Transforming the Environment Without Being Transformed by It

The Interconnectedness of Self and World

In the teachings of the Buddha, we understand that our physical body is our 'Main Reward'—the result of our past actions. The environment, the people we meet, and the events that unfold around us are our 'Dependent Reward.' Within this worldly realm, particularly in this era of the Five Turbidities and Evil World, our environment is complex, ever-changing, and often chaotic. Because the human heart is equally volatile, our internal state and our external circumstances are constantly influencing and interfering with one another. This is why, in the midst of the impermanence of this world, we often find ourselves in a state of helplessness and instability.

The Path of Purification and Transformation

Pure Land practice relies on the dual support of our own efforts and the power of Namo Amituofo. By diligently cultivating the Three Learnings of Precepts, Samadhi, and Wisdom, we can significantly strengthen our body, mind, and spirit. When we listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma, we must take these teachings to heart and actively work to change our personality traits. This process of inner transformation is vital for several reasons:

• It reduces the interference from karmic creditors, attached spirits, and demon crowds that would otherwise lead us to create more negative karma.
• It allows the various beings residing within our own bodies to be transformed and influenced by the light of the Dharma.
• It enables us to master the art of 'transforming the environment without being transformed by it.'

This is the mark of a practitioner who is making genuine progress, walking steadily along the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Peril of Being Swayed by External Forces

If one’s meditative concentration is insufficient and one lacks the strength to uphold the Precepts, one becomes highly vulnerable. In such a state, it is easy to be disturbed by karmic creditors, attached spirits, and demon crowds. When we lose our autonomy, we inevitably create negative karma and suffer the resulting consequences. This is a state where the 'Main Reward' is being controlled by the 'Dependent Reward.' It is a dangerous situation that causes one's practice to stagnate or even regress. Therefore, you must be extremely cautious and vigilant.

The Essential Practice of Changing One's Personality

For those who have Faith and Vows as their guide and who take concrete action in their practice, the result is a pure and concentrated mind. This ability to transform the environment without being transformed by it is a true measure of one's attainment. It is an essential condition for anyone who wishes to give lectures, spread the Dharma, educate others in the Buddha’s teachings, or realise their true nature.

At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, it is often observed that members of the fourfold assembly are easily influenced by the actions, words, and thoughts of others. When this happens, the mind loses its stillness, the body becomes restless, and it becomes difficult to guard one's speech and purify one's intentions. This is a clear sign of a lack of concentration—a state of being swayed by karma and external circumstances. This is the very test that every practitioner must face.

When you find yourself in such an environment, you must act with the utmost speed. In the shortest possible time, you must adjust your body, mind, and spirit, as well as your body, speech, and mind, to return to a state of purity and goodness. If you have faults, you must correct them. Changing one's personality is an urgent task that every member of the fourfold assembly must undertake. If you can transform and change, your practice will make great progress. If you fail to do so, your practice will remain stagnant, and you will continue to create negative karma. You must be careful!

Namo Amituofo