The Big Brother of the Demon Realm

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land. This account reflects upon his past leadership in the demon realms and his subsequent transformation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on August 27, 2017.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Changren. What I see before me today, I had already anticipated in my heart. I am well aware that beyond what is visible, there is much more—whether it concerns the brothers with whom I formed bonds of loyalty, or the debts of enmity and the mistakes I committed in the past. I am clear that there is so much, so very much. I do not wish to immerse myself in sorrow now. I only want to know what I must do to be effective. I will not speak of turning back, for the past cannot be undone; there is only transformation. I only want to know how to transform."

A Warmth Never Before Known

"Today, I saw the Chao Du that Practitioner Su performed for me, and I am deeply grateful. It was a warmth I had never experienced before. It is a principle I only learned here. I never knew that my own Wisdom was deep or that my Meditation had such attainment. Yet, the care that the Master provided—which I had overlooked—I truly did not understand. Practitioner Su seems to understand me very well."

The Call to a Higher Purpose

"I am a man of reason. I do not indulge in idle chatter. I am strong, and I am not in the least bit afraid of the battle that is about to begin. This time, it is a 'save the world' mission through Goodness. I still have many friends, and I am currently gathering them. I am the Big Brother in their hearts. In those years, I cherished them all deeply, and now, as their Big Brother, I must save them too. I will demand that everyone refrains from interfering with or harming the physical body of Practitioner Su. I am clear that while Practitioner Su's Dharma Body possesses great attainment, her physical body still requires protection. Everyone who comes here must maintain order; this place is truly a Pure Land."

A Final Command to My Brothers

"Even if you hold prejudices against the Buddha’s teachings in your hearts, you must not act maliciously here. Do not let your eyes wander; you must respect the decree of Skanda Bodhisattva. As your Big Brother, I am going to lead you all—my brothers—on a fresh path. Once the task is accomplished, I want all of you to go to the Western Pure Land. Do not reincarnate in the cycle of rebirth any longer. I have only just left the most painful of punishments. If you still trust your Big Brother, then stay. If you do not believe, or if you are not willing to submit, then please leave immediately."

The assembly responds: "We will!"

"Namo Amituofo."