20110408 --- Giving Rise to Good Thoughts to Mitigate Disasters (儉樸生活能補天)

Date: April 8th, 2011 (Friday)
Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Giving Rise to Good Thoughts to Mitigate Disasters

Last night, at 11:32 p.m. local time, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. A tsunami warning was issued, but it was lifted 90 minutes later. We can imagine how worried people must have been. So, it is truly a blessing that we can live in peace and safety. When we are able to have a good night’s sleep, we truly must be very grateful.

Everyone, every day, I call on all of you to heighten your vigilance and awaken to the lessons that disasters bring. What is the state of an awakened mind? It is a heart of goodness. When our six sense organs come in contact with the six sense objects in the external environment, thoughts arise in our mind. This is what we experience every day, when our senses come in contact with the external conditions and how thoughts arise in our mind. If the thought we give rise to is unwholesome, all the good things that we joyfully plan to do will be put to an end as soon as anger, hatred, resentment, etc. arise in our minds. So, when we give rise to an unwholesome thought, all our good thoughts and intentions to do good will vanish.

Likewise, if we give rise to a good thought, all that is evil can be dispelled. When a good thought arises, we’ll be reminded that everything in this world is impermanent. So, what is there to fuss over? If we can take a step back, must hatred and resentment will be dissolved, eliminating disasters and all that is evil.

This is how simple it is. All it takes is to give rise to a thought of goodness. That is why the Buddha says: ”A heart of goodness can dispel hundreds of evil” The effect of goodness is like ripples in a pond. Just a single drop of water will create ripples that travel outward to cover a very large area.

For example following the disasters in Japan, hearing my call here in Taiwan, Tzu Chi volunteers in many countries worldwide responded by going to the streets to solicit donations from people. Bowing in gratitude, they invite people to pray sincerely, give rise to a heart of love to care for the Earth and the suffering, and make donations joyfully out of the compassion in their hearts. This is how Tzu Chi volunteers mindfully work to purify people’s hearts and minds and bring out the goodness in them. This is what all of us are working hard to do.

However, we need to work even harder and put in a little more effort because, with all that is happening, we are truly running out of time. We must work to let a single thought of goodness ripple outward to influence more people in more places to give of themselves. Only then can we mitigate disasters in the world.

It is truly time for us to awaken to what is happening around us and repent of our ways. We must deeply repent, take up a vegetarian diet, and work to protect the environment. These are the things we must do in order to purify our body and mind. So, repenting adopting a vegetarian diet, and protecting the environment are things that we must now do.

See how a first grader at our elementary school in Tainan has inspired her mother to change. She first asked her mother to join her in becoming a vegetarian and stop eating meat.

“She said to me:” Mommy, let’s not eat meat anymore”.

“I hope everyone can become vegetarian to protect the Earth and not break Grandmaster’s heart.”

She also gets her mother to go do recycling work with her, and asks her mother to be more frugal and to watch DA Ai TV. She is just a first grader, but see how she can inspire her mother to do all this. We truly mustn’t underestimate what the young can do. Everyone is inherently good, and this inherent good and pure nature that everyone possesses within is the Buddha heart.

We also see that in Malaysia, the owner of a technology company invited Tzu Chi volunteers to share with his employees our relief effort in Japan, guide them to pray together with piety, and inspire them to give.

“This is a very good opportunity for everyone to do good. When major disasters occur, we must wake up to the lessons they bring. If I can awaken the 200 plus employees of mine and inspire them to change, it would be very good.”

Everyone, we truly must be very mindful. As we are aware, the ozone layer of the atmosphere has been thinning.

“Why are there holes in the ozone layer? The primary cause is the use of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), which were not in widespread use before. Recently, it was used as refrigerant and to make foam and soaps. Scientists later found that the chlorine from CFCs can damage the ozone layer. So, In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was signed to phase out the use of CFCs. Scientists also discovered that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, can reduce the temperature in the atmosphere, which also contributes to ozone depletion.”

What we see is our children’s program on Da Ai TV, “Calling Dr. Marvelous” This is very good program as it teaches abstruse scientific knowledge about the working of the world in easy-to-understand ways. I hope everyone can show more concern about the world and not just about how well their businesses are doing or how much bonus they will receive this year. We mustn’t only think of these things, but care more about the world instead. Without peace and safety in the world, how can we humans be safe and sound? It is truly time for us to use our wisdom and not just our intellectual knowledge.

Mother Earth has been sending warning signals to us. How can we not awaken? All these disasters are a result of human actions. So, we truly must resume a frugal life, be more diligent, and not turn on air conditioners at every turn. We should also adopt a vegetarian diet to reduce methane emissions.

All in all, I hope everyone can lead a simple lifestyle and give rise to thoughts of goodness. That is what’s most important. It’s that simple. And, if we don’t start taking action now, we will really run out time.

May we all live each day with prudence and sincere piety by deeply repenting and adopting a vegetarian diet while also praying with utmost sincerity and giving of ourselves joyfully with a loving heart. By doing so, we’ll be able to create a force of goodness (to mitigate disasters).

