The Suffering Within the Heart
An Interview with Venerable Changren
Recorded on June 10, 2019
This interview with Venerable Changren was recorded on June 10, 2019, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. In this session, the Venerable addresses the fundamental nature of human suffering and provides guidance on how to achieve liberation through the diligent practice of the Pure Land .
Venerable Changren speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. To all the sentient beings who have come here to listen to the Dharma, I see that many of you carry heavy burdens within your hearts. You are suffering. Regardless of the specific nature of your pain—whether it is born of loss, confusion, or the relentless pressures of this world—you must realise that once you arrive at this place, your heart must begin to shift. You have encountered the Great Dharma here. It is time to untie the knots that have bound your spirit for so long. It is time to diligently practise the Pure Land Dharma, to resolve the perplexities and difficulties that cloud your mind, and to finally allow your true self to take a breath of relief. Only by stepping out from the echo of your own internal struggles can your true self emerge, and only then can you reclaim your original nature. This is the only way to find the opportunity to achieve spiritual success."
The Necessity of Letting Go
"Many people view the practice of the Dharma as a stern, heavy, or overly serious matter. But in truth, practice can be a way to relax your spirit. It is a way to unburden yourself. If you are diligent in your practice and truly listen—if you listen to the education provided by the Truth—your practice will lead to a total transformation. True practice allows you to forget the 'self.' It allows you to dissolve the obstacles of the ego, as well as the confusion and attachments that reside within your heart. To let go and to change—these are the most important aspects of the path. You must be willing to modify everything about your current state. True practice is the path to a life where the feeling of suffering no longer exists."
The Illusion of Suffering
"Suffering is merely an obstacle created by your own heart. In reality, the world does not have to be a place of suffering. Suffering is self-inflicted; it arises because you are still obsessed with the affairs of this world. If you wish to be free from suffering, you must understand the necessity of detachment. Understanding the principles of the Dharma is the most important step. There is no difficulty in the practice itself; the only difficulty is that you are obstructing yourself, causing your own pain. This is why you experience such a turbulent range of emotions. That is not the heart of someone seeking liberation. If you truly have the confidence to resolve all things and to transcend the suffering of this world, you must understand what liberation truly means. To transcend suffering, you must first understand why you are suffering in the first place. Ask yourself: 'Why do I suffer?'"
to the Original Nature
"Suffering is something we find for ourselves. Many people do not understand this. They are born into suffering, live in suffering, and yet they cannot clearly see it. Many even mistakenly believe that suffering is a natural state of existence. In truth, suffering is merely an obstacle manifesting within the changes of your own heart. If you can remove these obstacles, everything will naturally fall into place. All forms of suffering are but false illusions. You must clearly understand the affairs of this world and comprehend the root cause of your suffering. Once you are free from suffering, you will become more natural, and you will no longer be bound by the many shackles that have held you back.
"Within the study of the Buddha's teachings, you can become clear-headed. You can learn to view many things with detachment. As long as you are truly willing to learn and to change, you will naturally awaken. In that process of change, you will see your original, true self—the heart you had from the very beginning. I am deeply grateful to the Buddha for His , for teaching and leading all sentient beings. I am also grateful for the compassionate and tireless efforts of Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo. Everyone should awaken to this Truth."
More from Master Chang Ren
Letting Go of Past Pain
Venerable Changren shares his journey from a life of deep-seated resentment and demonic existence to his current path of deliverance, offering profound insights on how to release the burdens of the past.
Purifying the Thoughts of the Head
Venerable Chang Ren discusses the habitual nature of human thought, the spiritual consequences of a cluttered mind, and practical methods for achieving mental purity through the practice of Namo Amituofo.
The Labyrinth Within: Understanding the Space of Thoughts
Venerable Chang Ren, a practitioner at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, explores the complex, layered spiritual spaces created by our thoughts, explaining how these mental landscapes are often influenced by karmic forces and how we can regain mastery over our own minds.
The Occupied Body: A Spiritual Reality
Venerable Chang Ren reveals the hidden truth behind the aging process and physical illness, explaining how uncorrected personality flaws create loopholes that allow spirits and karmic creditors to occupy the human body.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library