The Imperative to Protect the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

This interview was recorded on September 1, 2017, featuring Venerable Chang Ren, who discusses the profound significance of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Venerable Chang Ren, who resides within the Dharma realm of emptiness, offers a stern and insightful perspective on the necessity of selfless practice and the urgent call for the fourfold assembly to support the True Teachings before it is too late.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The boundless nature of Chao Du is something the outside world may find difficult to comprehend, yet it is an absolute reality. Perhaps only those in the underworld and the spiritual realms truly understand the magnificence of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Even the Demon Realm now holds this place in high regard and protects it dearly.

A Sanctuary of Infinite Light

When a Buddha appears in the world, a thousand Buddhas support Him. This place is guarded by an immeasurable and boundless canopy of Buddha-light, with the sky filled with Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, benevolent deities, and Dharma protectors. Just by this fact alone, how could one not be drawn to such a pure and tranquil land? It is the perfect environment for practicing the Pure Land Dharma Gate. Yet, due to so much misunderstanding and self-imposed prejudice, many miss out on this precious treasure. If one day everyone awakens to this karmic affinity, this place will be overflowing with monastics and lay practitioners. That day will surely come, and it will happen with great speed. This is because the 'great cultivation' is here, waiting for those with the wisdom to appreciate, support, and provide for it. A legendary steed is simply waiting for the arrival of a master who truly recognises its worth.

It is truly shameful that the fourfold assembly of disciples who have resided here for years are still stingy with their offerings. I, Chang Ren, standing within the Dharma realm of emptiness, have witnessed all manner of things. I must say, I do not think much of this human character. You only want the benefits, yet you are unwilling to let go of even a fraction of what you possess. To use such calculating thoughts in a place of such magnificent Buddha-work is both selfish and foolish. Compared to the vastness of the void, your small physical body is insignificant; you will certainly never achieve the results you desire with such a mindset. If you lose your true spiritual friend, you will find it difficult to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Not only will you lack the 'ticket' for rebirth, but you are essentially forcing yourself to accept a long-term residency permit for the hells. It is quite ironic, is it not? Some have already fallen into this trap. My beloved Practitioner Su certainly understands what I mean. Everyone, do not be foolish any longer.

The Law of Cause and Effect

If you only want the good and reject the bad, is there still any justice in this world? The laws of heaven are clear. If you take all the good for yourself, who would want the bad? Whether you are a monastic or a lay practitioner, if you are a practitioner who consumes the resources of the bodhimanda without a heart of giving and a heart of gratitude, then even the deepest, most hidden selfishness will only lead to your own destruction. No one is harming you; if you have studied the Buddha's teachings but have not achieved success, it is because you caused it yourself through your own selfishness. I, Shi Chang Ren, whether in my identity as a being from the Demon Realm or as a monastic, would never speak falsely about such matters. I will always be here to protect the 'Dharma-ship' of the True Teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. As long as this place upholds the True Teachings, I will continue to support it. If one day you fail to reach the Western Pure Land and come looking for me, I will tell you why. Since I have already spoken these truths, if you still hold onto your own stubborn views, wait until you no longer have a body—when your soul is clearer—and then come talk to me. I will be able to let you see it all.

A Gathering of Sacred Affinity

In the history of the void, since time immemorial, there has never been a place like the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. To have such a concentration of benevolent power requires the convergence of countless Causal Conditions. If you look down on this place, it is a great pity. Why are so many demon crowds willing to submit here? It is because this place holds all the necessary affinities. When Shakyamuni Buddha sought to subdue the demon king Mara in the past, He did not succeed. It was not because Shakyamuni Buddha was lacking, but because the Causal Conditions were not fully gathered. Why did the Buddha leave behind 84,000 Dharma gates? It is because each has its own unique Causal Conditions; only when one encounters the affinity that corresponds to one's own can the teachings exert their true effect. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is even more magnificent than the original intent of Shakyamuni Buddha, because all benevolent affinities are gathered here, waiting to lead immeasurable and boundless beings to rebirth in the Western Pure Land. I am not a character who gives everything away lightly. I use my reputation to summon all demon beings who have the affinity, because I have truly seen the goodness here. The magnificence of the Buddha's teachings begins right here.

