The Illusion of Desire and the Path to Awakening

Venerable Yongning is a dedicated monastic who sought deliverance through the teachings of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Having found a path to liberation, the Venerable now resides at the centre, where this interview was recorded on April 25, 2019, to offer guidance to all who seek to transcend the cycle of rebirth.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. One could say that a person's life is largely predetermined. How many years will one live? Where is one destined to go? Where is one's true home? Often, people lack the clarity to wake up to these questions. When the dream finally ends, one realises, 'How did I lose my most precious human body? How did I lose everything this body was supposed to possess?' It is only then that one feels deep regret, questioning what exactly was gained throughout a lifetime of pursuit. Was most of that time merely spent catering to the desires of this human body? When desire is present, if it is not satisfied, one begins to crave and pursue it. Yet, desire is not necessarily what the body truly needs; sometimes, it is the interference of other beings that intensifies our pursuit of the illusory. Desire is something we lack, buried deep within the valley of our own hearts. Without the human body, there would be no desire."

The Entanglement of Emotional Bonds

"Love and desire are present from the moment of birth. They are a form of emotional exchange, a form of reliance. It appears so natural; at times it feels like happiness, and at other times, it feels like suffering. It is a fluctuation of the human body that can never truly be at peace. This includes the love between family, friends, lovers, masters and disciples, and even the affection one feels for animals. As long as there is a relationship one cannot let go of, it is mixed with emotion. Among these, familial love and romantic love occupy the majority. These two types of emotion consume the better part of a person's life. When the time comes to let go, it is the most painful experience of all. They are the emotions that make it most difficult for a person to escape the Saha world.

For practitioners or monastics, since we have chosen the path of practice, these two types of emotion must be relinquished to achieve any real attainment. However, even the subtle bond of master-disciple affection—if maintained as a form of downward reliance or upward favouritism—has already strayed from the path."

The Trap of Sensory Cravings

"Next is the desire for food. It is often said that 'food is the heaven of the people,' but once one has eaten, any additional thoughts regarding food become the 'desire for food.' This is a fundamental aspect of human survival, but because we eat and then wish to eat again, we have essentially developed an attachment and a preference. When these two things manifest, we lose our purity. Of course, the desire for food can be temporarily satisfied when one is able to eat, and the desire vanishes. But there is no guarantee that the next craving will not arise. Under these conditions, one can hardly be certain that they will not reincarnate or be reborn into other spaces due to the desire for food."

The Nature of Greed and Attachment

"Greed is the attachment to external appearances. It is the act of caring about the things one possesses, letting the heart grow fond of them through what the eyes see and the ears hear. If one has something, one wants more; if one does not have it, one wants to obtain it. By grasping tightly and refusing to let go, one falls into illusion and confusion without even realising it—this is greed. As long as one's various intentions cannot escape the concerns of this body, it is all 'greed for the body.'

There are many fluctuations within the human body that arise from desire. Only you can extinguish these desires. It is not impossible to achieve a state where having a body is the same as not having one. When you encounter the Causal Conditions to study the Dharma, you must analyse these things clearly. Understand the true purpose of this human body. Through your practice, gradually fading and letting go of these attachments is the most pure way to live. The meaning of the two words 'let go' is profound and applies to every single moment of practice. This includes how others treat you; do you allow your concern for their attitude to disturb your clear, still water? It is important to take care of the body—take care of it to become a Buddha, take care of it to save beings. Any unnecessary attachment is a burden to one's practice. When you can let go, and when you do let go, you will naturally reach a different realm in your practice."

The Light of the True Self

"Practitioner Su speaks with a compassionate heart every day, and every word is a key point. Those who listen to the sutras and take them to heart must change their ways. Cherish every day that you have the opportunity to realise your true self. Breaking through the limitations of the human body is compassion, and saving beings is an inevitable vow. It is incredibly rare in this universe to encounter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and Practitioner Su. This is a blessing difficult to encounter in millions of years, something sought after for countless kalpas. The fourfold assembly of disciples must exert their full potential to find the light of their true self. Namo Amituofo."

Message recorded by the chief writer, disciple Shi Faxin.