 | "Burning the Forest of Merits"
"Making a resolution is easy, keeping it is difficult," Master Cheng Yen reminded certified volunteers in Tainan, Taiwan at a one-day retreat. During the retreat, Master commended them for taking hold of time to nurture their spiritual wisdom and praised long-time commissioners for their continued dedication and diligence. Master expressed that she was touched to have so many who emulate the Buddha's spirit and walk on Tzu Chi's Bodhisattva path with her.
Master further expressed, "The difference between Buddha and an ordinary human being lies in whether one is 'awakened' or 'misguided and deluded'. An awakened mind marks a Buddha; a misguided and deluded mind marks an unenlightened, mundane being."
"Human beings have limitless desires and therefore experience endless suffering and misery. The mundane person is in the middle of a sea of desire-at times he surfaces, only to sink into the waters again. Sometimes, he has a moment of clarity, but later, his mind again loses itself in worldly desires. Sometimes, he performs good deeds and gains blessings and good karma; other times, he gives way to anger and falls into misery. It is just like how we realize the need to correct our weaknesses when we are in an even temper and have a peaceful heart, but when angry, we stubbornly refuse to admit our mistakes. This is due to the pull of our unwholesome habitual energy."
Buddha could not bear to see living beings struggling in the sea of suffering, sometimes surfacing, sometimes sinking. As such, the Buddha teaches ordinary human beings how to free themselves from these sufferings and awaken themselves to complete and everlasting realization. How can human beings change their bad temper? Master said that if we can recognize and respect each person’s potential to attain Buddhahood, then we would not be so quick to get angry at other people.
"There is no one in this world that I cannot forgive, that I cannot love and that I cannot trust. Why? Because I believe every person has the Buddha-nature, the potential to become a Buddha. That is why I never look down on anyone."
"Though anger is temporary, its effects can last long afterwards. When we become angry, the flames of our anger can destroy all the merits we have sown through our goodness. Thus it is said that anger is like a fire that burns down the forest of merits. Everyday, we cultivate ourselves but in a burst of anger, we overturn all our previous efforts. In that instant, our inner world falls from heaven to hell. After a tree is ravaged by fire, can it still sprout buds and grow leaves? Perhaps, but only if its roots remain intact. Or, at the turn of the season - when winter turns to spring, there is a chance of survival only if all the supporting conditions happen to be met. In short, each person will harvest what he or she has sown. Anger can erupt and spread uncontrollably. The aftermath is not so easily resolved, and inevitably, people will fall into pain and regret. The hurt or pain will require a long time to heal. That is why it is important for people to look after their thoughts, and not be easily angered."
Master Cheng Yen further expressed that every person has a bright and pure true nature. When one easily becomes angry, it is like pollution clouding his or her potential of attaining ‘realization’. It is like a well-lit lantern that is covered. Light cannot penetrate the layers, and one cannot see the outside world clearly. As we have the opportunity to listen to upright, true teachings, we should work to correct our unwholesome habits. Only then may we be able to attain moments of enlightenment.
"When listening to sutras, one must exercise wisdom to link the principles with everyday life. If one only listens to principles but cannot apply them to life, that would still fall short of the mark. When things are accomplished such that they are done satisfactorily and uphold proper principles and when harmony is present between people only then can it be said that we have truly awakened to the true principles." Master encouraged everyone to mindfully listen and contemplate the true principles, so that they become a part of our own understanding, and to furthermore put them into practice. Moreover, Master said, everyone should cultivate a Bodhi heart (a heart that seeks enlightenment) and amend one’s ways by changing unwholesome habits and tendencies, so that we may live a life of truth, kindness and beauty.
Listen, Internalize and Apply the Teachings
Master Cheng Yen pointed out that if we are to carry out the Buddha's mission in this world and apply Buddhist principles to educate and guide others to enlightenment, then we need to employ many different methods by which people may learn and apply these Buddhist principles. The Buddha introduced 84,000 ways and means to lead people into Buddhism. In Tzu Chi, there are four missions, eight footprints and eight major membership groups: Commissioners, Tzu Cheng Faith Corps, Teachers Association, Tzu Chi Collegiate Association, Tzu Chi Police Association, Tzu Chi International Medical Association, Environmental Protection Association and Honorary Board Members Association. All of these groups are different means for different people to walk down the Bodhisattva Path. Even if it is through these different groups that one joins Tzu Chi, one still returns to the same Tzu Chi spirit and is part of the main Tzu Chi organization. The Tzu Chi spirit is about kindness, compassion, joy, and selfless giving.
Kindness is about having a genuinely tender heart, where we hope for everyone to enjoy happiness and well-being. This should be our state of mind as we interact with others. As Master once said, "If you lose your temper easily and say things that wound others, that means your heart is not loving enough." Master expressed that when interacting with others, we must exercise more understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. Only then will there be harmony, which is what brings happiness and well-being.
Compassion is to feel others' suffering as one's very own -- when you feel hurt, I, too, feel pain; when you suffer, I, too, feel sorrow. As Tzu Chi people all share this same heart, they are like trees with the same root. Wherever they are, they all serve as living bodhisattvas to relieve people of hardship and suffering. But Master reminded everyone that the acts of service carried out are made possible by everyone's participation. As no person can do it alone but many people's efforts are needed, everyone needs to be grateful for one another. Master said, "Should a fellow volunteer speak to you in a tone that is not very nice, let this be like a mirror and ask yourself, 'Do I treat others the same way?' We should be tolerant and forgiving, instead of being offended. Just as parents worry most about their children not getting along, please remember that all of you volunteers are my disciples - please do not make me worry!"
"Everyone should be one in heart in carrying out Tzu Chi's missions. We must purify our hearts and transform whatever negative sentiments we have into a heart of joy. Volunteers should be grateful to one another. Female volunteers should be grateful to the male volunteers for shouldering the more physically taxing tasks. On the other hand, the male volunteers should thank the female volunteers for taking care of all the minute details. In this way, each fills in for the other. When everyone purifies their hearts and transforms them into hearts of joy, this mundane world can become a Pureland."
Master Cheng Yen continued, "By being of one heart and mind in carrying out the missions, one can obtain happiness through work. This is the meaning of 'Great joy without worries'. As we learn to develop wisdom through our work on the Bodhisattva Path, we will be able to give selflessly, without asking for anything in return.
"No one knows how long he or she will live. While we have no control over our lifespan, we can nevertheless add depth and breadth to our life, and deepen our wisdom and insight. If we can truly practice kindness, compassion, joy and giving, we will have no regrets, no complaints, no sadness, and no seeking (for anything in return)."
Master Cheng Yen encouraged everyone to let no second pass by emptily, to give with a happy heart and engage in all work with a willing heart-so that in the doing of good deeds, one not only sows blessings but also deepens one's spiritual wisdom. This is what is meant by "cultivating both blessings and wisdom simultaneously". |