The Clarity of the Observer

Venerable Chang Ren, a dedicated monastic serving at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, provides a candid perspective on the spiritual vigilance required to protect the Teacher during her transitions. This interview, recorded on January 10, 2022, by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, explores the profound challenges of the spiritual path and the unique sanctuary offered by the Centre.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chang Ren. In my capacity as one who listens and follows the guidance of the Teacher, I have been tasked with the responsibility of guarding the Teacher's physical body. I work alongside the Bodhisattvas from outside the cosmos, the Bodhisattvas of the Milky Way, and the new Buddha-disciples. While we are here to carry out these commands, we must also exercise our own discernment, judging the situation as it unfolds in real-time to ensure the safety of the Teacher.

The Invisible Guard: Protecting the Teacher's Soul

Today, after the Teacher's three souls departed from the physical body, I witnessed a great number of demon crowds trailing behind. I immediately dispatched a contingent of cosmic Bodhisattvas to follow and protect the Teacher as she entered the temple. Later, when the Teacher was ready to return to her body, we had to be equally vigilant to ensure that the three souls were protected throughout the process of re-entry.

The transition between these two realms is brief, yet in the space between, there are countless demon crowds lurking. Many wandering spirits and lost souls are intercepted at these very moments; they are harassed, captured, or coerced by the demon crowds, eventually becoming demon children and grandchildren themselves. Because of this, I continue to deploy extra Bodhisattvas from outside the cosmos to follow the Teacher. It is the only way to ensure true safety. This is especially critical when the mental state is wavering, hesitant, or lacking in firm resolve—these are the precise moments when the demon crowds seize their opportunity to interfere."

The Inevitable Pollution of the Human Condition

"During my time spent observing the demon crowds, I have seen the depths of the human heart and the true nature of humanity. It is a sobering reality: almost no one is free from selfishness, with the possible exception of a newborn infant. However, the moment an infant's six roots begin to make contact with the six dusts of the environment and the various stimuli of the world, they begin to absorb pollution. Whether it is the sights they see, the sounds they hear, or the scents they encounter, the process of contamination begins immediately upon receiving these stimuli.

Unless a person is an awakened being who has realised their true nature, or someone who is inherently pure and possesses perfect goodness, they are inevitably stained. If the person themselves is already polluted, then any image they project, any sound they utter, and any energy they emit will carry that same pollution. In this sense, one could say that all creatures within the six realms of existence are already polluted; the only difference lies in the degree of that contamination. To become an awakened being, one must painstakingly remove these layers of dust, one by one. You must strip away every single trace of pollution until not a shred remains. Only then is it possible to reclaim one's true self. When I look at this, I cannot help but ask: has the Teacher realised her true nature? It is a question that brings a profound sense of sorrow to my heart."

The Rare Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang

"This is why the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is such a unique and precious place. It is a pure land on this earth, and it exists solely because Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su are all awakened beings. This is a condition that no other temple in this world can replicate. The fourfold assembly of disciples who reside here are blessed with the opportunity to be purified under the unique conditions of this Buddha-land.

You must actively grasp the methods taught by the Buddha. You must be diligent in removing your own dust and stains. Wash them away, bit by bit, with absolute sincerity. When you have washed yourself until you are clean, until there is not a single speck of pollution left, that is the moment of awakening. This is why realising one's true nature is so incredibly precious and important! It is not something you can find just anywhere, but here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, it is possible. For those who are truly serious about their practice, this is the most important place in the universe."

A Call to Awakening

"The practice of the Pure Land school is intended to lead everyone to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The fact that Namo Amituofo is here means that the Western Pure Land is also here. How could the Teacher not know this? This place is destined to be the headquarters of the Pure Land school, a place dedicated to sending all beings into the Western Pure Land. For a senior elder of the Pure Land school, the task of saving beings and guiding them to the West is a matter of life and death—there is never enough time. How could there be any hesitation or pause? Furthermore, to participate in the construction of such a temple is a tremendous blessing. One should only fear missing out on such an opportunity, so how could anyone ever feel the urge to push it away?

These are things that we, as third-party observers, can see clearly and speak of openly. Regardless of the challenges, as long as there is an opportunity to help the Teacher awaken clearly, every effort we make is worth it!"

Namo Amituofo."