The Final Transition of a World Leader

This is a record of an interview with Jiang Zemin, former President of the People's Republic of China, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition approximately nine years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Fa Ning, on April 22, 2026.

Jiang Zemin speaks:

"Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, I, Jiang Zemin, offer my deepest prostrations and kowtows to both of you. I wish to express my profound gratitude for the years of guidance that have allowed me to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It has been nine years since I arrived here—a duration that feels neither long nor short, yet it has been sufficient to bring my heart and mind ever closer to the heart of the Buddha.

In the eyes of the world, the Jiang Zemin of the past was perhaps seen as a shrewd strategist, a lively and outgoing personality, or even someone who could bring laughter to others. I myself viewed that version of me as a man of many faces, capable of presenting different sides to different people, which made me appear approachable and trustworthy to those around me.

The Displacement of the True Self

I lived to the age of ninety-six, which sounds like a long life. However, the truth is that long before my physical body ceased to breathe, my true self had already migrated to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Unlike many in the human world who are unable to master their own spirits, my true self had already departed. For most people, their true self remains trapped within the body, locked away in some dark corner or confined to a hidden place. This is a reality I can honestly share with everyone; looking out at the world, I see that the vast majority of people are in this very situation.

I, however, was incredibly fortunate. Before I had even left the human world, my true self was indeed locked in the region of the heart, just like most others. But there was a moment, after I had passed the age of ninety, when I received a sudden shock, and my true self was unexpectedly kicked out. Suddenly, I was surrounded by a vast, impenetrable darkness. I could see absolutely nothing.

The Darkness of the Void

At that time, my spirit was lost in this ethereal, helpless space. I was terrified and in agony, not knowing where I would go next. Would I be dragged before the King of Hell for judgment? Everything was an unknown. I truly believed I had died, and that my spirit had been cast out because of it. But later, I discovered that my physical body had been instantly occupied by a multitude of immeasurable beings and demon crowds, who took control of it, allowing it to continue moving as if nothing had happened.

Who was I then? And whose body was that? It was a situation that left me utterly bewildered. I could vaguely see the image of my own body, while my spirit remained trapped in that dark, helpless void. I wept tears of a man, for the helplessness and pain I felt were beyond description. It was a suffering born of not knowing the direction forward, nor how long this state would persist. I was not undergoing physical torture, yet I was completely confined to a state of ignorance, loneliness, isolation, and unbearable longing.

The Call of the Buddha-Name

I had never imagined such a state could exist. When a person dies, is that not the end? Does a life of the spirit truly continue? Or could it be that I had somehow split into another being? It was all so incomprehensible. At the time, I had long since retired from my duties as the head of state, living a quiet life without burdens, simply hoping to enjoy my remaining years and perhaps see my health improve slightly. My body was not what it used to be, and a state of total exhaustion had persisted for some time, yet I remained mentally clear and capable of living independently. I did not require much assistance from others, so I never expected that I would die so soon. But as it turned out, that was not the case at all.

In reality, my body had been occupied by countless black, grey, and various other shadows. Only after arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss did I learn that these were beings and demon crowds. It was all so inconceivable! I had been 'repaired' by these demon crowds and beings following that initial shock, and subsequently cast out of my own body.

After wandering in that painful, dark space for some time, I suddenly felt the world brighten. A beam of light shone upon my entire being, and I heard someone calling out: 'Jiang Zemin, Jiang Zemin, come up!' I heard the rhythmic chanting of the Buddha-name in my ears: 'Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo.' Each syllable was neither fast nor slow, a harmonious and gentle sound that instantly brought peace to my heart. I stopped thinking of anything else and simply listened, my mind humming along with the chant, 'Namo Amituofo,' because it was truly the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.

A New Home in the Western Pure Land

Although I did not believe in the Buddha during my life—as a party member and a leader, I was certainly not a religious person—hearing this Buddha-name felt profoundly familiar. I knew this was the voice that could save me. The one who was saving me must be nearby, in that place of light. My thoughts shifted, and I decided, 'Very well, I wish to enter the light.' After I recited 'Namo Amituofo,' I truly entered that light and arrived directly at a place called the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

It was not only Namo Amituofo who guided me here, but also Practitioner Su, whom everyone now holds in such high regard. I was astonished. What was happening? Everything before me was brilliant and magnificent, a world far more beautiful than any heaven I could imagine. Although I had never been to heaven, when I felt the dignity, purity, and beauty of this Buddha-land, I knew it was the finest place in existence. Anyone who arrives here naturally develops a heart of reverence and longing, and one no longer feels any attachment to the scenery of the world. That was my very first thought.

I have seen many landscapes and visited many places in my life, but at that moment, I realised that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss was my true home. My home was not in Beijing, nor in Shanghai, nor in any place I had previously known; it was truly here, in this Buddha-land. I felt that I had become a believer in the Buddha, for the Buddha stood tall and majestic before my very eyes. Could I have any reason not to believe? There was none. I took a deep breath and immediately knelt to offer my prostrations. My movements were a bit clumsy at first, as I had rarely performed such acts of worship in my life, but the moment I encountered the Buddha, it was as if my past memories were restored, and I knew how to bow. I simply needed time to make my movements more fluid and comfortable.

