The Hidden Burden of Spiritual Attachment

This interview was conducted with Venerable Changgao, who resides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. In this discussion, the Venerable provides profound insights into the phenomenon of spiritual attachment, explaining how the human body can become a vessel for external entities and how one might safeguard their own consciousness. This session was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on August 28, 2022.

Venerable Changgao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Changgao. If you were to take a photograph of yourself from your childhood, another from your youth, and one taken just recently, and place them side by side, would you be able to discern the subtle yet profound differences between them? Think about it—what has truly changed over the passage of time?

The human body is a remarkably fragile vessel, and it is incredibly easy for it to become a host for spiritual attachment. Every single cell, every tiny pore of our skin, can become a dwelling place for sentient beings. When we are young, our bodies are relatively clear, but as we age into middle and old age, a distinct, heavy odour often begins to emanate from us. Those who are spiritually sensitive can walk past a person and immediately detect this thick, heavy scent. When the wind blows, this odour disperses into the air. This is not merely a physical phenomenon; it is the scent of the many spirits that have attached themselves to the body. As the number of attachments increases, this scent naturally becomes more pronounced and undeniable.

The Physical Manifestation of Spirits

These sentient beings accumulate within the body, and their presence can fundamentally alter one's physical posture and even one's facial features. When you look closely at your own photographs, compare the look in your eyes today with the eyes of your youth or childhood. Do they not appear entirely different? While the features may still be yours, can you not see a different, perhaps darker, quality within them? The face is often occupied by these spirits, leading to a visible change in the expressions captured in photographs.

When the body is heavily burdened by attachments, the entire physical form appears stiff and unnatural. When the head is occupied by these spirits, the person often takes on a hollow, vacant appearance. A bloated body is frequently a sign that it is filled to capacity with attached spirits. These are not mere coincidences; these signs are clear indicators that the body is carrying a heavy, invisible load.

The Invisible World Around Us

Most people in this world are completely unaware of the reality of spiritual attachment. It was only when Practitioner Su opened up space that we were able to clearly understand that our surroundings are filled with this space, and that this space is teeming with sentient beings. No matter where you go, at any given moment, these spirits can easily invade the human body. For them, it is a simple task, because human beings are so deeply trapped in their own habitual thinking.

In the very moment you are lost in your own thoughts, your consciousness is focused entirely on your internal mental processes. It is as if the body has lost its most vital line of defence, making it incredibly easy for external spirits to enter. Sometimes, when the body is carrying heavy emotions, these spirits sense a magnetic field that is in sync with their own, and they surge into the body in great numbers.

The Only True Protection

How, then, can one protect oneself from being invaded by these external spirits? There is only one way: through the pure, single-minded chanting of Namo Amituofo. Your heart and mind must be entirely immersed in the Buddha-name, with no room for anything else. Under the blessings of the Buddha, the body will not be easily possessed by external spirits. Only in this way can you maintain the autonomy of your own body and ensure that you are not being used or replaced by others.

Namo Amituofo."