The Unmoved Mind
An Interview with Venerable Chang Ren
Recorded by Shi Fajing on June 14, 2022
Venerable Chang Ren is a dedicated practitioner who has sought deliverance through the teachings of the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. This interview, recorded on June 14, 2022, by the chief writer Shi Fajing, captures the Venerable's insights on maintaining an unmoved mind amidst the complexities of the world.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
"Where can one cultivate meditative concentration? The answer is that one can cultivate meditative concentration everywhere. You can cultivate it in stillness, and you can cultivate it in chaos. As long as this heart remains unmoved, you can attain meditative concentration."
The Young Monk's Three-Year Quest
"A young monk once asked his master, 'What is it that moves my heart?' The master replied, 'Go and find out.' Following his master's instruction, the young monk began to travel everywhere, determined to discover exactly what it was that disturbed his inner peace.
For three full years, the young monk visited countless places. He went to every location he thought might stir his heart. He even returned to his secular home to stay for a few nights, visited brothels to look at women, admired the most beautiful scenery in the world, and drank the sake he had once loved so dearly. He engaged in all the activities he had enjoyed in his past life. He did not care whether he was breaking the , because for this young monk, if he could not find the source of what moved his heart, his practice would never reach fruition. Thus, he chose to take the risk of engaging in these worldly behaviours to search for the meditative concentration within his heart."
The Lesson of the Pure Water
"Three years later, he returned to the monastery. The young monk stood before his master, head hanging in defeat, and asked the same question: 'What is it that moves my heart?'
The master looked at the young monk and said, 'Look, there is a cup of clear water on the table. Bring it to me so I may drink.' The young monk walked to the table and picked up the water. Upon closer inspection, he saw impurities in the water. He immediately hurried to his master and said, 'Master, this water is dirty and cannot be drunk. Let me pour you another cup.' As he prepared to rush out, the master immediately said, 'Wait, just bring the water to me.' The young monk obeyed and handed the water to the master. The master drank the entire cup in one gulp and then said to the young monk, 'This is a cup of pure water that has been listening to the Buddha-name for an entire month. It is so pure that even the impurities within the cup have been purified. The moment I drank it, I felt the gentleness and purity of this water, and my own heart was instantly purified. This same cup of water purified my heart, yet it moved yours. Tell me, what is it that truly moves your heart?'"
Letting Go of
"The young monk stared wide-eyed at his master, then at the teacup in the master's hand, and suddenly he had an : 'It is my own attachments and discriminations that move my heart. It is "myself" that moves my heart.' The master smiled, patted the young monk on the shoulder, and said, 'Let go of the "self." When you have no personal thoughts or views, no personal or discriminations, and no likes or dislikes in your heart, nothing in this world will be able to move your heart.'
Venerable Chang Ren shared this story with the fourfold assembly to illustrate a simple truth: it is we who move our own hearts. When there is no 'self,' there are no attachments or discriminations within the heart. There is no distinction between right and wrong, good and bad, or likes and dislikes, and certainly no difference between purity and chaos. At that moment, no matter how the environment before you changes, or how noisy your surroundings may be, you will be able to remain in meditative concentration, immersed in the Buddha-name, with an unmoved mind."
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.
More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang
A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi
This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to the Pure Land.
A Reflection from the Western Pure Land
This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.
The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing
Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Burden of a Historical Name
This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.
The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land
A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.
About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library