Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: The Four Grounding Sates (四住地)
To free the mind from discursive thoughts, so it remains pure and tranquil, is not easy. I often say we meditate to purify our minds. But actually, when we sit down, external phenomena are still imprinted upon our minds. Everyone, when we sit in meditation, we may hear the sounds from outside, the sounds of the birds and the insects. But most importantly, we need to hear our inner voices.
We can ignore or let go of external sounds, but we have to listen to our inner voices. In our minds, do we find more afflictions, or more good thoughts? Even if we can discern good thoughts from evil thoughts, can we promptly eliminate the afflictions caused be evil thoughts?
If we have good thoughts, if today we think, “I should resolve to do a good deed and make a good plan, are those thoughts clear and firm.” We need to strengthen these thoughts and be determined that we can make it happen. This is called nurturing good thoughts.
I often say that when an evil thought arises, we must be aware of it and quickly eliminate it. If an evil thought has yet to arise, we must be careful not to let it do so. If a good thought has not yet emerged, we must quickly find opportunities and Assisting Conditions to help it arise. If a good thought has emerged, we must promptly strengthen it, so more goodness can develop.
This is one of the methods the Buddha taught us. In the 37 Practices to Enlightenment there is something like this. In other words, “Do all good deeds and refrain from all evil.” Good and evil exist only in our minds. If we can eliminate evil thoughts as soon as they arise, and foster the growth of good thoughts that have not yet risen then we are truly engaged in spiritual practice.
So we must always listen to our inner voices, and pay attention to whether those thoughts are good or evil. Yesterday we discussed the afflictions of the 4 Grounding States. Ground refers to the mind, which is like a field. The seeds we sow determine the fruits we will harvest. So we must be very careful with these fields, and the thoughts that reside in our minds.
The Four Grounding States are: Deluded Views of All Phenomena, Cravings in the Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm.
First is Deluded Views of All Phenomena, which is also called Cravings Arising from Views. These are thoughts that arise when the 6 Sense Organs come in contact with external sense objects and conditions. Greed resides in most of us, so whenever we see things, craving arises in our minds. Therefore, when the eyes see form, which is a sense object, greedy thoughts arise in our consciousness. This applies to all 6 Senses, 6 Sense Objects, and 6 Consciousnesses. This is how our minds work. We have already discussed this yesterday.
When the 6 Sense Organs come in contact with external conditions, and give rise to thoughts, it is called the Deluded Views of All Phenomena.
Next is Cravings in the Desire Realm. Humans are inherently born with desires and cravings. Lately, I have often used the example of animals eating right after they are born. Take cats or dogs, for example. As a cat licks her newborn kittens, they crowd over to suckle. Pigs and dogs do the same. A fawn is born knowing how to stand. Its first action is to walk to the doe and kneel to suckle milk. This is the behavior of all living creatures. The desire for food starts at birth.
But look at us now, how much karma have we created by eating? To satisfy our palate, we eat all kinds of animals, and destroy the lives of all sentient beings. Think about it,
In one day alone, how many animals’ lives are taken in the world? Moreover, to feed these animals, we need to grow grasses and grains, etc. Animals eat much more than humans. Hence, to satisfy human palates, we need to grow a lot of grains, grasses, etc. to feed the animals.
These animals’ excrement also polluted the land. This vicious cycle creates air pollution, which intensifies the Greenhouse Effect. Our climate has changed. Average global temperatures continually rise. While drought afflicts some places, there is flooding in others. There is no moderation. These changes in climate and air currents can be traced back to contamination of the land, which led to contamination of the air, which affected the air currents. The source of these problems is human desire. We are born with the desire to eat.
Look at the nursery in the obstetrics ward. After the mothers give birth, the doctors and nurses deal with the babies. They wash and wrap the babies, bring them to the nursery and feed them glucose water. In the past, they dipped a piece of cotton into brown sugar or licorice water then placed it in the baby’s mouth. Right away the baby began to suck. This happened in the past and is still the case. When we put glucose in the bottle, the infant will suck on it without being taught. The desire to eat is inborn and natural. These are desires and cravings.
