The trace of arrogance I once held in my heart—the belief that it was my own ability that achieved so many international peace negotiations—was actually not the case at all. These achievements were not within the scope of my individual power; rather, they were the result of the positive energy attracted whenever a heart of Goodness was emitted.

Had I not encountered the Buddha’s teachings and come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I would not have been able to bring everyone this crucial message: that a heart and mind of Goodness is the key to changing the magnetic field of our world.

A President’s Journey to the Western Pure Land

An Interview with the Spirit of Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Recorded by the interviewer, Fa Ning, on May 2, 2026

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter shares his transition from a life of political service and Christian faith to his recent rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. He contemplates on the limitations of human power and the profound equality found in the teachings of Namo Amituofo.

Jimmy Carter speaks:

Namo Amituofo. I am Jimmy Carter.

Thanks to the guidance of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, I officially arrived at the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss yesterday. I wish to convey the words in my heart to the people at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre; this is something I never imagined would happen!

Furthermore, I am deeply grateful to Lay Practitioner Xu Lin, who registered me for Chao Du. Although we have never met, your initiative has moved me profoundly. That you would hold such respect for what I did in my life—I am truly touched, and I feel I am hardly worthy of such honour!

 

A Century of Life and the Presidency

As one of the few Americans—and the first American president—to be interviewed by this temple, my identity is very familiar to everyone. Yet, in truth, the words ‘President of the United States’ do not stir much emotion in me now. Or perhaps, it is an identity that leaves me with a thousand conflicting feelings and deep reflections.

I lived to be one hundred years old, spanning an entire century. In that long stretch of time, I served as president for only four years. People will always remember my various political achievements, for better or for worse. In the eyes of Americans at that time, I was certainly not a qualified president, which is why I only served one term and could not be re-elected.

However, this was not the most satisfying or brilliant time of my life. Being the U.S. President was not something I had aspired to since childhood. Along the way, after I fought for the rights of the people in my hometown and received their strong support, I stumbled onto the path to the presidency. I truly did not have such grand ambitions when I was young.

 

A New Worldview Beyond Christianity

Today, the guidance of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su has given me a completely different worldview and introduced me to a world I never knew existed. In the one hundred years I spent as Jimmy Carter, the Buddha’s teachings did not leave a deep impression on me.

I was a devout Christian my entire life. In the last few decades of my old age, I even served as a deacon and teacher in my church, teaching the scriptures to others every week. Therefore, I always regarded the Buddha’s teachings as a distant Eastern religious culture, believing they involved worshipping many god-like statues. In Christianity, the image of the Lord is not presented through so many vivid sculptures or paintings as in the Buddha’s teachings, which allow everyone to see what the Buddha looks like.

The reason I did not have a deep impression of the Buddha’s teachings at the time was that Christianity and Buddhism seemed worlds apart. In my heart, the image of the Lord was something beyond human comprehension. Moreover, I spent my life believing that Christianity spoke of only one Creator—one Lord who decides every aspect of human life and established this world.

However, I was not a blind religious fanatic. I was a very pragmatic person throughout my life; I focused only on how to prevent loss of life or how to provide greater security for humanity. This is also how future generations evaluate me: primarily as a promoter of human rights.

 

The True Equality of the Western Pure Land

The Jimmy Carter of today holds a vastly different perspective on Buddhist education, especially the teachings brought to us by Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Throughout my life, I strove to maintain peace between nations and equality among people, hoping that war would never happen again and that everyone could live a good, equal life. However, I never expected that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, where I have now arrived, would be the only place where true equality exists. It offers a level of equality and compassion that I could never achieve, no matter how much I struggled or sacrificed during my earthly life.

This is because the Buddha has transcended all the afflictions and constraints of the mundane world. By detaching from these bonds and purifying into a Buddha, the distinction between ‘you, me, and him’ vanishes, allowing for the true perspective of oneness and equality. This realisation of absolute equality has been the greatest shock and most profound revelation the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss has brought me.

I have only been in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss for a little over a day. Yet, as I listen to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su explain the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss as described in the Infinite Life Sutra, I see that everything is exactly as it is described before my eyes. The fact that Namo Amituofo made the Forty-eight Great Vows to establish this world was initially a startling concept to me, as it had never existed within my previous worldview.

As I delve deeper, I find that every one of Namo Amituofo’s Great Vows shakes my heart. They far exceed the imagination I once had regarding the peace, benevolence, and compassion I always sought to uphold. I now understand what it truly means to be an awakened being who has realised their true nature: because there is no ‘self’—because the ‘self’ has been completely released—and because the vow to fulfill all beings has arisen, only then can such soul-stirring vows be made.

 

Regrets and the Ghost Realm

In the depths of my heart, I always yearned to promote what is good. In my later years—especially in the decades following my presidency—I tried my best to actively mediate peace negotiations around the world, hoping that nations would choose peaceful dialogue over force. Yet, there were many things in my life I could not bring to true perfection, simply because the difference between me and the Buddha is so vast. The Buddha can speak of true equality and perfection because the Buddha has no ‘self,’ whereas I was still bound by one. Thus, while I strove to do good, I would sometimes inadvertently cause harm despite my best intentions, or achieve certain goals at the expense of others. There were, indeed, stains upon my life.

I am profoundly grateful for the guidance of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. I am also grateful to Lay Practitioner Xu Lin for registering me for Chao Du. Your respect for me allowed this opportunity for rebirth in the Buddha-land, liberating me from the pain of the six realms of rebirth and granting me the chance to share these words with the world. Your merit is boundless. Thank you.

Before arriving at the Western Dharma-Nature Land , I was indeed a lonely soul—what Westerners call a ‘ghost.’ I lived as a ghost on the plains of the American South, my home. However, my hometown was devoid of sunlight; it was grey, dim, and entirely different from the life I once knew. For the year or so that I could not see the light—from the time I left the human world at the end of 2024 until my arrival at the Western Dharma-Nature Land and then the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—being a ghost for that year gave me space for deep reflection. So, this is what the spiritual realms are like. There are so many people who become ghosts after death.

In the plains of the American South, the world of ghosts is very complex and crowded. I could see ghosts of all colours—white, black, and Native American—all living in that space. We did not interfere with one another, though there was a faint interaction. In this spiritual realm, everyone seemed to have forgotten this former president; few recognised me. Unlike my life in the human world, there were no greetings, no smiles, and no need for security agents. To be honest, it allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief!

However, the ghost realm is much more monotonous. I was no longer the master of my own fate; I could not decide what to do or what not to do. I simply ‘went with the flow,’  following the aimless movements of the other spirits. I even served as a Christian teacher in the ghost realm. This was a role I discovered I could fulfill for the beings in the spiritual realms once I had gained a foothold in that world. It was much the same as what I had done for decades in the human world; only the audience had changed. That audience was diverse, comprising all kinds of people. Since they knew I was adept at explaining the teachings of the Bible, I would speak to them at fixed times. Thinking back on it now, it is quite remarkable, isn’t it?

I once thought that after I died, I would be able to go to Heaven, as the scriptures often spoke of the divide between Heaven and Hell. However, because I still held many attachments that I had not let go of, and because my life in my old age was a mixture of merits and faults, I was left with many regrets that I felt powerless to change.

Of course, I also committed my share of mistakes. I stood on the wrong side of the international stage at times, supporting people I should not have supported—especially regimes and tyrants who were unkind and cruel to their people. When choosing sides, I sometimes made the wrong choice or was forced into a position that prevented me from truly following the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path spoken of in the Buddha’s teachings. This resulted in biases that left me with deep regrets. Perhaps I can share a few more words about these matters when I discuss my life experiences in a moment.

