This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who reflects on the nature of self-attachment and the profound significance of the spiritual deliverance performed at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxi on November 2, 2020.
Venerable Changren speaks:
". Within the dream of this existence, we remain trapped in the cycle of self-obsession, constantly striving to protect our own interests. When Practitioner Su has already ascended to the heights of spiritual deliverance, working tirelessly to save all suffering beings, we remain fixated on our own small, ego-driven concerns. This is truly the height of ignorance and folly. If we say that life is but a dream, then to wake up within that dream to save the world is a dream worth having. However, if we remain immersed in the illusions of the dream, unaware that we have the capacity to awaken, then we are merely drifting. Once the dream ends, everything will be revealed as empty; nothing we clung to will have been real.
The Illusion of
We must learn to wake up. We must understand that saving the world is the most important task. The shown by Practitioner Su is a manifestation of the true Universal Principles; it is the very meaning of this life. If we continue to be foolishly preoccupied with ourselves, we will find that in the end, we cannot hold onto anything. We will be bound by our own , suffering losses that we will regret for eternity. We must learn to make the correct choice.
The spiritual deliverance performed by Practitioner Su extends throughout the entire realm of emptiness. It is immeasurable and boundless, reaching countless suffering beings. This is the manifestation of true skills—a genuine deliverance of the . It is a magnificent power of practice that has never been seen before in history.
A Once-in-a-Thousand-Years Opportunity
Every time Practitioner Su traverses the layers of space, countless spirits are waiting. Many have been waiting for ten thousand years, some even for hundreds of millions of years. In this current opportunity, everyone is incredibly active; no one wants to miss out. These beings know that this is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. Therefore, whenever Practitioner Su appears, the countless suffering beings are eager and hopeful, fearing that they might miss this chance, for such an opportunity is rarely found again.
Do the fourfold assembly of disciples understand how to cherish this? We must cherish this opportunity, this chance to realise our true nature. If we do not know how to value this, we waste this precious human body. If we let this chance slip away, the next time we might encounter such an opportunity is beyond our ability to foresee.
The True Meaning of Life
This life is a vessel that can be used for great achievement. Do not let your life be consumed by attachment to the self. This physical body is only a temporary tool. What is truly important is to realise one's true nature and to recover the Dharma Body. Just like Practitioner Su, one should enter the void to save countless sentient beings. Only then does this life truly have meaning.
This life can have immense value. You must choose to unleash that value and live out the true significance of your existence. Practitioner Su has compassionately manifested this path for us; we must learn from it and not miss such a magnificent opportunity. May the Buddha’s compassion bless us all. Everyone should follow the Buddha to save the world. I am filled with gratitude to the Buddha and to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."
