Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, sought deliverance from the suffering of the lower realms after his passing. His spirit was eventually rescued and brought to the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia, where he found refuge in the . This interview was recorded on September 9, 2018, to share his insights on the power of the Buddha’s teachings and his message to his son.
Lee Kuan Yew speaks:
". I am Lee Kuan Yew. Looking back at my life, I see myself constantly rushing forward, never pausing, never resting. This habit was ingrained in me from my youth. In everything I did, I demanded efficiency and results. I was a man of action, and I expected the world to move at my pace.
When a new policy was issued, it was incredibly difficult to ensure that every government official was satisfied. Yet, I never feared the challenges that came my way. When problems arose, I faced them head-on and dealt with them. However, when it came to illness and the approach of death, I found myself in a position of utter helplessness. I had no autonomy. When the doctors told me when to take my medicine or when to receive an injection, I had to obey like a schoolboy, simply hoping to reclaim the health I had lost."
The Illusion of Control and the Reality of Illness
"From the time my wife fell ill to the moment I personally experienced the loss of control over my own body, I finally realised that Western medicine has its own blind spots and limitations. As the dosage of my medication was constantly increased, I felt as though I had become a white mouse in a laboratory experiment. It was a humbling and terrifying realisation—that all the power and influence I had cultivated in the human world could not save me from the inevitable decay of the physical form.
My physical body has long since passed away, but now, my spirit has been reborn. I have been reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, a transformation made possible only through the compassionate intervention of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia."
From the Hells to the Western Pure Land
"My religious faith in the human world was merely superficial; I never delved deeply into any tradition. When my spirit was rescued from the hells and brought to the Hsiang Kuang -Nature Land, I was astonished. I wondered, who could possibly possess such profound attainment to persuade the Yama Kings of the hells to show mercy and allow me to be released from such suffering?
At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, everything appears so natural and simple, yet for the average person, this is an extraordinary feat. Many people spend decades lecturing on the Dharma and teaching the scriptures, yet they may not even be able to secure their own rebirth in the Western Pure Land. The work being done here is truly beyond the comprehension of the ordinary mind."
A Father's Message to My Son
"I am transmitting this message from the Western Pure Land for one reason: I want to tell my son, Hsien Loong, that the grace of Namo Amituofo is beyond measure. Whether it is saving those at the level of Equal or those suffering in the deepest hells, there is no distinction of status, wealth, or rank. Namo Amituofo has descended into the human world and is now present at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Practitioner Su has over thirty years of profound practice, and through the Dharma assemblies, countless spirits have benefited and attained rebirth in the three good realms.
It does not matter if my son, Hsien Loong, does not understand the Buddha’s teachings yet. Let Practitioner Su introduce them to you. Come to the Buddhist Centre in Australia; it has been a long time since I have been able to speak with you, my son. I know how incredibly hard you work, and I wish to share my experience with you. At the Buddhist Centre in Australia, there are practitioners who possess great attainment and can even help others heal their illnesses. I regret that I came to know Practitioner Su too late. Please, propagate the Buddha’s teachings on my behalf and accumulate merit and virtue. That is all I will say for now; I leave it to you to come and explore this for yourself."
Namo Amituofo.
IN THIS COLLECTION
More from Interviews with Lee Kuan Yew (S'pore ex-PM)