In any case, during my time as a ghost, just as I had finally managed to find a bit of purpose, I was blessed with an even greater fortune: being guided to the Western Dharma-Nature Land, a true Buddha-land.

While I was still giving lectures in the ghost realm, a golden light suddenly appeared above my head. A compassionate elder was calling out the name ‘Jimmy Carter’ in Chinese. It wasn’t that I understood Chinese at the time, but in the ghost realm, language is not a barrier. Even though the elder spoke in Chinese—a language I was not familiar with during my life—I immediately understood that the person being called was me: the former US President Jimmy Carter.

Thus, following that call, I entered a beam of light and arrived directly at the Western Dharma-Nature Land. A lotus flower appeared beneath me—a flower that belonged to me alone. It was remarkably similar to the lotus flowers described in Buddhist scriptures.

When Namo Amituofo appeared before me, I recognised him instantly—this was the Buddha! It felt as if my entire mind had suddenly become clear and bright. I didn’t need the Buddha to say a single word; I knew this majestic, golden figure standing before me was Namo Amituofo. Standing alongside him was the living Buddha from the human world who had invited me up: Practitioner Su.

Many things became clear to me in an instant, and my heart felt incredibly serene. Ever since, I have held a heart of deep gratitude. Wishing to repay this kindness and eager to learn, I have gradually settled into my new life here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land.

 

The Resonance of the Buddha-Name

Here, the Buddha-name of Namo Amituofo is constantly being played. At first, I felt a slight resistance because it differed from my familiarity with the Lord Jesus; we did not constantly chant His name. But here, the name ‘Namo Amituofo’ is chanted truly and continuously.

As it turns out, the Buddha compassionately explained to me that after he attained Buddhahood, he wished for everyone to follow in his footsteps and attain Buddhahood as well. Therefore, he gifted this name to all beings, allowing everyone to chant the Buddha-name together and awaken the Buddha-nature and true self that has always existed within our own hearts.

The moment I heard those words—’Buddha-nature and true self’—tears streamed down my face. I realised that I actually had a Buddhist affinity a long time ago. When I learnt of the Buddha’s compassion and realised that I, too, could have the opportunity to realise my true nature and attain Buddhahood just like him, my heart was truly shaken! The equality in the Buddha’s teachings is rooted in the truth that all beings are Buddhas; it is from this foundation that a genuine heart of equality is developed.

 

The Universal Truth of Equality

This is something that cannot be found in any other religion in the world. Here, there is no god who is ‘greater’ or ‘lesser,’ nor are there animals considered more insignificant or fragile than humans. This is because the true self within every life is equal; it is only because our karma differs and our Causal Conditions vary that we appear in different forms. Every person and every animal has the potential to realise their true nature and attain Buddhahood. At that moment, I was filled with extreme joy. Having reached the end of my life and arrived in this world, I found that I still had a new goal: to be like the Buddha—to attain Buddhahood and save all beings!

I am filled with joy. I know that attaining Buddhahood must be an extraordinary feat, because by becoming a Buddha, one can help others just as the Buddha does, guiding them from a world of darkness into a world of light. This is something every Buddha can do after realising their true nature.

In truth, I discovered the Buddha’s teachings too late. Having studied the Bible for a lifetime—nearly a hundred years—and with my family members and myself all being devout Christians, I never had the opportunity to encounter the Truth, the Right Path, and the Universal Principle spoken of in the Buddha’s teachings.

 

A Higher Perspective on Faith

This is not to say that Christianity is inferior to Buddhism; I would never have such a thought. I believe these different faiths are simply the various ways in which Buddhas and Bodhisattvas teach, adapting to the individual capacities of people. Everything taught regarding benevolence and peace in Christianity adheres to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path; it is simply not as ultimate or perfect as the Buddha’s teachings. Differences in faith are actually just variations within Causal Conditions.

Later, I learnt that Jesus and my Lord had once stayed in the Eighteenth Heaven, and were subsequently guided by Practitioner Su to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Now that I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, if I wish to see them, I only need to form a mental note, and I can see the Lord and Jesus immediately. This is truly a miraculous thing!

I never expected that the Lord and Jesus, whom I worshipped for my entire life, would be reunited with me in this Buddha-land. I truly want to share this news with all my American friends and relatives so they may understand the vastness and compassion of the Buddha’s teachings. Although I may not always know how to express these profound truths, now that I am in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I feel there is much I can say!

 

The Weight of the Presidency and the Roots of Division

If you were to ask me to dissect the story of my life in detail, most people would expect it to revolve around my four years as president. Indeed, in the eyes of many, that was the only time I, Jimmy Carter, was truly known. It is inevitable that every action I took and every word I spoke while serving as president left a deep impression on the world. However, I must say that this was the most distorted and struggling four-year period of my life.

I was originally a state senator in the South and later became a governor. The American South, specifically Georgia, was where I grew up and where I first served my country. The America I was born into was a deeply divided society. By ‘divided,’ I mean that as a white person at the time, the worlds of white and Black people were completely separated.

In my simple, young heart, because I knew that everything Jesus said was based on peace, equality, and benevolence, I was always puzzled: why must white and Black people be separated? Why must the toilets we used, the schools we attended, and even the cinemas we went to be segregated? Even the water we drank—the public drinking fountains—had to be separate.

Furthermore, what saddened me most at the time was the inherent injustice of this divide. If a Black person accidentally entered a white area, they would be harshly driven away, and some would even be beaten; yet if a white person accidentally entered a Black area, they would be left in peace. Why on earth was this?

 

The Seeds of Change

In the most innocent world of my childhood, there was a time when I thought the reason Black people’s skin was dark was that they were infected with a disease. I conjectured that they were separated from white people in all public places to protect the white population from falling ill. At the time, my understanding of race was almost non-existent, and my parents did not provide me with a more accurate explanation.

As I grew older, I learnt that my father was strongly opposed to white and Black people sharing the same spaces. He firmly supported the racial segregation policies of the United States, believing that the two races should be kept completely separate in everything they did—down to the most basic acts of eating or using the restroom. This realisation deeply hurt my young heart.

Once I truly understood the concept of race, I became more firmly convinced that people should not be divided, especially by skin colour; I saw it as a truly  tragic thing. I began to realise that the American South where I grew up had been staunchly conservative for generations. Many white people firmly believed in separation, refusing to offer Black people equal treatment or job opportunities. They were treated as second-or third-class citizens, or even worse, like the slaves of days gone by.

By my teens, I gradually came to understand these systemic injustices, my heart was deeply pained. Yet, a firm conviction had already sprouted in my heart; no matter what my father said, I would not waver. My father did not know my thoughts, and I did not dare reveal them to him. Instead, I silently hoped that one day, if I ever I had the power and ability, I could do something to change the lives of Black people.

 

A Commitment to Equality

Years later, I finally encountered this opportunity I had longed for. Step by step, I rose through the political ranks and was eventually elected Governor of Georgia. Even before I took office, I had publicly expressed my firm opposition to racial segregation. I hoped that the American people could become more united, regardless of skin colour or background. I actively used my position to ensure that Black people could obtain equal employment and development opportunities. I wanted my actual actions to prove to everyone that white and Black people are one family.

Once elected governor, I had even greater opportunities to vigorously implement these policies. I worked to allow Black and white people to live and work together, ending the systemic policies that had long separated them. Slowly, I moved the state away from rigid, long-standing  segregation and toward the open policies we see today.

