The Art of Unshakable Patience
An Interview with Venerable Chang Ren
Recorded on July 26, 2022
This interview with Venerable Chang Ren was conducted by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on July 26, 2022, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. Venerable Chang Ren provides profound guidance on the true meaning of Patience, explaining how to cultivate a heart that remains undisturbed by the challenges of the world.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Chang Ren. When we discuss the practice of Patience, we are referring to a state of mind that experiences absolutely no fluctuation. It is a stillness that remains unshaken regardless of external circumstances. If, during the process of enduring, one merely suppresses internal emotions or forces negative deep into the recesses of the heart, that is not true Patience. In fact, such suppression acts as a barrier, preventing one from addressing the root of the problem with a clear and positive perspective."
The Necessity of Endurance
"Why must we practise Patience? Perhaps some people carry this doubt in their hearts: 'Why should I be the one to endure? It is clearly their fault.' Or perhaps you have heard others say, 'Why should I endure this? I need to make them realise they are wrong.' These are common reactions, but they stem from a misunderstanding of what it means to walk the path of the .
If you wish to truly learn the art of Patience, you must engage in dedicated practice. Why is it necessary? Because only through Patience can you expand your mind-capacity. Only through Patience can you nourish your . Only through Patience can you see the truth of a situation clearly, without the distortion of ego. And only through Patience can you grow in Wisdom. However, the prerequisite for this is that the Patience must be calm and peaceful—a state where there is no mental note of grievance and no emotional turbulence whatsoever."
The Bucket of Filth
"Imagine you are subjected to unreasonable, barbaric, or irrational treatment from another person. It is as if someone has, for no reason at all, poured a bucket of filth over your head. Ask yourself: can you endure this? For those who have not yet stepped onto the path of spiritual practice, this is an incredibly difficult thing to bear. When is affected without cause, when the physical form is harmed, the natural instinct is to react. As soon as the body receives a warning signal of being violated, the mind finds it impossible to remain patient. One feels a burning necessity to fight back, to determine who is the winner and who is the loser, and only then does one feel satisfied enough to let the matter rest.
But this is the cycle of being reincarnated. It is the very thing that keeps us bound to the world of suffering. If we continue to react in this way, we are merely adding fuel to the fire of our own ."
Letting Go of
"Now that everyone has chosen to walk this path of practice, Patience is a necessary skill. You must cultivate a sincere heart, a calm heart, and a pure heart. Do not let your inner state be disturbed by the words or actions of others. Allow your vast mind-capacity to encompass everything that comes your way. Endure what others cannot endure, and perform the deeds that others cannot perform; in doing so, you will naturally achieve the fruits of your practice.
You must learn to let go of the powerful 'I' that resides within your heart. When you truly learn to let go, you will naturally be able to endure. Remember, what we endure are merely the affairs of this world. What we are truly and actively pursuing is the ultimate matter of life and death—the goal of never again being reincarnated in the six realms. Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Chang Ren
Letting Go of Past Pain
Venerable Changren shares his journey from a life of deep-seated resentment and demonic existence to his current path of deliverance, offering profound insights on how to release the burdens of the past.
Purifying the Thoughts of the Head
Venerable Chang Ren discusses the habitual nature of human thought, the spiritual consequences of a cluttered mind, and practical methods for achieving mental purity through the practice of Namo Amituofo.
The Labyrinth Within: Understanding the Space of Thoughts
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The Occupied Body: A Spiritual Reality
Venerable Chang Ren reveals the hidden truth behind the aging process and physical illness, explaining how uncorrected personality flaws create loopholes that allow spirits and karmic creditors to occupy the human body.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library