Life Is Not Suffering
An Interview with the Spirit of Chang Yung-fa
Recorded on October 18, 2019
This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chang Yung-fa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his newfound understanding of the . Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 18, 2019.
Chang Yung-fa speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. We Taiwanese have a common saying: 'Regard suffering as a tonic.' I heard this phrase often from my mother, and for a long time, it was a sentiment I quite cherished. In the past, I viewed suffering simply as suffering, but now that I have learned the Dharma and have had the opportunity to re-examine the nature of life, I must ask: what exactly is suffering?
The Evolution of Hardship
In my generation, many people endured great hardship. This was the suffering of material poverty—the struggle of not having enough to eat, the constant, grinding labour required just to secure three meals a day. I began working at a very young age. It was precisely that environment that shaped us, forcing us to grow and guiding us, step by step, toward success. Modern people live in an era of material abundance, having passed through a period of rapid economic growth where the quality of life has improved dramatically. So, what do people suffer from now? It is the suffering of an unsettled heart, the suffering of a spirit that has not yet been saved.
The Ship of Life
My life was inseparable from the sea. Having lived by the coast since I was a child, the ocean accompanied me throughout my existence; it was the sea that helped me grow. I learned to captain a ship when I was very young. Thinking back on it now, that life of constant swaying on the water was exactly like life itself—tossing and turning, vast and difficult to navigate with a clear mind.
When the path beneath your feet is uneven and unstable, it is not easy to walk with steady steps. A ship navigating through massive waves can leave you without the strength even to stand. Even if you manage to stand, you are quickly knocked back down. Because you are standing on a vessel that is constantly rocking, you cannot find a point of balance. However, if you can pass through your time on that ship with ease and composure, it means you have succeeded. I compare this ship to our lives. Life is like a vessel sailing through turbulent waves. Some people blame the captain for poor technique, claiming that is why the ship is rocking so violently. But in truth, the one at the helm is not some distant captain unrelated to you; it is your own 'heart'.
The Heart at the Helm
It is this heart that controls the entire ship. When the heart is in chaos, the ship follows suit, swaying without direction. When the heart is agitated, how could the ship ever find a moment of stability? The suffering of life is not actually suffering at all. No matter how agonizing the obstacle, as long as your heart remains unmoved, you can pass through it safely.
Since learning the Dharma, I have come to understand many things. Having left this world and now looking back upon it, I realise that we have all been deceived. We were not deceived by anyone else; we were deceived by our own hearts. All suffering originates from the mischief of our own hearts. If your heart does not crave anything in this world, if you do not cling to a single thing here—if you are even willing to let go of your own body—then where in this world could there be any suffering?
The True Tonic
Living in this world, you can easily learn all the worldly affairs, but if you do not learn the Dharma, you will never learn how to let go of these worldly concerns. The saying 'regard suffering as a tonic' does not refer to the suffering of daily life; it refers to the suffering of being unable to let go of this worldly heart. Only when you truly desire nothing at all will you be free from suffering. That is the truth I have finally realised.
Namo Amituofo."
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library