Looking back, this is the achievement from my younger years that I am most proud of. It was because of this commitment that, before I was even elected President, I received the support of many Black voters. I continued to work hard to ensure that every citizen, regardless of race, had a fair opportunity to vote.

Before I became President, my life was truly rich and multifaceted. I was accepted into the military academy I had dreamt of, and I learnt a great deal during my service. As a naval officer, my time in the military had a profound impact on my life; it forged me into a disciplined individual who knew how to calmly analyse problems under pressure.

I also served as a nuclear engineer. During a nuclear disaster, I led a small team into a high-risk zone to dismantle a nuclear reactor. In that incredibly dangerous operation, we relied on immense perseverance and a spirit of cooperation to successfully resolve the crisis, an effort for which I received much acclaim at the time.

That experience solidified my conservative stance on nuclear energy for the rest of my life. Having witnessed the risks firsthand, I was unwilling to develop related products because I possessed a very practical understanding of the impact of radiation on human health. Having been a victim of exposure myself, I remained extremely cautious about its use.

 

A Life of Partnership and Principle

Our family originally ran a peanut business, though it once faced a period of decline. During this time, I married my wife, Rosalynn, who was a remarkably kind and understanding woman. She accompanied me through the highs and lows of my life. Many times, when I had to choose between political expediency and the benevolence in my heart, she would firmly walk with me on the path of compassion. Her resilient spirit is something I deeply cherish and admire; I will never forget it.

After my father passed away, I retired from the Navy and returned to my hometown to help revive the family peanut business. We were successful in doing so but I did not indulge in that success for long. I chose to run for Governor of Georgia, which gave me the opportunity to pursue my lifelong ambition: to firmly oppose racial segregation and do my utmost to promote fairness and equality among all people.

 

The Price of Standing Against the Tide

At that time, the white majority shut me out. During many voting campaigns, my wife and I were often the only white people among many who supported the abolition of segregation. The verbal abuse I received from society was immense, and other white people kept their distance from me. In the white world, I was considered a rebel because I did not support policies that granted white people special privileges and inequality. The journey was certainly not easy, but my faith always told me that this was a path I had to walk with conviction.

I was once an idealist, believing that if I were elected President of the United States, I would have the power to change many things. However, I soon found that a U.S. President’s actions are constrained by Congress to maintain a balance of power. This meant the bills I hoped to pass could not be enacted by my name alone; they required the support of a vast number of legislators. Despite these obstacles, I truly believed that as President, I could lead the nation toward a more equal and harmonious society.

 

 The Hidden Rules of the White House

During those four years in the White House, I witnessed the ‘game rules’ passed down through generations—the many unspoken rules that bind people and prevent them from acting autonomously. To put it bluntly, most of these hidden rules did not conform to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path. They were often secret exchanges made to gain benefits or achieve specific ends.

Many past presidents pushed bills forward in this manner, perhaps spending huge sums of national funds to win the approval of legislators or securing the support of specific interest groups to advance their ideal policies. I firmly opposed this approach, which led to many of my own policies stalling or being rejected. It was truly a helpless situation.

 

A Different Vision for America

People often considered me a weak president, and in the eyes of many Americans, perhaps I was. I did not believe in the ideology of ‘America First.’ Although I had deep affection for this land and wanted to do my best to give back to the country, I did not believe that America had to step on the shoulders of others or sacrifice the interests of other nations to achieve its own dominance. This is a policy I have seen America pursue for a century; one could say it has been the case for every president.

After pushing for the end of segregation, I deeply felt that people should be able to cooperate and complement one another. Everyone has different strengths. We should use our own strengths to compensate for the shortcomings of others and move forward together on the path of cooperation. Only then can we bring true peace, stability, and strength to the nation.

 

The Burden of Moral Choices

I was not unaware that these dark, internal realities existed, but I truly did not expect that my moral persistence would prevent me from achieving so much of what I believed should be done. In that era, U.S. Presidents seemed accustomed to using coercive means to interfere in the affairs of other countries. This was especially true during the Cold War, when the United States and the Soviet Union were in a state of absolute opposition, with each side aggressively supporting its own camp.

At the time, I secretly hoped the Cold War would end early, allowing nations to move toward a true ‘multi-polar system’ where multiple major powers could speak for the people of the world simultaneously. However, I eventually discovered that whether the pressure came from within the U.S. or from abroad, the various constraints left me at a loss. I was often unsure of how to truly follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path within such a system. Maintaining moral standards—without sacrificing the interests of smaller nations for the sake of American interests—was truly an arduous task.

 

A Controversial Act of Compassion

The first thing I did upon becoming President caused a great deal of dissatisfaction at the time. During the Cold War, the United States supported the southern front of the Vietnam War, sending many young soldiers to the front lines. However, many American youths resisted the war or lacked the courage to go to the battlefield, choosing to evade service and leave the military. Many of these individuals fled abroad; because they were blacklisted by the government, they could be neither welcomed back nor established in their own country.

I felt a profound sense of sympathy for them. I knew many were forced by circumstances, and I believed that resisting war was often a psychological expression of a desire for peace. Therefore, I decided to grant these individuals a second chance, allowing them to become productive members of society rather than spending their lives hiding in foreign lands in misery. It seemed a waste of potential for so many ambitious young people. I quickly issued a policy to redress the grievances of those who had evaded military service and removed them from the blacklist.

This caused a massive backlash. Many citizens believed these people were traitors or were simply selfish. But I understood that most were driven by various unavoidable reasons. Believing that there is rarely an absolute right or wrong in such human struggles, I decided to release these people from their legal burdens so they could serve their country in other ways.

 

The Struggle Against Deep-Rooted Prejudice

Many of the policies I championed throughout my life were rejected by the American people at the time because they were diametrically opposed to the mainstream thinking of the era. There was a significant difference between that generation and people today: they placed immense importance on the perceived superiority and self-esteem associated with being white. This intense self-consciousness caused deep suffering and left many Black people scarred by the coercive measures of the white population.

This issue of racial discrimination has existed in American society since its inception; white people have discriminated against Black people for hundreds of years. As President, I wanted to use my status and prestige to gradually alleviate the hatred in people’s hearts, allowing them to truly see the inherent good in one another.

We must realise that America does not belong solely to white people; it belongs to the indigenous Native Americans. The reality of white rule over this land only began after the British arrived and took root. Therefore, I firmly believed that we must respect the indigenous people and ensure that everyone—regardless of their origin—has equal opportunities on this land.

My four years in the White House were a time of walking on thin ice. Because the majority of people did not support my policies—or could not accept them from the bottom of their hearts—I struggled to forge a new path, only to feel hindered by what was perceived as my own incompetence.

 

The Pursuit of Peace

Despite these struggles, perhaps the achievement I am most proud of in my life was my effort to maintain regional peace, specifically in the Middle East, by helping two nations reach a historic peace agreement. At the time, Israel and Egypt were deeply hostile toward one another. Their influence in the regions was significant;  the United States had provided massive military aid to Israel for a long time, while a coalition of other countries, led by Egypt, stood on the opposite side.

Whether due to territorial disputes, regional power struggles, or energy concerns, these nations would often break out into wars of varying scales over the smallest matters, leading to countless casualties. Driven by a desire to end this cycle, I invited the President of Israel and the Prime Minister of Egypt to the White House to mediate and negotiate peace for both sides.

I did not want to use the flames of war to solve problems. I believe that as long as we have the ability to speak, we can resolve the most difficult conflicts in the most perfect way. As long as we communicate thoroughly, we can complete this mission of peace together.

