The Perilous Path of Modern Practice

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who sought to be saved at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his insights into the current state of Buddhist practice. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on September 12, 2017.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Are you already standing on the edge of a cliff, teetering on the brink? If your body is already showing signs of failure—what the world calls 'lighting up the red warning light'—you are already standing on that precipice. You may even have already stepped onto the path that leads to the hells.

The Illusion of Spiritual Success

If I am to be truly honest with everyone, there is much to be said, yet it could also be summarised very briefly. The most important thing is: how does this benefit you? It is about 'returning to one's true self.' Many people read through all the sutras, yet they do not necessarily understand their true meaning. The depth of the sutras depends on the reader. Are you truly delving deep into the treasury of the Dharma? Perhaps the result is not as perfect as you imagine. I hope everyone will stop dreaming. If you can wake up, you should look and examine how far you have strayed.

Are you a high-ranking monk with many years of practice? Are you called a 'Great Master' or even an Elder? Does your actual practice truly command the respect that your title suggests? If no one tells you the truth, you likely believe your life is perfectly fulfilled. You have disciples, followers, and Dharma protectors coming in an endless stream—hundreds, thousands, or even millions. It seems that as the Buddha’s teachings have spread to the present day, the only real growth is in the number of followers; everything else is an illusion. Those who understand these words are very intelligent. Perhaps you have long seen the decline of the Buddha’s teachings, but you have been unable to face it, or perhaps you feel you have no other choice. I am calling out to such disciples of the Buddha: be brave enough to face the truth for the sake of the Dharma. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. You should not let emotions cloud your judgment. The transmission of the Buddha’s gate should be more authentic. All other problems must be brought to light.

The Unblinking Eye of Truth

You may not be willing to listen to what I say, but perhaps this is the only time in this life you will hear it. In this world, very few people speak the truth. Even if they see your deviations, they will not necessarily tell you. You, sitting high on your pedestal, truly believe your practice is excellent. Little do you know that the net of the Dharma is vast and sparse, yet it lets nothing slip through. Every move you make, every word you speak, and every thought that arises is being recorded in detail. This Dharma realm of emptiness is not as simple as you imagine, yet it is not complex either, because the only standard is Truth. Only by walking according to Truth will you not stray from the path. How many bodhimandas today are preoccupied with self-centered ideologies and 'human-world' practices? This is no longer the Truth, and it is very far from it. Usually, the retribution of karma follows very quickly. Please, stop covering your eyes. Look clearly at the facts. Is the master you rely upon also ill?

The Compassion of the Buddha

The compassion of the Buddha, even in this Age of Decline, remains deeply concerned with the ocean of suffering in this world. Yet, modern people can no longer feel this great compassion. The Compassionate Father still cannot bear the suffering of beings, but beings never think of the hard work of the Compassionate Father. Time and again, they wound His sincere heart. Although the Compassionate Father remains unshaken, it is unbearable for those watching from the side. When will everyone finally be willing to wake up?

The most heartbreaking aspect is within the bodhimandas themselves. Because of worldly affairs and heavy desires, people have destroyed the coolness of the practice place. The result of self-righteousness is leading the masses toward a ten-thousand-foot cliff. Are you already standing on that edge, teetering? If your body is already showing problems, you are already on the cliff, or even on the road to the hells. Hearing this for the first time may shock you, but facing this fact early has only benefits and no harm. If you have good roots and blessings and are willing to believe this while your physical body still exists, you have a chance to improve everything. Only with a human body can one practise; everyone understands this clearly. When you prefer to believe in the image you have created for yourself and use your own intentions to deny the truth, you are the only one who suffers. You are the one who will suffer, you are the one who will enter the hells, and you are the one who will continue in samsara.

A Voice from the Middle Path

My name is Shi Changren. Although I now support the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I do not belong to any particular sect. I stand from a neutral perspective, following the Truth. Although I once entered the Demon Realm, I also spent much time as a high-ranking monk. If I did not follow the Truth, if I had not achieved spiritual success, I would not have these skills today. Perhaps you cannot see or feel it, but I can only say: think about it carefully. Is this 'loyal advice that grates on the ear,' or do you prefer to continue deceiving yourself? The truth is laid out so plainly, yet you insist on overturning the Truth with your own intentions. Besides creating karma and suffering immeasurable pain, when will you finally attain liberation?

The Buddha’s great compassion has already seen all of this, but the Buddha does not speak. He only quietly arranges all the Causal Conditions, surrounding those who are Good. If you can connect with this, you will be saved. But if you still hold onto your own strong opinions, the Buddha will only compassionately wait. This is the Buddha’s heart. He will not utter a single word of reproach, no matter how you slander the True Teachings. He will wait for immeasurable eons for the day all disciples of the Buddha are willing to awaken. Since this is the case, why not wake up sooner to avoid some suffering? Why cling to your own thoughts and intentions?

