The Price of Governance and the Lesson of Greed
An Interview with the Spirit of Lee Kuan Yew
Recorded on May 30, 2018
This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He reflects upon his life, his governance, and his current spiritual state. This interview was recorded on May 30, 2018.
Lee Kuan Yew speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. The name 'Kuan Yew' was given by my parents with the hope that I would bring honour to our family name. However, my family was not one of high social standing. From a very young age, my father’s discipline was exceptionally strict. It often felt as though I could barely catch my breath under his watchful eye. I remember once, when I was a small child, I saw a toy belonging to my cousin that I liked very much. I simply picked it up to play with it and did not return it. My father observed every detail of this. After our relatives had left, he gave me a severe beating. He taught me that one must never be greedy for things that do not belong to them.
The Foundation of Integrity
At that young age, I did not truly understand the concept of greed; I only knew what I liked. Yet, that impression remained deeply etched in my mind. When I eventually became the head of state, I maintained a firm grip on the issue of greed. Whenever incidents of corruption occurred within the nation, I ensured they were met with heavy penalties. This was not merely to 'kill the chicken to scare the monkey,' as the saying goes, but to educate the hearts of the people, ensuring they held a balanced and impartial perspective. It was through this upbringing that I cultivated such a positive and upright character. I have always considered myself a person of integrity, and I have rarely encountered others as principled as I was. Even when I employed high-pressure tactics against the populace, it was always done with the future of the nation in mind.
The Weight of Retribution
The price I have paid for my actions is that I must now suffer retribution in hell. Even though my initial intention was good, I still caused harm to others, and I must settle these debts. I understand this clearly. Every action has its consequence, and the Law of Cause and Effect is absolute.
Witnessing the Power of
Today, the person I admire most is Practitioner Su of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Her mind-capacity is vast, and she upholds the core principles of the Truth. She stands upon the void, unravelling the mysteries of the universe one by one. I have seen sentient beings, numerous as fine grains of sand, arriving from all directions, all moving towards the light. During the one-hour morning Chao Du session, every single recitation of the Buddha-name manifests such a scene. This is the true power of Chao Du.
The scope of Chao Du that I have witnessed is not yet broad enough, so I share what I have seen and heard. I listen to Practitioner Su’s talks every day, which helps me expand my own mind-capacity. Only by doing so can the scope of the deliverance I witness become wider, and only then can I truly take up the pen to write and share these insights with the public. Namo Amituofo."
More from Interviews with Lee Kuan Yew (S'pore ex-PM)
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library