This interview with Venerable Chang Ren was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 2, 2023. Venerable Chang Ren, who resides at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, offers profound insights into the spiritual significance of cultivating a heart of gratitude and its vital role in resolving karmic debts and transforming one's internal state.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
". In the vast expanse of our modern existence, how many individuals truly dwell within a world of genuine gratitude? When we cast our gaze upon the landscape of contemporary society, we observe a disheartening trend: such hearts are becoming increasingly rare. Instead, the majority of humanity finds itself trapped within a world defined by incessant complaints, a world of frantic busyness, a world of 'me first' egoism, or even a world where the of life are taken entirely for granted.
A single, correct mental note and a wholesome attitude possess the profound capacity to alter the trajectory of one's entire life. Conversely, a single erroneous concept or a distorted attitude can dismantle a life that was so difficult to attain in the first place, leading one into the depths of unnecessary suffering.
The Smile of Every Cell
A heart that understands gratitude is filled with deep appreciation for the people, things, and events surrounding it. When one truly allows themselves to live in a world of gratitude, if you were to observe such a person, you would see that every cell in their body is smiling. Because of gratitude, they are content; because of contentment, they are constantly joyful. Consequently, their entire being is filled with happiness, and they are able to treat everyone they encounter with an attitude of genuine appreciation.
At the same time, the residing within one's body can feel this gratitude. When someone else offers a small act of kindness, a heart of gratitude returns it tenfold with sincerity. Within this tenfold return, the sentient beings residing within are deeply moved. Perhaps it is because this attitude of gratitude was never present in the accumulated lifetimes of past , but now, unexpectedly, this heart of gratitude has emerged—it is completely different from the past. With every sincere thought, one can transform the karmic creditors accumulated over countless lifetimes, helping them and saving them from the realms of suffering they have inhabited for so long.
The Heavy Burden of Entitlement
A heart that does not understand gratitude, however, presents an entirely different picture. Within a heart devoid of gratitude, there are too many complex personalities and emotions, and among them, a strong sense of selfishness is often mixed in. It is easy for such a person to view the contributions of others as something they are entitled to. Within this mindset of entitlement, it becomes easy to pick and choose, to complain, and to act with disdain. Their attitude may be arrogant, rude, or perhaps indifferent. With such a mental state, not only is the person unable to find happiness, but they will also constantly taste the flavour of suffering—a suffering that originates from the pain within their own heart.
A heart that does not understand gratitude cannot offer a return for the kindness of others. Even if the other person does not require a return, a heart of gratitude has already repaid them, as the other person can feel the true meaning of that gratitude through one's sincere attitude. But when the heart does not understand gratitude, the karmic creditors within the body can feel it too. They easily seize upon the personality traits and karmic habits behind this ungrateful heart, reawakening the realms where they were harmed in the past, and then they proceed to exact their revenge upon the host from within.
A World of Difference
The difference between 'gratitude' and 'a lack of gratitude' is merely a reversal of one's mental state, yet it represents a world of difference. A heart of gratitude can lead the beings within the body to feel grateful together, softening their resentment. A heart incapable of gratitude, however, follows negative emotions, endless desires, and a negative attitude, effectively all the spirits within the body.
We can clearly see the difference between 'understanding gratitude' and 'not understanding gratitude' in children. A child who understands gratitude grows positively due to their inner satisfaction and . They possess a magnanimous heart, a broad perspective, and the ability to let go and share. Conversely, a child who does not understand gratitude easily falls into habits of calculation, dissatisfaction, excessive desire, and selfish thoughts. Their concepts become skewed, lacking the light of positive, correct thinking. During their growth process, they easily become subject to the interference of spirits, leading to great suffering.
The difference between the two can be clearly seen in every individual. The beings within our bodies all turn according to our own hearts. By being grateful and content, we can invisibly resolve our sins and karma. This is truly inconceivable, a phenomenon that is difficult to predict but absolutely real."
