The True Investment: Chang Yung-fa’s Legacy of Namo Amituofo’s Work

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chang Yung-fa, 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 current spiritual practice. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on August 25, 2018.

Chang Yung-fa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Every person has their own mind, and I, Ah-fa, always felt my mind was best suited for making money and engaging in public welfare. I have my own philosophy of success; I always believed that failure is merely the driving force behind success. Human life is so incredibly short. I never set out to be famous or to live in the spotlight, yet the arrangements of fate made me a well-known figure in this lifetime. People generally had a positive impression of me, which I attribute to my persistence in adhering to my personal principles of conduct.

The Light and Shadow of the Human Heart

The human heart can be incredibly bright, yet it can also be profoundly dark. The nuances between that light and shadow—the subtle tricks of the trade—are things that all of you should understand even better than I do. These are all worldly matters. Now that my physical body is gone and my spirit resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, my interpretation of success has changed significantly. People in the world often say that behind every successful man, there must be a woman. But here in the Western Land, everyone is a dignified, upright man. Just this condition alone eliminates so many troublesome complications.

I do not need to elaborate on the matters of emotion; you all understand them well enough. Love makes the world a very painful place. Seeking power, seeking fame, and seeking profit—these are the common ailments of humanity, and for the wealthy, these symptoms often appear even more severe. It is precisely because of this constant striving and competing that the human heart is in a state of perpetual flux. The more fame and profit a person possesses, the more arduous their life becomes. Where can one find true joy? Where does the heart find genuine happiness? In truth, it is only through expanding one's mind-capacity and treating others with a sincere heart that one can encompass everything.

A New Perspective on Success

I treated my employees with sincerity and took care of every single one of them; in the eyes of society, I was considered a good boss. However, upon arriving in the Western Land, I realised that my mind-capacity was truly incomparable to that of Namo Amituofo. Every single day, I witness the Buddha leading countless beings back to this home. The definitions of 'good' and 'bad' held by society are accepted by Namo Amituofo without discrimination, provided that the individual is willing to chant Buddha's name and engage in repenting.

Returning to this pure land, I see that everyone’s face is filled with such joy and Goodness. This wonderful place, the Western Land, is not something that can be described in a few short words. Every day, I work alongside my benefactor, Practitioner Su, to help beings be reborn in the Western Pure Land. This Dharma-joy is truly indescribable. The world that the physical eyes cannot see is far too vast and expansive.

An Investment That Never Fails

I, along with many other well-known figures, have joined this work of Namo Amituofo. I urge you all to trust our vision: investing in this work is an investment that will never go wrong. It is a venture that requires no struggle for success, and it is a path that leads to the end of death itself. Let us all raise our voices together to assist Namo Amituofo in His great work."

Chang Yung-fa

Message recorded by the disciple of the Buddha, Shi Faxin.