This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Chang Yung-fa, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his profound realisation regarding the nature of the human body and the path to liberation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on October 17, 2019.
Chang Yung-fa speaks:
". Returning to the human world this time, I have truly gained many different insights. It has been at least two or three years since Practitioner Su guided me to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Although it is said that in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss there is no concept of time—it feels as if only a blink of an eye has passed before I returned to the human world—in that short span, I truly realised what 'Ultimate Bliss' really means. It is a beyond description, a true and everlasting happiness.
The True Meaning of Ultimate Bliss
There is a massive difference between having a physical body and not having one. People often ask: 'Is it better to have a body, or is it better to be without one?' The answer depends entirely on how you utilise this vessel. This body can be a simple tool, or it can become incredibly complex and burdensome. The key lies in your heart. Regardless of what worldly matters you encounter, if you can view them with a positive perspective and think with a clear, compassionate mind, then everything becomes simple and easy. You will not give rise to afflictions. However, if you approach every situation with negative thoughts, you will have to pay the price for every single one of those intentions. Various negative emotions will be generated and remain trapped within your body. Not only will the situation become unnecessarily complicated, but you will also find that no good results ever manifest.
The Mind as the Master of
If this body is used solely to handle worldly affairs, it will never find rest. Our brains never stop working; they are constantly racing. If you follow the chaotic thoughts of your mind, you will be forced to act in accordance with that madness. But let me tell you, the speed at which you act can never keep up with the frantic, scattered thoughts of a restless mind. Naturally, this leads to frustration, anger, and exhaustion. If this body is used merely to house your personality and temper, then living in this world truly has no meaning at all. Yet, looking around, I see that almost everyone is doing exactly that. Everyone fills their body with the personality traits they are most attached to. When two people interact, it is essentially two strong personalities colliding. It is no wonder that sparks fly and massive fires of conflict are ignited. You can see this clearly in any company or organisation.
A Life of Empty Pursuits
We all seem to have been born into this world without knowing why. We have no idea what the purpose of our existence is. From the age of two, we learn how to eat because adults teach us; we learn whatever we are told to learn. We live our lives exactly as everyone else does—we struggle to build careers because others do, we cultivate our personalities because others do, and in the end, we follow the same path of sickness and death as everyone else. When we look back after death, what have we actually done in this world? What have we truly gained? Nothing. It is all just nothing left, an empty dream. At the very moment the soul is suffering, regret comes far too late. Looking toward the future, there is only darkness, and one does not know when they will ever see the light again. I say to all of you in the human world: everything I have just described is the path I walked. I want to tell you, I regret it. If it were not for Practitioner Su saving my soul today, I would not know where I would be wandering right now.
to the Buddha-fied Body
Having lost my physical body and now returning to the world, everything I see before me is no longer as secular as it once was. This body is no longer a vessel for my ego or my temper. I am striving to 'Buddha-fy' this body, to allow it to exert its power to help all beings. A body does not have to be a vessel of sickness; it does not have to be left to wait for death. It can be Buddha-fied, it can be elevated, and it can even manifest the ability to save the world. When you let go of your attachment to this body and remove the unnecessary personality traits that serve no purpose, you realise that every body is inherently a Buddha-body. Every body can grow cells that are as pure and radiant as a lotus. I will continue to work hard, and I hope that this world, too, can become a place where all wishes are fulfilled, allowing the Buddha’s teachings to flourish and spread far and wide. Namo Amituofo."
