The Daily Discipline of Practice

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who shares profound insights on the nature of daily practice at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This account reflects upon the importance of self-awareness and the dangers of the subjective ego in the path toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on November 25, 2020.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Every single day that passes, our life is shrinking. In light of this reality, we must pause and examine our daily existence: are we truly living each day with genuine value? Time is like an arrow in flight; it is constantly slipping away from our grasp. We must take hold of the value of our own lives and ensure that we do not let our precious time pass by in vain.

There is a particularly dangerous situation that many practitioners face, one where they are unable to perceive their own errors. They mistakenly believe that they are already engaged in diligent practice, and they falsely assume that every day of their life is filled with value. The root cause of this error is 'subjective ego.' It is this subjective ego that leads us to generate such incorrect perceptions, which in turn inevitably leads to erroneous results in our spiritual journey."

The Illusion of Progress

"This matter is something we must discuss openly. Many people firmly believe that they are practising diligently, or that they are successfully changing their habits through their practice. Yet, they remain unaware that they have not truly transformed at all. In many cases, their karma still finds them, and they remain trapped in the same cycles of suffering. Why does this happen? It is certainly not because the Buddha’s teachings are inadequate. The Venerable Master Chin Kung has explained these principles over and over again, repeating them constantly to remind everyone. However, people still fail to learn, and they fail to apply these teachings correctly.

This is not because the practitioners lack the aptitude, nor is it because the Dharma is too profound to grasp. The reason for these failures in practice lies entirely within the individual's subjective ego. It is your own subjectivity that causes your practice to go astray. You are essentially building a wall between yourself and the truth, and then wondering why you cannot see the path forward."

The Trap of the Subjective Mind

"Why is it that, despite our efforts, we still cannot change our fundamental nature? It is because our subjective ego is far too strong. This subjective consciousness has completely overshadowed the principles of the Dharma that we are supposed to be cultivating. When you refuse to listen to the teachings and instead rely solely on your own subjective views—insisting on them, clinging to them, and believing in them above all else—your practice cannot possibly lead to transformation. Under such conditions, it is impossible to realise one's true nature as an awakened being. Furthermore, when the time comes to face the end of life, the hope of achieving rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss becomes a significant and perilous problem.

If you only listen to your own voice, how can you truly practise? If every day of your practice is merely an exercise in indulging your own personality, your own habits, your own emotions, and your own subjective views, then every day is simply a waste of time. You are not changing yourself; you are merely passing the days. If you continue to practise in this manner, you will find that your physical body, your karma, and your destiny remain unchanged. Even the reality of impermanence will arrive exactly as it is destined to, regardless of your illusions. You must be vigilant! Do not wait until the final moment to blame the 'practice' for failing to bring about change. You must look at your own subjective ego right now and ask yourself: has it already grown to exceed the importance of the Dharma itself?"

A Call to Self-Reflection

"Coming here to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to practise is not an opportunity to compete with others or to assert your own subjective will. If that is your intention, then what exactly are you practising? Days are turning into months, and time is truly running out. You must make plans for your own future, and you must stop deceiving yourself. Whether or not your practice is sincere is entirely your own responsibility. Do not continue to harm yourself. The success of your practice rests solely upon you.

The Buddha is full of compassion. We have been provided with such an excellent bodhimanda and such a precious opportunity to practise; we must grasp it with both hands and be proactive in our efforts. I am filled with gratitude for the Buddha’s compassion, and I am deeply grateful to the Venerable Master. Namo Amituofo."