There were many others who arrived with me, all of them with the faces of my fellow countrymen. I wondered, was the Buddha guiding many Chinese people here? Indeed, that was the case. I later learned that there was a person in the human world called Practitioner Su, who possessed the same capabilities as the Buddha. He could connect with the heart of Namo Amituofo and travel freely to and from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. While his physical body remained on Earth—sometimes in Taiwan, sometimes in Australia, travelling to various places—his spirit could move freely to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. He could see Namo Amituofo at any time, and even bring Namo Amituofo to save all of us suffering beings.

Practitioner Su has a very deep connection with China, and he often uses the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo to perform Chao Du across the country. Those with the right Buddhist affinity, when they see the Buddha-light, naturally enter it and arrive here. That is what I understood at the time. I was one of those fortunate children; I never expected that shortly after my true self was cast out, I would be brought directly into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Was it a coincidence? Or was it destiny? I did not dwell on it, nor did I dare to. Those days of painful darkness now felt as though they had passed in the blink of an eye. The reason that environment had felt like such a long, long time was simply because every second had been spent in agony.

When I first arrived in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I looked back at the human world and saw my own body still chatting with others. Yet, every word and action of that body was not of my own intent, and it mimicked me so perfectly—the tone of voice, the gestures, everything was identical. What was going on? I thought to myself, 'Very well, since I have arrived here, I shall let go of the past; I will understand it all in time.' The Buddha comforted me, encouraging me to focus on purifying myself, chanting the Buddha-name 'Namo Amituofo,' and listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma.

These were things I had never imagined doing during my decades as a head of state. It was truly miraculous! In the blink of an eye, I had changed my identity; in the blink of an eye, I had moved from extreme suffering to this incredibly happy and beautiful world. I felt immense gratitude. Although I was a bit overwhelmed, I knew clearly that this path was the right one. I began to sit down earnestly to listen to the Buddha expound the sutras, one after another. I have already purified myself significantly and have begun to find my meditative concentration. At first, I had only a superficial understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, or perhaps none at all. But after the Buddha explained the sutras to me clearly, time and again, I finally understood that the spiritual world exists, and that the Buddha is the being with the highest spirituality in that world, which is why He is called the Buddha."

Namo Amituofo.

What surprised me most was that in this endless cycle of reincarnation, although we change bodies and live different lives, our spirits are actually unborn and undying; they exist forever. Moreover, one day, we can also become a Buddha, just like the Buddha Himself. At that moment, I thought to myself, 'Wow, if there is such a wonderful thing as becoming a Buddha, does that mean I can be all-knowing and all-powerful, just like the Buddha?'

The Buddha nodded and said, 'Yes.'

Furthermore, everyone in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss possesses the same abilities and skills as the Buddha. I have experienced this here, and it is truly astonishing. These abilities allow one to be like the Buddha—possessing the heavenly eye, divine hearing, the ability to read minds, and the knowledge of past lives. One can come and go freely, and achieve a state of being all-knowing and all-powerful.

The Compassion of the Buddha

So, this is how compassionate the Buddha is. Upon arriving in the Buddha's Pure Land, the Buddha allows everyone to possess the same abilities to observe the four directions and hear from all sides, and to cultivate merit extensively here. This is truly a miraculous thing. The Buddha established the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss specifically to save these spirit realm beings who are wandering everywhere, helpless and alone.

Although I did not know at the time why I had come here or why my identity had undergone such a massive transformation, the Buddha advised me not to look back too much. He encouraged me to let go of my current identity, as well as my past identity as the President of the nation and Chairman of the Party; all of that was merely an illusion.

As I listened, I deeply realised that everything from the past—those glories, the ups and downs, and such a spectacular life—was truly false, because that body was no longer me. Moreover, that body was destined to be destroyed and to die; what right did I have to call myself Jiang Zemin? Is this spirit actually Jiang Zemin, or is it just a spirit that has been reincarnated throughout many lives? Does a spirit even have a name?

The Truth Behind the Identity

Because one can see one's many lives very clearly in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I deeply realised that I no longer hold the identity of Jiang Zemin. However, I still refer to myself as Jiang Zemin today because this is a story about the life of Jiang Zemin. To help the general public understand, I must shift back and put on this identity once more to tell everyone about my experiences. Otherwise, in the many years I have been here, I would have long since called myself 'Miaoyin' [Wonderful Sound], and I would have referred to all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas around me, as well as all the beings who have come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, as 'Miaoyin' as well.

This transition is also quite magical, because I am accepting the guidance of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Namo Amituofo, and Practitioner Su, allowing me, Jiang Zemin, to share a few words. Since that is the case, I will certainly speak honestly about my life, especially my reflections as the President of the nation. What is very special is that these reflections are not spoken by the physical Jiang Zemin, but by the true self of Jiang Zemin, who, after nearly ten years of purification and immersion in the Buddha’s teachings in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, is looking back at everything that happened when I had a physical body. This is truly a very unique experience! I think there are really very few people in the world who have such a precious opportunity to explain the events of their life and afterlife so clearly. I am truly too grateful for this opportunity.

The compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su is not only to save me, allowing me to accumulate merit and repay the Buddha's kindness, but also to present my story to my fellow countrymen and to people all over the world, so that everyone can see the real side of me. This is the most authentic side of my true self, not the side presented by that physical body which was completely controlled by immeasurable and boundless beings.

Alright, everyone might still be confused, so I will get straight to the point!

Reflections on a Life of Power

As a national leader at the time, things were relatively smooth for me, and I did not experience too much suffering. As someone who once held the highest position of President and Party Chairman, I can be considered a very fortunate person. Looking back, the national leaders before me had just unified China and then carried out a series of reforms. They struggled in the midst of it, suffering greatly and being attacked by demon crowds without even knowing it. In my view, they lived lives worse than death.

If I look at my own life, although I was still controlled by many demon crowds and karmic creditors, at least during my tenure, society was relatively stable, and the people were relatively happy and healthy. We gradually walked out of the pain of those years, moving towards a moderately prosperous life, moving towards a good life where every household had surplus grain.

This is not because my own merits were so great. If we look at it from the perspective of the laws of karma and cause and effect in the world, I think it must be because our predecessors paved the way. Although they shed blood, and the people of the motherland also walked through blood and tears, they had already worn out a path that could be followed. This allowed everyone to at least know how to communicate openly with other countries in society and on the international stage, gradually bringing China into this larger society and onto the international arena.

Under the leadership of myself and many other leaders at the time, China was indeed like this, beginning to participate in many international affairs, both large and small. The people also gradually began to emerge from the more turbulent environment of that time. Looking back at the Chinese people then, they indeed began to have smiles on their faces, began to have a sense of direction, and began to know that as children of China, they still had a sense of pride and confidence to move towards the world. Although I often appeared very calm at the time, in my heart, I actually developed quite a bit of arrogance, happily thinking that what I was doing was so wonderful, never thinking that I did not know how to be grateful at the time, and did not understand that all of this was actually hard-won.

Merits and Demerits

If I were to discuss the merits and demerits of my life, I think I am, as many leaders have claimed of themselves, a leader with both merits and demerits. The so-called merits are probably as I just described: I gave the Chinese people of that time some 'stimulants,' which is to say, I helped them and allowed the country to be in an era of stable development. As for the demerits, I also made many significant mistakes, whether they were policy errors or mistakes caused by my own personality.

At that time, in order to achieve some of my own political interests, I did indeed commit quite a bit of negative karma through speech. I was especially fond of using honeyed words, or being very adept at knowing when to advance or retreat in my speech. This sounds like a good thing, but knowing when to advance or retreat also meant that before I became President, in order to deal with my immediate superior, Deng Xiaoping, I would say things that went against my true inner thoughts to win his trust and affirmation; or I would say things that were lies to the general public, also to gain everyone's affirmation and support.

In any case, as a national leader, it seems everyone is like this; it's just that I performed very well in this regard, and many people might not have noticed. But I must say, the various instances of negative karma created through speech this time—I only found out later that I was not the one in control at the time. Although my true self was still trapped in my heart, it was locked away, so many demon crowds and karmic creditors entered my body to take control. This was all attracted by my own personality, and I have nothing to say. It turns out that all of this is the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way spoken of in the Buddha’s teachings.

The Reality of the Spirit Realm

Besides this, because of the karma I created, in fact, very early on, one of my souls had already gone to the hells to suffer. My true self was still in my body, and the body was still living the life of Jiang Zemin. Because I created too much negative karma through speech at the time, one of my souls was dragged into the hells, such as the Tongue-Pulling Hell and the Throat-Pouring Hell, to suffer. I could feel that in the middle of the night, I would occasionally have nightmares or feel uneasy. Especially when I woke up, it felt as if I had been somewhere, but I couldn't remember; it felt as if I had had a dream, but I had no impression of it. Looking back now, it turns out that at night, it was truly when my soul was going to the hells to suffer!

When everyone sees what I have said, do not think that what I have described only happened to me. In fact, looking around, many of my fellow countrymen are the same. As long as one violates the Universal Principle, the soul is easily dispersed and cannot be self-mastered. It may even be controlled by karmic creditors attracted by the karma one has created, because the karma created is too heavy. The petitions they submit to King Yama are the reason why the soul can be taken to the hells to suffer. People generally do not know this truth. Now that I truly see everything from the past, I see it very clearly, so I share it with everyone: one really must not have a strong personality, especially not a strong ego, and one must not create negative karma.

Later, in the ten-plus years after I officially became the President of the nation, it could be said that I was very glorious. In the eyes of everyone, I was a relatively approachable and good President, or relatively cheerful and lively, and I could present a very kind side when travelling internationally. At that time, I also attracted a lot of foreign capital to come to China for investment. China's economic development, both internally and externally, was quite good. Whether it was the many large factories that began to operate internally, or the various investments entering China from the outside, it showed the prosperity of China's economy. It was an era that everyone was very happy about.