(Source: Da Ai TV 人間菩提)

Date: April 8th, 2011 (Friday)
Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan 證嚴上人開示
Subject: Giving Rise to Good Thoughts to Mitigate Disasters 儉樸生活能補天

日本，昨天晚上十一點多，規模七點四的強震啊，在九十分鐘以後，才解除海嘯警報，可見是多麼多麼的緊張啊！所以我們能平安，實在是福，能平平安安地睡一覺，真的實在要感恩。
Last night, at 11:32 p.m. local time, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. A tsunami warning was issued, but it was lifted 90 minutes later. We can imagine how worried people must have been. So, it is truly a blessing that we can live in peace and safety. When we are able to have a good night’s sleep, we truly must be very grateful.

菩薩們，我們天天都在呼籲，呼籲人人提高警覺，警世覺悟，什麼樣的境界叫做覺悟呢？那就是一念善心。心！所對的就是根，我們的六根，六根對六塵，這都是我們人，每一天的心與根、與塵，互相相對，所以會起心動念。假如以一念惡，本來規劃著－－「我要做這樣，我要那樣做…」做好事很歡喜，只是你起了一念不開心，瞋恨心；本來規劃想要行動，想要做的好事，都一時間就會消滅掉。所以起一念惡，可以消滅掉了，所有的善念跟行動。

Everyone, every day, I call on all of you to heighten your vigilance and awaken to the lessons that disasters bring. What is the state of an awakened mind? It is a heart of goodness. When our six sense organs come in contact with the six sense objects in the external environment, thoughts arise in our mind. This is what we experience every day, when our senses come in contact with the external conditions and how thoughts arise in our mind. If the thought we give rise to is unwholesome, all the good things that we joyfully plan to do will be put to an end as soon as anger, hatred, resentment, etc. arise in our minds. So, when we give rise to an unwholesome thought, all our good thoughts and intentions to do good will vanish.

假如我們起一念善，那就是可以破除一切的惡。只要你善念一起，警覺到人生無常，國土危脆，何必計較呢？讓一步海闊天空，可以破除許許多多恩恩怨怨，就可以一切的惡、災難都可以消除。
Likewise, if we give rise to a good thought, all that is evil can be dispelled. When a good thought arises, we’ll be reminded that everything in this world is impermanent. So, what is there to fuss over? If we can take a step back, must hatred and resentment will be dissolved, eliminating disasters and all that is evil.

所以善惡是這麼簡單，才一念心而已，所以佛說：「修一善心，可以破百種惡。」這種善的效應，像水的漣漪一樣，一滴清澈的水，滴在池中，一滴下去，一點就可以不斷地擴、擴，擴到了很大的範圍。
This is how simple it is. All it takes is to give rise to a thought of goodness. That is why the Buddha says: ”A heart of goodness can dispel hundreds of evil” The effect of goodness is like ripples in a pond. Just a single drop of water will create ripples that travel outward to cover a very large area.

日本的災難，從臺灣的一聲呼籲，就可以在國際間這麼多的國家，人人捧著愛心箱，到處去鞠躬哈腰，去勸你一分的虔誠來祈禱；募你一分的愛心，來關懷大地人類；還要募你一分悲憫之心，起了那一分喜捨的捐助。這都是慈濟人在用心推動，如何能淨化人心，啟發善念，這都是我們大家，用心、用愛推動的。
For example following the disasters in Japan, hearing my call here in Taiwan, Tzu Chi volunteers in many countries worldwide responded by going to the streets to solicit donations from people. Bowing in gratitude, they invite people to pray sincerely, give rise to a heart of love to care for the Earth and the suffering, and make donations joyfully out of the compassion in their hearts. This is how Tzu Chi volunteers mindfully work to purify people’s hearts and minds and bring out the goodness in them. This is what all of us are working hard to do.

不過我們還是要快一點，多用力一點，因為許許多多的事都是來不及，我們要讓一念善，不斷不斷地開闊，不斷不斷地增加，範圍更廣更闊，人數力量更多，那就是可以改善了，天地之間的災難。
However, we need to work even harder and put in a little more effort because, with all that is happening, we are truly running out of time. We must work to let a single thought of goodness ripple outward to influence more people in more places to give of themselves. Only then can we mitigate disasters in the world.

我們真的人人要醒悟，而且也應該要懺悔的時刻；而且要大懺悔，懺悔、齋戒，我們要重視環保，這是我們要循環的，才能讓我們的身心淨化。所以懺悔、齋戒、茹素，而且環保，這都是我們現在人類所需要的。
It is truly time for us to awaken to what is happening around us and repent of our ways. We must deeply repent, take up a vegetarian diet, and work to protect the environment. These are the things we must do in order to purify our body and mind. So, repenting adopting a vegetarian diet, and protecting the environment are things that we must now do.

看到了我們台南的慈小，一年級而已，她度媽媽的方法，第一要媽媽茹素，要媽媽不要再吃肉了。
See how a first grader at our elementary school in Tainan has inspired her mother to change. She first asked her mother to join her in becoming a vegetarian and stop eating meat.

