The Right Path to Follow

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon the vital importance of discernment in one's spiritual practice and the necessity of choosing a path that leads to true liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on November 23, 2019.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Changren. When a Dharma assembly for Chao Du is held, it invariably draws an immeasurable and boundless number of spirits. During every such assembly, the various layers of the spiritual realms become so crowded that not even a drop of water could pass through. They are filled to the brim with sentient beings who have come seeking the deliverance of Chao Du. Everyone is filled with an intense sense of urgency, terrified that they might miss this crucial opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I must ask all of you who are present today: do you truly understand how to cherish the timing of such a Dharma assembly?"

The Urgency of Spiritual Deliverance

"Across the entire world—in every country, every city, and every bodhimanda—there are various Buddhist services and Dharma assemblies being held. Yet, among this vast array of assemblies, which one is truly in accordance with the Dharma and correct in its practice? How should one go about judging this? Regardless of the faith, every group has its own set of followers connected by karmic affinity, and they all have their own Dharma protectors. The types of Dharma assemblies are diverse, and their forms are all quite different; one could say they are a bewildering variety. However, the fundamental question remains: can these assemblies truly lead one to ultimate liberation? I believe this is the most essential and important consideration for any practitioner."

Discernment in the Path of Practice

"If a bodhimanda holds a Dharma assembly that cannot provide a complete and ultimate solution, the consequences are profound. When a Dharma assembly is in progress, it inevitably attracts demon crowds and beings from the spiritual realms. If these beings cannot be successfully saved and delivered, they may not be willing to leave. Can you imagine the impact this has on the bodhimanda itself? It is truly difficult to fathom. Therefore, the establishment of a bodhimanda is not a simple matter. Especially when a Dharma assembly is being conducted, one may easily become unaware that their own spiritual attachments have deepened and become more severe. One must be clear, comprehensive, and profound in their understanding; do not simply follow blindly."

The True Path at Hsiang Kuang

"The Buddha’s teachings are vast and profound, but they are never meant to be pursued blindly. One must possess the Wisdom to distinguish truth from falsehood. Sometimes, it is not necessarily that a bodhimanda is 'bad,' but rather that they themselves may not understand the path clearly. Therefore, when choosing a bodhimanda, you must be very cautious and ensure you understand whether the path they offer is truly complete and ultimate. It would be a great pity to spend an entire lifetime in practice, only to fail to achieve the goal and remain unable to attain liberation! The suffering of being unable to escape the cycle of rebirth is something you must avoid at all costs.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre serves as a testament to the vastness of the Buddha’s teachings. Here, all sentient beings can be saved, leave suffering behind, and truly be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Everyone must cherish the time when these Dharma assemblies are held, for this is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. It is a level of Chao Du power that is rarely seen in the world today. You must actively participate in these assemblies so that you may receive the greatest possible benefit for yourself.

I am deeply grateful to the Buddha for His compassion, and to Practitioner Su for her compassion. Namo Amituofo."