Of course, one cannot be perfect. I also offended quite a few people at the time, because my selfishness had not been severed. I was always thinking about protecting those related to my own interests, always thinking about consolidating my power, so that I could be more stable in policy implementation without obstacles. Therefore, I was also harboring selfishness at the time, transferring all the old officials I had known in the past to my side to work for me. Although it seemed quiet and unnoticed, the world should know about it, right?

Looking back now, there has never been a Chairman of the People's Republic of China throughout the various eras who did not crave power and desire a lofty status. While everyone truly wanted to do things for the country and its people, they never forgot their own selfish interests, hoping to secure a little more benefit for themselves. These two motivations progressed in tandem, and both existed simultaneously within my own heart. This selfishness and the desire to be the sole authority, through one event after another, repeatedly attracted countless demon crowds and beings to control me. Because I thought too much, planned with extreme precision, and ensured my strategies were comprehensive, some were for the country and the people, while others were for myself. At times, while working for the nation, I never forgot to secure benefits for myself and for those within the circles I deemed important.

The Sacrifice of the Many for the Few

Furthermore, in the execution of many policies, I could not help but sacrifice a portion of the population to achieve the interests and benefits of another. Some of these decisions were indeed made with the long-term planning of the country in mind, but others were not; they were driven primarily by the interests I personally prioritized. Among these, I often, whether intentionally or unintentionally, indulged those I considered important as they engaged in actions that violated moral foundations. This perhaps stemmed from the collusion between officials and businessmen that was so prevalent in society at the time, or from the high-ranking officials and party members who, seizing the opportunity of the economic boom, sought benefits in every major sector. At the time, in order to focus on maintaining economic development, I deliberately avoided these issues—one could say I chose to "see without seeing." This was, in itself, a form of indulgence.

Watching many high-ranking officials engage in corruption and graft, my personality was actually somewhat similar to that of Deng Xiaoping: I was result-oriented and interest-oriented. I truly grew up in that kind of environment, so I always told myself: as long as the result is good, as long as the national economy improves, then morality is secondary. It could be temporarily set aside, to be dealt with once the time was ripe to clean up the mess.

A Time Bomb for the Nation

This behavior of "valuing interests while ignoring moral foundations" actually set a poor example for the country and its people, planting a ticking time bomb. Although I did not do these things in a very overt manner, and many were perhaps never made public, the officials I indulged passed this bad habit down from generation to generation. This led party members to continue committing the same evil acts, unable to stop, all in the name of the precedents I had set.

I had once thought about stopping, but once the pigeon has been released, it can never return. When people gradually began to realize these things, the impact on society as a whole was profoundly detrimental. If the leader of a nation acts this way, then how could I possibly educate my fellow citizens to abide by basic commercial ethics or norms?

The Suffering of the Soul

Therefore, although I have merits for the nation, the karmic creditors attracted by this selfishness caused one of my souls and spirits to leave my body and descend into the hells. Among them, my soul and spirit were suffering in the heart-gouging hell and the brain-gouging hell at that time. As more and more of my soul and spirit dissipated, and as the suffering in the hells occurred more frequently, my physical body gradually became weak. At the time, I did not know why; there was always something wrong here, or some ailment there. But because I had not yet fallen into a major illness and my remaining blessings had not been exhausted, my body remained relatively healthy. Yet, these various ailments could not be cured by medicine.

Looking back now, that was entirely due to the dissipation of my soul and spirit, and because of my karmic creditors, which led to the uncomfortable sensations in my body. Everything the Buddha’s teachings say is truly profound. As I look back on the bits and pieces of that time, I cannot help but sigh with emotion: the occurrence of all things is, in fact, entirely within the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way spoken of in the Buddha’s teachings, without the slightest deviation.

A Sincere Confession

I, Jiang Zemin, am here to repent to my vast fellow citizens. The various poor examples I set are truly not worth learning from. Although everyone certainly appreciated my good side, what I want to repent for today are the words that have never been spoken from the depths of my heart. In the past, I certainly could not let go of my pride to admit my mistakes, and the past me did not know about the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way spoken of in the Buddha’s teachings. Therefore, even though I violated these principles, I was still approved of by the people. This is because many people at the time had already been brainwashed by the most extreme evils of capitalism. This evil is extreme ego, extreme selfishness, and extreme profit-first mentality, while ignoring everything else. In particular, "money worship" was very obvious at that time; people in society used "whether one has money" as the only standard to measure whether a person was successful or living a good life. All of this began to lay its foundation during the administration of Chairman Deng Xiaoping, as mentioned before.

And when I was in power, I continued to carry forward this ideology without it being curbed. People's lives generally became better and better, but their hearts did not improve much—whether in terms of moral character or in terms of the satisfaction and happiness of a person's life. Moreover, many people, unable to adapt to the immense social pressure, chose to commit suicide, a situation that was frequently seen. This was partly due to the impact of the policies I implemented at the time. The country was moving from public ownership to privatization, and many state-owned enterprises were almost bankrupt, so I encouraged many workers in state-owned industries to be laid off and encouraged them to find their place in the private sector to find a way out. Therefore, at that time, some people, under the shock of many being laid off at the same time, could not bear the immense psychological pressure and chose to commit suicide.

