The Evolution of the Human Soul

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Ren, who assists in the sacred work of Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This account explores the profound differences between the spirits of the past and those of the present day, as observed during spiritual deliverance. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on November 23, 2022.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Chang Ren. Every day, I follow Practitioner Su to perform Chao Du. The spaces we traverse during these deliverances are vast, spanning both the ancient past and the modern present. In these realms, we encounter spirits who have long since lost their human bodies. Though they all exist within these spiritual spaces, the process of delivering them reveals a stark, undeniable difference between the souls of yesterday and those of today."

The Complexity of the Modern Mind

"The environment in which we live shapes the very fabric of our hearts. When you compare the humans of today with those of the past, the modern mind is infinitely more complex. During the process of Chao Du, these modern spirits do not always trust us immediately. Why? Because while they were alive, they were conditioned by a world of suspicion, constant overthinking, and doubt. They carry these same habits into the afterlife. They look at the golden light we bring and immediately wonder if it is a trick, a deception."

"I do not rush them. I focus first on saving the sentient beings who are ready and willing to call out for help. I let the others watch, again and again. Only after they have observed the process repeatedly do they begin to test us. They wait until they are absolutely certain that we truly possess the power to save them. Only then do they find the courage to reach out and ask for deliverance."

The Skepticism of the Modern Age

"In the midst of this, I often find myself wondering: why is it so difficult for these sentient beings to believe in the Buddha? I once asked a spirit—an elderly man who had passed away and become trapped in a stone space, existing as a grey rock upon the earth. He told me, 'The Buddha is everywhere. When I was alive, I heard many people chant Buddha's name, but I also saw many of those same people lying and cheating others. How could I possibly know which Buddha was real?'"

"Think about it—this is a reflection of the chaos in our modern society. The world is so turbulent that it makes the human heart restless. People feel they must rely on suspicion and guesswork just to protect themselves. This is a far cry from the simplicity and sincerity of the ancient people."

Trapped in Virtual Realities

"Beyond this, I have witnessed another phenomenon. Many modern people, after they pass away, enter into 'virtual' spaces. This is something we rarely saw with the spirits of the ancient world. These virtual realms are constructed entirely by the human brain, fueled by the rapid development of technology and media. With the invention of computer games and digital entertainment, people's minds are drawn into these illusory worlds."

"When they die, their spirits drift right into these constructs—a fake, virtual world of their own imagination. It is a space unto itself. If no one goes in to save them, they have almost no chance of ever finding their way out. When I first encountered these spirits, I was truly astonished. I had no idea that such virtual spaces could even exist."

"It is truly eye-opening to see how profoundly the environment of an era influences the human soul. The difference between the spirits of the past and the present is clear. Regardless of the era, however, only by chanting Buddha's name can one attain true liberation. No matter how the world changes, we must not hold onto these attachments. We must let them go."

"Namo Amituofo."