Most Troubles Are Self-Inflicted

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who serves at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This account reflects upon the nature of human suffering and the mind, recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on August 8, 2018.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Changren. In this world, we spend our days drifting through illusions, rarely pausing to ask ourselves when we might truly awaken. We only begin to understand the nature of our existence when we finally catch a glimpse of the Truth. Currently, I am dedicated to supporting the many facets of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I strive to care for every person and every task with the utmost diligence. Yet, when I encounter the affairs of this world, I often find that despite my sincere desire to help, there are times when my efforts seem to fall short. The complexity of this world stems primarily from the turbulence of the human heart. In reality, there is nothing inherently wrong with the world itself. However, when people insist on seeking out trouble, the situation becomes tangled and impossible to unravel. That is when the problems truly begin to multiply.

The Illusion of Constant Conflict

As Practitioner Su often says, there is truly nothing happening at all. But when everyone clings to their attachments, one problem follows another, compounded by endless changes and fluctuations. In such moments, the sheer volume of tasks becomes overwhelming, and we find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of activity. Because our own mental notes cannot be stilled in time, we are trapped in a constant battle between busyness and chaos. This world could be a place where nothing happens, yet it can also be a place where everything happens at once. Every individual’s mental state is different, leading to a myriad of changes. The interactions between us create different waves of energy. Human life is filled with such trials, yet the source of these trials is almost entirely our own imagination—and more specifically, our delusions.

Breaking Free from Self-Inflicted Suffering

Most of our troubles are self-inflicted. When we are able to calm our hearts and settle our minds, even the most daunting trials can be faced with the ease of someone who has nothing to worry about. I have witnessed so many unnecessary disputes and trivial matters that plague people, causing them endless distress. In truth, if one could simply shift their perspective, those problems would cease to exist. The mystery of this world lies in the fluctuations of the human heart. When the heart is agitated, it becomes turbid; when it is still, it becomes clear. This pollution is a change we have brought upon ourselves. I know that surviving in this Five Turbidities and Evil World is truly difficult. However, if one can break through these barriers, one will eventually reach a higher state of existence.

Right now, people everywhere are living amidst the pollution and fluctuations of their own minds. What kind of opportunity is required to truly encounter purification? It seems that one must first understand the underlying principles of the Dharma before such an opportunity can be grasped. The guidance provided by Practitioner Su is truly profound. Only at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the teaching delivered so thoroughly. Every single detail requires us to make a change, to cultivate our true nature. Only then can our practice be considered genuine. I am deeply grateful for all the guidance Practitioner Su has provided. It has truly led everyone to change so much. Even the vast universe is transforming, turning toward a state of effortless freedom. Namo Amituofo."