I spent thirteen days at that time working to convince the leaders of both sides to stop warring and sign that peace agreement. In my heart, that agreement was very precious. Perhaps the joy I felt far exceeded that of the leaders and the people of those two countries. I was genuinely happy for them, because less war means fewer senseless casualties.

Throughout my political career, and even after retirement, I often travelled to the front lines to negotiate with national leaders. My goal was always to reduce wars between countries and resolve problems through peaceful means. Perhaps the most famous example was when I was older and travelled to North Korea to meet with President Kim Il-sung. At the time, I hoped he would engage in further consultations with South Korea, and I did my best to help them resolve the predicament that was leading them toward the battlefield.

I know that many times, when national leaders consider starting a war, they know deep down that it is unwise and will bring great pain and casualties to the people. Why, then, do so many presidents still choose this path? I did not understand it at the time. I only felt that with my own modest ability, I could persuade them, help them find their calm, and perfectly resolve the wars that were about to break out.

Until now, as I look back from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss upon everything I once did, I have realised the truth. Whenever I sincerely emitted a thought of Goodness—wishing only to help the nation and its people by reducing war and resolving conflicts through peaceful means—there were always many benevolent spirits surrounding me. They were there, supporting and helping me complete every single one of those peace negotiations.

 

The Power of a Sincere Heart

Even after I was no longer president, I travelled to Haiti to confront the local dictatorial government. I hoped the leader would step down, allowing the people to restore the nation’s political situation in a more democratic and peaceful way. My goal was also to prevent the then United States President, Bill Clinton, from launching a massive invasion of Haiti—an action that would have put the lives of the vast Haitian population in grave danger.

These various events demonstrate that these achievements were not something I could have achieved through my own strength alone. Rather, once a thought of Goodness is emitted—especially one that affects the lives of millions—it attracts the protection of numerous deities, benevolent spirits, and even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to safeguard world peace.

Because of this thought of Goodness, the ‘demon nature’ within the hearts of the demon crowds—those who wanted to incite war—and the hearts controlled by these demon crowds, found no foothold. This allowed the situation to be eased and resolved peacefully. Now that I have discovered the Truth behind all of this, I am truly amazed!

 

The Illusion of Personal Arrogance

The trace of arrogance I once held in my heart—the belief that it was my own ability that achieved so many international peace negotiations—was actually not the case at all. These achievements were not within the scope of my individual power; rather, they were the result of the positive energy attracted whenever a heart of Goodness was emitted.

Had I not encountered the Buddha’s teachings and come to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I, Jimmy Carter, would not have been able to bring everyone this crucial message: that a heart and mind of Goodness is the key to changing the magnetic field of our world.

If one can maintain purity and absolute Goodness in the depths of the heart, one can contribute to world peace. There is no need to overuse the intellect, nor is there a need to exhaust the people and drain the treasury to wage war or engage in unnecessary mediation. As long as this thought of Goodness naturally flows from the heart, it allows positive energy to advance the cause of peace, helping the demon crowds to surrender or find their calm.

My heart is filled with immense emotion at this moment. It turns out that all of this is truly inconceivable; I was in the midst of it all, yet did not understand the underlying reason. But it was a good deed after all, and this allowed me—despite a life of mixed merits and demerits—to always walk on a path of benevolence built upon moral foundations.

 

A Stain on My Political Legacy

During my presidency, there were many policies that violated the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path. These actions caused the people to suffer, drained the national treasury, or supported regimes that inflicted massive violence upon humanity. At the time, while manoeuvring between major powers, I did not always know how to stand my ground or remain on the side of justice. Perhaps the most famous example was my support for the brutal Cambodian government, a decision made because I wanted to establish diplomatic relations with China. This position remains a stain on my political career.

During that era, millions of people in Cambodia sacrificed their lives because of the brutal Pol Pot regime. In order to achieve the national interest of establishing diplomatic relations, and because of my own misguided belief that I ‘must sacrifice the minor righteousness to achieve the greater righteousness,’ I supported that government’s hold on power. In doing so, I indirectly allowed many people to suffer. I feel deep sense of sorrow and guilt regarding this; it has always been an indelible stain on my heart!

I must also admit my own moments of cowardice and ignorance. Many times, under the pressure of cabinet ministers or congressmen, the peaceful mediation I originally intended to conduct was subverted by the violent means traditionally used by the United States to solve problems. Although some of these instances did not result in immediate casualties, the policies and methods established therein had already violated the Universal Principle.

 

The Dark Side of Power

I must say that my four years as president left me with much joy, but also many regrets. Regarding politics, there were actually many realities I found impossible to accept. I could not condone the fact that I, or my close subordinates, walked down such a dark political path.

There are many hidden, darker sides to American politics, which likely mirror those of other major powers. Since the United States has held absolute global power for many years—particularly after becoming an international leader following the Second World War—the unilateral policies adopted toward many smaller countries have been driven entirely by our own economic interests. Whether we supported or opposed a specific regime, the decision was always made to consolidate our energy interests and to prioritise the future development of domestic enterprises.

Although I strongly denounced these practices and disliked the extreme right-wing approach of sacrificing the interests of other nations to pursue the economic interests of our own country, it was a very difficult reality to grasp. At the time, there were too many things I wanted to resolve but felt powerless to change. I consistently sought a middle ground—a way to ensure equality so that all parties received the benefits they deserved—but this proved to be no easy task.

Consequently, I focused my efforts on the broader goal of reducing casualties and promoting world peace and development. In this process, it sometimes felt necessary to sacrifice some minor righteousness or smaller interests; it seemed unavoidable. In my pursuit of greater righteousness—to enable people to live in an environment with human rights and freedom, and to allow the people of all countries to communicate with transparency—I did indeed sacrifice a great deal. Ultimately, I was unable to reach a state of perfection.

 

The Panama Canal Decision

Of course, when the greater righteousness of my own country was at stake, I would occasionally sacrifice immediate national interests to promote global equality, ensuring that smaller nations obtained genuine opportunities.

At the time, the public strongly opposed one particular action I took: returning control of the Panama Canal to the nation and people of Panama. This decision was despised by many high-level U.S. government officials and a significant portion of the public.

The Panama Canal was built by the United States many years ago. It was excavated to facilitate international commerce and vessel traffic across the Atlantic Ocean. Although the United States maintained complete control over the Panama Canal, I found this arrangement unreasonable. Since the canal was located within Panama and had been operational for many years, I believed that sovereignty and control should rightfully be returned to Panama.

If the United States had insisted on maintaining its rights over the canal, it would have appeared to the world that we sought to dominate and occupy a position of unilateral power. Therefore, I worked tirelessly to facilitate the return of the Panama Canal to its people. I must admit, however, that this decision was also rooted in our own national interests. At the time, I feared that the United States would be drained of wealth and resources defending the canal, or that we would be subjected to constant attacks and voices of discontent. To ensure the safety of our compatriots stationed there, this transition was the only viable path forward.

Consequently, my primary reflection as a president was this: many policies are not inherently ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in an absolute sense. Instead, one must prioritise the interests and benefits of the majority. If a policy serves only a select at the expense of the many, it cannot be considered a good policy.

 

Reflections on Failure and the Self

Later, as is well known, I failed to be re-elected. During my term, many people grew dissatisfied with my policies, labelling me as incompetent or cowardly, and believing that my decisions did not prioritise the interests of the American people. I did, in fact, failed to use the power of the Presidency to its full extent to protect the nation and its people. I made some mistakes, most notably during the Iran crisis. I must admit that I struggled to manage the broader landscape, which caused many people to suffer, and for that,  I deeply apologise.

