Awakened from the Cycle of Rebirth

Venerable Changren, a monastic who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, reflects upon his long journey through the cycle of rebirth and his eventual awakening to the truth of the Dharma. This interview was recorded on May 8, 2019, and transcribed by the chief writer, Shi Faxi.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Changren. The state of a peaceful mind and the cultivation of a Pure Land heart—this has been the aspiration of practitioners for countless years. Yet, in the world today, there are so many chaotic and unsettling forces that disturb the character of the human heart. Naturally, even those who are dedicated to their practice find themselves deeply affected and interfered with by the turbulent atmosphere of this world. It is incredibly difficult for people in this world to maintain their practice. The difficulty lies in our desires and our delusions. Because of these, the hearts of so many people are in a state of constant mutation, and in the end, they are unable to achieve the fruits of their practice.

The Illusion of the Red Dust

The world of red dust—this mundane existence—is the most ridiculous of all transformations. We are trapped in a cycle of birth and death, revolving in samsara without end. So many people are unable to 'see through' and 'let go' because they are tethered to these worldly affairs. Every karmic story, whether large or small, tells of different worldly connections, yet they all lead to the same result. The scenarios may differ, the relationships may vary, but they all entangle us in the same fate—a perpetual wandering between life and death. What people fail to understand is what is true and what is false. Because of this, they have been buried in the cycle of rebirth for thousands of years, unable to wake up and understand the reality of existence.

The tragedy is that it is their own true wisdom that suffers the consequences. They cannot realise their true nature or achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Instead, they remain trapped in an illusory dream, suffering through endless pain. Is this not the most ridiculous aspect of this world? I have watched the cycle of life and death for thousands of years. I have walked through many rugged paths and experienced countless transformations in samsara. For the longest time, I was unable to 'see through' it or wake up. It was only recently, when I encountered the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, that I finally woke up.

The Grace of Deliverance

I must express my deepest gratitude for the boundless compassion of Practitioner Su in saving my life. Without her, I would surely still be wandering in the cycle of rebirth, unable to see clearly. This world is terrifying, yet it is also the only place where one can achieve Buddhahood. One must have the guidance of a true spiritual friend; otherwise, in the busyness and chaos of this world, most will end up lost, and very few will achieve success.

The world is in a state of panic, but you must not let your own heart follow that panic. You must find your true self-nature. Only then will your life in this world have purpose. Otherwise, if you remain lost in the delusions of this world, you will truly suffer through endless pain and torment.

A Call to Awakening

It is only through supreme merit and power that we have the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—a sacred ground where one can truly escape the cycle of rebirth. When you have a moment of clarity, you must know how to seize this opportunity. You must urgently seek to escape this cycle.

I am profoundly grateful for the kindness and compassion of Practitioner Su, and I am also deeply grateful that our Buddha has compassionately descended into this world. Namo Amituofo."