The Weight of Responsibility

On the other hand, the reason why people felt psychologically repressed and eventually chose suicide was also because, in this general social atmosphere of money worship, everyone experienced too much immense competitive pressure between colleagues or among the general public. The imbalance in their hearts also led many people at that time to take the path of self-destruction. The Jiang Zemin of that time would not have attributed all of this to his own faults; I could only describe it all as something that must happen during the process of socialist transformation. In order for all of this to proceed more quickly, I admit that I did not do the work of soothing the hearts of the people.

Regarding character education and the moral norms of society in general, I still used money as the measure of everything, which led many people to engage in risky business or manufacturing that violated their conscience. At that time, there were many incidents in China that spread throughout the world, all of which made the Chinese people feel very embarrassed. For example, the toxic milk powder incident of that year, or the corner-cutting behavior in the production of various goods, made the international community lack trust in products made in China. All of this was also caused by the acceleration of extreme capitalism; in the absence of moral and character norms, many social ills were produced.

These reports that everyone sees internationally are merely the tip of the iceberg. And the gap between the rich and the poor within the country was also becoming more and more serious. Because the wealthy grew very rapidly under the influence of money worship, they did not give corresponding benefits to the workers they controlled. Everyone received meager wages while doing a massive amount of work, hoping to gain an opportunity to change their destiny.

Of course, there were many people moving from rural areas to cities at that time who were on the road to poverty alleviation. The central government at the time did not ignore the issue of poverty alleviation, and it can be said that they did their best to alleviate poverty in all major regions. However, under the immense pressure of this society, many people, in order to get a bite to eat, would still do some unknown evil deeds.

A Final Reflection

In fact, I was not unaware of the occurrence of many things; everything was clear in my heart. But I still did not do my best for these matters, especially in terms of measures to improve the teachability of the human heart. I thought that all of this would pass, and that seizing the opportunity to boost the economy was the only way. Even if people's hearts became corrupted, I would not be responsible for that mess. I thought to myself, perhaps one day when the economy is good, people's hearts will naturally become good. I did not make any effort or put in any work in this regard; as a money-worshipper myself, I naturally could not think of this level. And in this situation where the social atmosphere was generally not clear, China did indeed fall into a situation controlled and exploited by many greedy demons. For a country to enter such a state, I, Jiang Zemin, must take a certain amount of responsibility and will absolutely not shirk it.

I would like to say sorry to my fellow citizens here. I only focused on boosting the economy but ignored everyone's inner anxiety and the areas where they needed help. Not only did I fail to soothe them, but I also made everyone live a life full of worry. Today, Jiang Zemin has said such a passage, and I do not know if everyone is familiar with it. But at least this is the sincere confession of Jiang Zemin at this moment, without a single component of hypocrisy.

The Jiang Zemin of this moment, looking back at all this from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, profoundly knows that no matter what one is doing, one must take abiding by the Universal Principle in the Buddha’s teachings as the Truth. At that time, I took interests and money as the foundation of everything. In terms of the Buddha’s teachings, all of this was just like what Practitioner Su calls "tinkering with the body." In this trip to the human world that lasted for decades, I allowed so many fellow citizens to unleash the evil nature of their bodies, while suppressing the development of their Goodness and spirituality. Namo Amituofo.

"Such poor examples and indulgence, while not direct teachings, have already caused harm to countless fellow citizens. Although one might achieve temporary success or satisfy a fleeting sense of vanity, it is certainly not beneficial for the lifelong development of our compatriots. In all of this, I neglected too many factors concerning the spirit. People, for the sake of gaining a penny or two more in their pockets, have committed acts that go against their conscience, created negative karma, and endangered the lives of others as well as the trust within society. These negative influences have awakened the karmic creditors of every individual and have attracted immeasurable and boundless demon crowds into their bodies.

The Rise of Greed and the Burden of Responsibility

At this time in China, just as I mentioned earlier, the demon of greed has begun to rise, and its numbers are increasing day by day. This is what the hearts of the Chinese people have attracted, and I must bear a great deal of responsibility for this. In their daily lives, when people are already unable to control the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, they are adding layer upon layer of pollution to their spirits. This is simply pushing all of my fellow citizens into an abyss without them even realising it.

I, Jiang Zemin, once again say 'I am sorry' to all my fellow citizens. Everything I did in the past failed to set a good example for everyone. Instead, it caused some to fall gravely ill, some to become dull-witted, and others to be completely exploited by demon crowds, leading them to commit great sins that they cannot repay. This has resulted in families being torn apart and people being separated from their loved ones. These are the mistakes I must admit to everyone. All of this proves that the policy of 'no religious belief' and 'Party-centric belief' that the central government has implemented for many years has, in fact, had a significantly negative impact on the long-term lives of the public.

The Void of Faith and the Pursuit of External Stimuli

As people lost these spiritual anchors and lost their faith, the various voids in their hearts led them to turn toward external stimuli and the pursuit of profit. Because once a person is in a human body, it seems there is no other joy or goal besides making money. This is a true reflection of the psychology of so many people, and I myself was caught up in it as well.