After losing the election, I felt a sense of relief deep in my heart—though the world remained unaware of it. The political pressure of those four years was simply immense. Carrying the weight of every issue, from internal domestic struggles to external global pressures, felt as though it was draining my soul. It left many of my goals unrealised, and through that struggle, I came to see that every matter truly has two sides.

In the political world at that time, everyone was driven by their own interests. As the president of nation, attempting to satisfy the needs and benefits of all parties is a nearly impossible task. Unless those involved are willing to compromise—to let go of this ‘I,’ and relinquish their own self-interests—there is no way to achieve a truly equitable policy. This is the reflection I arrived at after witnessing the true complexities of human nature.

Today, in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, I see all of this even more clearly: the same truth applies between nations as it does between individuals. As long as this ‘I’ remains, it is impossible to truly accommodate another or hold them within one’s heart. In this world, apart from Practitioner Su and those who have realised their true nature and attained Buddhahood, who else is without an ‘I’? I see now that it is difficult— truly too difficult. As long as there is even the slightest bit of ‘I’ existing, one will inevitably remain self-oriented, and consequently, sacrifice the needs of others. How can such a heart ever reach perfection?

The world is largely unaware of the concept of ‘I,’ nor does it understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path as presented in the Buddha’s teachings. Consequently, the American experience—from the past to the present—is built upon the infinite magnification of the ‘I,’ and the education is no different. From a young age, children are indoctrinated to seek self-worth and a personal foothold; they are taught to be self-oriented in all things and to make their own lives shine at their brightest. But what about the personalities that are stunted, and the people who are sacrificed in this relentless pursuit?

During my four years as president, I understood in my heart that I might not have been the most suitable candidate for president. Consequently, upon leaving office in my fifties and still in good health, my wife and I felt we possessed unique insights into international affairs. We shared a desire to help people resolve the challenges of their lives or existence in the most peaceful way possible.

Therefore, we decided to use our personal savings, along with proceeds from my books and other lifelong endeavours, to establish the ‘Carter Centre’ foundation. Through this foundation, we sought to speak for the world’s marginalised people and dedicate ourselves to the cause of global peace.

Retirement was the most fulfilling and joyful period of my life. The establishment of the Carter Centre, along with the peace mediations and negotiations I conducted for various nations after leaving office—each success brought me profound satisfaction. Although I was a former president, acting as a private citizen while still carrying a certain ‘presidential aura’ allowed me to earn the respect and support of many. Because I was dedicated to good work, and as a former president, I was afforded security protections by the state, I was able to move forward straightforwardly and without any worry.

 

A Heart for the Marginalised

Regarding the marginalised people of the world, I have always held a heart that sought justice, hoping to fight for them and improve their lives. Building homes for the poor—both in the United States and abroad—to provide them with shelter from the wind and rain—this was something I took great pleasure in.

I have been a hands-on person since I was young; as an engineer, I had many opportunities to work with my own hands. In the later stages of my life, having the chance to build houses again—and for such a meaningful cause—filled my heart with immense joy. I participated in numerous housing projects, working alongside the people on construction sites every day, never tiring of the labour.

The peace and stability in my heart were truly beyond words. Compared to the immense pressure I faced every day as President, this was a wonderful time. While I still had my strength, and while my body was free from illness and pain, those thirty or forty years were the happiest of my life.

 

Addressing Global Crises

I also participated in efforts to resolve infectious diseases and viral outbreaks across various parts of Africa. At the time, numerous complex and obscure viruses, as well as parasitic infections, were devastating the lives of millions in Africa. Because many communities lacked access to clean water, they were forced to rely on contaminated sources, causing widespread illness and premature death.

These crises led us to conduct extensive scientific experiments and public health projects to eradicate these parasitic or bacterial threats. Our efforts earned widespread recognition and applause, eventually leading to the honour of a Nobel Peace Prize.

 

The Subtle Shadow of the Ego

If you were to ask me whether the word ‘I’ was mixed into these good deeds, I must be honest with you all: yes, it was. I remained a mortal. Every glorious deed I performed was, in fact, tinged with a little bit of that ‘I’. I hoped to be affirmed by the world; I hoped the world would forget the stains left by the misguided or unavoidable policies of my four years as president. I hoped to make amends for the mistakes I had committed, so I exerted my greatest efforts to promote health and peace for humanity. There was still a degree of selfishness and a desire for face, but compared to my earlier years, my heart at that time was already quite pure and calm.

 

The Weight of Karma

It was this subtle ‘I’—which I did not even notice myself—that meant that even though I did many good things, I still inevitably fell ill and grew weak in my old age, eventually leading to the separation of the four elements and death (The physical breakdown of the body during death, the loss of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind). Buddhist Practitioners chant Namo Amituofo to bypass this painful separation and allow the spirit to depart peacefully.)

Although I lived to be one hundred, the final years of my life were indeed frail and powerless, forcing me to spend my days in a wheelchair to finish out my life.

At the time, I was already very grateful that I could still do things for society while I was alive and had the strength; this was a gift from Heaven. I was deeply grateful to the Lord and Jesus for giving me a healthy body and a clear mind to accomplish these tasks. Therefore, before the Lord and Jesus, I was always humble and modest, not daring to claim credit for myself. Yet, amidst the praise of the vast public, I could not help but feel that sense of joy and the presence of my own ego. Yes, that is why, despite accumulating these blessings, I also exhausted some of them during my presidency. Through the offsetting of these various deeds, even though I lived to be one hundred by the grace of the Buddha—I could not escape aging, sickness, and death, nor could I avoid becoming a spirit in the spiritual realms, unable to achieve spiritual elevation.

 

A Life of Contradictions

Jimmy’s life is a true reflection of many people. I had a kind heart and a desire to do good. I was also a devout Christian, relying on Christ and the teachings of Jesus, wanting to walk the righteous path. But forced by many helpless situations—and because my own personality had not yet truly changed—I inevitably created some karma.

This life, filled with both merits and faults, meant that I would not suffer in the hells, but I also could not achieve spiritual liberation. In the realm of ghosts, I often wondered: why could I not go to Heaven to meet Jesus? I had spent so much of my life actively explaining Christian doctrines and providing answers to the doubts of others. Yet, this merit, or hard work, still could not grant me the opportunity to meet the Lord and Jesus after death.

 

Truths Revealed

Many of the questions and doubts in my heart were answered one by one after I arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land. It was as if layers of clouds were gradually being peeled away, allowing me to better understand the truth of the universe and to see clearly all the contradictions and imbalances that existed in my heart while I was alive.

Why could many things not be resolved? Why could I not get a concrete answer? No matter how hard I tried to do good, I would still inevitably commit a few bad deeds while doing ten good ones. There were reasons for this, of course—including the pressure of the external environment and the influence of my own deep-seated personality and ego-attachment.

 

The Support of the Unseen

I later discovered that when I sincerely wanted to do things for people—regardless of nationality or race—and truly hoped only to promote peace, there were indeed many benevolent spirits surrounding me. As I mentioned earlier, this was the case throughout my life. I am deeply grateful for this blessing, or perhaps the Universal Principle, which allowed me to turn danger into safety many times.

In times of crisis, I was able to use my own strength to facilitate peace between two nations: in those moments, I did not dare harbour any arrogance. Especially after arriving in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and seeing everything more clearly, I sincerely attribute these successes to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and benevolent spirits who protected and stood by me. Although I had no faith in them and did not know them at the time, there was always this force supporting me. They were not merely supporting Jimmy Carter the individual; they were supporting the cause that could bring peace to humanity. When sentient beings have a request, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas respond—it is truly so!