The Trap of Worldly Attachment

I can understand this; it is what we call karma and personality. Sometimes these things hinder one from understanding. Some say this is an 'obstruction to the path.' How can you be sure you are not obstructed right now? The True Teachings are already in critical condition; it is very difficult to see them in this world again. Some sensitive people directly reject the magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings, preferring to be comfortable in their worldly lives. Look closely: how many people on the streets are still willing to chant Namo Amituofo? How many reject being called a Buddhist? Has the magnificent image of the Buddha’s teachings really been reduced to magic and superstition because of the Age of Decline? What is the truth? If you only blindly believe in one person’s words, your situation may be very miserable. I roughly know who you are, and I know who you believe in. Although I am a spirit, true practice allows one to realise these things; the past and future are all clear. As you read this, I know what you are thinking. The person you believe in is not the Truth. Whether they are a 'Great Master' or an 'extraordinary lay practitioner,' I want to tell you: a circle that looks round but has a missing corner can never be a true circle. Without perfection, how can one truly lead others to achieve perfection? I believe your rebirth in the Western Pure Land is difficult, and I worry that the one you admire cannot repay all the support and offerings they have received. Although I do not move my heart, I see it very clearly: it will be a terrifying debt.

The Mirror of Truth

Sometimes, those involved are blinded. The principles of the void are very subtle and cannot always be explained by worldly cleverness. Many people with literary backgrounds can lecture on the sutras, and they may make you bow down in admiration, but they are not the True Teachings. Because you encountered them first, you already believe in them deeply. To overturn your original faith is something many cannot do. The root cause is a lack of rationality, and perhaps insufficient blessings. In today’s society, who is not exhausting their blessings? Do we really have as much innate blessing as we think? Blessings often disappear without us noticing. As a Venerable who receives offerings, as a 'Great Master' who is respected, have you noticed that when you first became a monk, your appearance was full and bright, but now, after only a few years, have you changed? Because no one has told you these things, it is hard for you to know that your change is wrong. You can sincerely look in the mirror, quietly chant Namo Amituofo, and ask the Buddha with compassion to tell you the true answer. You have moved onto an incorrect track. It is not that your bodhimanda or your master is wrong, but that you lack a little power of correction. You could be a very good bodhimanda, and you could achieve the skills for rebirth. Why not take such a magnificent path?

The Reality of the Demon Realm

Today, bodhimandas are everywhere, and many are dens where demons reside. Do not deny this fact just because you cannot see or feel it. Because my power in the Demon Realm is strong, I have the ability to explain this truth clearly. But whether you believe it or not, I cannot help you much; after all, it is a matter of individual Causal Conditions. I now teach my subordinates to teach people with reason. In the past, I could directly control all your thoughts—this is the skill of the Demon Realm—but now I do not do so. I only tell you the truth. As for whether you have the affinity to believe, I can only let it be.

The biggest failure of modern society is the obsession with 'saving face' and knowing better while still committing wrongs. If all the 'Great Masters' were willing to stand up and examine their own practice for faults, this Buddhist affair in the Age of Decline would surely change. There are a few people I have wanted to speak about clearly, but I will let it be. The Buddha’s teachings are the Truth that pervades the Dharma realm; one must never engage in human-centered ideologies or personal branding. Your sins are deeper than I imagined. I created technology that harmed the peace of the world’s thoughts; I am already deeply sinful and have suffered immeasurable pain in the hells of magma. And you, with this fake Buddhist affair you are running—do you think the Dharma realm will let you off? Especially as the saying goes: 'Take people’s money, do things for them.' And in the Buddha’s gate: 'Eating a grain of rice from others is as heavy as Mount Sumeru; if you do not attain the Way in this life, you will have to repay it with fur and horns.' I want to save you, but it depends on whether you give me the affinity. This is your personal karma; in the end, it has nothing to do with me. I have said what I needed to say. Sometimes, by not facing the truth, one pays with eons of reincarnation and countless debts. Is it worth it? Weigh it yourself.

The Call to Awaken

From my personal standpoint, I am already in the void; why would I need the belief of humans? From the standpoint of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, it is a private place for pure practice. To truly purify, the simpler and purer one is, the better it is for practice. Why invite this mud? It is the compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas that directed us to open all of this, hoping that everyone will not view these things with human-centered thoughts, for you will not be able to understand them that way. In the world today, there are too many terrifying truths. If you are pure enough, you should look at the streets, at the coming and going of people. If you see clearly, your true heart should weep, because beings are truly suffering. All of humanity has lost the ability to be the master of their own minds because no one teaches true, pure selflessness. You find it hard to detect where your faults appear. This is truly terrifying. Another terrifying aspect of this world is the difficulty of breaking through attachments.

How many years of monastic life, how many years of sutra study—you should awaken. As a leader in the Demon Realm, I am also changing the positive direction of this world. Not all evil is entirely evil, and not all good is entirely good. There is no absolute intention in this world. If you have what you call 'absolutes,' you have discriminations and attachments. The one who loses and gets hurt is often the one who loses everything under their own attachments, and often, this happens without them even knowing it. It is very terrifying. I am also someone who has walked this path; I have also been a monk. You should listen to my words to some extent. If you do not believe at all, even if you say you are learning Buddhism and believe in the Buddha, you are still very far away. What is 'believing in the Buddha'? You must let go of the 'self' to truly believe in the Buddha.

