A Statesman’s Reflection from the Western Dharma-Nature Land

This is a record of an interview with Kakuei Tanaka, the former Prime Minister of Japan, who sought Spiritual Deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his political life and his current spiritual realisation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on February 14, 2026.

Kakuei Tanaka speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. In the course of a person's life, how many true choices do we really have? The critical turning points are few and far between. When I was suffering in the hells, I never shed a single tear. I knew that tears could not help me, and although I understood that I must have done something wrong, I believed that crying was a sign of weakness—a sentiment shared by many in the world. However, now that I, Kakuei Tanaka, am here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, listening to the Dharma, I have truly come to know my own errors. I have finally understood that, sometimes, shedding tears is a profound manifestation of repentance. Just as I stand here now, looking upon the compassionate Namo Amituofo, I have shed tears of gratitude. I am grateful that the Buddha has allowed me to understand the root of my own mistakes—specifically, the mistake of not knowing where I had gone wrong."

The Burden of the Intellectual

"During my time in the world, I was an intellectual who rose from the common people. My character was one of intense passion—I loved and hated with equal fervour, and I possessed a style that was very black-and-white. These traits formed the foundation of my political style. For an intellectual, there is a habit of needing to understand everything, to know everything. It is as if the world must be either black or white, and everything must be crystal clear. If it were a field I was unfamiliar with, perhaps I would let it be, but in areas I knew well, I was incredibly opinionated. This is very common in the world, but it is also very easy to hurt others. After all, in the human world, knowledge is often used as a tool for competition. It is true that knowledge is convenient; it helps you accomplish many things. But when everything is measured by rigid standards, it inevitably leads to 'right' and 'wrong'—I am right, and you are wrong. Here in the Dharma-Nature Land, I see that this was actually a burden upon myself, a form of stubbornness that easily created opposition between people."

A Nation Without an Anchor

"From the Western Dharma-Nature Land, my spirit can see the current situation in Japan. People have become accustomed to relying on external things, living in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment filled with rigid frameworks. In reality, they lack an internal, stable power of support. Now that I have listened to the Dharma here, I understand that because people have no outlet, they must still face aging, illness, and death. Living day by day is a natural choice, and everyone has their own way of surviving. But if everyone knew that it is truly possible to not grow old, not get sick, and not have to worry about death, then with that foundation of faith, their attitude toward life would be completely different."

"At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I have witnessed the so-called spiritual healing method. It is a miraculous process where the compassionate Practitioner Su invites the spirits that cause physical pain to leave the human body and settles them here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, allowing the human body to heal. For many Japanese people who pursue longevity and health, this is the greatest news imaginable. There is no need for medicine or surgery. The only thing one truly needs to do is to retrieve the power within oneself—the true, the good, and the beautiful that has always existed. This is the gift I, Kakuei Tanaka, wish to offer the Japanese people: the Dharma education of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It teaches people to be pure and good, to help the masses, to give back to society, and to chant the six-character name: 'Namo Amituofo'."

The Hidden Reality of Spirits

"Beyond teaching people to be pure and good and to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land, the Buddha’s teachings also reveal the relationship between the human body and the spirit. As a spirit now, I can see that inside a person’s body, there are often many spirits—some are their karmic creditors, while others are spirits that have entered from the outside. When a person receives the education of the Buddha’s teachings, the spirits within their body are also receiving that same education. These spirits exert a great deal of influence and interference on the human body. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I have seen that after some people listen to the sutras and the Dharma, the spirits within them see the golden light of Namo Amituofo and become willing to let go of past grievances, entering the light to seek Spiritual Deliverance. This is a truly joyous thing to witness. The Japanese people truly need this Dharma education. Beyond understanding the possibility of not aging, not getting sick, and the spirit not dying, it is even more important to allow the spirits within them to receive this education as well. This is the conclusion I have reached from my observations here in the Dharma-Nature Land."

"Furthermore, I know that there is a Pure Land school in Japan. Those who have the karmic affinity should come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, because Namo Amituofo is right here. The Buddha is truly here, waiting for everyone to come and see Him. I believe those who find out will be both surprised and delighted."

Where Does the Spirit Go?

