The Path of True Practice: Cultivating the Inner Self

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Gao, who sought deliverance and now resides in the Western Pure Land. This account reflects upon his insights into the nature of practice and the path to true awakening. It was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on August 15, 2019.

Venerable Chang Gao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Those who are destined to achieve success are often sparing with their words. They do not speak unnecessarily. Instead, they observe the expressions of others and respond at the appropriate time. Their countenances remain harmonious, and their hearts are firm in their decisions. They know when to speak and when to keep their lips sealed. Their hearts are not swayed by the shifting tides of the external world; they observe the movement of the world from a place of pure meditative concentration. They maintain a gentle smile, viewing all matters with a positive and dignified perspective, always using a kind and pleasant tone.

The Mirror of Inner Virtue

True practice is the cultivation of inner virtue. Whatever is manifested in one's external appearance is merely a reflection of one's inner reality; the inside and the outside must be one. When waves of emotion arise, one must ask: Why have they arisen? Is it because things did not go according to my own desires? Is it because my physical body has been stimulated? Or is it because I am trying to cling to something I care about? All of these reactions fall into the trap of selfish intent, and through such attachments, one cannot achieve success. Achievement is not something that happens overnight.

At the beginning of our practice, we all tend to care more about ourselves. We have not yet fully grasped the principle of letting go of the self to serve the masses. Thoughts like 'This belongs to me,' 'These words hurt me,' or 'They are talking about me'—whether spoken aloud or kept hidden—all create great waves in the heart, stirred up by external circumstances. These situations are tests that manifest right before our eyes. In these moments of fluctuation, we are repeatedly knocked down by the great waves. We desire to engage in diligent practice, yet our hearts still cannot withstand the stimulation of our own personalities.

Building a Foundation of Awareness

We must change. We must change now. We must change truly. No one can do this for us; we must raise our awareness every single time. A ten-thousand-foot building rises from the ground up, and every time a situation presents itself, it is an opportunity to solidify our foundation. The process of practice will become increasingly stable as we continue.

In the past, I did not go directly to the Pure Land. I practised through profound Meditation (Concentration), using that stillness to temper my character. I reached a state of complete, tranquil purity, which allowed me to ascend to the Dharma Realm. However, after listening to the Dharma talks of my teacher, I realised that there is a purity even beyond that—a deeper level of breakthrough. What is known as 'stillness' belongs to the true purification of the inner self. It is a process of modifying and correcting oneself, bit by bit, to reach the most pristine version of one's own nature. Only then can one become a great teacher capable of leading others.

The Call to Universal Salvation

The human world is vast, and we need many more teachers to provide guidance and liberation to save the many sentient beings throughout the universe. Across the vast spaces of the universe, there are countless beings waiting for salvation. In the face of such a mission, what does a single fluctuation of my own heart even matter? To have a 'self' is to be like a tiny particle, but to have 'no self' is to be able to tread upon the void itself.

The Dharma Body is inconceivable. It can be realised only when the mind is empty of attachments. Practise truly, and do what must be done. Namo Amituofo."