Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Cultivate Both Blessings and Wisdom, This is the Way to Buddhahood. (福慧是學佛成佛的目標)
Yesterday we discussed Bonds, including the Bond of Greed. Our greed causes discontent and leads us into a bottomless pit, the trap of greed. So we bind and trap ourselves. In this life we make so many mistakes because of greed and discontent.
Greed alone can cause continuous growth of ignorance and endless accumulation of afflictions. We brought this seed of karma with us, and then society caused it to continuously grow. Now that we are leaning Buddhism, we cannot let it grow. We should know the source of ignorance, the origin of affliction. We must hurry to stop it from growing. In addition, we must constantly eliminate it at the source. This is the goal of our spiritual practice.
So we should carefully nurture our Wisdom-life by developing our wisdom. Wisdom is gained through interaction with others. By being pure and unselfish, we can realize wisdom. Wisdom is realized through working with people, remaining unmoved when facing challenges. Thus we will not give rise to afflictions or ignorance. This is the mindset we should use in facing the conditions around us. “In a group of three at least one is my teacher.” We should quickly learn good things and include them in our repertoire, add them to our intangible assets, and use them to fuel our ascension to sainthood.
We aspire to learn, so we dare to ask. When situations appear bad, we should remind ourselves to be vigilant. As we hear of other people’s transgressions or their troubled lives, we need to reflect on our own lives, to see whether we are the same. Why do so many afflictions come out of nowhere? Why are we deeply bothered by things that have nothing to do with us? We should quickly reflect, so as not to be trapped in the conflict.
Our minds remain unwavering despite external temptations. We can only gain this knowledge and understanding through experience, from working among people. If, under such circumstances, we remain undefiled by bad things, and can absorb good things, we will nurture our wisdom.
Spiritual cultivation takes place people. When we see something good, we should learn it readily. When we see something negative, we should be vigilant and constantly self-reflect. In remaining untouched by conflict, we learn the wisdom of an unwavering heart.
Therefore, wisdom is to be nurtured among people. We also want to increase blessed karma by bringing good fortune to others, thus cultivating both blessings and wisdom. Each time our gatherings come to an end, we wish each other, “May you cultivate both blessings and wisdom.”
This phrase comes easily to us, and seems to be easily said. Are we sincerely hoping that everyone can cultivate both blessings and wisdom? When we bless others with this greeting, do we wish the same for ourselves? To attain Buddhahood, we need to cultivat “blessings” and “wisdom”; this is the goal of learning Buddhism.
As we learn Buddha’s teachings, if we do not make good connections with others, we will be unable to cultivate blessings, and unable to attain Buddhahood, because we lack blessings. However, if we have blessings without wisdom, even if we have made many good connections, we cannot properly convey Buddha’s teachings. How can we transform ourselves and others? So, having blessings without wisdom also makes things difficulty. This, we must cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
Once, there were two practitioners. One cultivated blessings, the other wisdom. The one with blessings reincarnated as an elephant, and lived a lavish life in the Kind’s garden. Decked in gold and silver, he was well cared for in every respect. The elephant lived a blessed life, a result of his cultivation in his past life. The other was a monk who asked for alms, and often returned empty-handed. However, as a monk he experienced joy by listening to the Dharma and vowed to persist in his practice.
Because he had wisdom, he was able to be reborn as a human, and study Buddha’s Dharma. But one day, this monk walked past the elephant pen. When he saw the elephant he had an inkling of recognition. After he looked more carefully, he said to the elephant, “You and I were fellow practitioners. You cultivated blessings, but not wisdom, you were not dedicated to studying the Dharma. But you made many positive connections with many sentient beings, even though you did not study hard. So you are born in this life, and enjoy a life more blessed than most people.”
