This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who reflects upon the recent spiritual challenges faced by Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on January 31, 2023.
Venerable Changren speaks:
". I am Changren. I have witnessed every ounce of the hardship that Practitioner Su has endured. It is a heavy burden that I carry in my own heart as I observe her working tirelessly day in and day out. The sheer intensity of the spiritual battles she faces is something that words can barely capture.
Lately, the speed at which these demon crowds descend upon Practitioner Su has become truly alarming. It is not a mere trickle; it is a deluge. One wave arrives, and before it can even be fully addressed, another follows in its wake. They come in massive, overwhelming numbers, all seeking her out with a singular, dark purpose. While these demon crowds are unable to penetrate her physical form, they wreak havoc in the space surrounding her. They make their presence felt with a terrifying intensity that permeates the environment.
The Escalating Siege
They cause her physical pain—squeezing her eyes, pulling at her limbs, striking at her heart, or attacking her knees. They are opportunistic, swarming wherever they perceive a vulnerability in her physical body to launch their relentless assaults. It is a constant, suffocating pressure that they exert, hoping to break her resolve through sheer, repetitive force. It is truly distressing to witness such malice directed toward her.
I find it unbearable to watch Practitioner Su suffer in this way. I have been doing everything within my power to protect her. I have given strict instructions to the Universal Bodhisattvas, the Milky Way Bodhisattvas, and the new Buddhist disciples: we must guard her body with absolute vigilance. We must not allow these Demon Kings to launch their surprise attacks. However, even with our most rigorous and tight-knit protection, these demon crowds still find ways to slip through and harass her. It makes us feel deeply apologetic; we feel that we have not fully lived up to our duty to shield her from such malice.
The Depth of Spiritual Deliverance
Yet, when I observe these Demon Kings, I realise that many of them are ancient beings from the distant past. This reveals something profound: the space that Practitioner Su is opening up through her work has become even deeper and more expansive than ever before. Many of the sentient beings who come to her seeking deliverance are spirits we have never encountered previously. They are beings from various hidden realms across the Earth who have waited for an eternity, finally finding the moment when Practitioner Su’s could reach out and save them.
If an ordinary person were to be subjected to such attacks, they would undoubtedly be unable to endure it. The physical and spiritual toll would be far too great. But Practitioner Su is different. She is not only completely fearless, but she also continues to charge forward with incredible courage. For the sake of all sentient beings, she is willing to go through fire and water without a moment’s hesitation.
The Courage of a
It is precisely because of this heart—this unwavering dedication to the welfare of all beings—that she is able to break through these layers of space, one after another. Her ability to perform Chao Du has reached a level that far surpasses anything we have seen in the past. It is truly awe-inspiring. I am filled with admiration for her, and I will continue to follow her lead and learn from her example as we continue our practice.
