The Reflection of a Nation's Founder

This is a record of an interview with Kim Il Sung, the founder and former leader of North Korea, 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 the spiritual truths he has realised since his passing thirty-two years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Fa Hui, on May 18, 2026.

Kim Il Sung speaks:

"I single-handedly established the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, known to the world as North Korea. During my lifetime, this was the greatest achievement I was known for and praised for. Yet, looking back now, this achievement is something that cannot be touched or found. Like everything else in the world, it is as fleeting as a dream, an illusion, a bubble, or a shadow. Once my physical body passed away, it all vanished into nothingness."

"I am currently filled with gratitude here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I wish to express my highest respect and deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Such grace is truly impossible to repay."

The Reality of the Hell Realms

"After I died, I fell directly into the Uninterrupted Hell. Before the throne of the King of Hell, I saw the countless indictments filed against me by the karmic creditors I had harmed. The King of Hell went through, one by one, the sins I had committed and the good deeds I had performed during my life. It is true that I had both merits and faults in this world, but merits and faults cannot cancel each other out. In all honesty, I knew deep down that I had caused too much harm to the lives and interests of others. Conversely, the things I did that truly helped the nation and its people were far too few."

"The primary standard of judgment lies within one's own heart. I knew clearly that many of my decisions were made for the sake of my own physical body, rather than truly considering the perspectives of others, let alone basing my decisions on the welfare of the nation and its people. I was fully aware of this in my heart, so when the King of Hell informed me that I had to undergo punishment in the Uninterrupted Hell, although I was shocked, I was quickly able to accept it."

The Struggle for Repentance

"In hell, I desperately wanted to give rise to a heart of true repentance, but I found it to be an extremely difficult task. The tortures of hell left me unable to think clearly. Every day, I repeated the cycle of being disintegrated and restored, enduring these incredibly cruel torments."

"I often wondered: what could I possibly do to be spared from the suffering of hell and avoid becoming a soul trapped in such agony? Where exactly did the true mistakes of my life lie? When I began to ask myself these questions, I was astonished to discover that I did not truly understand my own errors. While I agreed that harming the lives of others was a great sin and mistake, I felt that I did not truly grasp the core of my error. Because of this, I remained in a state of confusion while in hell."

A Golden Light in the Darkness

"The time spent undergoing punishment could be described as both very short and very long. I do not know how much time had passed when, suddenly, a massive golden light shone upon me in hell. I heard someone call my name: 'Kim Il Sung.' In an instant, I was transported from the Uninterrupted Hell to the side of Practitioner Su."

"Practitioner Su’s compassionate countenance and the immense golden light radiating from his entire being filled my heart with an uncontrollable sense of awe. That was about ten years ago. Even then, Practitioner Su possessed such inconceivable skills, being able to guide the spirits of those no longer in the human world to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Such skills are truly unheard of."

At that time, I rose through the ranks from a lowly soldier to a high-ranking officer, but I paid a heavy price. That price was the loss of my own kind-hearted nature and pure spirit. Throughout that process, I lost count of how many lives I had harmed. I only knew that if someone was an enemy, they had to be destroyed; I had to use every ounce of my strength to strike them down.

The Foundation of a Nation

During my time in China, I joined the Communist Party and served for many years in the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. This experience laid the foundation for my later establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Given the international climate of that era, Korea was under the oppressive rule of Japan. As a member of the socialist bloc, the highest authorities were the Soviet Union and the Chinese Communist Party. Therefore, gaining the recognition of leaders like Stalin and Mao Zedong was of paramount importance to me.

Throughout those years of campaigning with the Anti-Japanese United Army, I forged bonds of life and death with many Chinese generals. It was a brotherhood forged in blood and fire—perhaps he had once blocked a bullet for me, or perhaps I had once carried the scars of a blade for him. Such trust cannot be described in words; it is a profound, direct sense of reliance cultivated between life and death.