 

The Limitations of Human Effort

Looking back on my past life, I see that the things I fought for were a mix of good and evil; every single act was subject to the Law of Cause and Effect. I was merely doing my best under those Causal Conditions to reduce suffering and hardship. However, the fundamental cause and effect, the karmic relationships and the core difficulties people faced—remained beyond my power to resolve through worldly means.

This is why my efforts were met with success and failure. Relying on my own strength, before realising my true nature and attaining Buddhahood, the number of beings I could help and the issues I could resolve were inherently limited.

This is a completely different concept from how Practitioner Su, through ‘no-self’ and the realisation of her true nature to attain Buddhahood, can freely travel to and from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to help immeasurable and boundless sentient beings achieve liberation. I helped people’s physical bodies, offering them a chance to reduce their suffering, but I could not bring about any spiritual purification; therefore, none of my work was ultimately perfect or complete.

 

The Path of the Awakened

If I had been able to know the Buddha’s teachings and be in sync with the Buddha at that time, perhaps many things could have been rewritten. With the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas present, my heart would have been very stable, and I would have known the difference between those who have realised their true nature and those who have not. What those who have realised their true nature can achieve is something that those who have not cannot do—and often cannot even understand. This is because it transcends the inherent physical capabilities of humans; it is what the spirit can accomplish after fully recovering its original nature. It is not something that physical eyes can observe, nor can it be grasped by the minds of ordinary people.

This is the state of mind of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: it is when one truly places the interests of all sentient beings in one’s heart without discrimination, acting entirely in accordance with conditions while respecting the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path. Such wisdom does not need to be thought out by the brain, nor does it require the supplement of acquired planning or thought. Everything is just as the Buddha’s teachings describe: ‘the natural state within the natural’.

The Buddha naturally knows which methods are most suitable for helping sentient beings, teaching and acing according to each individual’s capacity. By truly respecting the Universal Principle, the Buddha helps people resolve their suffering, leaving it behind to find happiness, and achieve spiritual transformation. This is the realm of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I, Jimmy Carter, admire this immensely; now that I have arrived in this Buddha-land, I hope to master these divine skills. This experience has truly broadened my horizons.

Most of what I thought and did throughout my life was driven by a kind heart, yet it could not be fully realised. Now I finally understand why: I was still very far from the heart of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. If I had known these principles earlier, it would have been a wonderful thing—but there are no ‘ifs’. Arriving in the Western Land, my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude.

Namo Amituofo. Now that I reside in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, having undergone several weeks of purification within the realm of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I have gained a much clearer perspective on the affairs of my former country, the United States. I have come to realise that if the American people truly wish to stand up and perform good deeds for the world—rather than prioritising their own interests—they must strictly adhere to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path as taught in the Buddha’s teachings.

 

The Root of Greed and the Pandemic

Among the traits I observed, the most prominent one in the hearts of Americans is greed. This single word—‘greed’—has driven the actions of both the government and the people for over a century, often violating the Universal Principle and causing immense harm both to our own nation and to people across the globe.

Do you all remember the global COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago? Although the United States was not hit hard by the virus at the very beginning, as the pandemic slowly spread, the country eventually became one of the most severely affected places in the world, suffering the highest death toll. In the largest city, New York, one could see scenes of tragedy and death everywhere, leaving many to wail in agony and despair.

In these great metropolitan centres, the greed in people’s hearts grows ever larger; this is the interference of ‘demon nature.’ Furthermore, when a material society reaches its extreme, the greed within people is exposed even more vividly, causing even wider harm. This is precisely why the demon crowds are able to strike so effectively. Many people in large cities are driven solely by their own interests, and the level of selfishness has become extremely severe.

 

The Hidden Truth of Deliverance

At the time, I did not know the truth behind the pandemic. I believed that from a scientific perspective, finding a solution through scientific methods was the only path. I never imagined that years earlier Practitioner Su of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre had already opened her spiritual eyes. With the grace of Namo Amituofo, she saw the true cause of the COVID-19 pandemic and took on the heavy responsibility of leading the world toward its alleviation.

In particular, the United States received profound help from Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su; this is the true reason the pandemic was finally able to subside. Without this intervention, the pandemic demons would have only continued to multiply, potentially claiming countless American lives and leading to a gradual decline in national strength—making it impossible to recover the prosperity and glory of the past.

Seeing all of this now, I cannot help but sigh. It turns out there is such a place in the world—Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—performing so many selfless deeds for humanity. Yet, people generally remain unaware of the interference from the spiritual realms. Demons do not need a ‘just’ reason to attach themselves to people; they arrive with hearts full of vengeance and destruction to strike at humanity. This is also invited by one’s own karma; it is only when thoughts become corrupted that such things can manifest. My experiences—the time I spent in the ghost realm and my current arrival in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—have allowed me to see these truths. I hope the American public can find it in their hearts to believe what I see now.

 

Institutional Greed and the Shadow of History

Furthermore, regarding the greed in the hearts of the American people, I see even more clearly—beyond the individuals—the greed within the various institutions of the high-level government. Because of this generational greed, countless demon crowds have been drawn into the highest institutions of the United States. Beyond the White House where the President resides, there are countless energy-less demon crowds present in the chambers where senators and representatives gather. Many other agencies, especially the CIA—which frequently conducts secret operations around the world and persecutes many—are also under this influence.

I can see that the reason the American people have gradually walked down this path is largely due to the policies set by the nation over the past few centuries, as well as the education that has guided us. This is evident in the racial segregation policies regarding Black people that I mentioned earlier. The reason these policies were so widely implemented for centuries without being halted—or without enough people recognising them as wrong—is that a foundation of inequality, rooted in white supremacy and the enslavement of Black people, was laid down long ago. This is the greed in people’s hearts: the desire to grasp power and secure every comfort, which led step-by-step to the consequences we face today.

The earliest settlers hoped to use the labour of slaves to serve the white population. At that time, in the upper echelons of American society, households relied on Black people to perform all cleaning and chores. While these individuals wanted to enjoy such comforts, they refused to acknowledge the rights and status of Black people. Because the white population sought to monopolise this power, they wanted Black people to serve them indefinitely. Because this greed was nurtured, we were gradually controlled by demons, and the negative karma created thereafter is truly immeasurable and boundless. Many years ago, I, Jimmy Carter, deeply felt that such unequal policies were wrong, but I was unable to articulate it as thoroughly or as clearly as the Buddha’s teachings do now.

 

The Cost of Power and the Burden of Apology

There has been no shortage of wars within the United States, not to mention the wars the U.S. government has orchestrated around the world. Some are visible to the naked eye, while others are conducted in the shadows. Why are these wars fought? Ultimately, they are fought to protect the interests of one’s own country and the interests of one’s own people. This word ‘interest’ is merely a mask for greed! A massive greed is at work, corroding generation after generation of Americans who enjoy the feeling of supreme power and a status ‘above’ other nations, while ignoring the basic needs and aspirations of minorities and the people of other lands.

I, Jimmy Carter, offer a deep apology to the people of the world. Although many of these actions were beyond my personal control, as a former representative of the American people, I must say: I am sorry. People all over the world have been influenced by the United States to some degree—whether through the devastation of war or the erosion of culture—and this has left a profound impact on their bodies and hearts. This is a truth I must acknowledge.

