Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Wisdom-Life Grows When Pure Nature Manifests (清淨本性現 慧命得成長)
The Four Conditions may cause all wrongdoings. The Four Conditions: Causal Conditions, Continuous Conditions, Connected Conditions, and Assisting Conditions.
In the past few days we’ve discussed mind & states. The environment is external & our mind is internal. This so-called “state”, whether it’s our mind connecting with the outside or the external conditions entering our minds, there is “consciousness” involved-mind-consciousness.
Our mind-consciousness comes in contact with the outside world and creates differentiation. Actually, the external world and our mind do not directly affect each other at all. Rather, there is a connection between our mind, sense organs and external objects through the senses does our consciousness. Only through the senses does our consciousness cling to the external world, causing differentiation. If we understand this, then we understand the meaning of the word “conditions” in the phrase “causes and conditions.”
If mind-consciousness is provoked, the mind is easily aroused and will be influenced by external states. If mind-consciousness is unaffected, external states and the mind remain separate. So the mind is not influenced.
Learning Buddhism is to look after our minds. Although our daily life cannot be separated from the outside world, we can safeguard our consciousness. When we connect to the outside world, which states should we allow into our minds? They say, “in a group of three, we find a teacher.” When we encounter bad people and
unfavorable conditions, or hear or see bad things, we should use them as we would a mirror. If we exhibit bad behavior and character flaws, we should quickly use the “mirror” to purge our defilements. We use this “mirror” to reflect on ourselves, to see if we exhibit such bad behaviors. If we see wholesome behavior in others, we should respect them, since they can inspire our veneration. We also hope to be respected and loved as they are.
So we should follow their virtuous behavior. Their conduct, manners, etc., draw others’ respect. So we should learn and follow. When our senses connect with external objects our consciousness starts to take form. In this way, our consciousness can clearly distinguish good from bad. We take the good, and discard the bad. Doing this is like practicing in a monastery each day. We can develop our wisdom and eliminate ignorance & afflictions. Then our pure innate nature will appear.
Thus, we must safeguard our minds. Do not forget that after “causes and conditions” come “effects and retributions.” So take care in creating good causes.
When the sense organs and sense objects connect, if the mind-consciousness takes in only the good and eliminates the bad, one’s Wisdom-life will grow and one’s pure innate nature will appear.
Yesterday we discussed Continuous Conditions. Our thoughts are continuous; one follows another, and so on. Isn’t romantic love akin to continuous thinking? When a man pursues a woman unsuccessfully, he would prefer that they are both hurt. If their love affair does not go according to his wish, he may kill others and destroy himself. There have been many cases of this. We are obviously still ordinary beings. Some people do research. If they are attached to their research, and can invent something that benefits mankind, then it is wonderful.
For example, the computer is very convenient. We can enter the contents of every book in our bookshelves into a computer. Once the information is stored we can simply sit there and retrieve all the knowledge efficiently. This is a superb invention which creates much convenience and provides abundant information. But a computer glitch can also lead to huge losses.
There was news of a computer expert in Europe, who had created a virus that harmed several hundred thousand small and mid-sized businesses. For a long time, we have depended on computers to store data. If the virus attacks the systems of small, mid-and large-sized businesses, all the information which people rely on could be wiped out completely. According to the article, if the virus infiltrates our systems, total damages could be as great as the 9/11 terrorist attacks. So Western nations are greatly concerned.
You see, such is the mind-consciousness of man. What kind of mentality should we hold when engaging external conditions in everyday life? The deviation of the mind-consciousness causes inestimable impact on mankind. This is caused by the attachment of a few. Whether it is attachment to people, or attachment to materials or wealth, or attachment to fame or social status or even resentment and hatred toward people, it is all created by the workings of the mind when sense organs connect with external conditions.
Actually, a few simple words can affect the natural existence of mankind. Everything is related to cause, condition, effect & retribution. So we should be very mindful, not only for ourselves, but also to influence others with our actions and guide them towards what is wholesome. So they can “do all good deeds” and “refrain from all evil.” In this way, our society and mankind can be saved. With regards to the word “conditions” Continuous Conditions are clinging. The mind constantly clings to external conditions and various desires, creating a lot of afflictions.
