The Reality of Karmic Retribution

This interview was recorded on September 10, 2018, by the chief writer, Shi Faxi. Venerable Changren, a monastic who resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, offers a profound and stern reminder regarding the inescapable nature of karmic retribution and the absolute necessity of sincere practice within the bodhimanda of Truth.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When one arrives at this sacred bodhimanda, it is only through genuine, unadulterated practice that one can truly comprehend and experience the profound power of the Truth. Only then can one hope to transcend the cycle of birth and death and grasp the ultimate meaning of the Dharma.

You may ask, 'How much energy and blessing can I receive?' I, Changren, see it clearly: the amount of blessing you receive is directly proportional to the sincerity and effort you have invested. Is your practice genuine? Is it false? These are the questions that define your path.

The Unseen Eyes of the Dharma Realm

From the vastness of the void, I and the other beings of the Dharma Realm see everything with absolute clarity. No action, no hidden truth, can escape our gaze. Everything is laid bare before us. I urge you all: be honest with yourselves. Be sincere in your practice. It is the only way forward.

At this very moment, countless beings are waiting to settle old scores, waiting to reclaim what they are owed. Those who are unaware of the laws of karma often mistake the resulting suffering for mere physical illness. They do not realise that these ailments are the direct consequences of their own past actions—or even the result of a heart that lacks true sincerity. This lack of integrity leads to a myriad of physical manifestations, from persistent discomfort to an overwhelming sense of oppression in the chest, or a mind that refuses to be still, racing with endless, chaotic thoughts.

The Weight of Ignored Karma

These struggles arise because, at the core, one has not been authentic. You are living with the consequences of your own past, yet you remain blind to the truth of why these things are happening. I see and feel the immense, crushing power of karma. I know that for many, karma is a force they choose to ignore, a reality they push to the periphery of their lives. But let me tell you: it is a force that cannot be bypassed.

Since you have come to this place, you must engage in genuine practice and authentic conduct. If you do not, when the time comes for the laws of karma and cause and effect to be settled, the outcome will be beyond your wildest imagination. I offer these words as a reminder, hoping that you will awaken to the reality of your situation. Within this magnificent bodhimanda of Truth, you must practise with total sincerity. If you fail to do so, you will be the one who suffers the greatest loss. You must learn well. I am grateful to Grandmother, and I am grateful to Namo Amituofo."