They exist at the time of birth. Aside from the desire for food, for taste, as we grow up and spend more time in society, material goods and certain lifestyle tempt us. Our desires continuously increase. In addition to desire for food, material goods, money, wealth, and fame, there is also sexual desire. These are Cravings in the Desire Realm.
This kind of affliction, one of delusion and confusion, dwells in our minds. Some people suffer big losses from small cravings. This is also that kind of desire and craving. In the Sutra Parables, there is a story about a couple who were not well off and often worried about the next meal. Once, they obtained three biscuits, so they were very happy “you can eat one! I can eat one! The couple was very happy to eat their biscuits. But after they finished the meal, and each had one biscuit, there was only one left. What could they do?
The husband said, “This biscuit is mine.” The wife objected, saying, “I am more tired because I do housework so this biscuit is mine.” The two fought over that biscuit. Eventually, they came up with a plan. “Let’s do this. Let us make a wager with this biscuit. The winner eats the biscuit. The loser admits defeat, watches the winner eat.”
“Sure! What kind of wager?”
“Starting now, we must remain silent. Neither of us can talk. The first one to talk loses.”
“That’s a good idea.”
The couple stopped talking and just watched the biscuit. At this time, a thief came to their house. He saw the couple sitting face to face, but not saying a word. As he entered the house, the two still did not say anything. Since they had no reaction at all, he went around the house and picked up and packed all the valuables. Meanwhile, the couple still did not say a word. He took so many things without any response from them.
The thief thought the wife was attractive and went over to molest her. Even then, the husband still said nothing. The wife was on the verge of being assaulted. At that critical moment, she finally spoke, “Can’t you see? This man is trying to molest me! Are you blind?” The husband finally broke his silence, “Haha! The biscuit is mine!”
Look at such a silly, senseless couple. For the sake of one biscuit, they ignorance what was truly important. The Buddha used this as an analogy for the delusion and ignorance caused by greed. People, for the sake of a tiny gain, actually lose their Wisdom-life. These people are foolish.
Indeed, desires and cravings can extend from sexual desire down to small cravings for food.
Think about all the cravings there are. We see many people who have problems quitting smoking. A cigarette is such a small object. People only inhale smoke, which is not filling, but will damage internal organs. Yet, it is difficult to quit, because affliction already resides in their minds. The desire already resides in their minds, so it is difficult for them to change.
Drinking is also bad, it damages people like a sharp knife that cuts through their intestines and stomach, yet quitting is very painful. People cannot give it up. Isn’t this a deviant desire? The drinker prefers to damage his body because he cannot control his habit. Ordinary people are greedy for trifles. Aside from harming the body, drinking will also affect behavior. Once they drink, people who are normally scrupulous, will fight, yell and hit others. All sorts of aberrant behaviors appear. They know that drinking causes problems, yet they cannot stop themselves. When such afflictions of desire enter the mind, we cannot control our cravings. This is also a kind of affliction. These are Cravings in the Desire Realm.
All manner of desires and cravings give rise to afflictions. They are called Cravings in the Desire Realm.
Indeed, ordinary people have created many afflictions. Some people have very greedy minds. So the third is Cravings in the Form Realm. The scope of this craving is very broad. We hope to acquire many things. We want to possess whatever we see. This scope extends beyond wealth, fame, or status. We want everything we can fathom, even things that are not in our sight. We even plan to obtain things we cannot see. This affliction is form Cravings in the Form Realm.
When we crave everything in the world, we give rise to many delusions and afflictions. This is called Cravings in the Form Realm.
When we speak of desire, form, and formlessness, we refer to desiring the things around us, those slightly farther away, and even things we cannot see. We hope to acquire them all. These desires give rise to afflictions. The 4Grounding states may cause all wrongdoings. This happens when afflictions abide in our minds. Thus, as we learn Buddhism, we must always remove the afflictions within.
Every morning, we must listen to our inner voices. We must clearly discern good thoughts from evil. Quickly eliminate evil thoughts. Rapidly nurture good thoughts. We must not allow any cravings or desires to exist our minds, we have already planted the seeds that will lead to indescribable suffering. So everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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