Resolving Obstacles: The Path of True Practice

This interview was conducted with Venerable Chang Ren, a dedicated practitioner who sought refuge and guidance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. In this discussion, recorded on December 5, 2019, by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, the Venerable shares profound insights on the nature of spiritual cultivation, the importance of maintaining a steady heart, and the necessity of authentic, fundamental transformation when confronting obstacles on the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

The Vigilance of the Heart

"Namo Amituofo. Every single day of our practice, each action we take and every decision we make carries significant weight. We must be vigilant regarding every thought and intention that arises. When a thought or a line of reasoning manifests, how does your heart react? If your heart fluctuates with every passing thought throughout the day, then your heart is merely entangled in those thoughts. How, then, can you truly practise? If your mental state follows the constant, restless shifting of thoughts, your heart can never find true stillness.

The Art of Facing Obstacles

There is another vital component to our practice: we must learn to accept the challenges that arise within our own cultivation. When your practice encounters one or even multiple obstacles, your heart must remain calm. You should view these obstacles as if they were not there—do not let them disturb your inner peace. Instead, use your Wisdom to address them more effectively. You must truly resolve the conflict of all the issues or interferences that manifest before you, rather than allowing them to startle or overwhelm you. Your obstacles must be resolved; you must treat these manifest events as if they were non-existent, using a sincere heart to cultivate diligently. Accept all the variables that enter your life and transform them—this is what it truly means to practise.

The Necessity of Fundamental Change

In our practice, there is nothing that cannot be accepted, and everything can be resolved. As long as you accept things with an open heart and face them with sincerity, without letting your mind become agitated or trapped by attachment, you will be able to see things more clearly and resolve the root cause of the problem. If you are still resisting or refusing to face the truth, even if you can endure it temporarily, the root remains deep-seated. It will inevitably manifest again, forming yet another obstacle. Everything must be resolved at its foundation. The question is whether your heart can remain constant and unmoved, not allowing the obstacle to interfere with you, but rather allowing the obstacle to be dissolved one by one. This process makes you clearer and more enlightened, which in turn allows your practice to progress further.

Authenticity in Cultivation

Practice is not about making changes merely to cover up our flaws. The changes that come from practice must be fundamental transformations. You must change yourself authentically. If you only make superficial changes on the outside without transforming your inner heart, then your practice is false, and your obstacles can never be removed. You must be extremely cautious; do not let your practice lose its meaning. You must strive for genuine, internal change.

Do not be attached to your practice; be more at ease, follow the conditions as they arise, and be authentic in all that you do.

I am deeply grateful to the Buddha for his great compassion and for constantly turning the Dharma wheel. I am also grateful to Grandmother. Namo Amituofo."