The Legacy Beyond the Ledger

This is a record of an interview with Chang Yung-fa, who sought Chao Du 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 transition from the material world to the spiritual realm. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on August 19, 2018.

Chang Yung-fa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. It was a grand scene, truly magnificent. I have travelled extensively throughout China, observing the bustling, congested cities. Everyone is caught in the relentless grind of life, working to provide for their families. Often, the necessity of supporting a household leads to the fragmentation of the family. Looking back, one might ask if that life was truly fulfilling. To be honest, I feel little attachment to it now. However, I carried a heavy burden of attachments from birth that I had not yet released. Now, all those things I could not let go of have ceased to exist, just as I have. Even the state of my company has changed. Now that I reside in the Western Pure Land, those worldly concerns no longer need to be recalled. It is better to focus on what is before me."

The Grandeur of the Dharma Assembly

"Speaking of what is before me, it is truly extraordinary. Since yesterday, a vast multitude of sentient beings has been crowding in. I use the word 'crowding' as a description, though the formless space is immense. They are gathered in layer upon layer, all here to participate in today's Dharma assembly for rebirth. Today, Practitioner Su is guiding several people I knew in my former life to the Western Pure Land. Among them are my former industry peers, such as Guo Xingchang, the Vice President of China Airlines, and Koo Cheng-yun, the Chairman of Taiwan Cement. Who would have thought that even after death, our spirits would still be lingering here? At the beginning, I was just like them, lost and wandering.

Here, I have witnessed Practitioner Su saving so many people. Some of them, after death, had fallen into such wretched states—some reborn as turtles, others suffering in the hells. When they cry out, their bodies are covered in wounds and scars; it is a sight too tragic to behold. The karma one creates is truly terrifying. It is something one must absolutely avoid! I attend the Dharma assembly at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia every week to help receive sentient beings and contribute to saving the world. Sometimes, out of great compassion, Practitioner Su even allows us to perform Chao Du for our own karmic creditors."

A Father’s Plea to His Son

"To be honest, not many of my own karmic creditors have reached the Western Pure Land yet, because I did not lead them to listen to the sutras while I was alive. When they see me, they are still very unhappy, even appearing quite fierce. At such times, even my chanting of Namo Amituofo is filled with trembling. If my son has the opportunity to come here and meet me, I hope he will also help his father perform Chao Du. I did not know that my wealth should have been used to resolve my own karmic debts. In truth, while I was alive, I did not have the blessings to understand this. Otherwise, a hundred sessions of Chao Du would have been nothing to me, provided I could settle the debts of my past. Now, saying anything more is of little use.

The important thing is for my words to be posted online quickly, so that my son might see them and come to find me—that would be the most practical thing. Everyone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre works so hard; I am deeply grateful to all of you. This place is on the verge of blossoming and bearing fruit; everyone must have patience. Namo Amituofo."