I indulged in the power that continued to expand for me. As the country improved, my prestige on the international stage naturally grew; that was something that went hand-in-hand with national strength. This gave rise to arrogance in my heart, and for this, I committed many mistakes.

At that time, the void in people's hearts was not filled. Not only that, but I also implemented policies specifically to control the dissemination of various public opinions and information on the internet. The control over the internet became even stricter, making it impossible for our citizens to accurately know what was happening in the outside world. While this might have prevented compatriots from being influenced by the pollution of foreign media, the more serious negative impact was that I completely blocked the spread and development of Buddhist education.

The Great Mistake: Blocking the Dharma

Buddhist education could not be promoted in China and had no place to take root. Many people often turned to other countries that still had religious beliefs to seek resources for Buddhist education, but my series of measures made it impossible for the public to obtain the nourishment of the Dharma through normal channels. They had to go through many time-consuming, laborious, and expensive ways to obtain such information, or they eventually lost the opportunity to find it altogether. This is my fault; it is a huge mistake I committed.

At that time, I did not know that Buddhist education was so important. I did not know that this was the only thing that could lead people toward true freedom from aging and sickness, toward the immortality of the spirit, and toward true, eternal happiness. I blindly led myself and my fellow citizens to pursue physical enjoyment while simultaneously suppressing spiritual growth. In the realm of Buddhist education, the wisdom roots of many people were severed at my hands. This sin is truly too great!

Today, looking at all of this from here, my spirit is weeping bitterly. Because of ignorance and selfishness, and for the sake of consolidating power, I also vigorously eradicated the influence of the well-known Venerable Master Chin Kung in mainland China. This was a measure I carried out toward the end of my term in office.

The Lingering Impact and the Path Forward

This series of measures also influenced the national leaders who followed, because with me as the starting point, the same policies continued, causing the Chinese people to miss many opportunities to learn about Buddhist education. Many people in the country who still had good roots and wanted to learn Buddhism found that the social environment could not provide learning opportunities, leading some with sufficient economic means to choose to immigrate to other countries or regions to obtain relevant information and environments. As for the citizens who remained, they were almost entirely ignorant and confused about Buddhist education. Although people like to visit large temples and tour famous ancient mountains and monasteries, everything they see is merely superficial. They have never been able to truly understand the Dharma from these tours—the Dharma that can lead them to end the cycle of birth and death and escape the six realms of existence.

Jiang Zemin, now looking back at the merits and demerits of my life from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, has for the first time such a profound realization and feeling. Kneeling here before the Buddha, I am constantly repenting for my mistakes. As for the things I did that might be considered meritorious, I dare not take credit for them, nor do I dare to have any arrogance in my heart.

The rapid changes and evolution of Chinese society over the past few decades, in my view, have some good aspects and some that are not good. The economic and political stability that everyone currently enjoys is the foundation laid by many predecessors over the years, but at the same time, it also promotes the development of many negative psychological traits in everyone. Everyone must know in their hearts that even those compatriots who do not have the opportunity to learn Buddhist education must strictly uphold the fundamental moral teachings of Confucian thought—filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame. These are the precious treasures left by our ancestors and are the most fundamental principles of being a human being. In fact, these are in sync with the universal principle, the Truth, and the righteous path in the Buddha’s teachings. If people can abide by these principles and always maintain a calm heart while walking in society, keeping to the 'Middle Way,' their lives can be lived more clearly and happily without encountering too many difficulties.

The Only Way to True Spiritual Elevation

If compatriots want to elevate themselves again and achieve spiritual growth, then the Confucian thought and traditional cultural education that have existed in China since ancient times are indeed still unable to satisfy everyone. Everyone must truly walk the Buddha’s path! Those who are willing to believe in me, Jiang Zemin, must listen to what I say. The great root and foundation of Buddhist education lie in helping people let go of this body they currently possess, along with its many sensations, desires for possession, and so on. Only then can one achieve spiritual elevation. Only by truly removing selfishness and the 'self' can one follow the footsteps of Namo Amituofo, chant Buddha's name wholeheartedly, tell oneself that one can become a Buddha, and then be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the only bright path, and it is the only way for everyone in this life to escape the suffering of the six realms of rebirth.

The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a very equal and beautiful world. When compatriots come here, there will no longer be the past mindsets of competition, struggle, and comparison, because everything here is naturally abundant. The immeasurable and boundless mind-capacity of Namo Amituofo can satisfy all the needs of the public and help the public grow in all aspects. Moreover, there will be no thoughts of greed or enjoyment here; one naturally lives a quiet and peaceful life, without desires or demands, and without afflictions. By steadily learning from the Buddha, one can also become a Buddha one day and, like the Buddha, save immeasurable and boundless beings.

