The Past Life of Koo Chung-liang: A Spiritual Awakening
An Interview with the Spirit of Koo Chung-liang
Recorded on February 22, 2018, by Shi Faxin
This interview was recorded on February 22, 2018, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. It features the spirit of Koo Chung-liang, who sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su. Through this session, the spirit reflects upon his past life as a monk at the White Horse Temple and his current spiritual journey to reconnect with the .
Koo Chung-liang speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. In my past life, I was known as Fu De. From a very young age, I was a quiet child. I was born into a family of officials and spent much of my time in my father’s study, which was filled with many sutras and scrolls. Because of this, I was deeply cherished by my father. I loved the stillness, and I loved to copy books. I would take the books I had copied and deliver them to a nearby school so that children without the means to buy their own could read them. Everything I saw left a deep impression on me; I could truly empathise with the hardships of life. Even as a young boy, I could not understand why the gap between the rich and the poor was so vast. I sought answers in books, and eventually, through the sutras, I understood the philosophy of the Dharma—that these circumstances arise from the karmic causes of past lives and the cycle of reincarnation. Once I understood this, I made a firm decision to practise the Buddha’s teachings. I was only ten years old at the time.
A Journey to the White Horse Temple
When I discussed this with my father, he was heartbroken to let go of his youngest son. However, seeing my unwavering determination, he and my mother tearfully sent me to the first Buddhist temple ever built in China, the White Horse Temple in Luoyang. When the Master saw my sincere intention and resolve, he bestowed upon me the Dharma name 'Yin Chuan'. I practised at the White Horse Temple for thirty years. During that time, I engaged in exchanges with many monastics from different countries, spreading the Buddha’s teachings to various places. I believed that everyone should have the Buddha’s teachings in their hearts; spreading the Dharma to the world is one of the primary responsibilities of a monastic.
At that time, I was very active in expanding the reach of the Buddha’s teachings, hoping that everyone could end the cycle of birth and death and transcend the three realms. This mindset was something I learned from my Master. My Master was the abbot of the White Horse Temple; he welcomed talent from all walks of life and never dwelled on petty rights or wrongs. However, he was meticulous in pointing out and correcting the erroneous views of his disciples. Only by doing so could we ensure that future generations would hold the correct concepts. As Yin Chuan, I gave my heart and soul to this work. Yet, I began to develop a subtle thought that no difficulty could defeat me. A subtle sense of arrogance manifested, and I was completely unaware of it. Because of this, I did not reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in that life; I only attained the twentieth heaven of the celestial realm.
from a Long Dream
Looking back at every detail of that past life, I find myself weeping. I wonder why, in this current life, the of my physical body led me to Christianity. While my intentions were sincere and I was happy to engage in public welfare, all of those actions were merely worldly affairs. Fortunately, my spirit has now encountered the Master once again. We have been connected through many lifetimes—as teacher and student, as father and son, and as Dharma protectors. In this current life, my role is to be a Dharma protector for the Master, to safeguard the lineage of the Buddha’s teachings. My own spirit is anxious to begin; I pray for the Buddha’s compassionate blessing to connect all these causal conditions, and I will certainly give my all. I sincerely wish to follow the Master’s path.
Suddenly, I feel like a piece of driftwood that has been drifting at sea, finally being picked up. I hope that everything proceeds smoothly. I will do my utmost to lead my physical body to rise and take action. I am deeply grateful for everything I have seen today; it is as if I have awakened from a great dream. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo for His in allowing me to see all of this."
Koo Chung-liang
More from Interview with Jeffrey Koo Jr. (Main Soul)
The Inner Battle of Koo Chung-ling
Koo Chung-ling reflects on the intense internal struggle between his spiritual aspirations and the persistent pull of worldly desires, and how the power of the Buddha-name helps him navigate this path.
The Weight of Fifty Trillion Souls
Koo Chung-liang reflects on his past life as a butcher and the profound karmic connections to the fifty trillion beings he has harmed, finding redemption through the Dharma at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Education of the Heart
Jeffrey Koo Jr. reflects on the insidious nature of greed, the limitations of modern religious practice, and the urgent necessity for a genuine education of the heart to guide humanity.
A Different Encounter in the Spiritual Realms
A reflection on the nature of the spiritual realms, the pull of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the transformative power of the Buddha-name on the soul.
More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang
A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi
This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance 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 life and his journey to the Pure Land.
A Reflection from the Western Pure Land
This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance 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 life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.
The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing
Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Burden of a Historical Name
This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, 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 life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.
The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land
A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.
About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library