Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Equanimity in Spiritual Practice (平等心是修行不二法門)
Buddha-Dharma is like cleansing water. Every day as we interact with people and things, we get caught up in the many conflicts that arise in our minds. These constant conflicts bother us. As each day passes, these encounters leave their mark in our minds. Over time, if we can treat all conflicts as lessons, we transform afflictions into enlightened wisdom. If we treat our daily encounters as conflicts, even the clear Dharma-water will turn into dirty, odorous garbage water.
Therefore we need to take good care of our minds and not allow our actions and speech to succumb to the whims and desires that arise in our minds. We should constantly and diligently self-reflect.
The Four Forms of Births may cause all wrongdoings. The Four forms of Birth : womb –born, egg born, moisture-born, transformation-born.
As we previously discussed, the Four Forms of Birth and Six Realms are filled with unspeakable suffering. If we exist through the Four Forms of Birth, It is difficult to transcend the Six Realms. And only those in the Human Realm can tell right from wrong. It is rare to encounter Buddhist teachings, and cultivate kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity.
As we take time to absorb and develop these traits known as the Four immeasurables, we must distinguish between right and wrong views. We have to be clear about this. Of the Four Forms of Birth, other womb-born animals, despite having fur and ohms, are also endowed with Buddha-nature.
In the Sutras, The Buddha told many stories that alert the mind. These are not made-up they come from His countless lifetimes of cultivation as He journeyed through the Four Forms of Birth and Six Realms. In the Agama Sutra there is the story of the Deer King. It is a simple story with a clear message. Once upon a time in a secluded forest a herd of thousands of deer took shelter together. Among them was the Deer King, whose magnificent body radiated the five hues. His antlers were also unusually elegant. Not only was his coat shiny and bright, from antler to hooves he looked different from other deer. Thus the huge herd of deer embraced this five-hued deer as king.
In the refuge of the deep forest, they ate grass and drank water in peace and quiet. Then one day, the country’s king and his courtiers came to hunt. The once serene surrounding was disrupted by people shooting their bows and arrows. The herd panicked and scattered in all directions. Many died, of course. After the hunters left, the Deer King was aghast at the sight of the carnage, so he blamed himself. After some thought, the Deer King decided to go to the palace to speak for the herd.
Once he reached the king, he knelt on all his knees and cried. He pleaded with the king, “A deer’s life is not worth much, only as much as an insect. Our lives are very insignificant and we reside on your land. Since we can live peacefully and are grateful for our lives here, if the culinary staff of your royal kitchen needs to create gourmet meals, I beseech that Your Majesty tell me the number of deer that are required each day. We would be very willing to send that number of deer to your kitchen each day.”
The King was stricken with shame and replied, “I had no idea that our culinary needs caused, so much disturbance and sufferings to your herd and your home. Now I know I think all that our kitchen may need is one deer each day. I will immediately decree that everyone is forbidden to hunt in the forest, since all the kitchen needs is but one deer a day.”
The Deer King was relieved to hear the king’s promise. Now that his herd could live in peace, he joyfully went home to tell the herd the news. As soon as the herd heard of his return and that he brought good news, they quickly gathered around, knelt down and listened intently to what the Deer King had to say. He began, “From the beginning of time, no one has lived forever. We live on the king’s land and feed on his grass and water. Since we must die one day anyway, for the sake of peace and security, of a place for our herd to flourish, why don’t we choose our time to die, in exchange peace?”
The herd thought whatever the Deer King said was always right. It is true. Everyone must die one day. If we can figure out a reasonable arrangement, we can accept this plan. From then on, the herd decided amongst themselves who would go next. The deer whose turn was up would go in front of the Deer King to pay its last respects, and listen to the teachings. The Deer King would always tell them, “Today is the moment of your great end. Each life must end one day; since today is that day for you, you must remember to remain peaceful, at ease, and be grateful, because this land provided us with food and means to live. Who can escape death? You must recite Buddha’s name along the way and do not be resentful or angry toward the human king. The Deer King gave the same advice to each deer each day. Each time the Deer King wept, and constantly advised them as he reluctantly let them go.
One day, a pregnant doe came to him. She knelt and begged, “Tomorrow it is my turn to die. This is the end for me. But I am pregnant with my fawn. I am not asking to be spared, I only need a few more days to bear my child so he can live, then I’ll go. The Deer King thought it was reasonable. He found the deer next in line and asked him if he could go a day earlier. That deer quickly came and begged, “Even if it is just one more day, I still wish to keep living. I look forward to even one more day, so I don’t want to die a day earlier.” Upon hearing this, the Deer King understood that all living beings desire life and fear death, so he could not ask them to die early. At this point, the Deer King had already decided what to do.
After the herd went away, he quietly left the forest and once again went into town, heading for the palace. The king asked, "Why are you here so soon? Have you exhausted the deer in your herd?" The Deer King said no, and recounted the story of the pregnant doe and the deer next in line, who asked to live one more day. That was why he had come to take her place today, to meet the kitchen's need. The king heard this and felt very ashamed. He felt that all living beings can be benevolent. Even animals with the form of a deer possess the benevolence of humans. This quality exists within all living beings. Thus, the king repented, and issued a new decree forbidding anyone to hunt in the forest for any living creature.
Thus ended the Buddha's story He explained, "All you Bhiksus, do you know? I was the Deer King in a previous life, and that king is the present Shariputra." This Sutra recounts the Buddha's many lifetimes of cultivation through the Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms. Not only had He been born in the Human Realm from a mother's womb after ten months like you and I. He had also been born a cow, a horse, and even a deer, etc. He had been through it all. To practice in the Four Forms of Birth and to enlighten all sentient beings, He needed to appear in their forms and experience everything in this universe.
We need to respect all life forms. Do not think only humans matter. Do not be arrogant and self-centered, and take advantage of those who are poor, not to mention abuse other living beings. We need to treasure them all, particularly other human beings, and see them as equals. I mentioned this before, we must "vow for equality among all living beings."
Equality is the most important tenet in Buddhism. It is the way by which all Bodhisattvas attain the non-dual perfection of great wisdom and compassion.
We should cherish all affinities, identify the causes and conditions. As you can see, the Buddha was a deer and Shariputra a king. See, life after life, our affinities are continuously connected. In sign language, this is how we convey "affinities." They are intertwined and interlocked throughout all lifetimes.
So everyone, never feel too self-important and remember to be humble, respect others. This is truly the goal of our practice. Please remember that as Buddhist practitioners, we must love and respect each other with unity, harmony, love and concerted effort. We each do our part and give our best. Love and respect one another.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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