Regarding the ‘greed’ inherent in war, it has become an unspoken rule passed down through generations of Americans as our power expanded: the interests of the United States must be the primary guide. Whatever price other nations have to pay for this is simply not a factor the U.S. government considers.

This is why, during the Cold War, many smaller nations suffered because of the directions and policies of the superpowers. In war after war, the United States often appeared to be helping others build peace; in reality, it frequently employed unscrupulous means to achieve its own ends. Whenever an issue touched upon American economic or military interests, the United States would unhesitatingly take a side and condemn the other.

At the time, I, Jimmy, gradually realised that this seemed inappropriate, and I felt a deep sense of guilt and unease. This is why people regarded me as a president who cared deeply about human rights and humanitarianism. That perception was not wrong. In most cases, I was able to rationally stand with nations that valued human rights, and I consistently offered criticism toward regimes and governments that were cruel to their own people.

However, I am only human, and what I could achieve was very limited. When the legislators did not provide general support, many of my policies simply could not be implemented. This is the ‘Collective Karma’ of the nation.

 

Reflections on Life and the Path Forward

Regarding this matter of ‘Collective Karma,’ it was only after witnessing the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Western Dharma-Nature Land that I gradually understood that there are simply too many things happening in the world—good and bad, virtuous and evil. There is so much karma, invisible to the naked eye, influencing the larger picture. Throughout my life, I was attached to what I considered ‘good’ and ‘virtuous,’ yet in reality, I often did not know that I was also under the control of karma, unable to be truly autonomous.

In that life, I was able to act with good intentions most of the time, which allowed me to live to the age of one hundred. Although I faced illness, I did not suffer excessively, and I was able to pass away peacefully at home, surrounded by my family. This was the fruit of my own good karma, allowing me to enjoy those one hundred years of beautiful time.

I did not have the blessings of receiving Buddha’s teachings during my life. However, as a Christian, the teachings of Christianity did bring me many positive influences. The greatest of these was that I could not bring myself to ‘lie’ throughout my life. This is perhaps rare among American presidents. Because I possessed a firm sense of moral integrity, whenever I was tempted to lie, I would become very nervous and tremble; knowing it was something that should not be done, I naturally could not speak a lie.

This led many at the time to wonder: as a president, how could I so honestly account for everything I did, or saw, or heard? Indeed, this earned me the respect of many later generations. Although my political achievements may not have been vast, I at least did not dare to deceive others, and I maintain the ability to distinguish right from wrong.

Even when my brother made mistakes in our hometown in the South and was condemned by others, I did not hesitate to stand with those who condemned him, rather than using my presidential power to shield him. Although this caused dissatisfaction among family members, it was a principle I had to maintain in the name of reason and justice.

The mention of this word ‘greed’ makes me sigh; the greed of the American people not only affects our own citizens but also impacts the vast population of the globe, bringing about profoundly negative consequences.

This is also because, for the past century, the United States has been the leader of mainstream culture worldwide. People in many nations look to American culture as the standard and as a model to follow. Much of this influence stems from the development of American literature and film over the last century, which has led many to unconsciously adopt these values as their own while becoming immersed in them.

Following the development of American culture and its economy, these influences have deeply permeated the hearts of people across the globe. Numerous American literary works and films have been translated into various languages, providing people worldwide with the opportunity to encounter and emulate them. Many have mistakenly assumed that because the United States has been the most advanced nation with a high economic standard for decades, everything it does must be inherently good, virtuous, and supreme. This erroneous perspective has led many to drift slowly drift onto a crooked path. If the United States is truly to be taken as a model, one must ask: why are there so many tragic conditions occurring in America today?

 

The Illusion of Prosperity and the Weight of Karma

At the time, the American people still possessed residual blessings, allowing them to enjoy the fruits of high-tech development. On the surface, their blessings appeared vast, and they seemed to enjoy much. However, those who understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Path know that the karma created within this process is immense.

I only saw this clearly later on. I realised that generation after generation of Americans—whether through scientific inventions or developments in film and literature—have led the entire world toward a path dominated by greed and sexual desire. This is truly an unfathomable abyss of suffering. Many people, before even leaving the human world, have already begun to suffer the retribution for this karma in the hells. It is truly a massive force of karma churning within.

 

The Proliferation of Desire

Regarding the matter of sexual desire, it is with great shame that I acknowledge the United States is indeed the primary nation leading the world toward indulgence and the rampant spread of sexual desire—there is no other. America is the chief culprit. While people once held a cautious attitude toward the word ‘desire,’ the United States led the world down a path of indulgence and the liberation of inner cravings.

 

In the past, people would not have engaged in sexual acts before marriage; yet, in today’s American society, this has become extremely common. It has even reached the point where many high schoolers, and even elementary school children, have begun to taste the forbidden fruit. Many children by the age of thirteen or fourteen have already experienced things they should not have, yet parents and teachers consider this quite ordinary, believing it to be a natural desire that ought to be liberated.

 

A Heartfelt Plea for Reflection

Heavens! I am filled with deep emotion. If I were not currently in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, where I can see the retribution suffered by the masses across all worlds, I would not have known that so many Americans are already suffering retribution in the Pillar Hell or the Iron Bed Hell. This is a truth that the entire American population should take as a grave warning. My heart is filled with profound sorrow as I witness this.

I am also deeply grateful at this moment because of my Christian faith, which strictly forbids premarital sexual activity; because of those teachings, I never engaged in acts of sexual misconduct. Throughout my life, I walked beside my wife for over seventy years, and never turned my thoughts toward other women. This is surely the benefit that being a devout Christian brought me. At the time, I simply knew that such things were not to be done; I did not possess the deep understanding that the Buddha’s teachings provide regarding the profound harm that desire inflicts upon people.

 

The Consequence of Self-Centredness

How is the karma of American indulgence to be repaid? Because people have not received a truly sound education—and because formal American education has for centuries focused primarily on subjects like science and mathematics to drive economic and technological development—moral foundations have long been neglected. The American emphasis on ‘individualism’ is a core tenet of our education, and this is truly a great pity.

Speaking of this, I can clearly see that the United States is the nation that has brought the word ‘I’ to its peak. It has pushed individualism to the summit; which is to say, it has pushed all the selfishness and self-interest inherent in human nature to absolute limit.

Although every nation possesses varying degrees of selfishness, America seems uniquely able to rationalise its actions, making it appear as if there is nothing inherently wrong. Everything is nominally performed under the banner of leading the world toward scientific progress and economic openness; however, everything remains centred on the ‘I,’ moving forward with self-interest as the primary guide.

 

   The Illusion of Global Leadership

When other nations follow the same path as the United States, there are no major conflicts, and America happily leads them along that road. However, should other countries have interests that diverge from our own, the American government and its people do not hesitate to prioritise themselves. They stand firmly in defence of their own national interests rather than acting for the true benefit of the global population. This tendency is very obvious within American society.

Looking at everything I have experienced, I see the current United States striving for victory in war and seeking to monopolise energy and resources. The current American president is staging one farce after another on the world stage, inciting dissatisfaction across the globe. Even many nations that traditionally supported the United States—those that stood with us for their own benefit—have now begun to voice opposition to American policies.

This is only the first step; most have yet to witness the layers of retribution that follow, which are not easily repaid. The impact of the Collective Karma created by one nation and cast upon the world will eventually return to its source. For now, American national power remains sufficient, so there is no obvious sense of a massive decline. But if a nation consistently causes trouble and suffering for others, that suffering will inevitably return to itself.

 

A Call to Cherish Resources

Furthermore, I clearly saw that the United States could be considered the first nation to export a culture of wastefulness and excessive luxury to the rest of the world, causing people in many other countries to emulate the American style. This is a trend I have always strongly advocated against.