Retreat and Rise

Later, as the Japanese Kwantung Army significantly increased its military presence in the Northeast, they launched large-scale strikes and annihilation campaigns against the anti-Japanese guerrillas. Under these circumstances, the guerrilla forces suffered heavy casualties. I was filled with grief and indignation, but having no other options, I could only lead my subordinates and comrades to retreat toward the Soviet Union.

After entering Soviet territory, our troops were absorbed into the Soviet military. Through a series of causal conditions, I rose through the ranks to become a high-ranking officer. This led the Soviets to view me as a trustworthy Korean; after all, compared to other Koreans, I was a Soviet officer who had undergone orthodox training, served, and matured within the Soviet military system.

Ambition in a Time of Chaos

I was incredibly ambitious at the time. Driven by youthful vigor, beyond the desire to drive the Japanese out of the Korean Peninsula, I also hoped to build a legacy in this chaotic world. I knew deeply that such an era was one where heroes emerged. If I could seize the opportunity amidst the turmoil, I would surely be able to establish a great career.

This was the calculation in my heart. Consequently, some of my actions—including leading my troops to raid police stations in Korea held by the Japanese—caused quite a sensation among the Korean people. Although Japan ruled the peninsula with an iron fist and these were relatively small-scale operations, they held a very different significance in the hearts of the people. Through such actions, I helped build my own reputation.

In truth, how much of these actions were genuinely for Korea, and how much stemmed from pure patriotism? That is for future generations to explore. I can only say that while I was hot-blooded, every action I took involved a certain degree of calculation, strategy, and comprehensive consideration.

The Puppet of Karma

Later, the United States and the Soviet Union joined forces to successfully drive Japan out of the Korean Peninsula. The Americans controlled the South, while the Soviets controlled the North. Under those causal conditions, I became an ideal candidate to be the proxy for the Korean Peninsula.

The establishment of a national regime is never without bloodshed. After the Soviet Union selected me as their proxy for North Korea, I decided, with the help of the Soviet military, to gradually accumulate popular support in the North and eliminate everyone who stood in my way. The methods used were often cold and cruel, but to me at the time, they meant nothing. At only thirty-three, I was already like a cunning fox, possessing the heart of a venomous snake; whenever I spotted an opportunity, I would open my bloodthirsty jaws and strike the prey with devastating force.

There were times when I felt a flicker of softness. In the dead of night, I would wonder if I should let go of my hard-line stance, perhaps soften my heart a little, and live more comfortably. But the ruthlessness and cruelty of reality constantly reminded me that if I showed even the slightest crack, I would be torn apart by other predators just like any other prey. I was terrified of such an outcome. In the end, I chose to preserve the comforts of this body and maintain my survival and power by continuing to treat those who obstructed me with the most coercive means.

The Loneliness of Power

In truth, I also felt lonely and empty, but I understood that as a high-ranking official, a wielder of power, and a ruler, these were unnecessary emotions and feelings that would only reveal my weaknesses. For so many years, how could I not have felt tired and wanted to rest, to let my heart settle and relax? But whenever I harbored such thoughts, or even truly put them into action, the moment there was the slightest sign of it, I would quickly suffer a significant blow. The cruelty of reality told me that such a path was not viable.

I once encouraged myself to persevere, thinking that was the only way to change, but the intense voices within my heart always guided me to continue down the path of ruthlessness and coldness. Now, in the Western Pure Land, I see that while my heart was being pulled in different directions back then, there were many beings from my past karmic connections within me, trying to help me, hoping I would turn back and stop accumulating so many sins.

However, I had already been possessed by too many demons, and too many karmic creditors had awakened. In short, the power of evil within me was greater than the power of Goodness. Under such circumstances, I ultimately failed to persist in turning my thoughts and actions back to the righteous path, and I drifted further and further away from the universal principle and the Truth.

The Peak of Suffering

And so, I became the de facto supreme ruler of North Korea, which was the peak of my life. But I never expected that this peak would represent even greater spiritual suffering. Because the sins I committed grew ever larger, my soul suffered more and more torment. In the Western Pure Land, I saw that back then, parts of my soul had already descended into the hells to suffer punishment. Within my body, it was the demons and karmic creditors who were in control. How much of that was the real me? Which words and actions were truly done by Kim Il-sung? In truth, one could say there was nothing left of the real me.

