Resolving the Karmic Knots

This article records a teaching provided by Venerable Chang Ren regarding the spiritual state of Wu Richang, a man who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This testimony, which explores the complexities of karmic knots and the path to liberation, was recorded on September 29, 2018.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I know that everyone here possesses a sincere heart and a genuine desire to practise the Dharma. However, in the process of cultivating this sincerity, one is inevitably hindered by the interference of one's own personality and accumulated karma. How one navigates this path is something that only the individual can truly master. I shall speak only to this point today.

The Weight of Worldly Attachments

Today, I wish to share the story of a man named Wu Richang. He has lingered in this space for many years, unable to find a way out. Why? Because his heart is bound—tethered by emotions from the world that he simply cannot let go of. In his worldly life, he was a man who acted with responsibility and dedication. Yet, when faced with critical choices, he could not help but think of himself, and most painfully, he could not stop clinging to his beloved family. It is here, in this space, that he has been reborn.

In the Dharma Realm, it is known to all that this man was once deeply entangled in his own karma. He has experienced countless cycles of repetition, coming and going, walking through the twists and turns of fate to arrive at this very moment. His heart has always been adrift, restless, because his life was so deeply enamoured with the scent of worldly affairs. I have personally gone to his side to care for him; I have helped him through many moments of grave danger. Yet, his fundamental problem remains unresolved because his heart has not yet found true meditative concentration.

The Unstable Heart and the Body's Suffering

The conflict between his chest and his heart is the greatest obstacle of his life. Because he is prone to outbursts of rage, his blood and energy are constantly agitated, which is why his physical body has never been able to fully heal. There is a lingering scent of various beings emanating from him, reflecting the turbulent and unpredictable nature of his destiny. No one can solve these problems for him; only he can help himself walk out of this difficult pass.

In truth, there is no problem that cannot be overcome. When I look at his body, and then at the bodies of others, I see that everyone’s struggles are much the same. There is no real difference. The only thing that separates us is our own discriminations and opinions. When we allow our emotions to create divisions—to separate 'you' from 'me'—our destinies naturally appear to diverge. He does not need to worry about why his fate seems different from others. In fact, he is a person of great blessings. Time and again, the Buddha has stepped forward to protect his physical form, and the Buddha’s grace toward him is eternal and unchanging.

The Symbolism of Shaving the Head

Why, then, is there a request for him to shave his head? It is not to force him into the monastic life to save the world. The deeper meaning is to help him resolve his karma. His heart has begun to desire change, but this heart is not yet stable; it is still filled with fear and difficulty. He told himself he wanted to do this—to join the temple—and that intention was real. That is why the Buddha asked him to shave away these worldly dusts. To keep them is to keep suffering, for these hairs represent the red dust of the world. If he keeps them, his karma will not transform. The only person who can save him is himself. Everything depends on his own boldness to break through all obstacles. Once he shaves away the worldly, it is a transformation, but the ultimate resolution still relies on his own true practice.

A Call to True Practice

I know that everyone here is sincere in their desire to practise. But in the process of sincerity, one's own personality and karmic interference will always arise. How to proceed is something only you can master. I will say only this much. As for his presence in this space, he is locked within his own heart. The Buddha has not spoken of it because He is waiting for his Causal Conditions to mature—waiting for the moment he is truly willing to let go. I am helping with this matter today because the Buddha wishes for me to speak these words. The Buddha hopes this child can come home; the Buddha hopes to lead him to become a vessel for saving the world. I speak this only because I see his sincerity, and I hope that after hearing this, he will be willing to see through the illusions and truly let go of everything. Time will not necessarily wait for him to make a decision, and fate will not always provide a path. When there is an opportunity to change, one must cherish it. This is all I wish to say today.

The compassionate dedication of Practitioner Su is also one of the reasons he holds such respect. Everyone, including myself, is here, selflessly and wholeheartedly protecting and supporting this place. I hope that your joining will first help you resolve your own karma. I will also do my utmost to help you here. I hope everyone can practise well. Gratitude to Practitioner Su, gratitude to the compassion of my Buddha. Namo Amituofo."