This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Ren, a monastic who resides at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. In this discussion, Venerable Chang Ren shares profound insights into the spiritual mechanics of , reflecting upon the nature of karmic liberation and the essential conditions required for successful deliverance. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on August 7, 2023.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
". During every assembly, I observe that the effectiveness of Chao Du varies significantly from person to person. You see, for some individuals, a great number of are successfully liberated, while for others, only a few depart. This disparity is also evident among the practitioners who come to request deliverance; some bring many beings to be saved, while others bring fewer. Why does this happen? Why is there such a difference in the outcome?
The Foundation of Faith
The first and most critical point is the depth of one's faith in the Buddha. Those who possess deep, unwavering faith in Namo Amituofo are able to align their hearts with the Buddha throughout the entire duration of the Dharma assembly. When your heart is truly with the Buddha, the karmic creditors residing within your human body naturally come into sync with the Buddha as well. These beings, having felt the boundless of the Buddha and receiving the illumination of the Buddha-light, begin to realise the profound suffering they have endured throughout their many lives in the cycle of reincarnation. Under the gentle guidance of that light, they become willing to let go, to depart from the Buddha-light, and to stop clinging to their karmic creditors in a cycle of mutual suffering.
The Power of Sincerity
The sincerity of the practitioner is equally vital. Many who come to request Chao Du possess a heart that is truly genuine. In this state of sincerity, the karmic creditors can feel the shift in the practitioner's heart. Supported by the immense power and of the Buddha, these beings are naturally inclined to depart from the space they have occupied for so long. Now, I have seen some karmic creditors who are not yet willing to let go of their grievances so easily. They remain stubborn, clinging to their resentment. However, when I see that the heart of the practitioner is truly sincere, even these reluctant beings will often peek out to see what kind of place this is. Once they are touched and transformed by the Buddha's power during the process, they naturally release the hatred they have held in their hearts and become willing to follow the Buddha toward liberation.
The Trap of Selfishness
The mental note—the specific intention—held during the Chao Du is also of paramount importance. Most of the practitioners who attend these Dharma assemblies hope that through the deliverance, their own physical health will improve, their illnesses will subside, or perhaps their ailments will be eradicated entirely. Think about it—when you hold such a self-centred intention, the karmic creditors within your human body are rarely pleased. What they perceive is the selfishness of the practitioner. They feel that you are only thinking about your own body getting better, without a single thought for the immense suffering they have endured.
A Shift in Perspective
You must understand that these beings are truly, deeply suffering. Because of the cruel harm they experienced in the past, they have followed their karmic creditors throughout their many lives, biting down and refusing to let go simply because they could not swallow that initial breath of injustice. No one ever taught them how to let go, so naturally, they do not understand what it means to forgive. They cling to their hatred, following you relentlessly, constantly demanding retribution. Now, they have finally encountered the Buddha, but they cannot feel the practitioner's heart wanting to help them. They only feel the same selfishness they have known for accumulated lifetimes—the practitioner only wants their own body to be healed, never considering how much pain these beings have suffered.
Conversely, if you shift your mental note to focus on helping these beings achieve liberation and leave their suffering behind, and if you truly repent with a sincere heart, the outcome changes. Through the Dharma assembly and the blessings of the Buddha, you can help these beings see through their illusions and release the hatred in their hearts. When they feel that you are genuinely trying to help them, that you truly want to save them, their intense hatred naturally begins to diminish.
The Heart of Deliverance
The heart you bring to the Chao Du is absolutely essential. The Buddha is truly here. As long as your heart is one with the Buddha, as long as you let go of your selfish desires and truly repent and change your ways, these beings will be transformed by the power of the Buddha and will be able to depart from your human body. It is a matter of the heart, and it is a matter of truth.