This peak of life did not represent happiness or fulfillment, nor did it represent the fruits of success; it represented the cruel fact that all of my three hun souls and seven po souls, except for my main spirit, had been kicked out of my body. Seeing my life's experience in the Western Pure Land, I am filled with deep emotion. As Practitioner Su says, a person truly cannot be the master of their own life. If one holds a great vow, one will understand that coming into this world is not for the sake of physical enjoyment and attachment, but to realize the Ultimate Vow to save the world and deliver more suffering beings. If one is not reincarnated as a human under such a premise, one truly becomes nothing more than a puppet controlled by karmic creditors—what is called 'drifting according to karma.' Such a life is indeed filled with immense pain.

The Transformation of the Physical Form

In my youth, I was once a very kind person, someone without any hidden agendas, willing to share everything I had with others. I could put myself in others' shoes and even sacrifice myself to benefit them. These were good qualities that were once truly embodied in me. But I do not know when these good qualities and my kind nature began to fade away. What was the reason? It was because my soul was incomplete.

Whether this physical appearance and this body manifested my own soul or the manifestation of the many spirits within me, I could no longer tell. It turns out that this body has such great variability. When the soul in charge is no longer one's complete self, as different spirits take control of the body, they can cause the shape of the body to change drastically, and even cause the face and the outer appearance of the body to undergo massive transformations.

Within three years of taking control of North Korea, my physique changed from that of a slightly thin, lean young man to that of a bloated, broad, and full-bodied middle-aged man. This was indeed a massive transformation. Many people thought it was intentional, but it was not. During those three years, my physique and facial features changed in an uncontrollable manner. I did not understand the reason then, but now I know that it was due to the operation of karma.

After taking control of North Korea, the sins I committed grew greater day by day, and the influence I exerted became increasingly widespread. At that time, many spirits had already found me. After being possessed by more and more spirits, my physique naturally underwent huge changes, and my face was naturally like a different person compared to before. In the past, I never knew that understanding the spiritual world was so important, nor did I understand that a person's every thought and intention could have such a huge impact on their soul. It is only because I am now in the Western Pure Land, under the guidance of Amitabha Buddha, that I can understand the truth of these facts.

However, the people of the world do not have the magnificent conditions I have to know this. But now, there is a very magnificent Causal Condition: Namo Amituofo is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center in Australia. As long as one can accept the Buddhist education from the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Center, one can gradually understand the relationship between the human body and the spiritual world. The entire North Korea became increasingly stable under my rule, but whether the lives of the people were truly getting better? That is a question that deserves a very large question mark.

At that time, I adopted extreme methods of governance. Relying on high-pressure authority and bloody tactics, I would immediately and forcefully suppress any signs of instability. If someone refused to obey me, or if I perceived them as a threat to my power, they might quietly disappear from the crowd one day, or be eliminated by the military forces of the government.

Totalitarian rule can indeed make a country appear glamorous on the surface, or at least maintain an outward appearance of stability. However, what it reveals internally is the panic and anxiety within the hearts of the people, along with the constant fear that they might be purged by the government at any moment. This was certainly a common occurrence during the era I ruled.

After all, I had sacrificed so much and endured so much to finally return to my homeland and establish a nation; how could I easily allow myself to be threatened? Therefore, whenever any crisis arose, I would stifle it at the very first opportunity with the fastest possible speed.

The Poison of Power

Power is indeed a major factor that causes human corruption. Once a person gains power, it becomes extremely difficult to let go of that intoxicating taste. It is truly like a drug addiction; once a person has tasted it, they find it impossible to abandon.

Now, in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I look back at the North Korea of my time. Perhaps there was a brief period where the lives of the civilians became more prosperous, but from a long-term perspective, such totalitarian rule was a fundamental injury to the body, mind, and spirit of the people. This is a situation I see clearly from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and I feel profound sorrow in my heart for those people.

