Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: The Six Practices: Ten Dedications Part 9(六行~十回向行九)
This environment is very peaceful. Our surroundings are so tranquil and clear. While everyone is still sleeping in the morning, practitioners do not waste a second. In the morning they first establish devotion and undefiled minds so both mind and environment can exist in harmony.
This is part of the process of learning Buddhism. In Buddhism, it is important to train the mind. If we are attached to everything, we will always have mental obstructions. How can we have no obstructions? We have to stay away from deluded perception. If we can do so, we can be free of mental obstructions; nothing will blind us. Discussing the Practice of Ten Dedications, I have continually said that ordinary people are worried, stubborn, and constantly talking issue. We must turn that ignorant and afflicted mindset toward the greater, toward enlightenment. We must Dedicate Merit from Small to Large, and transform delusion to awareness.
If we are aware, what is there to take issue with? There is nothing, but we still believe in cause and effect. As is the cause, so is the effect and retribution; this is the Law of Cause and Effect. All religions share common emphasis. So we cannot deny the Law of Cause and Effect. Some say, “Everything is empty, why practice?” When we learn Buddhism, we use True Suchness to bring out our innate True Nature. If teaching the Ten Dedications, I tirelessly explained that True Suchness is intertwined with our daily lives. This is a mindset.
Today we talk about the ninth of Ten Dedications. All things are inherently empty. Liberated minds are not bound by sense organs and objects. This is Unbound Unattached Liberated Dedication.
I have explained this passage before. Our minds must be unbound and free of attachments. We should not cling to our present condition. Clinging causes suffering. When we cling to our views, we think we are always right and others are wrong. What we do is right and what others do is wrong. I am right, you are wrong. Then we cannot get along with anyone or live harmoniously with others. So do not be bound by conditions or be attached to people and concerns.
Next are Roots and Dusts. Roots are our Six Sense Organs, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind. They are a part of us. Dusts are sense objects; our environment. No matter where we are, if we are not bound by conditions, our bodies and minds can be liberated. Then, everywhere is a good place, and everyone is deemed worthy of our respect.
When sense organs and objects are not bound by conditions, one is not attached to anything. When one’s body and mind are liberated, everywhere is a good place and everybody is deemed worthy of respect.
So we will not take issue with others or perceive our surroundings as good or bad. We have already seen this great liberation from Roots and Dusts in our volunteers. Our three hospitals held three different activities on the same day. At Da-lin Hospital, the superintendent, doctors, department chiefs and their families joined our staff to do recycling. This is a beautiful state of mind. The hospital is normally clean and bright, and their homes are also very comfortable, but they chose to sort garbage at the recycling center. Through the union of sense organs and objects, they cherish the Earth and know the importance of environmental protection. Staff from our Hualien, Guan-shan and Yu-li hospitals made house calls to poor patients and those too sick to leave their homes. Besides providing diagnoses, they taught those with mental problems to look after themselves. Their homes were very dirty. Our superintendent, asst. supt., department heads, medical staff and commissioners were there. Some cleaned the homes, which were dirty, run-down and smelly. Others bathed the people and taught them to care for themselves. It was very touching.
During their time of rest, their two days off became two days of practice. They used these two days for spiritual cultivation. These kind of activities are also part of the Faith Corps and Commissioner training. They cared for and treated the poor. They helped clean their homes and their bodies. Everyone was happy in that environment. It was “great liberation from sense organs and objects.” Afterwards, we asked them. How was it? “Very good. Don’t forget to notify me next time.” They have loving hearts, so they have no attachments.
I also heard that in Xindian, we mobilized many medical personnel one day. There were doctors, nurses, therapists, Commissioners and Faith Corps members. A group of over 10 people visited one family. The old husband was ill and his elderly wife took care of him. He could not get to the hospital. He had had a tracheotomy so it was difficult for him to move. He also needed rehabilitation. So the doctor therapists, social workers, Commissioners and Faith Corps members, over 10 people, visited them because they were poor and had no one to rely on. Bedsides doing a check-up and rehabilitation, they also cleaned their house. That was “great liberation from sense organs and objects” and was “Dedication of unbound unattached liberation.”
Our spiritual practice is not very abstract, it is quite simple: We must nurture our loving hearts. Do not take issue with others or discriminate between good and bad environments. With love, we will attain great liberation from sense organs and objects. This is unbound liberated Dedication and the mindset for our spiritual practice.
A Sutra tells a similar story. Once, the Buddha taught a group of practitioners and monks in the Garden of Jetavana. He told them about the sincerity of love. Once upon a time, there was a country with a king named King Mo. He was very benevolent and ruled with love. There were no punishments in his kingdom. He taught his people to use kindness, justice, courtesy and wisdom to manage their households. He taught them to interact with parents, children and their community using virtue, loyalty and piety. That was how he ruled his kingdom.
One day, he toured a city and saw that every family was happy and harmonious, and the city was wealthy. He was very pleased, especially with bountiful harvests every year. Then he saw someone approaching him in shame. The man bowed deeply to him and said, “Your majesty, I am a criminal.” The king asked, “What crime did you commit?” He said, “I’m a thief, I’ve stolen things.” The king then asked, “Why did you steal?” He said, “Because I was hungry and poor. I had to steal from other people.” After hearing this, the king asked, “You stole things in the past, but why are you telling me now?” He then said, “This was in the past, I didn’t get caught and no one knew I stole anything but it’s been on my mind. I feel like I’ve been in a jail of my own construction, so I’ve been unhappy. When I saw you today, I decided to admit my wrongs and past mistakes.”
After hearing this, the king felt ashamed. He said, “You are truly honest. You are so since and honest. It was your environment that made you poor, so it was my fault. Therefore he said “When my people are hungry, I’m hungry, too. When my people freeze, it’s as if I’m naked.” So when his people suffer from hunger, it’s as if he himself is starving. When his people are cold, it’s as if he is not wearing clothes. “To be honest, I am very ashamed. I renew my vow. I hope no one in my country will be poor. I want my country to be wealthier so that no one in the country will be poor.” Thus he said, “People’s happiness or suffering depends on me.” Would his people be happy or suffer? That was his sole responsibility. He was responsible for ensuring his people were happy and did not suffer. It all depended on him. Thus it was his fault that he did not know there were poor and starving people.
So he renewed his vow to ensure there would be no poverty in his country. He shouldered this responsibility and tried to find out if anyone was suffering in jail or if there was anyone like the honest man who had made a mistake and was in a jail of his own mind. He pardoned those actually in jail and those imprisoned by their own sense of shame. Whether they were in a spiritual or actual jail, he granted them pardon. He then opened his treasury to the poor to liberate them from their hardships. Food was given to the hungry and cold, clothes to the poor, and medical treatment and supplies were provided to the sick. This was what the Buddha taught in that era as an example.
Buddha-Dharma cannot be separated from the world. As we try to get along with each other, we need that sincere love. This applies to leaders as well. It is essential human relationships.
Buddha-Dharma cannot be separated from the world. Always treat each other with genuine love. Leaders should practice this and it is essential in human relationships.
We should not simply speak the Dharma, we must practice it. We must truly experience it to truly attain Dharma-joy. People in the world have to follow worldly Dharma. The world is complicated. If our minds can transcend it and not be bound by the environment, we can be peaceful and at ease as long as our love is sincere and wise. This is the Bodhisattvas-world and Buddha’s Pure Land. Thus as Buddhist practitioners, we should always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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