This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Ren, who offers profound reflections on the nature of human suffering and the true essence of . This interview was conducted at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, where Venerable Chang Ren shares wisdom on how to transcend the cycle of rebirth. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 14, 2023.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
". I am Chang Ren. For anyone who truly wishes to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death, one must possess ''—a state of being where one is awake to the realities of this world and never lost in its illusions.
Think about it—life is so incredibly short. We experience so much suffering and so little joy. Because of this, 'joy' has become something precious, something that everyone in this world yearns for and pursues. People desperately hope to be happy, to live in a state of perpetual joy. But within this pursuit, how much of that joy is genuine, and how much is merely a facade? How much is substantial, and how much is hollow? Too many people are living within these false appearances, unable to distinguish the truth from the illusion.
The Illusion of External Happiness
In every lecture or seminar held in this world, whenever the topic of 'happiness' is raised, there is always an overwhelming number of attendees. This clearly shows that everyone’s heart is suffering; everyone is trying to find a way to extract happiness from their daily lives. But how should one actually pursue 'happiness'? It is not a tangible object you can hold, nor is it a single event you can complete. When your body and mind feel happy, it is merely a sensation, a feeling, or a temporary state. It allows to feel light, comfortable, and unburdened. It is a pleasant sensation, which is why everyone loves it and hopes to feel it every single day.
However, I want to point out something crucial: the ways in which people pursue happiness are, for the most part, simply catering to their own desires. That kind of happiness is only fleeting; it cannot last, and it is impossible to sustain. Why? Because the 'heart' is constantly changing. It is one way today and another way tomorrow. If you try to constantly cater to your own heart, you will never find true happiness. Instead, it becomes a source of exhaustion and a heavy burden.
The Root of Suffering
So, how can one truly attain joy? Rather than chasing after happiness, it is far more important to investigate the 'root' of our suffering. Life is profoundly bitter. Suffering far outweighs joy. In fact, many people live their entire lives in a state of suffering, rarely experiencing a moment of genuine happiness. Why has life become this way? Where does this suffering actually come from?
When we look at every soul that takes on a human form, we see that they have obtained this precious human body—a body that is so difficult to attain. Yet, they are unable to master or lead it themselves. Within this body, there are so many forces interfering. These forces stem from the one has accumulated over countless lifetimes. They include the who follow within the body, as well as the many external spirits that have attached themselves to it. All of these can influence the body, causing the master of the body—the soul itself—to lose its ability to fully lead. Its power is scattered, stolen, and suppressed.
Reclaiming the Soul's Sovereignty
It is not an outsider who strips away the soul's right to lead the body; it is the person themselves. By focusing too heavily on the body's emotions, desires, sensations, and needs, the body begins to manipulate the soul in reverse. It forces the soul to accommodate it, rather than the soul exerting its inner power to lead the body. When the body begins to manipulate the soul, the many forces that wish to interfere gradually manifest from within. They know this body can be used, and the soul becomes suppressed and bound. It is then forced to completely cooperate with the body. In this process of forced cooperation, the 'sufferings' begin.
From this, we can see that the 'body' is the root of suffering. If you want to satisfy the body, cater to the body, and obsess over the body, then your suffering will never end. Even after this body is replaced, the suffering will continue unabated.
The Path to Pure Meditative Joy
If you wish to leave suffering behind, the only way is to let go of your attachment to this body. Do not allow the body to manipulate your spirit in reverse. When your spirit can master this body, and when you can maintain a state of 'awakening' in your daily life—remaining clear and bright at all times—you will inevitably attain the 'pure meditative joy' that arises from within. This joy comes from the inside out and is completely unaffected by external interference.