As a founder of a nation and a national leader, what kind of actions would qualify one as 'adequate'? In truth, I asked myself this question while I was alive, but for the most part, I failed to live up to the answer. Whether one acts for the sake of all beings or for one's own benefit—the difference in one's mental note creates vastly different results.

The Inevitability of Karmic Retribution

Karmic retribution is indeed precise and unfailing. The universal principles, the Truth, and the righteous path have never changed in the operation of all things in heaven and earth. When I chose to use extreme measures to maintain a regime and ruled the people of North Korea with high-pressure tactics, the one who was truly being suppressed was my own body, mind, and spirit. Under such intense reactive force, I had no way to lower my defenses or protect myself; any shred of a soft character was impossible for me to achieve at that time.

In those years, I was filled with ambition and launched the war against South Korea, known in history as the Korean War. Ever since I took control of North Korea, I had hoped to unify the Korean Peninsula by force and actively pushed for the outbreak of this war. At that time, demon crowds had already taken control of my entire body; I could not be the master of myself at all. I was not even aware of what this body was doing, because my soul had long been locked away in a space.

The Korean War caused immense damage to the entire Korean Peninsula, and for North Korea, it was a devastating blow. The people who were harmed and the lives that were lost must all be accounted for on my head. Countless resentful spirits had already sought me out, and as the war progressed day by day, more and more spirits came to me to seek revenge.

A Life Without Meaning

In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I see the scenes of the past, and I truly feel that a human life is meaningless. After all, with just one deviation in a mental note or one wrong action, one can lose the ability to be the master of one's own body. If one lives in this world as nothing more than a walking corpse, what is the point of it all?

After practicing the Buddha’s teachings, my heart underwent a tremendous transformation. The Buddha’s teachings are truly vast and boundless; they have allowed my soul, which was once dark and evil, to transform into the pure, bright, and good spiritual life I have now.

In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I have no afflictions and no schemes. There is no such thing as 'ulterior motives' here; there is only heart-to-heart communication, a pure manifestation of the 'oneness' perspective.

The Illusion of Safety

In truth, I spent my entire life chasing one thing: a sense of security. Even later, as the supreme leader of North Korea, using high-pressure, totalitarian methods to rule the country was also a hope that my heart would feel safe and no longer afraid.

Back then, because a large number of resentful spirits sought me out, and many karmic creditors had already awakened within my body, I often experienced hallucinations. In the dead of night, my heart would suddenly become filled with panic, terrified that I would encounter danger or meet with some unexpected misfortune.

Under the interference of countless spirit realm beings, my mental state endured immense pressure for a long time. The final result was that my heart and character were twisted into a state that no human should have, which is why I was able to commit so many heartless, cold, and even evil acts.

The control I exerted over every aspect of the North Korean people—including their thoughts, behaviors, education, food rations, and even the classification of people based on their lineage and background—these malicious policies, which now make me shudder, were all intended to protect my own body.

But was it truly the safety of the body that I craved? In reality, it was not. A true sense of relaxation and the security of not having to worry or fear lies within this heart. However, I did not practice the Buddha’s teachings back then; I did not understand how to care for this heart, nor did I understand how to transform it or in what direction it should be transformed.

I only knew how to use all my strength to forcefully execute every method and tactic to protect my body, clinging to the illusion that I was in a state of safety. But now that I have learned the Buddha’s teachings, I know that no one is in a truly safe state unless they can truly change their heart to be pure and good.

The Path to True Security

This is the fundamental teaching of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia: to start anew and align one's heart with universal principles and the Truth. Under such conditions, one will neither be subject to spiritual attachment nor be controlled by karmic creditors and demon crowds.

More importantly, one's soul gains a guarantee of safety. Yet, this guarantee happens naturally; it is not that the Buddha wants us to chase after spiritual lightness, but rather that He hopes we can preserve our souls from scattering. By being able to be the master of ourselves, we can make good use of this body to practice, eventually reaching the day of realizing our true nature and attaining Buddhahood. When one attains Buddhahood, one can perform various deeds in the human world, teach beings, and save all boundless suffering sentient beings. The number of beings one can help then—whether they are human beings or spirit realm beings—is truly vast.

