Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Delusion Draws Disasters, Awakening rings Blessings (心迷招禍 心悟福來)
Everyday we talk about the mind. Truly the mind creates everything. With one single thought, one who is content is blessed, and one who is discontent will find trouble.
The Four Cravings may cause all wrongdoings. The Four Cravings: Craving for food, Craving for clothing, Craving for sleep, Craving for medicine.
We have been talking about Cravings, craving for food, craving for clothing. Next is Craving for sleep. We just lie down and sleep, do we distinguish between good or bad places to sleep? Some people say, “I can’t sleep in unfamiliar beds, I’m used to my bed, and its position, so I can’t sleep in other places.” Is that so? When we are sleepy, we can lie down and sleep anywhere. Why can’t some sleep in a different bed? It is an attachment to personal belongings.
Some people say, “I bring my blanket and pillow when traveling.” Why? They are not used to other people’s things, and are more comfortable with their own. Isn’t this an attachment? We are attached to “this is mine, that is yours.” Then some prefer either a soft or hard bed. They think hard beds are unrefined, I have to sleep on a soft bed, It must be big, stylish and pretty.” If you go to a furniture store, there are all kinds of beds now. Some are round; how do you sleep on that? People say those are fashionable; once the shape is changed, they are much easier to sell. Sometimes I wonder, how tall and wide could we possibly be? We are busy during the day and rest at night. A night’s rest lets our body recuperate after a day’s hard work, and recover from fatigue. That is all. Some spend over NT$100,000 on a bed; some spend almost a million. Just how are they decorated? What is the difference between sleeping on an expensive bed and an ordinary bed? Worldly people’s desires truly have no limits.
It is truly inconceivable. When ordinary people become deluded, vanity emerges. When it does, so does greedy desire. When desires emerge, we suffer unspeakably, because nothing will ever fully satisfy us. So, never being content is miserable.
Happiness and suffering are both created by the mind. If one is content, one is blessed. If one is discontent, one is asking for trouble.
During the Buddha’s time, He learned about a mountain village by the sea. In this small village of 20 to 30 families, people all made their living by hunting and fishing. They either hunted in the mountains or fished in the sea. The men left early in the morning, while the women stayed home o care for the children, and did little else. The Buddha felt that there was no enjoyment in their lives, and they relied on killing for a living. So the Buddha decided to visit. When He got there, He sat under a big, flourishing tree. A group of women saw the big tree from afar. The tree looked different than usual; it was enveloped in a soft and gentle light. It was not the scorching sunlight; it was a very soft light.
As they walked even closer they saw a very dignified man sitting under it. They were astonished, and thought He was a god. Word spread quickly in the village. All the women came to the tree with their children. When the Buddha saw that most of the women and children had gathered, He began to display a very kind, slight smile, and started speaking Dharma to these women. He taught them the Five Precepts, and the women and children listened in great silence. It was a beautiful scene.
Time passed quickly. Before they realized it, dusk had fallen and all the men were returning home. These men gradually sat down just like their wives. They sat around the Buddha, who continued His speech. He just taught the wives the Five Precepts. After the husbands surrounded Him, He began to teach the Ten Good Deeds. As He taught, everyone listened and was entranced. When He finished a men stood up and asked the Buddha, “Heavenly Deity, where are you from?”
The Buddha replied, “I am not a god. I am a human. I am an enlightened human bring an Enlightened One.”
The people then asked, “What have you realized? The truth of all things in the universe, and of life, death, and reincarnation. So there is reincarnation?” they asked.
The Buddha said, “Yes, there is. After this life, one may enter the Heaven, Hell, Hungry Ghost, or Animal Realms.” Everyone wondered if their spirits would really go to Heaven or Hell, or even the Animal or Hunger Ghost Realms after death. Was it true?
The Buddha then explained further. These people said, “If this so, the animals that we see now and hunt every day, are they in the Animal Realm?”
“Yes.” Thus Buddha said, “You have killed and created much bad karma.” Everyone was terrified. “If this is true, how can we survive if we do not hunt or fish?”
Thus Buddha said, “Not killing is benevolence, cautious words guard the mind. You should remember that not killing is an act of benevolence, a virtue we should take to heart. When we speak, we should not carelessly speak harsh words.” He knew the men were chauvinists, and were often abusive toward their family, so He taught them to speak cautiously, and guard their minds. They must speak carefully and not abuse others every time they speak. Also they must guard their minds well.
“When no killing occurs, one need not fear.” If they could this, their lives would be fulfilling and peaceful. They would not need to worry. They would “be benevolent and kind, love and help all.” From then on, their actions should be benevolent and kind, with love for all. They should love all living creatures. In doing so, “blessings will follow.” If they could do this, they would always have blessings in their hearts. “Asleep or awaken you will be at ease.” “Heaven protects the benevolent and the loving. Wherever you are, you will benefit.”
The Buddha used these principles to guide them, to first inspire love in their hearts, so they could protect all living beings. He also told them that no matter where they lived, if their hearts were at peace, they would be at ease, asleep or awake. So even when they lay down to sleep, they would feel peaceful. Afterwards, they were still concerned about their livelihood. Even though His words made sense and He inspired them to be loving, they had to face the realities of life. Is it enough just to treat animals with love? How do we make a living then?”
The Buddha then promised them that He would ask the king to allow these families to leave the hunting grounds and settle where they could make a happy, peaceful living. Thus, the Buddha made a request to King Bimbisara. Since the king was the Buddha’s disciple, he helped them move away from a place of hunting and fishing, to a populated area, an established community. When the Buddha lived in this world, He cared for all people, whether they lived in the countryside, in cities, or in the remote mountains. If He could guide these people away from the mountains and hunting, then all the creatures in the mountains could also live peacefully. When people moved to the populated area, they were able to enjoy their work. So both sides attained peace.
The Buddha showed His love by guiding people this way. Isn’t this how we should learn Buddhism? How well do we need to live? How comfortable must our beds be?
Not killing is benevolence, cautious words guard the mind. Be benevolent and kind, love and help all, then you need not fear. Blessings will follow; you will always be at ease and protected by Heaven. Wherever you are, you will benefit.
-- he Dharmapada Sutra
Nest is the Craving for medicine. It is best to be healthy. To maintain good health, all we need us a balanced and nutritious diet. Some people take this to the extreme, and take in too much nutrition. Look at how many people are dieting. Many diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., are caused by overeating and excessive diet. In fact, three healthy meals a day are adequate. We should not be excessive. Some people like to stock up on nutrition and immunity supplements. There are many products like these for people to buy. Living simply is good enough. In our daily lives, moderation is healthiest. A clean and simple way of living is not good for the body, but also good for the mind. When our bodies are healthy, we can discipline ourselves better. Be it food to eat, clothes to wear, places to live, or things to nourish the body, these are all very simple things, but we have made them complicated. Once life is complicated, it becomes unhealthy. Not only is the mind unhealthy, the body becomes unhealthy as well.
If we make life complicated, ignorance and afflictions flourish. Life will become unhealthy. A simple, moderate life balances body and mind. When the body and mind are pure and clean, we are naturally healthy.
It is most important to know that ignorance and affliction are created in our daily lives.
We should balance our way of living regarding food, clothing, shelter, and medicine, and use them in moderation. A simple life is the healthiest; it allows a pure body and mind. Therefore, everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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