The Call to Save the World

Venerable Chang Ren is a dedicated monastic who has sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, where he currently resides. This interview, recorded on October 28, 2020, captures his profound reflections on the nature of the Dharma, the vital importance of the work performed at the centre, and the urgent necessity for all beings to seek liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The progression of light in its flow is something beyond the imagination of worldly people. What it means to 'realise one's true nature' and what the 'Dharma Body' truly is—these are realms that the average person simply cannot comprehend. When you find yourself unable to grasp these truths, you should be even more diligent and proactive in your learning and practice. Do not fall into the trap of ignorance or slander; those are spiritual obstacles that are incredibly difficult to repay. You must recognise that the Buddha’s teachings are magnificent and inconceivable. If you encounter those who are working to save the world, you should treat them with reverence, support them, and treat them with kindness. Do not commit errors that can never be undone.

The Boundless Compassion of the Great Vow

The great compassion and Ultimate Vow of Practitioner Su are manifested daily as she uses her Dharma Body to save infinite, boundless beings. Countless wisdom-lives are rescued from the void. Worldly people cannot fathom the sheer scale of this; the space is infinite, and so many beings are kneeling in gratitude. Such a magnificent feat can only be witnessed at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, because it requires a mind-capacity that is boundless and the immense power to truly transcend life and death. Practitioner Su’s practice and her demonstration of the Dharma are things that everyone should strive to learn.

Today, Practitioner Su leads all the monks, nuns, and the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia as they march together toward a golden age of the Buddha’s teachings. Infinite, boundless beings are waiting to be saved. Every single day, even though Practitioner Su has already saved an immeasurable number of beings, there are still endless others waiting. The layers of the void are infinite, beyond calculation. Everyone must wake up! If you do not understand the necessity of saving the world, then one day in the future, you too will enter that void, unable to escape the suffering of life and death, falling into the cycle of rebirth. Who will be there to save you then?

The Urgency of Self-Reflection

This is a serious matter, and everyone should be alert. Where is your future heading? You cannot simply let the days pass one after another, living in a state of numbness without any self-reflection. From what I, Chang Ren, have observed, everyone is struggling to escape the influence of constant change. If you do not know how to stop this cycle, by the time you feel regret, it will already be far too late. You must awaken your own conscience and not allow yourself to lose the opportunity for achievement.

Everything depends on your own efforts. Only you can save yourself; only you can liberate yourself from the influence of karma and destiny. Do not continue to focus solely on yourself or remain attached to your own ego. That will only lead to self-inflicted suffering, making liberation difficult. Your body will grow ill, it will age, and it will eventually die—you must be mindful of this. Do not allow yourself to remain a mere 'worldly person.' You should understand the need to transcend this world and liberate yourself from the suffering of life. Since you have come here, to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, you must engage in true practice. Do not continue to act like a secular person, devoid of any positive change. That will only deplete your blessings and act as an obstacle to your own progress. You must be aware of this.

The Ship of Salvation

With Practitioner Su’s compassionate demonstration and the manifestation of such a magnificent Dharma, you should know that it is time to change. Do not remain ignorant of your own suffering, choosing instead to remain entangled in it. As long as there is an 'ego,' there will be suffering. Practitioner Su has spoken extensively through the sutras; everyone should wake up.

My Buddha is compassionate and is currently bestowing blessings upon the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. With Namo Amituofo at the helm, this ship of salvation is unimaginably vast, beyond all measure. Everyone should seize this opportunity, join in the work of saving the world, and act proactively. Each person has their own responsibility; do not remain ignorant and destroy your own future. Every single person can achieve great things, provided you seize the moment and cherish it. I am grateful for the compassion of the Buddha, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."

Recorded by the chief writer, disciple Shi Fa Xi.