The Path to Awakening: Changing Your Mindset

Venerable Chang Gao, a monastic who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, currently resides at the centre. This interview, which explores the profound necessity of transforming one's mindset to achieve spiritual liberation, was recorded on August 19, 2019.

Venerable Chang Gao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Have you ever stopped to consider why so many delusions constantly arise within your heart? Are they merely products of your own imagination, your personal preferences, or perhaps your deep-seated attachments? Human beings possess an inherent desire to cling to the familiar. When we find ourselves in a fleeting moment that we cannot grasp, we feel a profound sense of unease. We are perpetually curious about the outside world, constantly seeking to validate our own self-worth, or perhaps craving the recognition of others. It seems that only when someone else validates us do we feel a sense of being 'highly valued.' This is what we call human nature, but it is also, quite clearly, one of the greatest weaknesses of that nature.

The Puppet of External Perception

We are frequently pulled down by these emotional fluctuations. We allow our inner state to be dictated by the gaze of the outside world—if people speak well of us, we feel good; if they speak ill, we feel bad. We are like kites caught in a gale, manipulated and tossed about by external forces without even realising it. We follow these winds, finding joy in the highs and sinking into despair in the lows. When we see a happy family, we feel satisfied; when we witness the suffering of others, we remain indifferent. In this way, we fall, quite unconsciously, into the trap of selfishness, confined entirely within our own narrow thoughts and perspectives.

Over a long period, these erroneous concepts accumulate, leading to the deterioration of our physical bodies, chronic fatigue, and a pervasive sense of powerlessness. Those who do not understand the truth of the Law of Cause and Effect assume this is merely the normal process of ageing. However, those who truly understand the reality of existence know that, in truth, one has already entered the hells to suffer retribution in hell. You see, the hells are not places reserved only for the dead. How many people, through their erroneous concepts, distorted views, and actions that cause social chaos, have already begun to suffer their retribution in hell while still alive?

The Endless Cycle of Retribution

The hells are filled with spirits suffering for a myriad of reasons: evil views, evil thoughts, evil appearances, evil speech, and the creation of evil karma. They must endure what they have sown. From the time Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva first made his vows to become a Bodhisattva until this very day, the beings in the hells have yet to be fully saved. Every single second, people are entering and exiting these realms of suffering. This is the nature of the human world—we are our own worst enemies. In a single moment of uncontrollable anger, you may not realise that your entire being is vibrating with negative energy, and your soul has already begun to fracture and suffer its retribution.

The Necessity of Transformation

This is precisely why our Master, in every Dharma talk, constantly reminds everyone of the necessity to grow roots of goodness and to change one's personality traits. Do not walk down a dark, dead-end path of your own making. When you reach a moment of awakening, you must properly utilise your potential. Your spiritual nature should not be confined to this limited existence; you are capable of far greater achievements, contributing to the vastness of the void. This body is false, but your spiritual nature is bright and capable of awakening. This is something everyone can attain. It only requires the courage to break through your own limitations and the willingness to let go. Only then will you see the true, boundless nature of the void.

Namo Amituofo."

Recorded by the chief writer, disciple Shi Faxin.