Put this way, if a person has a deep and clear understanding of what true security is, once they choose the wrong direction, the results will be vastly different—worlds apart. One path leads to the hells, while the other leads to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to attain Buddhahood. The difference is self-evident.

The most critical turning point is: do you choose to cherish this body, or do you choose to cherish your soul? Now, in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, Kim Il-sung can tell everyone responsibly: you must choose the path of cherishing your soul! Because spiritual life is infinitely long and has no end. This soul is unborn and undying; no matter how much time passes, it will not be damaged and will not disappear. However, the physical body only lasts for a few decades in the world. Even if one lives to be one hundred or two hundred years old, it is but a tiny fraction of a long spiritual life—it can be said to be insignificant!

To create all kinds of negative karma for the sake of such an illusory and fleeting body is truly not a wise choice. Therefore, those who want to manage their lives well now, if they can learn the truth of these facts, will naturally choose the path of elevating their spiritual quality.

The Truth Revealed

The concept of elevating spiritual quality seems very distant or strange to ordinary people. Although some understand that there is such a thing as 'spiritual practice' in the world, they keep their distance from it or even have a negative impression. This is all due to a lack of education in the Truth.

Now, the education of the Truth is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Here, Amitabha Buddha reveals the truth about the human body and the universe, unlocks the mysteries of the human body, and discloses the spiritual world to people. He reveals the world of the soul and the various states of the spirit realms, allowing everyone to have a deep understanding of the activities of various spirits.

In the Buddha’s teachings, to elevate one's spiritual quality, one must achieve what is called 'an unmoved mind when encountering situations,' and through purification and the accumulation of merit and virtue, one's spirituality will naturally elevate. If one can continuously purify one's body, mind, and spirit, one can naturally develop the abilities inherent in one's 'true self.' That is what the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is developing—the ability for Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and all things to 'converse' with each other. In the instinct of the true self, this ability is actually just a small part.

The basis of truly purifying the body and mind lies in first making a significant transformation of the heart—that is, changing from egoism to altruism, from thinking for oneself to thinking for others in every situation.

This was a very strange thing to the 'me' of the past, but now I dare not forget this principle for a single moment. After all, when I was in the world, it was for the sake of my own body and my selfish actions that I fell into the Avici Hell after death. I dare not forget such a painful experience.

Now I understand that a truly remarkable person is not one who has the ability to achieve great things, nor one who can win in conflicts with others, but one who can truly forget themselves and dedicate their life to others. In the past, I always thought such people were foolish—what did they get in the end? Now that I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I know that such people are the ones who possess true Wisdom.

When a person can truly reach a state where they no longer think of themselves, but instead dedicate their entire being to others—wishing only for the happiness of others, and even willing to sacrifice their own life for the well-being of sentient beings—those who practise with such diligence often see their spirits elevated after death. Some ascend to the heavens, while others transcend the cycle of rebirth, becoming sages who have moved beyond the six realms of existence.

The Shame of Arrogance

Witnessing this, I feel a profound sense of shame. My past self was far too arrogant. I understood nothing of the spiritual world, yet I self-righteously believed that those who sacrificed themselves selflessly for the masses were merely wasting their lives. I never imagined that while their physical bodies perished, their spirits did not die; instead, they arrived at a far more magnificent place. Compared to me—who harmed others for my own gain and ultimately fell into the hells—they were truly far wiser. It is exactly as Practitioner Su says in the Dharma talks: it is better for a person to be a little more 'simple-minded' and humble.

This concept of being 'simple-minded' is something I have been silently contemplating here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have come to realise that it means being able to take all worldly matters lightly and not being calculative about anything. If one can achieve this, many obstacles on the path of practice will naturally diminish, for all obstacles are, in truth, born from one's own thoughts. Those who can achieve total dedication have already cast aside attachment to the body; with fewer thoughts, there are naturally fewer obstacles.

