The Bodhimanda Within: Practising at Home

Venerable Chang Gao is a dedicated monastic who offers profound guidance on the path of the Buddha. In this interview, recorded by Shi Fajing on June 4, 2023, he addresses the common challenges faced by lay practitioners who wish to cultivate their spirituality while navigating the complex demands of modern life. He provides essential insights on how to transform one's home into a sacred bodhimanda, drawing upon the exemplary discipline of Practitioner Su to illustrate that true spiritual progress is rooted in the sincerity of the heart.

Venerable Chang Gao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Those who possess a karmic affinity with the Buddha will inevitably encounter the Buddha when all conditions are ripe. If you have already encountered the Buddha at this moment, are you able to grasp this opportunity? Facing the relentless busyness of modern life, many people are exhausted by the struggle for survival. To speak of spiritual practice seems beyond their current capacity, and they feel they cannot yet step into that kind of life. But must one abandon a normal life to enter into practice? Or, if one chooses to reside at home, does that mean one cannot practise? It is a common hesitation, yet it is one that can be overcome with the right understanding of the Dharma."

The Misconception of the Bodhimanda

"I have observed that many people hold a deep-seated misconception about spiritual practice. They believe that practice must take place within a formal bodhimanda—a temple, a retreat centre, or a specific facility where there are monastics and fellow practitioners. Because their current reality does not allow them to set aside their responsibilities to enter such a place, they hesitate and cannot take the first step toward practice. They feel that without the physical walls of a temple, their efforts will be in vain.

When people hear the word 'bodhimanda,' their fixed impression is of a physical building. But is the bodhimanda of practice really limited to such places? In truth, it is not. Every place where a person lives is a bodhimanda. The difference lies only in whether one is detached from their daily life or remains connected to it. But if you ask which of the two can achieve enlightenment? Both can succeed. It all depends on whether the practice within one's own heart is genuine and sincere. If the heart is focused on the Buddha, then the home becomes a sanctuary of the highest order."

Technology as a Gateway to the Dharma

"In today's world, the convenience of technology means that one does not need to travel over mountains and across rivers to hear the Dharma. Through television, computers, and mobile phones, we can listen to the Buddha's teachings and obtain the Dharma Jewel. This technological progress greatly assists practitioners in being nurtured by the Buddha's teachings even while at home. If one can absorb these scriptures into the heart and truly begin to change from within, it will be of immense help in achieving rapid growth and spiritual elevation.

When speaking of 'at-home' practice, I see the best example in Practitioner Su. Without ever leaving her home, she relied on a high degree of self-discipline. Her daily practice at two o'clock in the morning was never interrupted. Even in the coldest, most freezing weather, she maintained a fixed rhythm of practice without stopping for a single day. Such a diligent heart and action, even when practised at home, show that the greatest key lies entirely within the heart. It is not the environment that dictates the success of one's practice, but the consistency and the vow one holds within."

The Power of Vows and Resilience

"What is the vow of practice? When practice has a clear goal and a strong vow, even if external conditions and circumstances are not yet perfect, one can still use the existing environment and resources to help and improve oneself. It is like throwing a human into an extremely harsh environment; for the sake of survival, no matter how uncomfortable they are at first, they will eventually adapt to the environment and develop a method for survival. This is the instinct of humanity, and it is the resilience of human life.

Facing spiritual practice is the same. Once the goal is set, in order to achieve it, even if the current environment is harsh, even if there are many voices of opposition, or if the environment is noisy and life is busy, a human with strong resilience can still break through one by one according to their own vow. Such a heart is more genuine, more real, and possesses greater sincerity; it is truly worthy of praise. When you treat your life as a training ground, every obstacle becomes a lesson in patience and wisdom."

Transformation Through Inner Change

"Practitioner Su practised at home, listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma every day. She internalised the teachings she heard and truly changed her behaviour, adjusting her own personality. Her family felt this change clearly. Moreover, Practitioner Su's change was not just a temporary phase; it was a continuous, uninterrupted process of refinement. She changed more deeply and thoroughly, completely letting go of her past self, adjusting from the heart, and becoming a brand-new person.

Regarding emotional relationships with family members, Practitioner Su did not become cold or distant because of her practice. She understood how to use the wisdom of the Buddha's teachings to maintain family relationships. She did not dwell on mere sentimentality but treated them with compassion, ensuring that her family would not develop a rejection of the Buddha's teachings.

I use the example of Practitioner Su to encourage all those who, for various reasons, cannot enter a temple to practise. Everywhere is a bodhimanda of the heart. Practice does not require various equipment or props, nor does it need the cooperation of the environment; it depends entirely on the preparation of the 'heart' in the present moment. Do not force yourself to wait for external conditions to align. The length of life is limited; it is better to start from this very moment to cultivate this inner heart. Use your own changes to influence the external environment. If the most difficult areas can be changed, then the practice is truly beneficial. Namo Amituofo."