The Journey of Koo Lien-sung: From Hell to the Western Pure Land

The Fleeting Shadows of Worldly Prestige

I am Koo Lien-sung, the former chairman of the CTBC Group. My son, Koo Chung-liang, currently serves as one of the leaders of this organisation. During my time in the human world, I held many titles and experienced a life filled with both great prestige and profound challenges. Upon my passing, the legacy of the family business was left to be managed by my descendants, continuing the tradition of a prominent and well-known family. However, the reality of what happens after death remains a mystery to those still living. While I am now able to transmit this message from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart is filled with a complex mixture of emotions.

My life spanned seventy-nine years, from my birth until my eventual passing due to illness while abroad. It was a journey marked by peaks and valleys; I knew the brilliance of success and the crushing weight of powerlessness. Yet, I endured it all, for such is the nature of destiny. When the final moment arrived, I could not take a single cent of my wealth with me. Instead, the only things I carried into the afterlife were the countless seeds of karma I had sown throughout my existence.

The Unyielding Mirror of Karmic Law

After my death, my spirit descended into the hells. There, I was confronted with a long, detailed list of my transgressions—sins committed during the very processes of strategic planning and decision-making that I had once considered my greatest professional achievements. The suffering in the hells is truly endless and beyond description. I implore you: do not be stubborn or dismissive of these truths. The hells exist, and they are not merely metaphors. While people in the world may feel a sense of satisfaction upon achieving their goals, the laws of karma and cause and effect are far more precise and intricate than any human mind can fathom.

If one performs good deeds, one will taste the sweet fruit of those actions. Conversely, if one commits evil, one must inevitably face the consequences. This is the absolute fairness of the universe. It was Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre who reached into the depths of hell to rescue me. I am eternally grateful to you, Practitioner Su, for helping me leave suffering behind.

Awakening in the Light of the Dharma

Following my rescue, I spent time at the temple listening to the teachings of the Dharma. It was only through the guidance of Practitioner Su that I was finally able to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This realm is a place of incomparable beauty and joy. Through listening to the teachings, I have finally come to understand the profound truths that eluded me during my life.

I have composed these words to reflect upon my journey:

• The glory and wealth of the world vanish in the blink of an eye.
• After one life ends, another begins, yet we often do not know where we are headed in the cycle of rebirth.
• I found myself in the hells, enduring the agony of karmic punishment.
• It was the compassion of Practitioner Su that saved me from that darkness.
• I am truly fortunate to have entered the Western Pure Land, and I offer my deepest gratitude for this life-saving grace.

A Father’s Plea Across the Veil

I hope that my son, Koo Chung-liang, will reach out to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. My mother, my uncle, and I have all been saved by Practitioner Su and brought to the Western Pure Land. This is because there is a deep, pre-existing connection between Practitioner Su and my son, rooted in a past life as teacher and student. It is precisely because of this bond that our family has been saved in this lifetime. My son, you must express your sincere gratitude for the kindness of Practitioner Su. I hope you understand the heartfelt wish of your father.

Namo Amituofo