Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: The Six Practices: Ten Actions Part 7(六行~十行行七)
In the Practice of the Ten Actions, the seventh is the Practice of Non-Attachment, or being well-rounded and harmonious.
“Without attachment, one is well-rounded Through the Practice of Skillful Manifestation, one becomes closer to perfection. The universe is filled with specks of dust, and within each speck, a Realm of Ten Directions manifests. This appearance does not deteriorate. As dust realms manifest, size is no obstacle.”
These words appear quite profound, but the meaning is actually easy to understand. In the state of Non-Attachment, we have no obstacles. If our minds have no attachment, how can there be obstacles? If we can broaden our hearts and minds to encompass the entire universe, we can be free to roam the world without hindrance. With only wholesome thoughts in our minds, there will be nothing to hinder what w do. Everyone will be touched by kind deeds. We hear about this a lot within Tzu Chi.
For instance, the relief team that was sent to Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake consisted of 15 volunteers from five countries. This disaster-ridden country needed many supplies. How could we bring everything to the disaster area? The first customs check point was when entering Hong Kong from Taiwan. Then we had to go through customs again when leaving Hong Kong. It was not easy to transport these goods by plane. However, our reputation of doing charity work is well-known internationally. Through influential entrepreneurs in Indonesia and Pakistan, we spread news of the disaster site to Hong Kong.
Then through our connections in Indonesia, we communicated with a Pakistani diplomat in Hong Kong. The Princess of Jordan is Pakistani as well, and Mr. Chen is well-liked and respected by Jordan’s royal family. They know of his involvement with Tzu Chi. So with his connections, we were able to open many channels of entering Pakistan. Whether it was by air or ground, we needed local people as guides and translators. Although there were many obstacles, with all the good connections that we had, we were able to overcome all barriers one by one. It was the wisdom and great love of Tzu Chi volunteers that made the difference.
I remember one day when all the documents had been arranged for us to depart for Hong Kong. The Pakistani diplomat knew that we were coming from Taiwan and that there were also 11 volunteers in Hong Kong who were waiting to get visas into Pakistan. The diplomat was Muslim, and it was the month of Ramadan. Muslims do not eat during the daytime, but they can eat after sunset, so they closed the office at 5pm sharp. The head of Hong Kong’s Tzu Chi Branch accompanied Allen Yeh of the Religion Department and had to stand there watching them close the door. One of the volunteers, Chow Yuk Lin, was wise. She put herself in front of the door, blocking it, and started introducing herself “We are from Tzu Chi, Taiwan, we’re headed to Pakistan to give disaster relief. We brought many supplies, as well as doctors, medical personnel, medicine, and blankets to help the victims. Your country has suffered a great disaster and your people are suffering. Can you bear closing the door on those who wish to help the victims?” Upon hearing such a logical plea, he opened the door and allowed the volunteers to enter to speak with them. They reported how many people required visas. There was 15 volunteers total, and four were still in different countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Jordan and Turkey. They would go directly to Pakistan to meet with the other 11 volunteers. If these 11 visas were not processed immediately, they might have to wait another three days or up to a week.
Our volunteer had the wisdom and loving heart to have the courage to speak the Dharma outside the Embassy. She told him that his people were suffering, so how could he close the door on those who wanted to help them? It was courage that opened the door. With love and courage, our contacts in Indonesia, Jordan and Turkey had cleared the path for us. Without such prompt Skillful Manifestation, arriving there just before they closed, this would have not been possible. We proceeded smoothly without any hindrances. Not being hindered means being determined and at the right place at the right time. If we had not created conditions in the past and made good affinities with others to gain their recognition and trust, it would have been impossible to receive support from so many people in various countries. They enabled us to complete our goals by letting the 15-member team arrive on time. That was Non-hindrance. Although we are Buddhists, when we interact with people, we are not “hindered” or “attached” to religion or ethnicity.
“Bodhisattvas arise because of suffering beings.” Wherever there are suffering beings, we will be there to help. Therefore, we do not abide by nationality, religion or ethnicity. That is the meaning of Non-attachment; we give without attachment. As such, there is no hindrance. Thus, the effect of Non-hindrance is derived from ongoing Skillful Manifestation. When we are among people, our deeds are recognized by others and give them joy. This Skillful Manifestation enables us to continue our mission without hindrance. I always say that the Bodhisattva-path requires absolute faith and sincerity. With a Bodhisattva mindset, the Bodhisattva-path is straight and broad. The Bodhisattva-path is a very straight and broad path. If one does not deviate from the straight point and advances on the path, Skillful Manifestation will constantly occur. One will always be harmonious and unattached. It may take a long time to practice, but with Skillful Manifestation and Non-attachment, we can develop and grow.
The Bodhisattvas-path is straight and broad. If one does not deviate at the staring point and goes forward, Skillful Manifestation will constantly occur and one will be well-rounded.