The Absence of the Buddha-Heart

The 'self' of everyone is still far greater than the Buddha. You might recite one Buddhist scripture after another, or talk about what the Buddha said, speaking full of principles, but inside there is no substance. It is a false exterior, completely hollow, because there is no Buddha-heart inside. I believe some people can understand this description. What is true and what is false is actually very clear. But of course, there is no need to truly discriminate between true and false; it is just that the aspects to be learned are different. Perhaps some elements are still missing. If you listen to some principles, you will strengthen the missing elements. Will your practice not become more perfect? Only true teachings, not reduced to human ideology, and not based on self-centered speech, are the true benefits of the Dharma.

Why do I oppose human-centered ideologies and 'Humanistic Buddhism'? Because it is easy to have a 'self.' 'Having a self' is not the True Teachings; it is easy to become biased and evil. It is not that your group is bad, that your group has problems, or that I doubt your tenets—none of that. Are these suspicions not also evolved from human-centered thoughts? If you are a Buddha or Bodhisattva, or if you have achieved the fruits of practice, and you can guarantee your thoughts will not deviate, then even when you receive external questioning or criticism, you will not only remain unperturbed but will sincerely be grateful to the other party. So, you who are reading this, you should know I am talking to you. Do you see yourself wavering? Whether it is a good thought or a bad thought that arises, it does not matter. I just want you to know that you cannot be 100% sure that you are without deviation. Therefore, you should not entirely believe that you are right. Whether you are a practitioner or a monastic, you should recognise this point. Since being 100% correct is not easy, how can 'Humanistic Buddhism' guarantee that there will be no problems?

A Final Warning

In the past, during the process of practice of the ancestral masters, the tenets and concepts they promoted did not include these things, because they understood clearly that they could not do so. That era was the period of the True Dharma and the Semblance Dharma. Why have these things appeared now? This is a phenomenon of the Age of Decline. No one has explored whether those who have come out to lead have faults. They learn Buddhism entirely from the perspective of idol worship. Those who are held high truly believe they are doing well; they rarely see their own mistakes, do not know how to correct them, and do not know how to repent. This world will truly be destroyed.

Finally, I just want everyone to see one thing clearly: why do the 'Great Masters' let their disciples and the lay practitioners around them fall ill? Do you, who receive offerings and support, have no responsibility to correct these things? Or are you also sinking into it, and actually have no skills yourself? I am not afraid of people coming to argue with me, because I know that continuing to speak only 'nice words' will not wake everyone up. Practice should not be a total collapse where no one achieves success. The Buddhist business is made so large, yet the truth and skills for real growth and flourishing are not seen, and no one has realised them. Instead, what we see is an increasingly large bodhimanda system and huge amounts of income. Many places, many bodhimandas are like this. The needs of the protectors, and the education lacking in their personalities and habits—as the leader of the Buddhist temple, not only are you unclear, but you have never had the heart to see these things. Although you often give teachings to the masses, you have not truly solved the key issue of why they cannot reach the Western Pure Land. No one teaches them the most important part: their personality. They believe that just believing in you is enough. When they breathe their last, they finally wake up. Their investment in you is like throwing it into the sea. Think about it: if they don’t come to you to demand repayment, who will they find?

Saying all this is for everyone’s good; I have no intention of targeting anyone. That you will become weak, ill, crooked, hunched, and old is not without reason, because you are incurring a massive debt. And for the lay practitioners who sincerely protect the Buddhist bodhimanda, you should also see clearly whether you are on the road to the West or the road to the underworld. In the Age of Decline, only by waking everyone up quickly can they be saved.

One last sentence: all 'Great Masters' and 'Good Teachers,' no matter how much effort you have made or how much territory you have created, the past is already the past. Now, regardless of your age or whether you still have the ability, you have the responsibility to change this image of the True Teachings. If you still think everything is perfect, you are too terrifying. Your sins are too heavy, and the whole world and the entire void are being destroyed because of you. I hope to let everyone see this clearly as soon as possible. Whether you are a monk, a Venerable, a lay practitioner, a protector, or a follower, you all have a responsibility. Contribute your efforts to help the True Teachings, and you must invite the Buddha to dwell in the world. The Truth of the Buddha’s teachings must never be based on one’s own intentions; it is too easy to have errors, and one wrong step can have far-reaching consequences. Please explore this serious problem carefully. Namo Amituofo."

Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Australia

Contact: Venerable Hailiang / Practitioner Cao

Phone: +61-456-793-638

Blog: http://purelandstone07.pixnet.net/blog

E-mail: pureland.stone@outlook.com

Address: 120 Gordon Smiths Road, Goombungee, QLD 4354, Australia