The Regret of a Business Titan

This is a record of an interview with Chang Yung-fa, the founder of the Evergreen Group, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his transition from the human world to the spiritual realm and his observations of the Dharma assemblies held at the centre. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on August 28, 2018.

Chang Yung-fa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chang Yung-fa. Yes, the very same Chang Yung-fa associated with the international conference centre that bears my name. I have come forward today because it is vital that my message be broadcast to the world. I was saved by the very person currently delivering Dharma talks on the eleventh floor of the Chang Yung-fa International Conference Centre—Practitioner Su, whom we respectfully address as Buddha Su. It was she who guided me to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Without the compassionate intervention of Practitioner Su, the Chang Yung-fa you are hearing from right now simply would not exist.

A Titan's Plea from the Beyond

However, I find myself in a position of profound frustration. I am a hero with no battlefield left to command. Although the Chang Yung-fa International Conference Centre was acquired under our name through funds provided by our group, I am now a spirit. In death, I wish to repay the immense debt of gratitude I owe to Practitioner Su for saving my life. I want to fully sponsor every single Dharma assembly held there, so that countless other beings in the spiritual realms might have the same opportunity I had—to be delivered by Practitioner Su to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. But I cannot do it. No matter how earnestly I plead, no matter how desperately I call out, even when the virtuous practitioners at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre transcribe my words with such care, my own family members and descendants remain deaf to my voice. It is as if I do not exist!

Think about it—once a person dies, they are rendered utterly useless in the eyes of the living. Regardless of how glorious my life was, or how I left my footprints across the land, the sea, and the sky through the vast empire I built, it is all managed by my children now. Even for someone like me, who achieved a measure of success in the human world, I find that in death, I am powerless to even express my gratitude to my saviour. This is the cold, hard reality of the human world. It is exactly as Practitioner Su has been teaching over these past two days: once you are dead, you can scream until your throat is raw, begging to return to your body or to accomplish some unfinished task, but no one hears you. You are completely ignored.

The Invisible Reality of the Dharma Assembly

Those of you who still possess the blessings of human life and are sitting here listening to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks—look around you! There are empty seats in this hall, and when we spirits look at that, we cannot help but shake our heads and sigh in disbelief. Do you have any idea what is happening right now? In the spiritual space that your physical eyes cannot perceive, the hall is packed—absolutely overflowing—with spirits. It is exactly as Practitioner Su describes: layer upon layer of sentient beings are gathered here, listening to the Dharma, waiting in anticipation for the upcoming three-day Dharma assembly, hoping for the chance to be delivered to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Practitioner Su says this, and I, Chang Yung-fa, say it as well: those who believe are truly blessed. You must learn to cherish this opportunity and have faith in the words of Practitioner Su. For those who refuse to believe, it is a tragedy, but there is little that can be done; everyone’s karmic blessings are different. Please, I implore you, do not ever think that the words I am speaking now are some sort of lie or a scheme to swindle money. If you harbour such thoughts, you will surely have your tongue cut out and fall into the hells.

A Message to the Evergreen Group

People of the Evergreen Group, listen closely—especially those in the upper management. Since my passing, I have made a request, and Practitioner Su has compassionately accepted. She has unconditionally performed Chao Du for all the spirits in the sea lanes where our shipping industry operates, hoping to ensure safe passage for all. Furthermore, during every weekly Thrice Yearning Ceremony at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, she performs free deliverance for the local earth deities and the wandering spirits associated with our conference centre! I have seen it with my own eyes—all those beings connected to my business, whether they are earth deities, wandering spirits, or other ghosts, are all receiving deliverance and being reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss!

Yet, from the very first time they borrowed our venue to hold these Dharma assemblies, I have been absolutely infuriated by the petty bureaucracy! From charging for parking during the setup period to demanding fees for the use of extension cords—it is truly maddening! Even though I now reside in the Western Pure Land, seeing these things makes it very difficult for me not to feel anger. It makes me lament even more that I, Chang Yung-fa, am truly useless. My benefactor, Practitioner Su, is holding Dharma assemblies in the very place I built, and not only am I unable to help, but I have to watch as these small-minded people haggle over fees. They may claim they are just 'doing their jobs,' but if anyone reading these words has the courage—do not be afraid—please pass my message up the chain of command. Let the high-level executives know and believe. If you do, there is no telling what kind of promotion or opportunity might await you.

The Pain of Helplessness

One must not be selfish, and one must never forget their roots. That has always been my principle for doing business. When I was alive, if a fellow practitioner helped my mother, I would always repay that kindness and offer my support. Yet, now that I am dead, I cannot even offer a shred of assistance to my saviour, Practitioner Su. It is truly heart-wrenching! I suggest that Practitioner Su collect all the messages I have dictated since I first entered the Western Pure Land—there are already too many to count—and distribute them to the person in charge of every single floor of the building, including the security office at the entrance. If they treat these words as the ramblings of someone having a dream, or as nonsense, or if they think someone is bored and impersonating the former chairman, and they throw my words into the trash—beware of the karmic retribution that will follow!

When I was alive, I rarely spoke in such harsh terms. I only needed to give a few instructions, and my subordinates would handle everything perfectly. Of course, some matters required board decisions, but they would always inform me before acting. Now, looking at the situation, it seems that if I do not speak sternly, no one listens! Having said that, it is best if people believe. If they do not, Practitioner Su’s great compassion and Buddha-heart are such that, as long as it benefits sentient beings, she will overcome any obstacle to carry out the Buddha’s work. Therefore, the ability to realise one’s true nature, to be reborn in the Western Pure Land with ease, and to deliver immeasurable and boundless beings to the Western Pure Land—this is not a matter of luck. It is the result of true, authentic skill!

I am currently here at the venue, helping to direct the flow and maintain order. Thank you, Practitioner Su! Thank you, Namo Amituofo!"

Namo Amituofo.