A Different Kind of Life

This is a record of an interview with Chang Yung-fa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his newfound perspective. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 29, 2019.

Chang Yung-fa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I believe many of you have had the experience of riding a bus. Although I was a major business leader, I, too, once rode the bus in my earlier days. Watching the bus stop at one station after another, I see a reflection of our own lives. We are always moving through different stages, each one a different stop along the way. Every time we pause at a stage, life undergoes a different transformation. Yet, even after staying at a stop for a long time, we must eventually continue moving forward. There is no station where you can stop your footsteps forever—unless, of course, you have reached the final destination of life.

The Illusion of the Journey

I watch everyone pass through the various stages of life, yet not a single person seems able to look at the lives of others and truly awaken. This is a message I also wish to convey to my children. The suffering of life cannot be understood without experiencing it firsthand. But even when we do experience it, we remain lost. We do not realise that beyond simply following the crowd and living life in a repetitive, mechanical way, we have the potential to break free from it entirely.

Many people have experienced the life of working hard to support a family. Once you have children, you have no choice but to shoulder the responsibility, providing a pillar of support for your wife and children. After a long, exhausting day of work, seeing the innocent smile of a child or receiving a sweet, affectionate gesture from one's wife makes the hardships of the day vanish like smoke. The next day, you find the strength to continue the struggle. Day after day, your hair turns white, one strand at a time, and watching your children grow up makes it all seem worth the effort. But what happens when the affection between husband and wife begins to fade, or when the children enter their rebellious phase? Suddenly, life loses its centre and its direction.

The True Refuge

At such moments, those who drink turn to alcohol to drown their sorrows. Those with friends seek them out to vent their frustrations. Those who neither drink nor have friends can only spend money to find fleeting amusement. Humans are always so fragile; we always feel we need something to lean on just to continue surviving. But do you know? A life with the Buddha does not have to be this painful. The Buddha’s teachings are meant to help us leave suffering behind, not to endure it or accumulate more of it.

After learning the Buddha’s teachings, I looked at my own life again. I realised that it was not strictly necessary to fall in love, nor was it mandatory to have children, and it was certainly not essential to pursue worldly career achievements. I discovered that a simple life of practising the Buddha’s teachings is the most straightforward, most enduring form of happiness and joy.

Awakening to the Self-Nature

We humans are always looking at what others have and wanting it for ourselves. If others have a family, we feel we must create a happy family of our own. But when others are suffering, can you see clearly where that suffering comes from? A wise person should see the truth of life clearly. Following the latest fashion trends does not necessarily mean those clothes suit you, nor does it mean they are the best attire. A humble, unknown little eatery is not necessarily bad; sometimes, it suits your own unique palate much better.

I want to tell all the young people in the world: there is still the path of practising the Buddha’s teachings. The moment you make the vow to renounce the worldly life, shaving off the dust of the world and donning the dignified robes of a monastic, you will realise that the path to recovering your true self is filled with joy and radiance. Although I did not have the opportunity to walk the path of a monastic in this life, my heart is now just as if I were one. My entire heart is dedicated to all beings, and my entire heart is dedicated to propagating the Dharma.

I, Chang Yung-fa, have been reborn. A brand-new life is waiting for me to fully realise its potential! I am so grateful for the compassion of the Buddha! Namo Amituofo."