The True Value of Wealth

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Zhang Rongfa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This testimony was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 28, 2019.

Zhang Rongfa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Zhang Rongfa. I have lived nearly ninety years in the human world, and from my current vantage point, I can see the path of life with a clarity that was impossible while I was still bound by the concerns of the world.

The Era of Prosperity and the Illusion of Wealth

I wonder if you have ever heard the old saying, 'In Taiwan, money floods the streets'? Do you remember the 1980s? Heavens, earning money back then was easier than eating a meal! It was as if we were all holding large baskets, effortlessly sweeping wealth into our homes. Every household had pockets overflowing with cash, and bank accounts swelled with staggering figures almost overnight. From that moment, the economy of Taiwan took flight, soaring to heights we had never imagined possible.

Although decades have passed since those golden years, and the economy is no longer what it once was, you only need to look at the cars on our highways to see that the legacy of that era remains. From one end of the motorway to the other, you see luxury vehicles everywhere. While driving a fine car does not necessarily mean one is truly wealthy, it at least suggests that life is quite comfortable. But think about it—what is the actual meaning of earning money? We earn one dollar and immediately crave a second; we gain a second and are consumed by the desire for a third. It is as if our wallets are bottomless pits that can never be filled.

The Greed of the Human Heart

We watch the numbers in our bank books climb, and for a fleeting moment, we feel a sense of pride. Yet, this pride is hollow, and it does nothing to satisfy the insatiable greed of the heart. There is a peculiar trait we Taiwanese people share: we are terrified of others knowing how much we have. I never quite understood this mentality. Are we afraid of people asking for loans, or perhaps that our wealth might be stolen? We constantly insist, 'I have no money, I am poor,' even while our accounts are bursting at the seams. What is the point of such a charade? What is the true purpose of all this toil?

People in the world often say that 'talking about money ruins relationships,' which just goes to show how much importance everyone places on these two things: money and emotion. But let me tell you, in the human world, these are the two least valuable things. When your final breath comes, no matter how much money you have tucked away in your pockets, it will inevitably be taken out and transferred to the accounts of your descendants. We think we are doing them a favour by leaving behind a fortune, hoping they will live a life of ease. But from where I stand now, I see the truth: if you have not taught your children the importance of Generosity, leaving them a mountain of wealth is simply pushing them, one by one, into the bottomless pit of the cycle of being reincarnated.

The Path of Generosity and the Buddha’s Teachings

The Buddha’s teachings are truly profound. Consider a single dollar in this world: a person who understands the practice of Generosity can transform that dollar into a value worth ten million. Conversely, a person who does not understand Generosity could possess ten million in paper currency, and it would only be enough to buy paper offerings to burn for themselves after they pass. I say to all of you living in the world: I have walked this earth for nearly ninety years. I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice, and I have seen this world clearly enough to know the truth.

I often hear people lamenting that 'life has no hope.' I tell you now: if you do not understand how to walk the path of learning the Buddha’s teachings and practising Generosity, then life truly has no hope at all. In my lifetime, I was a follower of I-Kuan Tao, but I understood the value of Generosity, and it was through that Causal Condition that I was able to encounter the Buddha’s teachings.

A Final Plea to the Living

You are all still living in this world, and as long as you have a single breath left, you must cherish this opportunity. Only by learning the Buddha’s teachings can you find the hope of escaping suffering. Without the Dharma, you will remain forever trapped in the cycle of birth and death, reincarnated over and over again. That kind of suffering is not worth it! Listen to the words of this old man: wake up early, and you will be able to live out the true radiance of your life! Namo Amituofo."