The Fragility of the Path

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Ren, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He reflects on his past journey of practice, the pitfalls of the path, and the lessons learned from his time in the Demon Realm. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 24, 2023.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Chang Ren. When one truly begins to speak of practice, it signifies that a level of awakening has already dawned. One begins to realise the terrifying nature of being reincarnated and the inescapable reality of the laws of karma and cause and effect. It is a moment of profound clarity where one is finally willing to dedicate the better part of one's life to this path, understanding deep within the heart that this is the only road that leads to the ultimate destination.

However, we humans are burdened with a remarkably stubborn body. It is a vessel that is incredibly difficult to fully subdue or transform. It is not that we lack the desire to change; rather, the process of transformation is fraught with layer upon layer of obstacles. These barriers make it nearly impossible for the body to truly listen to the mind. In moments of carelessness, the body develops its own agenda, leading us to commit actions that are entirely inconsistent with the dignity of a true practitioner.

The Trap of the Physical Form

When faced with the sudden, unpredictable changes of our own physical form, how are we to catch that curveball thrown at us in an instant? It requires the Wisdom (Prajna) of a practitioner, combined with the unwavering perseverance and grit required to stay on this path. Without these, we are easily swayed by the shifting tides of our own physical and mental situations.

I was once a practitioner myself. I was once quite diligent in my practice, possessing a dignity that many admired and a level of Wisdom (Prajna) that others found enviable. Yet, despite all of that, I ultimately lost the battle against my own body. I failed to catch that sudden, unexpected curveball. I ended up yielding to a heart that had not been fully subdued, and in that moment of weakness, I entered the Demon Realm.

The Illusion of High Attainment

Throughout the entire process of my practice, and later during my time in the Demon Realm, I observed that many practitioners find themselves in similar situations. Within the Demon Realm, there are actually many beings who once reached very high levels of practice. But let me tell you: those levels were usually not ultimate. Their hearts had not yet reached true purity; there was still a lingering, subtle pollution hidden deep within. They had merely used their meditative concentration to suppress these impurities.

Think about it—when that meditative concentration eventually shatters, what happens? No one can truly say. These practitioners who entered the Demon Realm did so because their meditative concentration failed, and because they had not yet achieved true purity. In the end, they were all consumed by feelings of hatred, anger, and resentment. It is absolutely tragic! It is truly heartbreaking to see such potential wasted.

The Modern Challenge to Practice

For practitioners today, the pure land within the heart has become even more complex. We are living in an era heavily influenced by technology, media, and a lifestyle that offers far too much convenience. This environment makes it difficult for practitioners to maintain even the most basic meditative concentration, let alone cultivate a truly pure space within the heart.

When you choose to enter the path of practice, you must try to see your role clearly. Even if you cannot fully embody that role at the beginning—even if your heart still carries the habits of the world, or your original temper and personality still surface—you must tell yourself that every time these behaviours or situations arise, you must slowly dilute them. You must work to ensure their complete purification.

The Path to Lasting Joy

Practice is not something that can be achieved in a single day. But if you make a genuine, ironclad resolution to practise, if you truly let go of everything in this world and settle your heart firmly upon the Buddha's path, you will find a kind of purity of heart and a sense of peace that is beyond all worldly conflict. There is a unique freedom in holding onto the sacred name of Namo Amituofo—a state of being that those living in the dust of the world simply cannot comprehend. That kind of joy, that is the only joy that lasts.

Namo Amituofo."