Venerable Changgao on Knowing One's True Nature

This article features an interview with Venerable Changgao, who discusses the nature of the self and the path of practice at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This testimony was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on February 25, 2020.

Venerable Changgao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Within the vastness of the great and small universes, there exists an infinite capacity for containment. Every single spirit resides within this expanse, manifesting in various life forms to experience and verify the truth of existence. In reality, this is precisely what the cycle of rebirth is all about. Each form is born and performs its role in a unique way. Most people simply follow the dictates of their own ego—clinging to their own 'nest,' their own fixed ideas, and acting in whatever state feels most comfortable for their physical body. They convince themselves that there is no right or wrong in their actions, yet, more often than not, they have long since deviated from the Middle Way. They are no longer acting in accordance with the Dharma.

The Trapped Spirit and the Illusion of Self

It is a common occurrence for a body to be usurped or for a spirit to become imprisoned. You can see this reflected in the very earth itself, in the winding paths, or even in the stones within a riverbed. Why does the Buddha’s teaching place such heavy emphasis on the 'oneness' of all beings? It is because everyone acts out of ignorance, tossed about by the whims of their physical body and their own personality. We begin as simple, pure spirits, but we become covered, layer upon layer, by the decorations of the external world. Eventually, we become so obscured that we no longer realise who we truly are. In our ignorance, we commit transgressions, changing and entering the spaces of all things. As Practitioner Su performs Chao Du, she reaches into these places; there are countless sentient beings everywhere, desperately begging for salvation. Every time the Buddha-name is chanted during Chao Du, it breaks through the layers of space—space upon space, stacked in ways that are impossible to calculate.

The Mission of Hsiang Kuang

Beyond the utilisation of the Dharma Body within these spaces, it is the heartfelt wish of our Master to perform Chao Du for the mountains, rivers, and the entire land of Taiwan. Practising the Buddha’s teachings is not merely for the sake of this physical body, nor is it solely for one's own liberation. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, led by our Master, we must all strive toward absolute purity and absolute Goodness. When one gains an additional Dharma Body and an additional pair of 'wisdom eyes' to perceive these infinite spaces, countless sentient beings can be saved. The education provided by the Buddha’s teachings is not a task to be completed in a single day. Learning these teachings is the foundational work required to become a Buddha. By focusing deeply on one path, one can attain supreme perfection; when one truly sets their heart on this, they can be in sync with the Buddha.

The Chaos of the Human Mind

I look at the human body and see such disorder. The suspicion between you and me, or the unkind thoughts we harbour just to achieve personal success—the one who is most deeply wounded by these things is, in the end, oneself. The space opened up by the activation of a negative habit is beyond one's imagination. It is like a swarm of ants rising up; first, you are submerged by them, and then you submerge others. When a thought arises, whether it is right or wrong, the look in one's eyes changes instantly. At that very moment, you might be able to detect the anomaly, but far too often, we simply let ourselves go, allowing our bodies to be occupied until we feel powerless to act. The universe of the human body is magnified and then congested by these very thoughts. It is this heart that transforms us into all things, and it is this same heart that allows us to become a Buddha. The one who can achieve a breakthrough and change is none other than yourself. Only when you are truly willing to change can you begin to speak of genuine practice. You can start right now, examining every thought and intention, every bit and piece of your life. What is truly necessary? What is unnecessary? Gather the fragments into a whole, and truly, deeply, come to know yourself.

Namo Amituofo.

Changgao"