The Duality of Truth and Falsehood

Venerable Chang Ren, a monastic residing at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, offers profound reflections on the nature of sincerity and the pitfalls of a self-centred heart. This interview was recorded on May 29, 2019, by the chief writer, Shi Faxi.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The distinction between truth and falsehood lies entirely within the human heart. It is a state that is constantly shifting, like sand beneath our feet. Many people find themselves unable to offer a truly sincere heart. They operate under the assumption that everything they do must be for their own benefit. Yet, they fail to realise that the moment one acts solely for oneself, that heart becomes inherently false. Without the expansive mind-capacity to encompass the needs of all beings, one’s actions can never be truly genuine.

The Shifting Sands of the Heart

If we do not prepare ourselves to act with a sincere heart, we fall into the trap of performative behaviour. Do not think that such falsehood goes unnoticed. It is not that others cannot see through it; rather, it is that the person choosing this path has already lost their own dignity. Falsehood is merely a mask, a hollow illusion. Once you choose to live behind such a facade, you drift further and further away from your true nature. The consequences of such inauthenticity will never be perfect. Any benefit you attempt to greedily snatch for yourself will eventually need to be repaid, and often with interest. There is a silent, invisible Truth that exists in this world, quietly supervising these hearts—both the sincere and the false. In the end, the Truth will always ensure that justice is served at the appropriate time.

Truth and falsehood are matters of the heart that people often mistakenly believe are hidden from the world. In reality, everything is displayed with absolute clarity. There is an old saying: 'If you do not want others to know, do not do it in the first place.' This is a vital principle that everyone must understand! If your actions are not for the benefit of all beings, but are instead driven by a narrow, unilateral focus on your own gain, your mind-capacity is simply too small. Even if you appear to be doing many things that seem to benefit the masses, if your heart is not in the right place, those actions remain false. They are hollow, and ultimately, they cannot lead to any true accomplishment.

The Trap of Modern Calculation

Are your actions truly sincere? Everything is revealed with perfect clarity. When you scheme to gain even a little bit more for yourself, you are, in truth, suffering a much greater and more significant loss. Whether you are being true or false, you must understand the price that will be exacted. So many people in this modern world are unwilling to offer a sincere heart. Their actions are always the result of cold, calculated planning. They have already accounted for every possible benefit to themselves before they finally perform a 'considered' act. This is not genuine behaviour, and the heart behind it is not sincere. If you still hold back, if you still cling to your own interests, you will always remain a great distance from the heart of one who truly studies the Buddha’s teachings. You will never find a solid, grounded path.

The Path of True Liberation

Truth and falsehood are decided in a single thought. When you are truly confronted by the Truth, you are facing a decision of the utmost importance. You must learn to choose the direction of the Truth and move forward with diligent, active effort. Do not allow yourself to harbour an insincere heart any longer. The Truth is rare and difficult to encounter, and the opportunity to achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth is even rarer. To understand how to give of yourself entirely, to offer a sincere heart—that is the greatest benefit you could ever bestow upon yourself.

When you study the Buddha’s teachings, do not focus merely on your outward performance. Instead, you must ensure that your heart is truly authentic. What we call a 'sincere heart' is the act of truly giving all of yourself; only then can you grasp the true meaning of practice. Do not let the 'self' remain in your practice. You must stand up for the sake of all beings, contributing your own strength and effort. To benefit others is to benefit oneself; this is the only way to engage in true practice. It is my sincere hope that everyone can be truly authentic.

The Buddha’s teachings are vast and boundless. They require people who will sincerely protect and uphold them. Whether you offer your wealth or your physical strength, both are equally important. If your mind is still preoccupied with your own personal gain, you are not yet truly walking the path of the Buddha’s teachings; you are merely attending to the affairs of this world.

The Buddha is full of compassion. You should all know how to be grateful and how to cherish this opportunity. I am deeply grateful to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."