The Heart as the Architect of Fate
An Interview with the Late Chang Yung-fa
Recorded on October 16, 2019
This is a record of an interview with Chang Yung-fa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his transition to the path of the Buddha. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 16, 2019.
Chang Yung-fa speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Chang Yung-fa. There is a common saying in the Taiwanese dialect: 'Fate is heaven-sent.' When I was still living in the world, I truly believed this to be an absolute truth. I thought that the destiny one is born into—whether one is destined to be an emperor or a beggar—was all decided long ago by the heavens. However, there is another saying in the same dialect: 'Thirty percent is heaven-sent, but seventy percent depends on hard work.' I have come to believe this second sentiment much more deeply. I have realised that a person’s persistent efforts can indeed alter the destiny that was supposedly set in stone.
The Balance of Fate and Effort
I was never a person born with innate genius, but I was a person who was willing to work. Born into a family of great poverty, I understood the value of persistence and effort better than most. I was never afraid of sweating, nor was I afraid of hardship. As long as it was something my own two hands could accomplish, I was always willing to try. I have always been an honest man. I would do whatever work was necessary, but there was one thing I could never learn, nor did I ever want to: the art of taking shortcuts. I only knew how to be honest and move forward step by step. This was my personal insistence, and I believe it was the true key to my success.
Looking back at this lifetime, I did not really indulge in much personal luxury. To me, living in this world, if one does not understand the importance of doing good deeds, then even if you earn mountains of money, it is nothing more than a pile of useless waste paper. That is why I insisted on charity; I insisted on helping others. I never once thought about what kind of return I would get for doing good deeds, because I viewed it as something I was simply meant to do in this life. This was a lesson my mother taught me. I am so grateful to her for instilling this concept in me when I was young, allowing me to understand the importance of giving back, of knowing how to be grateful, and of repaying kindness. Most importantly, she taught me how to truly see the suffering of the people in this world.
From 'Heaven-Sent' to 'Heart-Determined'
I am not some Buddha or who appears in the world with special powers, but from a young age, I knew the hardships of being human. Now that I have truly come to recognise the Buddha’s teachings, I can only sigh with regret that I did not hear these teachings earlier. If I had known the benefits of studying the Buddha’s teachings earlier in my life, I believe that today, I would not have been the chairman of the Evergreen Group. Instead, I would have been a monastic, willing to dedicate my entire life to helping all beings achieve liberation. I can say this with absolute certainty, because I now know that only by studying the Buddha’s teachings can one attain true liberation.
Returning to what I said earlier about fate: after learning the Buddha’s teachings, I have changed that old saying from 'fate is heaven-sent' to 'fate is heart-determined.' Once you study the Buddha’s teachings, you realise that your destiny is entirely governed by your own heart. If you can improve your heart, refine it, and make it compassionate, your destiny will absolutely change. It is not a matter of luck; it is a matter of the state of your mind.
The Only Path to True Happiness
Studying the Buddha’s teachings is the only way to save your life, transform your destiny, and rescue your spirit. Without the Buddha’s teachings, it is impossible to ever experience true happiness in this world. Now that I have this profound realisation, I understand even more clearly how vital the Buddha’s teachings are for the people of this world. That is why, in my current state, I am even more committed to the path of spreading the . No matter how much I am able to accomplish, I will continue to strive with all my heart to do so. Namo Amituofo."
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library