The Illusion of Worldly Pleasure

Venerable Chang Ren, a monastic who sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, offers a profound reflection on the nature of human existence and the pursuit of genuine joy. This interview, which delves into the contrast between transient physical satisfaction and the eternal peace of the spirit, was recorded by Chief Writer Shi Fajing on February 26, 2023.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When we contemplate the concept of 'happiness' within the human world, we must pause and ask ourselves: is what we perceive as happiness truly happiness at all? Throughout their lives, people in this world are engaged in a relentless, often frantic pursuit of happiness, seeking a sense of security for their hearts and the gratification of their physical desires. For the vast majority of humanity, these pursuits are regarded as absolute, non-negotiable necessities for existence. They believe that if they can just secure enough comfort, they will finally be at peace. But is this really the case?

The Cycle of Physical Needs

Once we are born into this world with a physical body, the most fundamental condition for our continued existence is the sustenance of this vessel. We must provide the body with food, water, and air to ensure its survival, constantly labouring to guarantee that it remains safe, healthy, and intact. Following this, the human body naturally craves security and stability. We possess an innate desire to ensure that our physical form is not subjected to arbitrary harm, allowing us to live a life of relative ease and predictability. This is a vital requirement that must be met once the basic survival of the body is secured. However, once life becomes stable, humans inevitably begin to pursue even more complex desires—such as the need to love and be loved, the need for status, or the need for material accumulation. This type of interpersonal relationship is something humans deeply crave, and most people become completely immersed in it, forever chasing the satisfaction of these emotional and physical hungers, never finding a point of true rest. It is a treadmill that never stops, and the faster one runs, the more exhausted the spirit becomes.

Human needs do not stop there. Once the body is confirmed to be safe and secure on this Earth, an endless, bottomless well of desires begins to proliferate. This process keeps the body in a state of constant, exhausting motion. Everything we do is aimed at satisfying the demands of this flesh and blood, yet the spiritual dimension—the true essence of our being—is rarely given any attention at all. We are so busy tending to the house that we forget the inhabitant. We polish the exterior while the interior remains in darkness.

The Mirage of Material Satisfaction

Can 'happiness' truly be found in the pursuit of these fleeting desires? Look at the people of the modern world. Many are wealthy, and even those who are not exceptionally rich often live lives where their economic needs are met; they do not worry about money, and some even have significant savings. Regardless of their environment or economic status, are their hearts truly happy? Do they possess a peace that remains unshaken by the vicissitudes of life? The reality is that even with all the comforts of the modern age, anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction are rampant.

From my perspective, not a single person in the world has attained 'true happiness' through these worldly means. I do not know how many people are willing to believe or admit this, but it is the undeniable truth. I am not trying to force people to look at their own unhappiness; rather, I am asking everyone to reflect deeply: Is the happiness you are chasing actually happiness, or is it merely a temporary distraction from the underlying void? True happiness is not found in the external; it is found in the internal.

The Transience of the Flesh

The desires that humans pursue today are limited entirely to the needs of the 'physical body.' Yet, the lifespan of this body is, at most, a little over a hundred years. That is an extremely long life; for others, it is short, and they depart the human world only days after birth. Once the spirit leaves the physical body, does it still have these needs and desires? It does not.

I no longer possess a physical body, so naturally, I have none of the needs or desires of worldly people. This is true for all human souls. Once the physical body is gone, the desires one once pursued instantly become unnecessary. Those cravings were only ever requirements of the body; without the flesh, the needs simply vanish into thin air. The spirit, however, remains. And it is the spirit that carries the weight of our actions and our attachments.

Nourishing the Spirit

Humans pursue the desires of the body, yet they are forever unable to attain true and permanent happiness or satisfaction. This is because the spirit remains empty. When the spirit is not nourished, the body inevitably suffers the consequences. No matter how many physical desires one pursues, one can never find the most authentic joy. Only when the spirit is nourished, and the deepest parts of the inner self attain true stability, can one experience real happiness.

The nourishment of the spirit requires the teachings of the Buddha to transform the physical body. The personality, the patterns of thought, and the incorrect views and behaviours that arise without proper guidance—all of these must be changed. In the process of being transformed and purified, one elevates their own spirit bit by bit. This process of spiritual elevation is a form of nourishment. When the inner self attains true satisfaction and pure meditative concentration, one becomes filled with Dharma joy.

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, we emphasise the importance of this spiritual cultivation. We guide practitioners to look beyond the surface, to understand that the body is but a temporary vessel, and that the true work lies in the purification of the spirit. Through the practice of the Buddha's teachings, one can begin to shed the heavy burdens of worldly desire and find the peace that has always been within.

Happiness can be the superficial pleasure of the body, but it can never be eternal. The nourishment of the inner spirit, however, yields a happiness that is both permanent and real. It is a state of being that transcends the physical and touches the eternal.

Namo Amituofo."