The Burden of a Legacy and the Path to Liberation

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chang Yung-fa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land. This account reflects upon his life and his current work in spreading the Dharma. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on September 26, 2019.

Chang Yung-fa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I feel like a young man now, full of vitality. It is a stark contrast to the bloated, aged, and sickly body I inhabited before I passed away. I often find myself reminiscing about those early days of my youth—the drive, the ambition, and the sheer resilience. I was never afraid of hardship. Whatever task was placed before me, I tackled it with a willing heart. That was the greatest strength of my life: I was never afraid to work, never afraid to suffer, and I could endure anything. It was that very spirit that built the foundation of the Evergreen Group.

A Newfound Vitality

Practitioner Su has entrusted me with a mission to return to this human world. I often shift my appearance back to that younger version of myself, a reminder that I have been given a fresh start. I want to recapture that youthful momentum—to charge forward tirelessly for the sake of the Buddha’s teachings and for the sake of all sentient beings! This human world is incredibly complex, and it is only becoming more so by the day. To speak of saving people—honestly, it is no easy task. But what moves me deeply is that no matter how great the obstacles, my respected Practitioner Su continues to charge forward without a single moment of hesitation. I will always remember the words she often says: 'One path to save beings, one path back to the Western Pure Land!' Think about it—what kind of immense vow must one possess to utter such words? If you were to ask anyone in this world today, who could speak with such conviction? If I were not already a resident of the Western Pure Land, I might not have the courage that Practitioner Su displays; I would likely still be an ordinary person, clinging to life and fearing death.

The Hidden Complexity of the Human Body

This human world is not unfamiliar to me; after all, I only left it a short while ago. Now, in my work of spreading the Dharma, I have been given a familiar body to operate within. The level of complexity inside this physical vessel is something I truly cannot describe; it is not nearly as simple as people imagine. Humans! If one does not study the Buddha’s teachings, it is impossible to realise the importance of purification. Whether you are eating, bathing, working, or simply drinking and chatting with friends, your mind is constantly thinking—it never stops, not even for a moment. And the moment you think, the body reacts to those thoughts. If those thoughts are evil, it is even worse; every cell in the body can become agitated.

Sometimes, the karmic creditors within this body take control of the head, dominating every thought. They lead the mind to think negatively and to see only the bad. When one should be walking a straight, simple, and flat path, they force the body to walk along a winding, uneven, and treacherous trail. I can only say that this body seems incapable of being fully mastered by oneself. It is as if you are sharing your body with others—one moment it is you in control, the next it is being manipulated by someone else. Densely packed sentient beings are all taking turns, pulling the strings.

The Secret of the Cells

Practitioner Su is truly extraordinary. She has been able to cultivate the wisdom to unlock the mysteries of the universe. How many people in this world know that every cell in the body is filled with sentient beings? Even the world’s most brilliant doctors are unaware of this secret. They stand there with their research reports, presenting the latest medical technologies to other authorities in the field, completely oblivious to the fact that the karmic creditors of the patients they are treating have already come looking for them. Before I passed away, I did not know this secret either. When I fell ill, I simply lay in my hospital bed, allowing myself to be carved up and treated, unaware that all the medical interventions I received were merely causing my physical body to suffer in vain. I took so much medicine, yet it only served to poison myself. The karmic creditors within me felt absolutely no impact; they were still able to move about my body as they pleased. You tell me, are humans not foolish? If one does not study the Buddha’s teachings, one is simply born into this world to suffer. Once you study the Buddha’s teachings, who would be foolish enough to continue tasting such bitterness?

A Call for the Dharma

This is why the Buddha’s teachings must flourish in this human world—only then can we save more people and help them leave suffering behind. Otherwise, as the world descends into greater chaos, people will soon find it impossible to go on living. Everyone is becoming ill, everyone is taking medication, and we are even seeing an increase in those suffering from mental illnesses for which there is no cure. It is becoming a common sight in society. Alas! It is suffering! It is truly suffering! In this age of the Dharma’s decline, every imaginable form of suffering has emerged. Regardless of whether sentient beings have the blessings or not, I will certainly work with all my might. For every ounce of effort I put in, there is one more chance for success. I pray for the Buddha’s compassion to grant me strength and blessings!

Namo Amituofo."