Human Nature, the Body, and the Realms of Deliverance
An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Recorded on April 6, 2019
This interview with Venerable Yongning was recorded on April 6, 2019, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. In this discussion, Venerable Yongning explores the profound and complex relationship between human nature, the physical body, and the spiritual realms, elucidating how our internal states directly influence our karmic reality and the efficacy of the deliverance process.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. When we perform the work of , the space we witness is infinitely vast and boundless. Standing within the void, one can observe sentient beings from every conceivable angle—they are densely packed, layer upon layer, stretching out into the infinite. If it were not for the countless manifestations of Practitioner Su’s , how could such a multitude ever be saved? This space is multidimensional, ever-changing, and profoundly impermanent.
The Infinite Layers of Space
This space is, in essence, formed by human nature itself. The temperaments and dispositions of humanity are beyond calculation, and for every distinct type of personality, there exists a corresponding space. It is much like the human body, which contains spaces within spaces. The space within the human body is driven and shaped by the heart. If one wishes to transcend these spaces, one must begin by adjusting and refining oneself.
Consider the nature of illness within the human body. When a tumour manifests, it is not merely a physical ailment; within that tumour exists a space from one's own past. It is the result of a specific evil thought that has triggered a retaliatory action. Perhaps it involves a karmic creditor from a single past life, or perhaps it is the result of a personality, a set of concepts, or a pattern of thinking that has persisted over many lifetimes, drawing together a multitude of beings to manifest simultaneously in the present.
as a Reflection of Karmic History
Only by tracing these causes back to their origin, reflecting upon them, correcting one's faults, and performing Chao Du can these potentially find liberation. The most magnificent aspect of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is its capacity for delivering sentient beings. When beings arrive here, the probability of them being willing to manifest or to accept deliverance is significantly higher than anywhere else. Under the illumination of the Buddha-light, while listening to the sutras and hearing the , they are able to see the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Every movement of our physical body is, in reality, a movement of our past karmic creditors. To look even more closely, the subtle fluctuations of the body often arise from a single word spoken in response to another—a word that carries a spark of irritation, a rise and fall of emotion, or a sense of dissatisfaction with others. These are the very reasons that sentient beings are drawn to us and become entangled with our lives.
The Necessity of Changing One's Personality
People often ask why we constantly emphasise the need to change one's personality during our Dharma talks. Personality is not merely a matter of being happy or unhappy; it is far more complex. As long as there is dissatisfaction with others in your heart, or if you find yourself unable to look past something that does not align with your own views, you are already experiencing a fluctuation of personality. Once this personality takes hold, the body becomes incredibly complex. The spirits residing throughout your body will seize the opportunity to act, and you may find yourself surrounded or controlled by them without even realising it.
Through our Dharma talks, we continue to unravel these layers, yet the simple truths still require us to act in accordance with the Dharma. Purity and absolute Goodness are the ultimate goals of our purification. What one gains during this process is the very best form of practice. When a difficult situation manifests, and it feels as though it is the hardest obstacle to overcome, one must bring forth a vow and place firm faith in the power of the Buddha. Then, everything will be resolved.
The Path to Ultimate Purification
The magnificent Pure Land is waiting for you to open its gates. Every person is an incomparable Dharma vessel. As long as you make a vow to help sentient beings without sparing any effort, and as long as you can let go of the 'self,' you are engaging in the highest form of practice. Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library