Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Six Cravings Part 4(六愛四)
We have been discussing how the Six Roots meet the Six Dusts. Attachment gives rise to a discriminating mind, which leads to afflictions. This is the state of ordinary people. Based on good or bad circumstances, “hate and love arise.”
After differentiation, what they dislike causes them to suffer, and what they love brings them happiness. But is this love long-lasting? Earlier, we discussed Nihilism and Eternalism. Some subscribe to Nihilism and believe that nothing exists after this life. They indulge themselves and disregard the future. That is Nihilism.
Some people believe in Eternalism. They believe that everything is constant, and that since they are human in this lifetime, they will be human in the next. If they live a life of pleasure now, the next life will be the same. This disregard for impermanence can lead to their downfall. They do not know to be diligent. Life is impermanent. Everything in this life is impermanent, not to mention future lives. So when we face external conditions, it is an opportunity to cultivate our minds accordingly.
The Six Roots connect with the Six Dusts, giving rise to a discriminating mind. Afflictions grow from external conditions. Spiritual practice is to seize opportunities to train our minds with the conditions we encounter.
If we encounter conflict, we should see it as a lesson. Since we are attached to our own views, afflictions emerge and karma is created. We should learn from conflicts. Under good or bad circumstances, people who are confused develop hatred. Hate is a strong dislike, and craving is greed. Being defiled by greed and desire, they “crave it so they cannot forget.” Such greed and infatuation continue to disturb their hearts until attachment manifests. That attachment becomes karma.
When love and hate arise, one craves so that one cannot forget. When cravings lead to attachment, karma is created.
In the Buddha’s lifetime, there was a beautiful woman named Lotus Flower. She worked in places of entertainment, and saw all there was to see of worldly affairs. After listening to the Buddha’s teachings, she felt that life was impermanent. Although she was still young and beautiful, how long would her youth and beauty last? They are impermanent, she would eventually grow old. So she resolved to become a monastic practitioner.
After making this decision, she stepped onto the road of cultivation. She walked until she reached a garden where the trees were beautiful and flowers were abundant. It was getting hot, so she looked for water to quench her thirst. She found a very clear pond, and when she bent over to get some water, she suddenly saw her reflection, and saw how beautiful she was. Looking at her reflection, craving arose as if she fell in love. She though, “I have such a beautiful form is it too early for me to become a monastic? There are many beautiful sights in the world. So many fun things that I have yet to enjoy I should return home, and pursue cultivation when I’m older.”
After deciding this, she headed back. As she walked out of the garden she met a younger woman, more stunning than herself. She was not merely pretty, but luminous. When people saw her, they felt she was glowing. Her conduct and movements were elegant. This woman and Lotus Flower seemed to have a karmic affinity. The woman said, “Come, let’s walk together.” So they went for a walk together. It was hot, so they found a big tree to sit under and talk. Each had different life experiences, but it all boiled down to impermanence and suffering. As they were talking, the younger woman became very tired. She asked, “Can I lean against you to sleep? My body and mind are very weary, so I wish to rest for a while.” Lotus Flower found this woman endearing, so she said, “Come, you can lay on my lap.” Time passed, and the weather was very hot. A cool breeze blew gently as the sun slowly set. “Why is she sleeping so long?” Lotus Flower looked closely and noticed the woman was not breathing. Then she looked closer and discovered worms crawling out of her mouth. Next, a pervasive stench also began to come steadily from her mouth. Turning her over, she saw that her face was rapidly decomposing and turning black. She was shocked to see her face rapidly changing.
Life is impermanent. Can we count on our youth? She looked at the woman in front of her, who was so beautiful a moment ago. Her skin had been so delicate, and her features so defined, her conduct and movements so elegant. Even though she had been full of grief, she was so beautiful, with a bright future. But once she stopped breathing, within a few hours worms were crawling from her mouth. Her face became so frightful to see. She knew that the woman had left her body with a grief-filled mind. So Lotus Flower had an epiphany, “I can’t wait any longer I have to hurry and practice.” So she rushed back onto the path of spiritual cultivation. Upon seeing the Buddha, she prostrated sincerely.