You may still have veils covering your eyes, causing you to misunderstand the sanctity of this place. Let me make it clear today: the gathering of all benevolent affinities—perhaps you still take this lightly. Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha of the Western Pure Land, all Buddhas of the ten directions and three periods of time, all true spiritual friends and ancestral masters, the Bodhisattvas of the pure ocean-wide assembly, all benevolent deities of the heavenly realms, and all benevolent energies in the void are gathered here to welcome those who have the corresponding affinity with them. The power of the human world is exactly what is needed to complete this. Practitioner Su, the one who saves the world and attains the fruit, is able to resonate with these powers and complete this grand assembly. Furthermore, the Ten Kings of Hell and all ghost deities of the underworld are also protecting this place, maintaining the balance between the yin and yang realms, and actively creating magnificent Dharma ceremonies that benefit both the living and the deceased. If these relationships were not driven by the power of vows, they would not be achieved. Those who stay here are not just people of great goodness and blessings; otherwise, they could not even enter. Everyone is still dreaming—when will you wake up?

The Fulfillment of Ancient Vows

Why is it that everyone still has an endless stream of suffering and illness? I, Chang Ren, have seen it: everyone is living a 'fake vow,' violating the vows they made countless eons ago. Now, you must accept the retribution. I am stating this truthfully to remind you to bring forth the vows you made at that time. Currently, only Practitioner Su has completely transcended karma, because she has fully fulfilled her vows, becoming one with the void, without any discrimination. Such a true mind-capacity and great compassion—as disciples of the fourfold assembly, not only have you failed to learn this, but you are still thinking only of yourselves. It is a great pity. I can hold a position of respect in the Demon Realm because of my integrity. I believe that if you want to achieve success here and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land, you cannot lack the two words 'integrity' and 'honesty.' It does not matter if you have forgotten the vows you made; you only need to remember to give everything you have. You used your original vows to obtain this current life and come to this place. To be worthy of your current role—protecting or leading the True Teachings—you were granted your current abilities. If you are still thinking of yourself, you have been deluded by the spiritual obstacles of this world. You are truly pitiful.

Interviewing the Demon Realm is just as daring and truthful as this. If you are willing to listen, I will continue to tell you what I know. I will not be stingy with the Dharma. If you can achieve success because of this, I think that is wonderful; we can all be good friends in the future. But if you cannot listen and feel that my words are inappropriate, I can simply choose not to interfere. Each person must resolve their own life and death. I only protect the roles I respect. This is the reality of the void. Your body will show you the truth most clearly, and you will have no way to stop it. Yet, you foolishly try to grasp onto things you cannot take with you. In the future, the sound of weeping in the void will be heard only by you. Remember, no one will pity you.

The Path to Becoming a Buddha

As long as this place flourishes, I will continue to protect it and lead everyone here, because such pure and benevolent power is extremely rare. The daily Chao Du is truly immeasurable and boundless, and it encompasses the entire Dharma realm of emptiness. Having seen these spirits in the void and then observing the character of those in the human world, I, Chang Ren, am very clear-headed: selfishness is a terrifying character trait. It is intolerable to the laws of heaven and will absolutely result in retribution. It is hard for me to describe what I have seen. Practitioner Su and I have seen the same truth. I would never dare to act this way, still daring to have a 'self.' It is truly a dead end. When everyone can see through you, if you do not 'die' to your ego, who will? Everyone owes so much debt, and enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road. How could you not be 'repaired' by karma? I advise everyone: make yourself transparent. That means having nothing at all. Whether it is what you currently possess, what you have experienced in the past, or everything from past lives, forget it all. Become a transparent person and diligently help this world. When the time comes, it will be your turn to become a Buddha. Why not do it? Do not continue to be a spirit waiting for reincarnation.

I have seen the tasks entrusted to me here. These individuals already have people watching over them and taking responsibility. They will report back whenever the opportunity arises. This also depends on whether their own blessings are still sufficient. Therefore, those who remain here truly have great blessings. That lay practitioner Liu Baoyou has a great chance to come here because he has two monastic grand-nephews. It all depends on how the General Manager Liu takes decisive action. We have already done our best. This is all for today.

Practitioner Su, Namo Amituofo."