Lost in the Cycle of Rebirth

Venerable Changren sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This interview, recorded on November 26, 2019, captures the Venerable's reflections on the nature of the cycle of rebirth and the path to true liberation. This account was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxi.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When I observe the karma of every individual, I see that since the very beginning of their fall into the cycle of rebirth, most people have accumulated an immense weight of karma. Each person’s inner space is infinite, containing countless experiences and memories. Yet, because of these very things, people have buried their true selves, remaining trapped in a deep, unending slumber within the cycle of rebirth.

The Illusion of the Worldly Dust

In this vast, bewildered space of the world, people continue to lose themselves. They sink deeper into the dust of the world, completely forgetting the history of their own past lives. One lifetime of confusion leads to another, and they sink further into the abyss. Their destiny is bound tightly within the cycle of rebirth, and they are deeply shackled by the karma they have created. They wander through the red dust of this world, but one must ask: when will they ever find a way to escape?

The turning of karma always manifests as impermanence. How can the people of this world hope to avoid the relentless assault of their own karma? I see so many people suffering, yet even in the midst of such profound pain, they remain unable to wake up. The reason is that they are still deeply infatuated with the very things that cause their suffering. They are so attached that even if a Buddha or a celestial being were to appear, it would be difficult to save them. The most terrifying karma actually comes from within oneself. It is you who prevents yourself from waking up; it is you who allows yourself to suffer. No one is harming you, and no one is blocking your path to liberation. In truth, this karma is entirely self-inflicted. Although everyone understands that they should not create karma, in their ignorance, they continue to act, unable to stop the cycle of creating karma and the subsequent karmic retribution that follows.

The Addiction of Desire

This painful life is a continuous cycle of birth and death. One moment you are born, and the next you are facing the finality of death. Yet, everyone remains unable to wake up from this. It is all because of the various desires that influence the character of the heart. Whether it is emotional attachment, the craving for sensual pleasure, or the clinging to worldly love—these things create an addiction that one cannot sever. It is an addiction that has been cultivated over countless lifetimes, a cycle of craving that only breeds more craving.

The Power of Decision

Ending this cycle of fate depends entirely on your own determination. To see through the illusion and let go is, for most people in this world, an incredibly difficult task. But if you do not do so, the suffering will only continue throughout a much longer and more arduous journey in the cycle of rebirth. You are the one who has brought this karma upon yourself. If you can wake up, you will possess the sufficient strength to dissolve that karma. You must be brave enough to strive for yourself, to reclaim your original nature, and to achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth. That is the most important thing you can do. Do not let the affairs of this world continue to obstruct your path.

You must break through these barriers yourself. You must see through the illusion, recognise the reality of your situation, and acknowledge the suffering inherent in the cycle of rebirth. When your awareness is awakened, everyone has the opportunity to escape. You must strive to grasp this opportunity within this very lifetime.

I am deeply grateful for the compassion of the Buddha and the compassion of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."