The Buddha was very compassionate and said, “There are four things in life we cannot rely on.” These four things will inevitably change “First, the young will age. Second, the healthy will die.” We may be healthy, but we cannot rely on staying that way. Even if the body is fit, it will eventually get sick and die. “Third, loved ones will eventually part.” No matter how much we love someone, we will eventually part from them. “Fourth, wealth will be dispersed.” We may have fame, wealth and status in life. But one day they will be gone. So we cannot possess or depend on these four things forever.
There are four things in life we cannot rely on First, the young will age. Second, the healthy will die. Third, loved ones will eventually part. Fourth, wealth will be dispersed.
Do not rely on your youth, health, love or enjoyment. Actually, there are many things that we cannot count on, such as wealth and status. So the Buddha said, “Age makes our looks decline; illnesses befall us. The body decays and withers, life naturally ends.” When we age, the organs of our bodies weaken, so “illnesses befall us.” Though we take good care of our bodies and nourish them with supplements, we still age and become ill. So illnesses befall us. This happens no matter how well we take care of our bodies.
“The body decays and withers, life naturally ends.” So “what use i this body?” It “constantly leaks and smalls. Let us all consider that the nine orifices often discharge impurities. Just the seven facial orifices have impurities. Tears, earwax, mucus and phlegm are impurities discharged by the seven orifices, not to mention urine and excrement. So we say nine orifices often discharge impurities and “constantly leak and smell.” They are dirty and impure, so we must contemplate the body as impure.
What use is this body which constantly leaks and smells, is afflicted with illnesses and the threat of death? As we indulge in desire and unwholesome acts, we are unaware of the dangers of change.
“Afflicted with illness and the threat of death.” When we are ill, we cannot take care of ourselves, and life becomes painful. Illness truly cause suffering. We suffer the most when we are old and dying. Aging and dying are major threats in our lives. But we do not know how to self-reflect, so we “indulge in desire and unwholesome acts.” Everyone is still greedy and desires enjoyment. “Unwholesome acts” are wrongful conduct. We continue doing wrong deeds and accumulating karma.
“Unaware of the danger of change. Life is impermanent.” Dragged around by desires, we do not take a moment to self-reflect. We do not think about impermanence. With these major upheavals in life, are we being vigilant? So we say we are “unaware of the danger of change.” People think if they are well today, it will be the same tomorrow. But it is not true. We should always be vigilant when the Six Sense Organs meet the Six Sense Objects. Living among people truly allows us to learn. We see impermanence, and increase our vigilance. So we must “observe the dangers of change,” not be “unaware of the dangers of change.” Once we see it, we should be more vigilance.
So life is impermanent, “we cannot even rely on loved ones.” We cannot even depend on those we love the most. When a father falls ill, he may not have filial children who will be willing to take care of him. At death, even if we embrace our loved ones, we still leave when our breathing stops. So we cannot count on our loved ones. We cannot depend on them, hold onto them, or ask them to protect us. That is all impossible.
“Contemplate the body as illusory, life does not last.” The body is an illusion, but is that not true of everything in the world? If we are not mindful in everything we do, meaningless matters keep passing by. But if we are mindful in doing meaningful deeds, we will leave behind a legacy in the world.
Life is impermanent. We cannot even rely on our loved ones. Contemplate the body as illusory. Life does not last.
So everyone, when we practice Buddhism, we have to broaden our views. In the process of our life, instead of observing others, we can find Dharma in ourselves. Deeply contemplate the transformations of your own bodies. From our bodies, we can teach ourselves Dharma. This is mindful contemplation. In our daily interactions with people, we must observe the outside world, while internally self-reflecting. So we need to seize the moment, treasure this place, and each other.
Everyone, we need to always be mindful. Every person is teaching us from his experiences. So we must be grateful, respectful and express our love. So everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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