Even while running for president, I knew the country was facing a severe energy crisis. Although the public desperately hoped that I, as president, would provide a practical solution, the first method I proposed was to encourage the American people to conserve resources and stop being wasteful. This rhetoric drew widespread dissatisfaction; many felt the president’s role was to protect their interests and ensure they had more opportunities and rights to enjoy themselves.

However, I knew in my heart that the world’s resources are limited. I believed that if the United States monopolises resources while other countries are deprived of them, the American people must bear responsibility. In my later years, I travelled to several African countries to help implement water filtration methods to provide clean drinking water. This work addressed many parasitic diseases at the time, most notably ‘Guinea worm disease.’

 

It was during this time that I discovered how rare and precious clean water is in many parts of the world. The American people should take this as a warning: the resources they enjoy do not come easily. They should lead the global community, setting an example of how to cherish water and protect the environment.

 

This is a concept that has been severely lacking throughout American history. Although many environmentalists now vigorously advocate for these causes, the number of Americans who can truly put these principles into practice remains small. I sincerely encourage everyone, as citizens of the Earth, to cherish the planet’s resources and respect all life.

 

A Legacy of Humility

I also expected this of my own family and children throughout my life. Regarding wastefulness, I believed it was improper; even while serving as president, I was determined not to let my children develop habits of luxury. In my later years, rather than spending money or energy on personal enjoyment, I returned to my old house in the South and lived there for decades.

The laws of karma and cause and effect found in Buddha’s teachings are, in fact, the Universal Principle—the Truth, and the Right Path. I see this clearly and advises all Americans, regardless of where you are, your position or age, that you must firmly uphold this kindness in your heart. By thinking of others instead of oneself, one can help mitigate this massive Collective Karma and avoid calamity.

The COVID-19 pandemic from a few years ago serves as a poignant example. Within that massive vortex of Collective Karma, too many people lost their lives, and many families were torn apart. Does everyone truly wish to see such a situation happen again? Even while American national power remains sufficient, can we be certain that impermanence will not arrive? Will there not be other natural disasters, man-made calamities, or diseases to erode the people here? One should not take this lightly; the distinction between good and evil in one’s heart is very clear before the Universal Principle.

Although not everyone may be ready to accept the Buddha’s teachings or everything I have said, the American people are generally very religious. Regardless of the faith you follow, you must firmly uphold the doctrines taught within that religion. Every faith primarily advocates for benevolence and peace; no religion encourages sacrificing the interests of others for personal gain, nor does any faith allow people to indulge the selfish desires that result in bitter fruit. This is the fundamental goodness that every religion originally advocates, and everyone should be clear about this.

Now that I, Jimmy Carter, have been granted the opportunity to arrive at the Western Dharma-Nature Land and subsequently enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, the energy and wisdom I have gained under the daily purification of the Buddha-light are beyond anything one could ever imagine in the human world.

Even if you are a top-tier intellectual from the highest echelons of American society—a distinguished professor from Harvard or Yale—your wisdom is, in truth, far inferior to the wisdom of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Why? Because everything you have learnt, no matter how successful you are in this world, is inherently limited. It is not true, infinite wisdom. Human knowledge is pursued through the physical body, and the domains one can understand in a single lifetime are strictly bounded. The space you perceive is limited to what your physical eyes can see.

However, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas can penetrate everything; they see the very essence of all things. This is the Truth that many scientists, despite their lifelong efforts, have never been able to reach. Because you hold onto delusion, discrimination, and attachment, you are unable to unlock the innate capabilities of your true self.

 

Einstein’s Final Discovery

The famous scientist and physicist Albert Einstein also spent his entire life trying to discover the truth of the universe. Yet, within his various limited calculations, he was never able to reach the final answer. Now, however, he has arrived here in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, just as I have. Only here can he see through the essence of all things; only here has he been able to perceive the true universal principle and the ultimate Truth, just as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas do.

Everything the Buddha’s teachings describe is so simple, yet it is truly high technology—what Practitioner Su calls the ‘technology of technologies.’ The reason Practitioner Su now has the ability to traverse the ten realms and the universe—reaching into spaces trillions of light-years away to save all sentient beings with karmic affinity and even the demon crowds—is because of her Awakening. She has attained Buddhahood; she has no ‘self’ and no selfishness. That is the only way such a feat can be achieved.

 

The Technology of the Buddha

People in America always feel that science and academic knowledge are supreme; however, there is a spiritual aspect that many have overlooked. Everything within the spiritual realms—the ability to truly transcend this world, to see the essence of all things, and to reach a state where one is free from aging and illness—can only be achieved by following the Buddha’s teachings. By doing so, one can achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land and finally exit the cycle of samsara.

 

People of America, have you ever heard of being free from ageing and illness, or of your spirit never dying? You might believe that the soul is immortal and that after death, one can go to heaven to enjoy blessings. However, you may find it difficult to accept that within a single human lifetime, one can actually reach a state where one does not grow old or fall ill.

In this state, your mind can be crystal clear and your wisdom deep and vast. You can freely travel to and from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and the worlds of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Have you ever heard of such miraculous things—or of the fact that Practitioner Su can manifest countless incarnations to save sentient beings?

 

A Call to the People of America

All of this is actually very scientific and very practical. Everything the Buddha’s teachings describe is based on science; it does not violate the Truth as you understand it. It is simply because these things cannot be seen with the physical eyes—and cannot be learnt through limited human knowledge—that people struggle to accept them. Because you cannot see them, you cannot believe.

However, for those Americans with keen awareness, or those who have had contact with the spiritual world, you must make a trip to Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. Only when you arrive here will you discover that the spiritual world is truly not what you imagined! This is a place where you can truly open up all spaces and see the truth of everything. This is only possible because Namo Amituofo truly abides at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

The spiritual world, as generally understood by people, is extremely limited. Although there are many in the world with keen awareness who can explore this dimension, what they see is only the level that corresponds to their own degree of purification. They have no way of seeing the many levels that exist above their own. None of these things are what people can imagine. You must come to Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to witness it with your own eyes and bring this good news back to the American people.

 

A Personal Transformation

I, Jimmy, sincerely hope that everyone can truly believe. Even if you are still in doubt, I hope you can take my words to heart and reflect on them repeatedly. If you have the chance, come to Australia! You will definitely feel the difference in the magnetic field of this place; there is no other place in the world where you can experience this. If you know anything about the Buddha’s teachings, you should come here to experience the Buddha-land and the compassion of the Buddha.

In the human world, there exists such a spiritual realm as the Western Dharma-Nature Land. It allows endless beings from the spirit realm to be purified and to understand the Buddha’s teachings before they enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This world has been made possible because Practitioner Su, with the help of Namo Amituofo, has made this Ultimate Vow. This is an unprecedented event, and everyone should be aware of it.

 

Finally, I, Jimmy Carter, sincerely express my gratitude to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. Without the compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I, Jimmy, would not be standing here today to tell you that the truth of the universe—and that many things cannot be learnt through limited human knowledge. I hope that the American people who see this testimony, as well as those who have known me, can believe that this is everything I have witnessed after my spiritual purification.

My own thinking has undergone a great transformation; it is vastly different from the past. The purification of the Buddha-light has made my heart peaceful and serene at every moment. You must believe in the beauty of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss; only then will the day come when you can truly escape the bitter sea of birth and death.

Jimmy sincerely wishes you all the best.

Namo Amituofo.

Jimmy Carter