The Diligence of the Heart

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changgao, who reflects on the nature of spiritual practice and the profound work of deliverance. He now resides in the Western Pure Land. This account reflects upon his insights recorded on January 7, 2020. Recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin.

Venerable Changgao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Changgao. When I was practising in the human world, I often contemplated the vast, boundless nature of Chao Du. I wondered why there seemed to be no end to the deliverance of beings throughout the empty space of the universe. The compassion of Namo Amituofo has already led countless beings to the Western Pure Land, yet there are still countless more. A single spirit can undergo thousands of changes and transformations; how rare it is for a being to encounter the Buddha in any given lifetime.

The Boundless Compassion of Namo Amituofo

Every person carries their own karmic creditors. One might ask, what method can truly bring an end to this cycle? Is there ever a time when the work of deliverance is finally complete? In truth, looking at other beings is not as effective as looking at oneself. One must ask: what is the nature of my own heart? If we look at the human body, such as that of Lay Practitioner Gu, we see that this heart drives the entire body. All the actions of sentient beings are initiated by this very heart.

When the heart is filled with Goodness, merits are recorded in the ledger of the universe. However, when the heart is filled with evil, it opens the door to the influence of beings from past lives. This physical body is often unable to withstand such pressures. When these beings swarm in, surrounding and cornering us, or even trapping us, how are we to escape? I would say that most people are completely unaware of their own situations. They allow their bodies to act on impulse, letting their temperaments and personalities take control. The body becomes a mere instrument for these beings, who perform their own dramas through us, laughing in the shadows while our bodies are manipulated like puppets, pulled this way and that.

The Body as a Puppet of the Mind

If you wish to see a real change, you must transform your heart and your thoughts. You must align your mind with the Truth. Only then can you allow your most natural, original self to emerge. Think about it—among all the beings scattered throughout the vast emptiness, which one truly represents your original face? The Buddha’s teachings instruct us to see ourselves clearly and to understand who we are. We must ask: where do we come from? What are we? What is our true identity? Given this rare karmic connection, if you truly wish to break free from the arrangements of fate, you must strip away all the defilements that cloud your nature.

The Reality of Spiritual Purification

Spiritual practice is not something that happens overnight. It is a journey taken step by step, with every footprint counting. In the context of the vast universe, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a truly significant temple. In the human world, it serves as a genuine, verified place that can lead beings to rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Do not underestimate this place, and do not underestimate the daily practice and the accumulation of merits that occur here. The purification that takes place between the empty space of the universe and the human body is seen with absolute clarity. In spiritual practice, you cannot deceive others, and you certainly cannot deceive yourself.

A Call to Daily Diligence

To understand oneself authentically—without falsehood, without hypocrisy, and without artificiality—is the path to becoming a sage. This is attainable for everyone, but it depends entirely on how much diligent practice you apply to your own heart each and every day. Let us encourage one another in this pursuit.

Namo Amituofo."