Educating the Spirit: A Path to True Mastery

Venerable Chang Gao, a dedicated monastic, sought guidance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to deepen his understanding of the Dharma and the nature of spiritual cultivation. This interview, recorded on November 29, 2021, by Chief Writer Shi Fa Xin, explores his insights into the relationship between the physical body and the spirit, and the importance of spiritual elevation.

Venerable Chang Gao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. In the past, I dedicated myself to the practice of Meditation (Concentration). Through this, I sought to subdue the restlessness within my body. With every inhalation and exhalation, I could perceive the subtle shifts occurring within my physical form and the constant flux of my thoughts. My intention would follow the flow of qi circulating through my body, and in doing so, I would bring my heart to a state of stillness and equilibrium. Throughout this process, I had to endure the many trials of the physical body—from the initial sensations of pain and numbness during long periods of sitting, to the lingering desires and attachments that surfaced within my mind.

The Natural Response of the Body

At times, the body would experience intense sensations of hunger, which would be amplified and magnified by the mind, making the feeling feel overwhelming. This is merely a basic requirement for maintaining bodily functions; it is a natural reaction of the body’s internal operations. One must simply wait. Once the sensation passes, one can return to a state of focus. Through repeated practice, I learned to shorten the duration of these distractions.

For a long time, I practised in purity. Yet, during Meditation (Concentration), images of my interactions with fellow monastics would often manifest in my mind. I initially thought this was harmless, but then I suddenly realised that my consciousness had entered a different space. This space belonged to the past, yet it truly existed. Upon this realisation, I would immediately return my focus to the movement of breath throughout my entire body, concentrating from the crown of my head downwards. With each session, my spirit became clearer and more lucid, allowing me to better master the body. I came to understand that the body is merely a temporary dwelling for the spirit; there is no need to be attached to it or burdened by it. Maintaining it in a basic, functional state is sufficient. The purpose of the body's existence is to serve as a training ground for the spirit to overcome its limitations, thereby elevating the spirit to a higher level. This was the process of my own practice. However, I eventually realised that these exercises and the process of self-cultivation were merely for the elevation of my own spirit; they did not truly reach the level of saving other beings, nor could my spirit find the ultimate path to liberation.

A Higher Mind-Capacity

I am deeply grateful to Venerable Chang Ren for leading me to meet Practitioner Su—my past teacher. What Practitioner Su manifests is the true practice of saving beings through the Dharma Body, and his focus is entirely on the wisdom-life of countless beings. The mind-capacity is simply on a different level.

Today, I share my journey of practice because, having recently assisted in caring for Lay Practitioner Ni, I have witnessed the diverse spaces within the physical body. In the past, I believed that only the vastness of empty space could contain infinite dimensions; I never imagined that within this physical body, there also exist infinite spaces. These spaces can expand or contract, and one can even perceive different eras within them. To describe it more clearly, the spaces within the physical body also contain the six realms of existence. These six realms are the result of karmic connections formed through past cycles of rebirth.

The Web of Karmic Connections

These karmic connections are tightly bound to the spirit, distributed throughout the various cellular spaces within the human body. As we age, our thoughts and preferences awaken these beings one by one. This causes the originally pure spirit to be occupied and overwhelmed, until the body can no longer be mastered by the self, but instead becomes manipulated and controlled by these beings.

Today, I observed the state of Lay Practitioner Ni’s body and spirit. Her originally clear spirit now appears weak and powerless because the spirit has absorbed the sensations of the body, believing itself to be ill and on the verge of losing its breath. The spirit has forgotten that it is the true master of the body and that it can remain unaffected by the body's condition. The spirit has always been free; it is merely borrowing this body. Because this concept has not been introduced into Lay Practitioner Ni’s body, her spirit naturally assumes that its state is identical to that of the body.

The Path to Inner Peace

Lay Practitioner Ni’s body is indeed currently being invaded by many beings, resulting in a state of weakness and powerlessness, as the awakened beings are gripping her tightly. Lay Practitioner Ni has a strong personality. Often, when she feels physical discomfort, the thought arises in her mind to 'fight against this body.' As soon as this thought emerges, the beings become extremely angry and grip her even tighter. In this regard, Lay Practitioner Ni needs to adjust and balance herself. She should be leading these beings to chant Buddha's name, and harbouring a heart of repenting, rather than facing them with a hard, confrontational attitude. If Lay Practitioner Ni is willing to take a step back, the beings within her body may not be so violently agitated. I once tried to counsel these beings, but they told me this directly. Therefore, I must tell Lay Practitioner Ni: do not be forceful. If you want the body to settle, the heart must first be settled.

I have heard the conversations between Lay Practitioner Ni and Practitioner Su, but Lay Practitioner Ni’s soul and sensations are entirely focused on her physical discomfort, and her heart remains in a state of panic and unease. Fortunately, Practitioner Su is still helping her. Although her body cannot perceive it, her spirit is at least a little more at ease. Lay Practitioner Ni now wishes to develop her resolve, but she still appears powerless and cannot truly make the Ultimate Vow. We must continue to give her confidence and a sense of security so that she can truly let go of her physical sensations and be willing to assist in the construction of the temple. We must continue to strengthen the faith of her spirit so that she can achieve a true breakthrough."

Namo Amituofo.