The Heart of Practice: Maintaining Your Original Vow
An Interview with Venerable Chang Ren
Recorded on April 11, 2019
Venerable Chang Ren is a dedicated monastic who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, where she currently resides and continues her spiritual journey. This interview, which explores the profound nature of the heart in spiritual practice and the resolution of karmic obstacles, was recorded on April 11, 2019.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. To all of you who have come here to engage in spiritual practice, I must ask: is your heart for practice still as pure as it was when you first began? Has it remained unchanged, or has it shifted into a different tune without you even realising it? You must all keep a clear, internal awareness of your own heart. At any given moment, you should know that you have made a Great Vow. Do not let your heart be swayed by deluded desires or the shifting tides of time. You must constantly examine your own heart and inspect the depth and sincerity of your practice.
The Dust of Worldly Attachments
Within your practice, do you still carry the dust of worldly thoughts? When you see worldly sights, hear worldly sounds, or breathe in the air of the mundane, the pure image of your practice becomes tainted; it is no longer pristine. Most people in this world find their practice easily influenced by worldly, vulgar thoughts. These mundane desires, temptations, and obstacles cloud the clear heart, making it impossible for one to practice effectively. When the heart is quiet, one feels lonely; when things are busy, one feels anxious. This constant, repetitive fluctuation of the mind—sometimes wanting to pursue something, other times wanting to retreat—is a contradictory state of mind. It is one of the greatest tests that obstructs our practice, and it is what we call a transformation within the laws of .
The Truth Behind Karmic Debts
Many people hope to 'turn over' their karma, but how can you do so without the proper conditions? Karmic force is rooted in grievances. Every single piece of karma can be likened to a legal case. Within these cases, there are many disputes. Some involve crimes of injury or killing; others involve schemes, entrapment, jealousy, oppression, or ridicule. Because of various past interactions where you caused others displeasure and failed to reconcile or truly save them, this karma has followed you through the cycle of being reincarnated, manifesting now to seek settlement. How can you turn over such karma? If you do not handle it well, how can you expect your to let you go? The laws of karma and cause and effect also demand Truth. Karma does not favour either side; it demands fairness and justice, and it requires us to resolve these matters by following the Truth.
Breaking Through the Invisible Obstacles
Within the realm of karma, there are many types of changes, all of which can manifest in subtle ways. These can interfere with you, causing you to become attached, preoccupied, or agitated without you even noticing. Your heart begins to stir, you start to crave things, and your inner peace is shattered. In the midst of your original tranquility, this sudden, intrusive thought plunges you into an invisible web of karma. You are unable to grasp these fluctuating mindsets, mistakenly believing that the state you are in is your own true self. Once the heart is stirred, it is difficult to calm it down. This is karma. This is the change that people in this world mistakenly believe to be real. You might think that it is 'you' who wants to pursue freedom, but the truth is that it is your karma that desires this 'freedom'—it is not what your true self actually seeks.
Finding Strength in the Crucible of Practice
When you are able to see this truth, you must summon great courage and strength to break through. When facing such karmic obstacles or when they transform into habitual interferences, you must have the ability to change. You must also possess the and the vow power to change. In spiritual practice, one should not fear encountering tests; rather, one should find strength within those tests. By breaking through each challenge, you grow that much more. The heart is the most important element in practice, for practice is the cultivation of the mind. Everyone must have the vow power to resolve all of these issues. Start practising diligently, and find your way back to the true self. Only then can you truly help yourself and be of service to all beings. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is magnificent beyond words. I am deeply grateful to Grandmother. Namo Amituofo."
Recorded by the disciple Shi Fa Xi.
More from Master Chang Ren
Letting Go of Past Pain
Venerable Changren shares his journey from a life of deep-seated resentment and demonic existence to his current path of deliverance, offering profound insights on how to release the burdens of the past.
Purifying the Thoughts of the Head
Venerable Chang Ren discusses the habitual nature of human thought, the spiritual consequences of a cluttered mind, and practical methods for achieving mental purity through the practice of Namo Amituofo.
The Labyrinth Within: Understanding the Space of Thoughts
Venerable Chang Ren, a practitioner at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, explores the complex, layered spiritual spaces created by our thoughts, explaining how these mental landscapes are often influenced by karmic forces and how we can regain mastery over our own minds.
The Occupied Body: A Spiritual Reality
Venerable Chang Ren reveals the hidden truth behind the aging process and physical illness, explaining how uncorrected personality flaws create loopholes that allow spirits and karmic creditors to occupy the human body.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library