Awakening from the Dream

This interview was conducted with Venerable Changren, who resides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. In this session, the Venerable offers deep insights into the nature of reality, the illusions of the material world, and the path to spiritual awakening. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on May 31, 2019.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Changren. When we contemplate the nature of dreams and the nature of reality, we must realise that even within our daily lives, there exists a complex and often deceptive interplay between what we perceive as reality and the illusions we cling to. In the realm of dreams, things seem both real and unreal, yet when we compare the two—the dream state and the waking state—we find that the distinction is not as clear as we might believe. In truth, they are fundamentally different, yet they share a common thread of impermanence that binds the soul to the cycle of suffering.

The Illusion of the Material World

Many people live their lives in this world believing that everything they acquire is absolute truth. They are entirely unaware of the subtle, constant changes occurring around them. This is the essence of the relationship between the real and the illusory. Within the real, there is the illusory; within the illusory, there is the real. In a space defined by illusions, people often dismiss things as false, yet those very things possess a form of existence. Conversely, in our physical reality, we see things, we touch them, and we believe them to be undeniably true, yet in the ultimate sense, they are entirely false.

The cycle of birth and death within these illusory spaces is constantly unfolding. People in this world, misled by their physical eyes, mistakenly believe that what they see is the ultimate truth. They fall into the trap of attachment, clinging to everything they possess in this life. They focus on their houses, their vehicles, their wealth, and the myriad objects of the world. These are tangible, physical things—you can see them, you can touch them—but they are all ultimately false. Why? Because the true meaning of existence is something that cannot be taken with you when you depart. The material world is a fleeting shadow, yet humanity remains shackled to it by desire and ignorance.

The Trap of the Physical Body

In the realm of the illusory, matters of the spirit and the soul—which may seem intangible or dreamlike to the average person—are actually the only things that truly deserve our attention. These are the only realities in this entire lifetime. Yet, people in this world consider these spiritual matters to be the least important. They view them as things that cannot be truly known or grasped. Consequently, humanity remains covered up by the world, unable to wake up from this deep slumber. We are like dreamers who refuse to open their eyes because the dream, however painful, feels familiar.

The sense of illusion in this world is intensified by the physical body. Because of this body, everyone has become lost. Once the spirit enters the human body, it forgets its true nature and loses sight of what it should truly be focusing on. People mistakenly pursue worldly goals, building dreams, creating what they believe to be a 'good life,' accumulating wealth, and indulging in these dreams. These illusions lead everyone to believe that the material world is the only reality, causing them to forget the necessity of awakening from the dream. They forget that none of it is truly real. It is precisely because of this physical body that everyone has obstructed themselves, forgetting their true, unconditioned self.

Awakening to the True Self

Now, finally, there is this magnificent Dharma being propagated. Everyone should wake up from the dream and face the truth squarely. You must ask yourself: can your spirit truly attain a state of genuine reality? You must come to know the power of the great compassion of Namo Amituofo. You must be able to act upon this knowledge, to grasp the true principles, and to find your way back to your true self. Only then will you have attained what is truly real. This is not merely a philosophical exercise; it is a vital, life-saving endeavour for every sentient being.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a place of magnificent, rare opportunity. It serves as a beacon for those lost in the darkness of the world, providing the guidance necessary to transcend the physical and return to the source. I am deeply grateful for the compassion of the grandmother, and I offer my humble respects to all who seek the righteous path. Namo Amituofo."