"Where does the spirit go after death? This is a question worth exploring for the Japanese people. In the past, it was not easy to get an answer, because who could truly know where one goes after death? However, now at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, because of the presence of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, we can know exactly where people go after they pass away. Namo Amituofo knows where every spirit is right now—perhaps they are human, perhaps they have become celestial deities, perhaps they are animals, or perhaps they are lonely wandering spirits. Many people come here seeking help, hoping to save their deceased relatives and friends, helping them reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a benefit I hope the Japanese people can also receive."

"Now, as a spirit in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, the main difference from when I was alive is that I no longer have a physical body. I do not need to eat, I do not need to sleep, and I do not need to work. I used to love drinking rice porridge, but now I have no need for it. In the world, work is primarily for money, but for a spirit, what is needed is energy. I do not need to worry about this here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, because when I am on my lotus seat, I am constantly bathed in Buddha-light. This provides my spirit with energy, so I am very happy here. But in truth, I know that most spirits are not like me; they are suffering greatly. Whether they are ghost deities or demons, they all need energy to survive, and their source of energy is the absorption of energy from human bodies."

The Invisible Interference

"The entirety of Japan can be said to be filled with spirits; the number of beings in the spiritual realms is more than people can imagine. Everywhere people go, there are spirits around them. This is not an exaggeration by Kakuei Tanaka; it is the truth. Moreover, I can see the thoughts of the Japanese people. It is as if there is a suction force; as people think and contemplate, many spirits are drawn into their bodies by the power of those thoughts. Heavens! I never knew the human body could hold so many spirits. How can one live like that? Yet, I see the Japanese people going about their daily lives as if nothing is wrong. The only difference is that these spirits, including ghost deities and demons, attach themselves to the human body to extract energy, as if the human body were their nutritional package. I listen to Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks and know that if a human body contains too many spirits, it is easy to become depressed or manic, and the body and mind will fall ill. Having synthesized these observations, I have discovered that learning how not to be influenced or interfered with by the spirits inside and outside one’s body is truly a lesson that the Japanese people desperately need."

"When Practitioner Su performs Spiritual Deliverance with his hundreds of billions of Dharma Bodies, I am very happy to see that many spirits around the Japanese people see the massive golden light and joyfully enter it. Some spirits inside the Japanese people also leave their bodies and enter the golden light. In an instant, the number of spirits in Japan decreases significantly. This is truly a good thing for the Japanese people; after all, the interference of the spiritual realm on the human body is truly severe. Furthermore, I have seen that the Buddhist Centre has set up 'Namo Amituofo' signboards in Japan. These signboards do not emit light to the human eye, but to the eyes of spirits, they emit a massive, brilliant golden light. Many Japanese spirits have come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to seek Spiritual Deliverance because they saw these signboards, and many have entered the Western Dharma-Nature Land, where they now live a happy and stable life, just like me."

A Path to Buddhahood

"When I was the Prime Minister of Japan, if I had known that there was another path in life called 'rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss' or 'attaining Buddhahood'—that one does not necessarily have to grow old or get sick—I might truly have chosen to practise this path. However, given that modern people require evidence for everything, if it were not for the fact that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has Practitioner Su, a person who has realised his true nature and attained Buddhahood, I think it would be very difficult for anyone to believe it."

"Right now, Namo Amituofo is residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I have watched the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies held at the temple, and they are truly magnificent. They have saved countless sentient beings. The one who saves them is Practitioner Su, who uses his countless manifestations to bring these beings into his land—the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This is a matter of great importance. I have seen many spirits receive the news and come to the temple to seek Spiritual Deliverance, just like the many spirits in Japan who saw the Namo Amituofo signboards. They have thus had the opportunity to be liberated from suffering and even to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. And here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I can hear the teachings of Namo Amituofo. This is an opportunity that only exists now; it is extremely precious. If one truly follows the teachings, one can, like Practitioner Su, attain the magnificent benefit of realising one’s true nature and attaining Buddhahood."

"I am filled with gratitude as I send these words to the people of Japan, the land that nurtured me. I hope everyone can come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to verify all of this. First and foremost, come to see Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Very quickly, you will be able to experience the benefits that the Buddhist Centre can bring to Japan."

"Kakuei Tanaka"

Namo Amituofo.