I often speak about time. We need a lot of time to walk a very long path. So within time and space, we must constantly expand and spread our love. If we can do this, then we will be in harmony with everything and everyone. Thus “one becomes closer to perfection. The universe is filled with specks of dust, within each speck, a Realm of Ten Directions manifests.” It means that one’s perfection expands until it fills every speck of dust in the universe. Nations are huge and far apart, so we need to start with smaller places. “The universe is filled with specks of dust. Dust is tiny, unlike large countries. It is very fine and small. Though the dust is very small, when it is refined and reduced seven times smaller, then it is called Golden Dust and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Although it is very minute, our actions, when they are kind and unattached, should reach this tiny space, which is the mind. “The Ultimate Reality of all physical phenomena is the mind.” All objects that can name, such as dust, Golden Dust, and things that we cannot see, all have physical form. They are created by mind. Only with the mind can we understand and know the true of all worldly phenomena. Therefore, “all Dharma teachings may be perfected within a single mind.” All Dharma is in this One Mind and it is complete and perfect. “As such, one should understand this concept.”
We spoke of the Practice of Non-Attachment. Non-Attachment means to be well-rounded even in a speck of dust. How can we be well-rounded in a speck of dust? We must make our choices mindfully.
Put your hearts into realizing all things in the world. Te mind is in the center of all teachings. How can we remain well-rounded in a speck of dust? It depends on how we choose mindfully.
How can we be harmonious and well-rounded in life? When l spoke to Dr. Chiu, who took part in the medical outreach in Pakistan, I asked him, “How is everyone? Do you have the flu?”
He told me, “Yes, I have the flu. A few volunteers also have it. From the pictures that were sent back, I saw very inadequate living quarters. In such cold weather, no wonder you all have the flu.”
He said, “It’s no problem, now we have laid stones on the ground. It’s quite good, everyone is very happy. The stones reduce the dampness.”
I then asked, “How is the food? It seems very basic with only three dishes.”
He said, “No, no, we have plenty to eat, and are very grateful that the brothers cook so mindfully.”
I said to him, “Mr. Hu cooks quite well. Are you able to buy vegetables there to cook?”
He said he was very happy with everything.
He was understanding and willing, so he was joyful. With such a mental state, even though the living conditions were poor and many had the flu, they were joyous. It all depended on their minds. In such a difficult situation, their minds were joyful. It takes just a single thought. The situation was harsh. Dr. Chiu told me on the phone that he had to ask me an important question. “Can we go to the mountains?”
I asked him “How long would you need to walk?”
He said, “Two to three hours, round trip, it takes over an hour each way.”
I asked, “Could you drive? Is it dangerous?”
He said, “Nom vehicles can’t go up, it is only reachable by foot, because in addition to the earthquake, rain caused mudslides.”
I said, “Will it be dangerous?”
He said, “No, we’ll be mindful. There are many people up there who are badly injured, ill or old, and can’t come to us. What else are we to do?”
So I told him, “Very well, but look after your own and everyone’s safety. You must evaluate everything carefully.” That was our conversation.
Everyone, how should we walk our path in life? The Bodhisattva-path is straight and broad. As long as our minds follow the right direction at the starting point and do not deviate at all, the path will be quite simple. But there are many suffering beings in various areas affected by disasters. Whenever a catastrophe strikes any place, obstacles are created. These obstacles are their suffering and their difficulties. Bodhisattvas have to overcome these hardships with one mindset: the mindset of love. Thus, “in the Three Realms there is only one Dharma. The mind creates everything.” There is no other Dharma in the Three Realms. There is no other method or way to practice, only single-mindedness. The world created by the mind is like a speck of dust. The mind creates substance. There are many small particles that we cannot see or understand. Only with the mind can we create ways to shorten the distance between faraway places.
While they were in Pakistan and I was in Taiwan, l could still hear them via phone. That was the workings of a mind; it shortened the distance and sent their voice to my ear. Thus we say, “The mind creates everything.” If our minds are directed by kindness, there will be no obstruction. Following the Practice of Skillful Manifestation is non-attachment to the Views of People, Sentient Beings, and a Soul, etc. That is the way to cultivate and turn our minds. Only then can we manifest infinite powers. This is spiritual power.
All things are created by the mind. If the mind is directed toward goodness, infinite spiritual powers will manifest.
Dr. Chiu and all the Tzu Chi volunteers from Jordan, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan gathered to speak with me one by one. Those around them also shouted, “Master, don’t worry, we are very joyful.” I could hear all their voice. Indeed, such intricate details cannot be seen by the eyes, but are miraculously made possible when people put their minds together, and infinite power and Dharma manifest.
That is the Spiritual Power in this world. So, everyone, we should be mindful at all times. There is no other Dharma in the Three Realms. Everything is created by the mind. Please everyone always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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