A Call to Let Go

Since the reform and opening up, China has been flying the banner of socialism while doing the most extreme things of capitalism. This is indeed quite an ironic thing to say. Everyone longs for equality, yet they also long to be a cut above others. Such thoughts of wanting to get ahead are very common in society, and the concept of equality has become blurred for everyone. If you can recognize the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and recognize the true Pure Buddha Land, why not try to put in your best effort throughout your life to truly let go of yourself? Only by immigrating to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss will you experience true equality and satisfaction. Do not create unnecessary afflictions and suffering for the sake of the various divisions and interests between 'me' and 'you,' or 'self' and 'others.'

I can now see my fellow citizens from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and most people still use the pursuit of various worldly fame, profit, enjoyment, success, and interests as the main focus of their lives. In such a competitive society, the pressure everyone carries is actually very great. Watching this from here, my heart actually aches, but there is nothing I can do for everyone. What hurts is that everyone is addicted to it, yet does not know how to leave suffering behind. A lifetime of several decades is spent throwing oneself into various worldly pursuits.

Although the social situation at this very moment seems to be slightly better than when I, Jiang Zemin, was alive—because people, after experiencing years of extreme emptiness and struggle following the achievement of material wealth, have begun to actively look for various ways to relieve their pressure—the ways people look for are nothing more than using money to exchange for more spiritual nourishment. People advocate for cultivating many hobbies and interests, or they advocate for the accumulation of various experiences. These sound like relatively positive ways, but how can these things lead everyone to true, perfect happiness, true freedom from aging and sickness, and the immortality of the spirit? Everything is merely satisfying the short-term needs of everyone.

Having spoken of these phenomena that I have seen, you might think that I, Jiang Zemin, am only talking about the negative and not looking at these things with a positive attitude. Haha, actually, that is not the case. I am just honestly laying out what I have seen and heard first. But in fact, if you ask me now, how can the Chinese people of today get rid of their current predicament? Is it possible to walk toward a world where one can recognize the Buddha’s teachings, obtain the meaning of the Dharma, and achieve a world where everyone is equal? If you ask me this, I tell you, the answer is actually there, and it is very feasible." Namo Amituofo.

The reason why people today are not actively seeking Buddhist education as one of the most important tasks of their human lives is simply because they have been separated from an environment where they can encounter true Buddhist education for far too long. Without such an environment and the influence of the Dharma, where can people even begin?

The Void in Buddhist Education

For decades, from the era of Chairman Mao to my own time leading the country and the Party, and even through the later periods of Chairman Hu Jintao and the initial years of Chairman Xi Jinping’s tenure, this has not merely been a vacuum for Buddhism in China; looking at the bigger picture, one could almost say it has been a vacuum for Buddhism globally. Why do I say this?

If the teachings of the Buddha are not passed down by someone who has truly attained virtue, then people will never be able to derive real benefits from Buddhist education. Everything will remain focused on satisfying the sensations of the physical body. For decades, the Buddhism that people have pursued has been primarily what is called Humanistic Buddhism. These teachings merely use the Dharma to resolve psychological anxieties and suffering, remaining stuck at the level of solving human physical problems without ever truly elevating to the possibility of letting go of the body and elevating one’s spirit.

This is not to completely reject Humanistic Buddhism, but under such guidance, the world is led to mistakenly believe that Buddhism is similar to other religions—or perhaps even inferior to them—serving only to bring people some comfort and satisfaction in their daily lives. In doing so, it actually shuts the door on those who truly wish to elevate their spirits and seek a state of being that is ageless, illness-free, and where the spirit never dies, preventing them from entering the Buddha’s gate.

A Watershed Moment for the Spiritual Realms

The world at this very moment is no longer the same as it was when I, Jiang Zemin, was alive. This is all because the skills Practitioner Su has achieved through awakening are now being fully utilised, and because Namo Amituofo truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, helping beings in the human world and the spiritual realms to escape the suffering of samsara.

In terms of the human world, people may not yet understand this, but in terms of the spiritual realms, this is a massive watershed moment in the development of human society. Before Namo Amituofo resided at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and before Practitioner Su achieved the Dharma Body, the spiritual world was dark, dim, and devoid of much hope. Since Namo Amituofo has come to reside at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su can lead Namo Amituofo in performing Chao Du for people across the world, guiding deceased spirits to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss or the Western Land of Dharma Nature. From the perspective of the spiritual realms, it has suddenly become filled with hope. Many suffering spirits who were trapped in various spaces or the three lower realms during their lifetimes because they never received Buddhist education now have the possibility of liberation.

The Complexity of the Unseen World

The spiritual realm is far more complex than the human world! Beings and demon crowds that the human eye cannot see exist in layers upon layers within this space, exerting a tremendous influence on human society. Just like myself, Jiang Zemin—many of the policies and thoughts I held throughout my life were directed and controlled by demon crowds and karmic creditors, and that is how they were manifested.

Looking back on my life now, I can see the situation where I was controlled by demon crowds and karmic creditors. It likely began when I was young, before I was even twenty years old. It started because, while pursuing my studies, I began to develop the desire to surpass others. Once that selfish mindset emerged, it became very easy for demon crowds to take hold.

I, Jiang Zemin, was at least in my teens before I was controlled by demon crowds. But looking around today, my fellow countrymen—the children across the land of China—many of them are already being controlled by demon crowds and other beings before they even reach the age of ten. This is the tragedy of the world, and of China as well; it is all the suffering caused by the inequality and selfishness that arise after people move toward extreme capitalism. These sufferings leave people trapped in agony, without knowing why they are suffering.

