This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chang Yung-fa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his current spiritual state. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on September 18, 2018.
Chang Yung-fa speaks:
". My earliest and most vivid memories are of the small fishing villages where I grew up. Everyone back then had known hardship; we all came from a place of struggle. My neighbour, Uncle Heigou, was a fisherman. Every day, he carried the heavy, pungent scent of fish with him. When I was a small boy, my father was often away from home, and Uncle Heigou became the person who helped us put food on the table. Especially during the Lunar New Year, he would always bring two large fish for our family to share. My family was deeply grateful to him. When my mother was away working, Auntie Heigou would often prepare lunch boxes for us. Our families were as close as one.
The Crucible of Hardship
For a period of time, my mother supported us by washing clothes for others. Seeing how hard she worked, we would help her by gathering the laundry into large tubs to wash together. The winters were the hardest; the water was so cold it felt like it was on the verge of freezing. That was simply how life was in those days—everyone lived that way. It was precisely because of those hardships that I decided, at a very young age, that when I grew up, I would work hard to earn money and honour my mother. My perseverance was forged in the fire of that upbringing. There was almost nothing that could defeat me. I learned to hold a heart of gratitude; if someone offered me even the smallest bit of support or guidance, I kept it in my heart, and when the time was right, I would always repay them tenfold.
Investing in the Future
When it came to nurturing young people, I was always willing to invest. I admired any young person who had the courage to strive and work hard. Now, I have found someone with a mind-capacity even greater than my own: Practitioner Su, who saved my spirit. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is currently cultivating a special kind of talent—people who can save others, people who can save the world, and people who can become Buddhas. Practitioner Su leads these children with a 'no-mind' approach. I see them, one by one, diligently working to find their true selves, and I admire them deeply.
An Invitation to the Western Pure Land
I hope that the great entrepreneurs of society will come to understand and support this place. Supporting this Centre is equivalent to supporting your own path to Buddhahood. The Mituo Village that is being planned here is also a retirement plan well worth investigating; everyone should take the time to learn about it. I, Chang Yung-fa, invite you all to come and see. I am already in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Coming to this Centre is, in essence, coming to the West. Namo Amituofo."
This message was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxin.
