The Path to Changing the Heart

This interview was conducted with Venerable Changren, a dedicated practitioner who sought deliverance through the teachings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where she currently resides and continues her practice. This conversation was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 15, 2023.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Changren. When the human heart is unhappy, it inevitably creates a negative magnetic field that ripples out across the entire Earth. But one must ask: what is the root cause of this pervasive unhappiness? It is multifaceted, yet the most fundamental cause is the 'dissatisfaction' of the human heart. This dissatisfaction gives rise to a greedy body, which in turn triggers all manner of suffering and discontent.

Many people operate under the illusion that they possess less than they lack. They focus entirely on what is missing. However, if one were to carefully examine what they truly possess, they would realise that it is already more than enough. Everything else we chase is merely the product of greed—a desperate desire for more. When these insatiable cravings cannot be met, unhappiness follows as a matter of course."

The Trap of Constant Pursuit

"This state of dissatisfaction is a trick of the human heart, but it is also a product of an environment that conditions us to be this way. We are constantly pushed to pursue, to acquire, to climb. While the evolution of our era is neither inherently right nor wrong, humanity is inevitably influenced by it. It seems unavoidable because we live within this environment. Unless one can transcend this environment—which is, for most, an impossibility—the only viable path is to change one's own heart. Once the heart is transformed, one remains unaffected, regardless of the environment one inhabits.

If the human heart is to be changed, one must listen to sutras and hear the Dharma. Through the teachings of the Buddha, people are given the chance to see their inner selves once more. We must stop living blindly, merely existing for the sake of survival. Too many people live in a state of emptiness, unaware of their own actions, drifting through life day after day in a state of aimless confusion."

Washing the Heart Clean

"Many have heard the Dharma talks given by Grandma, and many others have yet to do so. I hold deep respect for the way Grandma brings the Buddha’s teachings and the essence of practice into our daily lives. She teaches us that practice is not about accumulating external knowledge; rather, it is about a profound, internal adjustment. It is about reaching deep into the heart, pulling it out, and washing it continuously until it is restored to its original, crystal-clear state.

Every one of Grandma's Dharma talks serves as a cleansing of the human heart. The extent to which you can accept these teachings and implement them determines the degree of your purification. As long as everyone listens carefully, listens with a sincere heart, and applies the lessons from these Dharma talks into their daily lives, they will find that this heart can be transformed. Ultimately, one can rediscover true happiness. This is not a difficult task. With a sincere heart, true vows, and the Buddha's blessings, it is entirely achievable."

A Collective Transformation

"When the human heart is transformed, the magnetic field of the Earth will also change. It will shift for the better, becoming increasingly harmonious—a result that we all long to see.

Namo Amituofo."