The Necessity of True Dharma

Therefore, learning the Buddha’s teachings is an incredibly important matter. If one cannot understand the universal principles and the righteous path, it is often difficult to ensure that one's words, actions, and every thought do not cause harm to others. As long as one has not thoroughly grasped the Truth, there will always be some 'impurities' in the subtle aspects of one's conduct, and these impurities are a form of harm to sentient beings. The more impurities one harbours, the more obvious the harm to others becomes.

'Selfishness' is truly a terrible thing. Looking back now, the education I provided to the next generation while I was the ruler of North Korea did not contain a single element that taught them to learn selflessness, nor did it teach them to let go of this physical body. Everything I taught them was about how to protect this body, or even to live for the sake of this body, and I used such methods to manipulate the entire nation. This is not something to be proud of.

The Trap of Control

However, in worldly terms, the effectiveness of such education was extraordinary. After all, people naturally have an innate love for their own bodies and a strong fear of death. With absolute power and military force at my disposal, as long as I continuously instilled and guided people to focus on their own bodies—making them unconsciously want to protect their physical forms—I could naturally seize this leverage and keep them completely under my control.

I can say that I was extremely skilled at using this set of techniques at the time. The mature application of various control methods was, in fact, a form of guidance given to me by demonic beings. Now, residing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my heart is filled with repentance. The children of the next generation are the hope of a nation's future. I know I was deeply mistaken, but now that I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, there is truly no way for me to reverse the current situation.

A Plea for Transformation

I only hope that through the words spoken in this interview, everyone can undergo a major transformation. This major transformation is the hope that the civilians of North Korea will no longer live in a state of deep-seated fear, and the hope that the rulers will show more compassion rather than relying solely on hardline, totalitarian suppression to consolidate their power.

More importantly, I hope that children in North Korea can receive Buddhist education from a young age. Such education teaches people to let go of their own subjectivity, biases, and rigid thoughts, and to rely entirely on the teachings of Namo Amituofo. Let children know from a young age that this heart must be Good, and that they must think of others, cultivating a mindset where helping others is the foundation of happiness.

Most importantly, one must ensure that children understand the preciousness of life. Let them be clear that life must be cherished and respected, that one should not harm any living being, and teach children to help others and give back to their country. I believe that as long as this can be done, it will not pose any threat to the ruler's position; on the contrary, it will allow the entire nation to burst forth with greater vitality.

The Reality of Demons

People should indeed have a better understanding of demonic beings, as the number of demons on Earth today is vast, and far too many reside within the living environments and surroundings of people.

If you do not wish to be controlled by demons, the most important thing is to avoid letting your heart become selfish. As long as people begin to plan for their own bodies and seek benefits for themselves, they become targets for demonic control. Now, the Buddha’s teachings tell us that as long as one diligently chants 'Namo Amituofo' and makes a vow to help sentient beings, one can avoid being controlled by demons. After all, a heart that is entirely pure and entirely Good has no resonance with the magnetic field of demonic beings.

The Light of Deliverance

Practitioner Su is actively performing Chao Du for sentient beings all over the world. As Practitioner Su leads Namo Amituofo to shine forth with great light, immeasurable and boundless sentient beings are led into the Western Land of Dharma Nature. I see the immeasurable and countless sentient beings saved by Practitioner Su every day. They are all overjoyed to see the Buddha-light and rush into it very quickly. In particular, the countless demonic beings across the entire Earth have entered the Western Land of Dharma Nature because they were illuminated by the Buddha-light.

Because Practitioner Su is constantly delivering demonic beings, the magnetic field of the entire Earth has improved. This is a great help to people, as it reduces many interferences in daily life. However, the fundamental reason why people are controlled by demons is that the demon nature within their own hearts resonates with the demons, giving them the opportunity to enter the body to interfere, and even to control.

To solve such problems, one must indeed return to the matter of 'education.' Therefore, Practitioner Su is now very actively promoting the Buddhist education of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to the whole world.

A Hope for the Future

Compared to other countries, North Korea is a nation with very closed information. I do not know if the people of North Korea have the blessings to encounter such a magnificent Dharma, but as long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will not give up. Now, from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I sincerely pray that the power of the True Dharma can extend into the country of North Korea, and I hope that the people of North Korea can come into contact with the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Namo Amituofo is residing in this place; if one can listen to the teachings of Namo Amituofo with a respectful heart, it will be of immense help to oneself.

