The Arduous Path of Inner Transformation

This article records an interview with Venerable Chang Ren, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. He shares his profound reflections on the arduous but essential process of spiritual transformation. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on July 17, 2023.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. There are countless methods of practice in this world. Regardless of which path one chooses, if you truly wish to elevate your spirit, you must thoroughly transform your body and heart. You must strip away the personality traits and desires that have no place in a pure life. Only then can you achieve the true purification of the body and elevate your deepest spiritual nature.

The Illusion of Superficial Repentance

After listening to the Dharma talks given by Venerable Master Chin Kung, I believe many people have felt a profound shock in their hearts. Before, many did not know they needed to change themselves, nor did they realise that their bodies were being interfered with by so many sentient beings. Now, through listening to the teachings, we know that we must change our personalities, correct our views, and address our body and mind from every angle. Only then is it possible for the karmic creditors residing within us to be willing to resolve their grievances. Only then does the word 'repenting' carry even a shred of sincerity. Otherwise, karmic creditors will simply ignore any words of repentance. No matter how much you say with your mouth, they will remain hidden in the spaces of your body, unmoved. They cannot feel any change, and they cannot read any genuine heart that truly seeks to resolve the conflict.

The Stubbornness of Samsara

However, when many people begin to try to change, they find it incredibly difficult. Some even become angry, feeling that it is simply impossible to change. People are indeed stubborn; otherwise, it would be impossible to remain trapped in the cycle of reincarnation for hundreds, thousands, or even millions of years, unable to escape the six realms of existence. We are all burdened by a stubborn heart that is difficult to tame and difficult to subdue.

I must tell every practitioner who wishes to begin changing themselves the truth: the beginning of all things is difficult. Therefore, the start of this transformation is hard and painful. It is impossible to succeed in one go. It requires countless efforts. I cannot specify exactly how many times each person needs to try, but I can say with certainty that it is absolutely not just once or twice—it could be hundreds or thousands of times. In this continuous process of change, you must gradually adjust your body and mind, eventually turning yourself around completely to become an entirely different person. Only then will you have achieved true change.

The Depth of Our Karmic Habits

I mention these things because many people mistakenly believe that change is easy and effortless. In the end, they fail because they do not thoroughly change themselves from the root. Our physical personality and habits were not formed in a single moment; they have followed us through countless lifetimes of reincarnation. To change a personality that has been forged over a thousand years within just one month is truly a fantasy. Even if you appear to have changed on the surface, that is merely the surface—the tip of the iceberg. Deep inside, there are still massive, powerful personality traits that have yet to be unearthed, traits that even you yourself may not be aware of or understand.

Therefore, I tell everyone who wants to change: you must prepare yourself mentally. This preparation is to let your heart know that even though change is not easy, you must persist and never give up.

The Pain of True Purification

A single failure does not mean eternal failure. In every effort you make, you are gradually growing. A smooth practice and a comfortable, stable life will never allow you to change. Only by digging into your inner self as if with a knife, purifying your deep-seated personality layer by layer, and then enduring the pain of removing them, can you succeed. That process of suffering and torment is difficult to bear, but once you have endured it, you will be met with a brand-new atmosphere—a completely different version of yourself, reborn. At that moment, the world you see and the environment you inhabit will all be different. It will be a brand-new appearance. But it is not the environment that has changed; it is your heart that has turned. As the heart turns, everything you see and hear will change along with your mental note.

The Joy of Spiritual Benefit

As you delve deeper into changing yourself, you will become increasingly happy and filled with Dharma joy. This is because, in the process of changing your personality, your body will respond. It will naturally let you feel the benefits, letting you know that you have truly gained from this transformation.

Take, for example, the act of changing a temperamental personality. Because of such a personality, your head, eyes, and heart have been constantly interfered with by karma, and your karmic creditors have held on tightly. But when you sincerely begin to change, in the process, you will feel your heart open up a little, your head and eyes become clearer, and the feeling of being drowsy improve significantly. Once you have had such an experience, you will be able to taste the sweet fruit of change.

Every time you change, you are the one who benefits the most. You can also save the karmic creditors who have followed you through accumulated lifetimes, helping them let go of their hatred and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Practice is about change—changing your inner nature, changing your heart, and adjusting yourself bit by bit. Ultimately, you will change until you possess a Buddha-heart, just like the Buddha, and walk the path of saving beings alongside the Buddha, broadly saving all sentient beings.

Namo Amituofo."