This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Ren, who discusses the profound practice of spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. This conversation was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on May 30, 2023.
Venerable Chang Ren speaks:
". I am Venerable Chang Ren. When we speak of the visualization-based spiritual deliverance practised by Practitioner Su, many people are filled with awe. It is truly magnificent! Every single day, she saves an immeasurable number of spirits from various realms, helping them break free from the cycle of suffering that has bound them for eons.
Practitioner Su is entirely selfless. She wishes to pass on this skill of spiritual deliverance to the younger generation, hoping that we can all learn to perform it. If more people could master this, think of the countless spirits in the vast, boundless realms who could be saved and helped to leave their suffering behind."
The Power of Selfless Deliverance
"Everyone has the potential to learn visualization, and everyone can learn the art of spiritual deliverance. However, the effectiveness of this practice varies greatly from person to person. Why is there such a difference? There are many factors at play. Setting aside the state of mind during the actual practice, let us consider the and the capacity of one's heart—these are the primary differentiators.
Furthermore, the hidden selfishness lurking within the heart has a devastating impact. If even a tiny, improper thought or a trace of selfishness exists, it renders one's spiritual deliverance ineffective. In some cases, the practitioner may even be possessed by demon crowds without ever realising it."
The Trap of Self-Interest
"Visualization-based spiritual deliverance is not for one's own benefit; it is for the sake of all sentient beings. It is not just for the beings connected to oneself, but for the vast, infinite beings across endless realms. The capacity of the heart must be immense, and the strength of one's vow must be unwavering. Without this true vow, it is nearly impossible to achieve such results.
I have observed many people who focus their visualization-based spiritual deliverance solely on their own bodies. When the heart is focused there, selfish thoughts have already taken root. They use this method to try and heal their own physical ailments, attempting to deliver the within their own bodies. But at such a moment, the karmic creditors do not feel resolved; instead, their resentment deepens. They perceive the practitioner as being opportunistic and lacking any sincere intention of repenting. They see it as a mere tactic to drive them away, and naturally, they refuse to leave. They cling even tighter to the practitioner, blocking any chance for the beings within to find liberation."
The Natural Flow of Compassion
"From this, we can see that the mental state during spiritual deliverance is of critical importance. If one performs this practice solely for oneself, not only is the effectiveness lost, but one also risks attracting demon crowds from the realms, who may enter the body and take control.
Some may wonder: 'Then who will deliver the spirits within my own body?' In truth, when one performs visualization-based spiritual deliverance for the spirits in the vast realms, the karmic creditors within one's own body are also able to leave the body along with the Buddha-light. By benefiting others, one naturally benefits oneself. It is perfectly fair.
Today, I visualized many demon crowds being released from their realms of retribution. Each of these beings had been suffering in those realms for a very long time. When I entered the space with the Buddha-light and the Buddha-name, they were all filled with upon seeing me. I recognised many of them from the past, and it is only because of this specific Causal Condition that I am now able to save them and help them leave.
At the same time, I saw many spirits connected to me—including many with whom I had created enmity in the past—also departing with the Buddha-light. My heart is focused on all sentient beings, not just myself, but those connected to me naturally receive salvation through this Causal Condition. It is truly magnificent.
