The Burden of Pride: Learning to Let Go

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 of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his observations on the nature of human pride. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 14, 2019.

Chang Yung-fa speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have lived in this world for nearly ninety years. Over these nine decades, I have discovered that the most difficult thing for people to do is not to earn a fortune, but to 'swallow that breath.' Let me explain what I mean. Look at a high-powered executive in a tailored suit. Making money is easy for him. It seems that with enough wealth, he can do anything—buy houses, purchase luxury cars, pursue women—everything is within his reach. But if you ask him to swallow that breath and yield to someone else during a conflict? That is an incredibly difficult task. To lower his face, which he values more than gold, feels as painful as losing his own life."

The Endless Cycle of Competition

"I have observed that people in this world are obsessed with 'competing.' I wonder if you agree? Whether it is primary school students or university graduates, junior employees or CEOs, everyone is skilled at competing. They compete for the top grades, for better employee benefits, for career achievements. As long as one is alive in this world, it seems the goal is to compete. But who is supposed to lose? No one wants to lose, because they cannot swallow the bitter breath of defeat. People in the world often say, 'You must have backbone.' Now that I have studied the Buddha's teachings, I realise that what they call 'backbone' is often just an overly strong ego.

Many great entrepreneurs achieved their success precisely because of their ambition and 'backbone.' Especially for those of us in my generation, very few were born into wealth and luxury. In our era, we had to work with our own two hands, struggling desperately just to put food on the table. Yet, it was that very hardship that gave us resilience. We would not easily admit defeat, nor would we easily bow our heads. Unless we breathed our last, we would not let go. Looking back now, I can see how much ego was wrapped up in that desperate struggle for survival."

The Fragility of the Modern Generation

"When I look at the young people of today, I can only shake my head. This is especially true for those born after the 1980s. They were born into an environment far removed from the hardships we faced. Each one is a 'treasure' in the palms of their parents. It is impossible to expect them to have the same perseverance we had. However, if you want to see them display a strong ego, they can perform that for you in an instant. They can even turn the world upside down, all because they have never learned to swallow that breath of anger.

I have seen the news of airline strikes more than once. I know that in the past, these events caused quite a stir. When the demands of employees are not met, and they do not receive a friendly response from their superiors, they find themselves unable to swallow that breath of frustration. This often triggers them to take the extreme measure of striking. Yet, they rarely stop to consider that this strike causes losses not only to the company but also damages their own character. Furthermore, it impacts so many passengers waiting for their flights—all because they simply 'could not swallow that breath.'"

The Path to Peace Through Dharma

"There is too much 'unswallowed breath' in this world, which is why society is filled with turmoil. The Buddha's teachings instruct us to 'endure,' they teach us to 'yield,' and they teach us to 'treat others with compassion.' In this age of the Dharma’s decline, the suffering of beings lies precisely in their inability to swallow that breath. A heart filled with resentment creates social instability and leaves one's own heart filled with anxiety and fear.

If the Buddha's teachings could be widely propagated, starting from education and even being incorporated into the core values and mission statements of corporations, then everyone could live within the world of the Dharma. The world would surely be peaceful, because what the Buddha's teachings truly teach us is how to 'suffer a loss' for the sake of others. If everyone were willing to suffer a loss, then everyone would be a winner. That would create a world of equality, selflessness, and no-self."

A New Life in the Dharma

"The Buddha's teachings are as essential to the world as the very air we breathe. I have made the propagation of the Buddha's teachings my goal in this new life I have found. I hope that everyone can become a disciple of the Buddha, undergoing a complete transformation in this evil world. Namo Amituofo."