The next topic is Connected Conditions. Yesterday we spoke about Forced Connection, which is when we grasp a connection. This has nothing to do with external conditions. We simply love to grasp affinity with effort. For example, viruses infect computers, causing systems to break down. Such occurrences are uncalled for, but the virus still invades the machines. Similarly, when one invades the life of another, it is a forced affinity. Initially, there is no apparent reason, but some people seek affinities by effort, creating connections by force. Thus, it is termed Connected Conditions. Connected Conditions are very worrisome.
Next is “Assisting Conditions”, which connect our daily life with Causal, Conditions, and Connected Conditions. When these conditions combine and overlap, they give rise to Assisting Conditions.
Causal Conditions, Connected Conditions, and Connected Conditions combine overlap to give rise to Assisting Conditions.
Within Assisting Conditions is a type called Assisting Conditions Connected in Adversity. While in an adverse situation, if we can reflect on our experience and be mindful in handling the adversity, then it is an excellent state. Although some people are situated in favorable conditions, they still become degenerate. Others move upward even in adverse conditions. For instance, in another piece of news, a divorced mother lived a child, whom she loved dearly. Because of the disappointment of her marriage, she put all her hope in her nine-year-old son. She treasured and adored him, and gave him everything he wanted. This child was living in very favorable conditions. Despite the fact that his parents were divorced, he grew up in a good environment and never experienced any hardships. His wished were always fulfilled.
The mother focuses all her love and attention on him to compensate for the lack of paternal love. So he was given plenty of attention, love, and material goods. But he acquired bad habits. Although he had everything, he began to steal. He became fascinated with obtaining others belongings. He was addicted to stealing. He was also preoccupied with pornography. He would watch pornographic movies. He was living with his aunt at that time. When she took a shower, he would peep at her.
His behavior brought complaints from school and form his mother’s family. She had always been generous with her son. However, after hearing all these complaints, she was very angry. As she got angrier, she hit him. She felt she had given him so much, yet he continued to cause trouble for her. He had plenty of material things. When he would not listen, she would beat him. So their relationship became hostile.
One day, the mother was very angry over repeated complaints from his teacher and aunt. He had committed the same mistakes again. So she took a fly swatter and hit the child’s belly until it swelled up and turned black. While still angry, she tied him with a rope, put him on the bed, and told him to think about his behavior. Then she left home. By afternoon, when other family members entered the bedroom, they found him dead. Is this a good or bad affinity? His family's finances were good. He had plenty of possessions, even though his parents were divorced. Why, after receiving so much, did he feel he was lacking something? Multitudes of causes and effects together led to the abnormal attitudes of the mother and son.
Some people live in favorable conditions, yet become abnormal. Others survive in poor and difficult conditions and gain independence from adversities. Mr. Ma Wen-Zhong was born in China, poor and disabled. Despite this, he was determined to do good. While his physical condition continued to worsen, he still accomplished great deeds with his will. Because of the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Ma, children in rural areas had a chance to study.
The couple benefited their community greatly. They were in an adverse situation, but such adversity helped them move forward. Thus, this is Assisting Conditions in Adversity. For some people, adverse conditions strengthen their determination to succeed. For others, favorable conditions cause them to fall. Connected Conditions and Assisting Conditions, both relying on external conditions, cause our minds to react.
Some degenerate under favorable conditions. Some rise under adverse conditions. They pivotal point to different paths in life is a single thought.
We must be mindful in learning Buddhism. The word "conditions" appears to be very simple, but is very complicated in real life. All the complications in life are based on whether or not our minds can remove such complexities and ignorance completely. We can turn complicated situations into a simple and pure life.
Our original nature is kind. We can do good deeds, make good affinities, and plant good causes. These are very simple to do. It's complicated when we act while attaching to ignorance & afflictions. Not only will we hurt ourselves, we will also hurt our families, society and mankind. Everything is created when sense organs, objects and mind-consciousness connect.
So if we understand the principle thoroughly, everything in this world is very simple and pure. If we cannot comprehend this, we will face many difficulties and hindrances. Everything will be complicated. So it begins with a thought. Please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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