As the founder of North Korea, I sincerely hope that everyone can attain happiness. Specifically, what is happiness? One must think in reverse: what is the greatest pain in a person's life? It is the three things that everyone will encounter: aging, sickness, and death.

The Buddhist education of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre can help everyone avoid the suffering of aging, sickness, and death. This is wonderful news. Practitioner Su is the best proof; even at over eighty years of age, there is no aging or sickness, and one can even freely travel to and from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Not to mention that Practitioner Su can also lead spirits to rebirth in the Western Pure Land, and I, Kim Il-sung, was only able to come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss because Practitioner Su possesses such skills.

The True Goal of Leadership

The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is truly a magnificent place. I know this is completely unimaginable to the people of North Korea. After all, given the current atmosphere in our country, it is completely unrelated to the worry-free, suffering-free, trouble-free, and pure freedom of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

If I had the chance to do it all over again, as the founder and leader of North Korea, I would definitely promote Buddhism as the state religion. Because I now clearly recognise that only when the entire nation learns the True Dharma of the Tathagata and the Truth taught by Namo Amituofo at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre can the people of the entire country truly attain long-term peace and stability.

This long-term peace and stability is not calculated by worldly time, but by extending the span of life to one kalpa, two kalpas, or even immeasurable kalpas, allowing infinite life to be spent in stability. This is the true benefit that a leader should wish to bring to the people, allowing everyone to attain the true benefits of being free from aging, free from illness, and having a spirit that does not die.

If the entire nation could learn the Buddha’s teachings, and further transform the country into a Pure Land on Earth, that would be ideal. The concept of a 'Pure Land on Earth' is indeed easy to confuse; it does not mean being addicted to the world while practising in it, unable to truly purify one's Body-Mind-Spirit. Rather, it is the hope that all citizens learn the true Buddha’s teachings—the Buddhist education taught by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—so that everyone can be completely purified in Body-Mind-Spirit and develop their own innate potential.

If this can truly be achieved, then the entire North Korea would be equivalent to a Pure Land on Earth. Compared to consolidating power, pursuing economic indicators, or the illusions of infrastructure, this achievement is what every national leader should truly pursue. All those worldly things are ultimately just rolling in illusion; if everyone learns the Pure Land Dharma Gate, chants the name 'Namo Amituofo' with focus, and everyone moves towards the goal of realising one's true nature, attaining Buddhahood, and saving the world, that will be able to help immeasurable and boundless suffering spirits.

The laws of karma and cause and effect do not let a single drop go to waste. Such achievements will not disappear with the death of the human body or the destruction of the Earth, but are solidly recorded in everyone's Alaya consciousness, circulating within the laws of karma.

Now, I, Kim Il-sung, see the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This place is indeed where Namo Amituofo resides. The Buddha-light illuminates all sentient beings in this land and space 24/7; one could say that this place is the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss on Earth. Seeing such a magnificent scene, I cannot help but yearn for it. If a leader could make their country a Western Land of Ultimate Bliss on Earth, just like the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, what an amazing and magnificent achievement that would be! This should be the goal of every leader. Namo Amituofo.

It is now time for more people to recognise the profound Buddhist education offered at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and to truly understand the reality of the universe and human life. I firmly believe that one day, in some corner of this Earth, more Buddha-lands will surely emerge. After all, the scale of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre will not remain confined to the small town of Goombungee forever; in the future, it will inevitably spread across the globe. When that time comes, if every location is developed properly, who is to say that another Buddha-land on Earth will not be born? Think about it—the potential for transformation is limitless.

A Vision for the Future

Right now, here in the Western Pure Land, I am chanting 'Namo Amituofo' with immense joy. To attain Buddhahood and to save all beings—this is my current, unwavering aspiration. I have found my true home, and I wish for all to find theirs.

I am filled with gratitude to Namo Amituofo, and I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su for guiding me to this place of ultimate peace.

Namo Amituofo.

Kim Il-sung