Adults may feel that children today are very difficult to educate, or that they are overly rebellious, but if you get to the root of it, you will find that these children are already under heavy control by other beings and demon crowds. Because they lack moral foundations and Buddhist education from a young age, the children’s characters have gone astray, naturally attracting countless demon crowds and beings to control them.

The Great Cleansing

Taking myself as an example, such things still happen to all my fellow countrymen. Everyone is deeply affected by the many interferences of the spiritual world, which is a result of our collective karma; I am not blaming any one side here. However, since the appearance of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, a great cleansing of the spiritual world has restored the brightness of the past to the whole world, reducing the various negative influences that the spiritual world has had on people.

People may not yet feel the benefits, but in these layered spaces, the reduction of interference from many beings is actually of great help to the development of people’s Body-Mind-Spirit. Just like at this very moment, especially since Practitioner Su began leading Namo Amituofo this year to perform Chao Du for the vast number of Chinese beings, I, Jiang Zemin, can see with my own eyes from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss that countless beings and demon crowds across the land of China have left their former spaces and headed toward the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

At this time, sensitive people may begin to feel the changes in the magnetic field. With much less interference from demon crowds in the space, there are fewer instances of people being possessed and losing their autonomy. Although the human body is still surrounded by endless beings seeking revenge, with these external factors reduced, people can gain a bit more clarity.

This clarity can also help people increase the possibility of accepting Buddhist education. Many people cannot believe in the true Dharma or believe that the Buddha truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia precisely because they have been subjected to too much interference. With less of such interference, people’s eyes can become clearer, and what they see and hear becomes more accurate, without being overly influenced by the outside world. After one great cleansing after another, I believe that the Chinese people, with reduced interference from demon crowds, will certainly be better able to accept this precious education, accept the truth that Namo Amituofo truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and everyone will have the possibility of being reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Future of Hope

Do not underestimate all the efforts and arrangements Practitioner Su has made in the spiritual realms; these are the long-term directions that can only be seen through the great Wisdom of the Buddhas. What Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su see is not just the change in the world at this moment, but in the long run, it can help beings in the spiritual realms and the human world receive substantial help, leading people toward a future that is ageless, illness-free, and where the spirit never dies.

Therefore, I, Jiang Zemin, feel very confident that Buddhist education can once again return to mainland China and flourish.

Regarding what other national leaders have said in the past, especially my former superior, Chairman Deng Xiaoping, he once said that because Buddhist education has a deep foundation in China, and because people’s good roots have not yet been lost, it will surely move the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to once again pave a broad, smooth road for the Chinese people to learn Buddhist education. Do not worry about the fact that Buddhism is currently withering in China; everything will gradually improve through the joint efforts of the people.

Although there are not many people in China who know about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia or Buddhist education today, compared to a few years ago, the number has already increased significantly. Although everyone will still encounter various obstacles and misunderstandings on the path of learning Buddhism, I see people learning very firmly. Many people with good roots, Blessings, and Causal Conditions, even if they are far from the temple, still insist on doing their daily practice, purifying themselves, and listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma. These are very important things.

Although many people are not supported by their families and cannot openly walk this path within their social circles, everyone is silently guarding this very important cause, spreading the Dharma bit by bit. Do not underestimate everything being done at this time; this is a very important preparation for the future growth of Buddhist education in China!

I, Jiang Zemin, sincerely thank these few people in China who are truly learning Buddhism. You are the ones shouldering the responsibility of inheriting and promoting this Buddhist cause; you are the pioneers here, and you are also very important factors for people in the future to see the Dharma. You have the Buddha-heart, actions, and vows, and all of this is the most important thing. I am truly moved when I see this. I, who never believed in Buddhist education before, can now praise it so strongly and deeply hope that my vast fellow countrymen can receive the Buddha’s salvation and education. Perhaps you could not have imagined such a change, could you?

Having been in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss for such a long time, I have become a proper resident of the West. You must believe what those in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss say. I follow the Teacher every day to learn—who do I follow? That is Namo Amituofo. Learning by the Buddha’s side every day, my Wisdom grows day by day, and what I say today will certainly be of some benefit to you all.

You can forget the Jiang Zemin of the past. That was a Jiang Zemin who could not be his own master, a Jiang Zemin who was still struggling in samsara and whose soul was suffering. Do not be deceived by my outward appearance; you do not know the suffering within this heart. What can truly lead everyone to leave suffering behind is, after all, the entirety of Buddhist education.

Jiang Zemin offers you my sincere blessings and gratitude here. My gratitude for you all is beyond words, and I am also grateful to my fellow countrymen for giving me this opportunity to say a few words. I hope that those who can take these words to heart can use this opportunity to understand the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, understand that Namo Amituofo truly abides here, and understand the story of Practitioner Su saving beings. After you carefully understand this, you will surely understand all the changes in my state of mind at this time.

Namo Amituofo.

Jiang Zemin