Venerable Chang Gao, a monastic who has dedicated their life to the study and practice of the at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, shares profound insights into the physiological and spiritual effects of chanting the Buddha-name. This interview was recorded on November 14, 2022, by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, to explore how the practice of chanting serves as a powerful tool for internal purification and spiritual healing.
Venerable Chang Gao speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. Many people often observe Buddhist practitioners chanting the Buddha-name, yet they frequently fail to grasp the underlying purpose of this practice. They wonder, 'Is there truly any tangible benefit to this constant repetition?' To understand this, one must first look at the nature of the human body itself.
as a Vast Internal Space
The human body is not merely a solid vessel; it is filled with space—immeasurable and boundless space. Within this internal environment, countless sentient beings reside, often causing disturbances that prevent the body from ever truly being pure or at peace. When a practitioner sincerely chants the Buddha-name from the heart, it immediately begins to exert a powerful force of purification. However, because the human body is so complex and often cluttered with deep-seated issues, the interference from these internal spirits can be quite significant. Therefore, one must persist in keeping the Buddha-name in the heart, using it as a steady anchor to gradually subdue the delusions and messy thoughts that arise within.
The Process of Spiritual Purification
I have clearly witnessed that once people begin to chant Namo Amituofo, the Buddha-name begins to purify and transform the space within the body. This practice effectively lowers the activity levels of the sentient beings residing inside. Many of these beings are initially in a state of agitation, causing chaos within the physical form. Yet, under the influence of the Buddha-name, chanted one sentence after another, they begin to calm down. They gradually settle, becoming purified and losing their intense, disruptive influence over the body.
Healing Through Sincere Practice
This is why, when someone suffers from a headache or other physical ailments, the most effective remedy is to chant the Buddha-name with absolute sincerity. When the heart is free from any delusions or messy thoughts, and one focuses entirely on the Buddha-name, the sentient beings who were previously causing the pain are purified. As their agitation ceases, they no longer exert such a strong, negative influence on the body, and consequently, the pain and other uncomfortable symptoms naturally fade away.
Transforming the Internal Magnetic Field
Long-term chanting leads to a fundamental change in the internal space of the body. The originally chaotic magnetic field is gradually purified. Once the body reaches a state of purity, the entire person undergoes a profound transformation. Think of it like chanting toward a glass of water; the crystals within the water change in response to the Buddha-name. Everything in existence is the same in this regard, for everything contains space and possesses a spirit. Therefore, all things can be influenced and transformed by the power of the Buddha, leading to remarkable and inconceivable changes.
The power of chanting Namo Amituofo is truly inconceivable. I encourage everyone to learn how to use the Buddha-name to subdue their own restless hearts. By constantly remaining settled within the Buddha-name, you will undoubtedly experience a life that is fundamentally different. Namo Amituofo."
