This interview with Venerable Changren was recorded on November 9, 2020. In this session, the Venerable provides guidance on the essential nature of self-reflection within one's daily life, highlighting how our mundane activities and interactions serve as a direct reflection of our spiritual progress. The record was transcribed by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi.
Venerable Changren speaks:
". Many people are often unaware of the specific issues hindering their spiritual practice. However, if one simply takes a moment to observe their own daily life, it becomes quite clear whether or not they are truly changing and progressing on the path.
The Reflection in Our Words
Look closely at your daily conversations with others. Consider the tone of your voice, the content of what you say, and the emotions that arise during these exchanges. All of these elements serve as a mirror, revealing the current state of your practice and highlighting where the problems lie. If you discover that every conversation you have is laced with emotion, or if the topics you discuss have absolutely nothing to do with your practice—or worse, if you spend most of your time gossiping about specific people or trivial worldly matters—then your practice is facing a significant crisis.
Whenever our discussions are focused solely on worldly affairs, or on our personal likes and dislikes regarding certain things, our hearts are constantly in a state of agitation. This is a severe issue in one's practice, and it is something that you must pay close attention to and actively correct. You must be the one to notice these patterns and make the necessary adjustments to your internal state.
The Subtle Obstacles to
Every practitioner will inevitably encounter aspects of their own practice that remain unknown to them. You may often find yourself wondering why you are facing obstacles, or why your progress seems to have stalled. In truth, many of these barriers stem from the subtle, overlooked details of your daily life. Because you lack the necessary awareness to perceive these small moments, they accumulate, creating problems and forming significant obstacles to your spiritual growth.
Actions and the Mindset of Change
Beyond the words we speak, we must also examine every action we take in our daily lives. You must be vigilant and aware of your own conduct, your personal style, and the mindset you bring to the tasks you perform. These are the areas where a practitioner must remain constantly alert. Do not continue to follow your old habits or insist on doing things exactly as you have always done. If you remain rigid, you will never be able to achieve true transformation.
Always remember that the very purpose of spiritual practice is to change oneself and to break through the limitations of one's own fate. If you are unwilling to make the effort to change, then your practice cannot bear fruit, and it is impossible for your destiny to be altered. I am only offering a gentle reminder to everyone here. If you truly wish to change, you must start from the foundation of your daily life. You must know how to raise your awareness and be ready to change at any given moment. Only in this way can you break through your own limitations. Saving yourself depends entirely on your own efforts. Do not continue to cling to your personality and your old habits; that would be a truly regrettable waste of this precious life!
I am deeply grateful to the Buddha for his boundless in providing us with such an excellent environment for practice. I am also filled with gratitude for the compassionate dedication and effort of Grandma. Namo Amituofo."