“On the other hand, I focused on myself, listening to the Dharma. I neglected to make good connections with others. So in my current life, even though I can still study the Dharma, I am poor and hungry.” People did not feel joy when they saw this monk. This story tells us we need to cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
Blessings and wisdom are needed to learn Buddhism and attain Buddhahood. While we nurture our wisdom among people, we need to strive to benefit them as well. Thus we can cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
By letting go, we cultivate blessings. Let go of all things external: money, wealth, fame, afflictions. Let go of the afflictions from the moment before. I think this is very important. Do not retain afflictions caused by interpersonal disputes. Avoid the inexhaustible greed for material goods. Wisdom also comes from letting go, therefore we can cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
Letting go begets blessings. Let go of money, beauty, fame and wealth. Let go of interpersonal conflicts. Let go all afflictions. To let go is to have wisdom, the way to cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
We should let go of all interpersonal conflicts and all materialistic desires. Let go, do not be greedy. There is a lot to say about greed. Greed accounts for all the worldly afflictions. What happens when greed is not satisfied? It provokes anger. Have you ever seen a group of dogs fight for a piece of bone? They rush over to fight for it. And if they do not get it? Then they become angry. What about the one who got the bone? While eating, it continued to hold another bone. When other dogs came closer, it would start to bark and growl.
That is the way of animals. Humans are very similar. Even while having enough to enjoy a good life, they worry that someone will snatch the extras, worry that others are richer, worry that others’ businesses are better, worry that others are more famous, worry that others are more prominent. They cannot bear to see other people succeed, so they get angry. These are afflictions.
People often say to succeed we must help others succeed first. If we want to achieve something, we have to first help others. Focusing on ourselves and suppressing others is wrong. That is not an admirable life. An admirable life is helping each other. Look, the conjoined twins from the Philippines were successfully separated in our hospital. After the operation, many reporters came visit our hospital.
During the press conference, our doctors did not say, “That was me! I administered the anesthesia perfectly, that’s why the operation went so smoothly.” No. They say, “It’s nothing, anesthesia is always required before any surgery begins. My part is insignificant. In fact, I really admire the surgeons, Dr. Lee, Dr. Chang, etc.” He mentioned several doctors who had started the surgery well. I told Dr. Lee that they could only afford to lose up to 120 cc of blood during the surgery.” The doctor in charge of separating the liver then tried his best to cause any bleeding from the liver during surgery.
He was very mindful, so no bleeding occurred during the entire procedure. A reporter asked that doctor, "What technique did you use?" He said, "It was nothing. The success of the surgery depended on the anesthesiologist. Once the successfully anesthetized them, I could work without worry. Our anesthesiologist, Dr. Hsu, also reminded me that I couldn't let them bleed too much." That shows how skillful Dr. Hsu is; he knew how much blood the twins need to survive. He should be credited with the success."
The team of doctors involved in the operation praised and admired each other, without taking any credit themselves. Did you know that the press conference was broadcast live on TV? I watched the whole event here on TV, and I was truly touched when I heard the doctors praise each other. Great respect arose in my heart. I admired them, and felt they must be well loved by others. As I watched the press conference progress, I realized that our hospital is so blessed to have so many devoted young doctors with great moral character. They are virtuous.
To praise others is to beautify oneself, and every one of them praised and admired others. That is an admirable virtue. I saw them truly devote themselves to helping others. After operating on the twins, they treated them as if they were their own. I thought that this is how life should be, to truly liberate oneself and liberate others as well. Now the twins can finally go their separate ways. They can wear the clothes they like, eat what they want to eat, walk on the path they desire, and choose their own interests in the future. Is this not liberating?
This was the best gift for their first birthday. The joint efforts of our medical team enabled the sisters to live independently. Our doctors were very happy for the twins. They did not say, "You're free because of me." They were happy because they were grateful to these sisters for a chance to test their skills. So when I said, "Doctor, I am very grateful to you. You skillfully separated the liver without causing any bleeding. I am truly grateful."
The doctor replied, "No, I am the one who should be grateful. If it weren't for them, I'd have never known I could do this.” He was giving without taking credit, and he felt grateful at the same time. Is this not the state of Bodhisattvas? He can bring relief to people, express love, and give without attachment, without arrogance or pride. He just gives with joy. You can see that with joy there is no anger. Let us compared the two states of anger and joyful ease. The angry person cannot stand to see other people's success, good fortune, or better circumstances.
He just can’t bear to see other people do well, other people be honored. If others triumph, get good results, he just cannot stand it, so he flies into a rage. Those at ease are broad-minded; they gratefully give with no expectations. This is a Bodhisattva. Those with Buddha-hearts feel for the suffering of sentient beings, so they willingly and joyfully give. If we are like this, we will not be bound by anger.
In our daily lives, if we can humble ourselves and give willingly and joyfully, then we will not be bound by anger.
We must make good use of our time, fulfill our duties, and do our best. Do not wait, because life is impermanent. So, everyone please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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