Venerable Chang Ren, a dedicated practitioner at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, shares profound insights into the necessity of personal accountability in one's spiritual journey. This interview, recorded on November 17, 2020, captures the Venerable's urgent call for practitioners to transcend their egos and karmic habits to achieve true liberation.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
". When you come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to practise, you must understand the duties you are meant to fulfil. This is a responsibility you owe to yourself in this world; it is the only way to save yourself and stop being lost in the cycle of reincarnation.
The Trap of
I look at everyone here and I see that you still do not understand how to truly awaken. Your hearts are still filled with the 'self.' Your subjective views and your stubborn personalities are so difficult to change. Even though the Elder Master has given so many talks, many of you still do not take the teachings to heart. Why? Because your minds are still occupied only with yourselves. You speak of the truth, yet your actions reflect something entirely different. This is precisely why you continue to age and fall ill despite your practice. Your subjective views are too strong; you are trapped by your own stubbornness and opinions. You insist on doing things according to your own ideas, failing to realise that you must change through practice. If you continue this way, you will remain bound by your fate and your , unable to break through the cycle of . If you do not listen to the Dharma and do not modify your behaviour according to the truth, you will be the only one who suffers in the end.
Breaking the Cycle of Karma
I often see practitioners clinging to their personalities. When things do not go their way, they are quick to express their dissatisfaction and negative emotions loudly. Such people are still unable to transcend their fate; in fact, they are walking the path of karmic retribution every single day. You must develop the necessary awareness to stop your karma from continuing to manifest. If this physical body were to disappear tomorrow, what would become of you? You say you want the Elder Master to guide you to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, but ask yourselves: do you have the face to meet Namo Amituofo in your current state?
A Call to Diligent Practice
I urge the fourfold assembly to realise that changing yourself in this very moment is of the utmost importance. You cannot be so selfish. If you do not strive to reclaim your true self and save sentient beings, but instead spend your days indulging in your personality or your emotions, you are creating karma every day through your practice. How, then, can you expect to go to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? You must wake up. You must be diligent and work hard in your practice. You must change your personality and your conduct—that is the only correct path.
Taking Responsibility for Your Future
Do not hold onto these erroneous ideas any longer. You must take responsibility for yourselves. Being stubborn and attached to one's personality is not the mark of a wise person. Do not remain ignorant or trapped in confusion. Treasure the opportunity to practise here. Every one of you should aim for spiritual success, so that you may save the sentient beings connected to you by karmic affinity. That is the work you are truly meant to do.
Our Buddha is of such great ; everyone should cherish this. Be grateful for the Elder Master's compassionate heart in saving us all. Namo Amituofo."
