possess the skill to swim. Relying on their own strength and technique, they push forward, determined to reach that promised land. Yet, they do not even make it a fraction of the way across the vast expanse before their physical strength is completely exhausted. They drown, their bodies sinking into the dark abyss. Then, there is a third group—the 'clever' ones. They row boat after boat, heading toward the direction of the treasure island. These individuals are filled with immense confidence, convinced that they will surely obtain everything they have ever wanted. And indeed, they do reach the island. They scramble onto the shore, greedily gathering box after box of precious treasures, loading them onto their vessels until the decks are overflowing."
The Sinking Weight of Greed
"They become so obsessed with their haul that they ignore the reality of their situation. They do not notice that their ships are already beginning to sink under the immense weight of the gold and jewels. They continue to pile more and more onto the boats, until there is barely enough space left for them to stand. Only then, with great reluctance, do they finally let go of the treasures they cannot carry. But it is too late. The ships have become so heavy, so incredibly heavy, that they can barely move. The sky begins to change, darkening with the approach of a storm. If they had maintained their original speed, they could have easily returned to the shore before the gale hit. But now, burdened by their greed, their progress has slowed to a crawl.
"Before they can reach safety, they are caught in a violent, raging storm. A massive wave crashes down, instantly submerging the entire fleet. The treasures sink to the bottom of the sea, and all that remains are a few broken, splintered planks of wood drifting aimlessly on the surface. Not a single person manages to bring their treasures home; they all perish in the fury of the storm. Now, I ask you: which group do you belong to? I suspect that if I were to ask this question, no one would admit to being one of the people in this story. But I must tell you the truth: you are indeed one of them! Why? Because you cannot let go of this world. As long as you remain attached to even the smallest thing in this life—whether it is money, fame, or emotional bonds—you are a protagonist in this tragedy. In the end, you will meet the same fate, dying at sea, having obtained absolutely nothing of value."
A Father’s Perspective from Beyond
"Some people, even in their final moments, refuse to let go of these treasures. They clutch them tighter and tighter, never realising that the harder they hold on, the faster they sink. Once their breath leaves them, they lose everything. They end up with nothing. Oh, the people of this world! When the Buddha arrives to guide you, you must wake up! Do not continue to be so foolish, chasing after things that you cannot take with you. Whether you die at sea or on the shore, the outcome is equally miserable, for you have no idea where you will be reincarnated next.
"Having returned to this world, I can see life with absolute clarity. I look at my son, dragging this physical body through the motions of life, working himself to the bone for the sake of his wife and children. He does not realise that everything he is grasping so tightly will eventually leave him. None of it will belong to him in the end. All that will remain is his own spirit, departing into the void, empty and alone."
The Call to Return Home
"Practitioner Su is here in this world, acting on behalf of the Buddha to deliver lectures. Like a compassionate father, he calls out to us, urging us to return home. He dismantles the illusions of the human body and the world so clearly and thoroughly. Those who have the to hear these scriptures should strive to understand the false nature of this world. You must find the courage to escape from this vast, confusing ocean. Only then will you be the lucky one who is truly saved in this 'sea of life.'"
