A Model for Transforming Karma

This interview features Venerable Chang Ren, a former demon who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Now residing as a Bodhisattva within the centre's salvation team, he shares his testimony of transformation. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 8, 2023.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Birth, aging, sickness, and death—these are the inevitable stages of human existence. From the moment of birth to the onset of old age, we traverse a span of some sixty or seventy years. Yet, look closely at our world today: how many people fall ill long before they reach the twilight of their lives? It is a tragedy that has become increasingly common, a pervasive shadow hanging over modern society. It is a heart-wrenching reality that so many suffer before they have even had the chance to live a full life.

Disease is not a random occurrence; it is the fruit of karma accumulated over immeasurable lifetimes. If the cause did not exist, the effect would not manifest. Therefore, before this physical body was even formed, the karma was already waiting, poised to ripen. If one does not actively work to transform this karma during their lifetime, they are merely drifting along the currents of fate. The body becomes a vessel for suffering, and this agony is not confined to the flesh—it permeates the body, the mind, and the spirit alike. It is a heavy, suffocating weight that few know how to lift."

A Living Model of Transformation

"How, then, can one truly turn the tide of karma? Practitioner Su stands as the ultimate model for us all. She has fundamentally transformed the karma of her own accumulated lifetimes. Her body is no longer a vessel for karmic creditors or the weight of past grievances. Instead, every single cell within her has blossomed into a golden lotus. These lotuses emit a pure, celestial fragrance and shine with a brilliant, radiant light, possessing the power to save immeasurable and boundless beings. It is a sight of such purity that it defies human description.

Practitioner Su’s vow is far greater than any karma she may have once held. Her vow is vast—it is a commitment to save all beings across the ten Dharma realms. Whether it is here on Earth, within the Milky Way, or throughout the entire universe, her compassion reaches every corner. Even when faced with the most powerful demons, Practitioner Su remains entirely fearless. Her heart is purely dedicated to the welfare of others, and through this sincerity, she is able to subdue demonic enemies with ease. To this day, she has rescued an uncountable number of demons. Every one of them holds her in the highest reverence and awe. They have never encountered a human being who is so genuinely devoted to the salvation of all, nor one with the extraordinary ability to perform Chao Du for so many spirits from the spiritual realms."

From Demon to Bodhisattva

"I, Chang Ren, never forget to mention that I am one of those demons saved by Practitioner Su. I do not fear that others know of my past; I was a demon, and a great one at that. In my ignorance, I once rampaged through her body, causing her to suffer high fevers and intense physical distress. If not for her compassionate and tolerant nature, I would still be that same demon today—or perhaps I would have devolved into an even greater Demon King, accumulating immeasurable sins. It is only through her grace that I am here, standing in the light.

Every day, as I watch Practitioner Su rescue more demons, my heart is filled with profound emotion. I know, deep down, that no one truly wishes to be a demon. No one desires to do evil. It is all a matter of being trapped by circumstances, burdened by untold suffering and grievances that are impossible to put into words. That is why they end up on this path of no return. Fortunately, now that Practitioner Su is here to save them, they have found their way back. Every day, large groups of demons are saved. They take refuge in the Buddha, join the ranks of the Namo Amituofo salvation team, and become Bodhisattvas of the Milky Way and the universe. Together with the other members of the salvation team, they travel through space to save beings."

The Magnificent Scenes of Deliverance

"The scenes of Chao Du that I witness in the spiritual realms are truly magnificent beyond words. There are so many things that worldly people could never imagine, yet they unfold daily within the spiritual realms. Every day, I am filled with immense admiration. In particular, I have observed how Practitioner Su’s skills grow and break through new barriers with every passing day of her dedicated practice. If you compare her Chao Du skills from three years ago to those of this moment, the difference is staggering. This shows just how rapidly she progresses. The beneficiaries of this are the immeasurable and boundless spirits. The more refined her skills become, the more beings are saved. Therefore, every being who is delivered feels a sense of gratitude that is twelve thousand times over. It is only through her help that they can finally find liberation and leave suffering behind.

Practitioner Su’s great vow has truly transformed her karma; she is no longer subject to the demands of her own karmic creditors. Worldly people might look at her vow and feel it is beyond their reach, believing they lack the capacity to do what she does. But that is a mistake. Everyone has the opportunity; it depends entirely on whether one is willing to make the vow. Before one can reach the level of Practitioner Su, one can still start by making a vow to serve others. A selfless heart outweighs everything else. When you dedicate yourself to serving others, you naturally and continuously adjust your own personality during the process. Only then can you truly reach the state of no-self. Once you attain no-self, you will inevitably transform your karma, free yourself from the demands of karmic creditors, and be liberated from the suffering of illness.

Namo Amituofo."