郭怡靚媽媽：「她講，媽媽，我們不要吃肉吃魚了。」
“She said to me:” Mommy, let’s not eat meat anymore”.

台南慈小郭怡靚：「希望大家都能吃素，愛護地球，不要讓師公上人傷心。」
“I hope everyone can become vegetarian to protect the Earth and not break Grandmaster’s heart.”

還要帶媽媽去環保站，還要讓媽媽節儉一點，還要媽媽多看大愛台。你看，才一年級而已，就是能度著她的媽媽，這都是不要輕視年紀幼小，其實人初本善，這一念，人之初，性本善的這一念，就是佛心。
She also gets her mother to go do recycling work with her, and asks her mother to be more frugal and to watch DA Ai TV. She is just a first grader, but see how she can inspire her mother to do all this. We truly mustn’t underestimate what the young can do. Everyone is inherently good, and this inherent good and pure nature that everyone possesses within is the Buddha heart.

看看馬來西亞也是一樣，一位科技公司的朱先生，邀請慈濟人到他的公司，要去跟他的員工，募他的一分喜捨，募他一分的虔誠。
We also see that in Malaysia, the owner of a technology company invited Tzu Chi volunteers to share with his employees our relief effort in Japan, guide them to pray together with piety, and inspire them to give.

朱振榮先生：「這是一個很好的機緣，讓大家發一個善的心，警世災難，就是需要很大的一個醒悟，如果我可以把二百多人，大家聚集一堂，他們也能夠有所警悟，有所改變，我覺得是很好。」
“This is a very good opportunity for everyone to do good. When major disasters occur, we must wake up to the lessons they bring. If I can awaken the 200 plus employees of mine and inspire them to change, it would be very good.”

各位菩薩們，我們真的要很用心，可要知道，天地之間臭氧層已經破掉了。
Everyone, we truly must be very mindful. As we are aware, the ozone layer of the atmosphere has been thinning.

【呼叫妙博士】節目畫面：「臭氧層為什麼會破洞呢？它最主要的原因，就是出在一種新的東西，叫做氟氯碳化物，是一種人造的化學物質，它在以前地球上是沒有的，它本來是應用在冷媒，泡沫髮膠裡面。後來，科學家發現它裡面的氯，會破壞臭氧層。所以全世界在1987年，就制定了蒙特婁公約，就禁止再使用氟氯碳化物了。後來科學家發現，向二氧化碳、甲烷，這些溫室氣體，它會讓臭氧層的溫度降低，溫度降低，也是造成臭氧層破洞的，原因之一啊。」
“Why are there holes in the ozone layer? The primary cause is the use of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), which were not in widespread use before. Recently, it was used as refrigerant and to make foam and soaps. Scientists later found that the chlorine from CFCs can damage the ozone layer. So, In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was signed to phase out the use of CFCs. Scientists also discovered that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, can reduce the temperature in the atmosphere, which also contributes to ozone depletion.”

看到了，我們大愛臺製作了一個節目「呼叫妙博士」，我認為這個節目很好，很深奧的天文地理，或者是地球萬物的生物道理，都可以從最淺顯的，來教導我們，希望人人都要多關心。不只是關心我的事業做得好嗎？關心我今年的紅利有多少？不要只是關心在這樣的。我們要宏觀天下，天地不平安，我們住在天地之中的人類，能平安嗎？我們真的要用智慧的時刻，不只是知識。
What we see is our children’s program on Da Ai TV, “Calling Dr. Marvelous” This is very good program as it teaches abstruse scientific knowledge about the working of the world in easy-to-understand ways. I hope everyone can show more concern about the world and not just about how well their businesses are doing or how much bonus they will receive this year. We mustn’t only think of these things, but care more about the world instead. Without peace and safety in the world, how can we humans be safe and sound? It is truly time for us to use our wisdom and not just our intellectual knowledge.

天地之間已經聲聲告急了，我們能不醒悟嗎？一切的災難都是人為，這還要回歸人類好好地，在生活中節儉，大家要勤儉，不要動不動就要開冷氣，大家能素食，可以減少了甲烷。
Mother Earth has been sending warning signals to us. How can we not awaken? All these disasters are a result of human actions. So, we truly must resume a frugal life, be more diligent, and not turn on air conditioners at every turn. We should also adopt a vegetarian diet to reduce methane emissions.

總而言之，希望人人生活回歸自然，起這一分的善念，這就是最重要，就是那樣簡單，所以我們現在不做，真的是來不及。
All in all, I hope everyone can lead a simple lifestyle and give rise to thoughts of goodness. That is what’s most important. It’s that simple. And, if we don’t start taking action now, we will really run out time.

希望人人天天要戒慎虔誠，大懺悔、齋戒、素食，同時要起一分的，真正要祈禱，還要有愛心，還要有喜捨的心。這樣的希望是一股清流的氣，能彌補！
May we all live each day with prudence and sincere piety by deeply repenting and adopting a vegetarian diet while also praying with utmost sincerity and giving of ourselves joyfully with a loving heart. By doing so, we’ll be able to create a force of goodness (to mitigate disasters).

(Source: Da Ai TV 人間菩提)