Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Do Good, Cultivate Virtues, Stay Far From Evil(為善修德 遠離罪惡)
We learn Buddha’s Way to wash away much of our past ignorance and afflictions, whether they are transgressions from the past or evils committed in this lifetime. Starting from today, from this very moment, we must be inspired in the depth of our hearts to repent our transgressions and eliminate evils with utmost sincerity.
Repentance is a form of cleansing. According to the Buddha’s teachings, Dharma is like water. This pure water can wash away our transgressions and mistakes from our past, present, and future, so we should cleanse ourselves mindfully. We can wash away the past and “dare not to commit future transgressions”
Cleanse the mind with repentance by washing away past mistakes and bad karma. Constantly be vigilant and self reflect. Do not forego good deeds because they are small. Do not commit evils because they are small.
Ignorance led to our past mistakes. Since we did not know better, we committed wrongs. But, now we are learning Buddha’s Way and have already vowed to repent with utmost sincerity. Repentance purifies us. Now that we have recognized and repented our mistakes, let us carefully preserve this pure mindset. Of future transgressions, we must say, “We dare not commit them again”.
“Do not commit evils because they are small”. Do not think, “It is just a tiny evil, I’m not afraid of the consequences. Do not think that way. Small evils accumulate and become big evils. Do not think, “That is just a small good deed, would performing it bring me any merit? I want to do something more significant. What merit comes of such a tiny act?”
There is a saying, “Do not forego good deeds because they are small” So we must know to always be vigilant. Do not think a small evil is not a big deal. Do not think no merit comes from doing a small good deed. Do not think this way. If we all know that doing good is our fundamental responsibility and staying far away from evil is a rule for life, if we know the rules and uphold our fundamental responsibilities, we will live a life free of mistakes. That is the right way to live.
Doing good and cultivating virtues is a fundamental responsibility. Staying away from evil is a rule for living. If we fulfill our responsibilities and follow the rules, we will not go astray in life.
Therefore, since we have repented the past and are starting anew, we need to do well. Take good care of the mind so there is no trace of impurity and no deviation in conduct. Thus, we “dare not commit future transgressions”. We dare not do it again. From now on, every day, let us maintain this mindset and, “sincerely take refuge in all Buddhas of the Ten Directions and the entire universe”
Our minds need something to depend and to rely on. When our minds have something to rely on, our life will have a direction. Our direction comes from religion. A religion provides guiding principles and an education for life. In religion we can find teachings that guide us through our daily living.
Which religion we believe in does not matter, as long as we chose carefully. Choose one with Right Beliefs and Right Teachings. As long as they are Right, we are on the right path. lf we have not chosen to follow any religion, at the very least, our fundamental responsibilities need to adhere to our life’s principles. Humans are inherently good. Since we are in this would, everything we do should be kind and good. These are our guiding principles.
We must work hard and get stronger, be diligent. Do not slack off. If our diligence is correctly applied, we will definitely succeed. If we are lazy and refuse to be diligent, we will certainly degenerate.
Religion provides guiding principles for life as well as lifelong teachings. Religion gives us a direction for life. As long as we choose the right direction and right principles, and pursue them diligently, we will lead a successful life.
In Tzu Chi there are many inspiring stories of people who can serve as our role models in life. Take Mr. Li Zong-Ji, for example. He grew up in a poor family during a time of chaos. To make things worse, his father died young. His older brother also died young. His elder sisters were marries and his mother was getting old so he had to shoulder the responsibility of being filial to his mother and looking after his younger sister. He resolved to do this.
When he was in elementary school, his teachers admired him because he was a hardworking and diligent student. But, when it came to test for middle school, he did not have six dollars to pay the registration fee. His mother wanted to pawn her bracelet, but no one was willing to lend them money. To make things easier for his mother and to not add to her burdens, he voluntarily burned all his schoolbooks.
He felt that supporting the family was his duty so he willingly went to work as a child laborer. He was very faithful and honest. His boss saw that he was grounded and hardworking, and felt that he had potential. His boss left money around many times to test his honesty. He was indeed very honest. Whenever he found money on the floor, whether it was a dollar or fifty cents, he gave it to his boss or the accountant right away. He would say, “I found fifty cents there” or “I found a dollar there”.
After observing him for a while, his boss saw that he was very hardworking, diligent, honest, and faithful. He believed the boy would be very successful so he was determined to train the boy and advance his career. Thus Mr. Li began his career path. He went through many hardships, from being a chef to navigating a boat. He did very labor-intensive work. He rode through many storms at sea. It was very dangerous and he survived. He focused on fulfilling his responsibilities and he was very committed, diligent, and hardworking.
Later, he came to Taiwan and eventually become a successful shipping magnate. Though he became very successful, his filial piety to his mother never wavered. When he established himself, he brought his mother to Taiwan. His filial piety was truly unequalled. After his mother passed away, he built an elegant gravesite for her on Yangmingshan.
In the past to be filial, a person guarded his parent’s grave for three years. But Mr.Li went beyond that. He swept his mother’s gravesite every day. To look after his mother’s gravesite, he and his wife moved to Yangmingshan. Though his children moved to Taipei and were successful in their careers, he and his wife stayed on Yangmingshan to be close to the gravesite.
One can truly see that someone tidies up her gravesite every day. There is not one weed or a hint of dust. This is very apparent. Even his wife said, “He really fulfills this duty very thoroughly. Neither hurricanes nor rain can stop him from visiting his mother’s grave to greet her and tidy up her gravesite. This is part of his daily routine. After he tidies up her gravesite, he goes home to shower, eat breakfast, and begins to work. That is how he lives.”
So, everyone, this is what it means to fulfill fundamental responsibilities and to be diligent in life. If we can be diligent in our efforts and fulfill our fundamental responsibilities, we will undoubtedly be successful in life. These were the guiding principles in his life.
Be sincere, upright, faithful and honest. Do good, be filial, fulfill fundamental responsibilities, and be diligent. Thus, we will surely be successful in life.
When we take refuge in all Buddhas, our minds have a direction to rely on, something to depend on. Aside from Buddha, there are “Great Bodhisattvas, Pratyekabuddhas and Arhats” who are pure and have self-respect. Bodhisattvas seek to benefit themselves & others, they seek Buddha’s Way & transform sentient beings. They can abide by the Buddha’s teachings and are actively engaged with living beings to relive their suffering. Such people are Bodhisattvas.
Seeking Buddha’s Way and transforming sentient beings diligently benefitting others and thus themselves, such are Bodhosattvas.
Now for Pratyekabuddhas and Arhats. Pratyekabuddhas were born before Buddha’s time. But even so, they attained enlightenment by observing life’s changes over time. They observe the flourish and decline of everything in the world with the changing seasons and passing time. So they realized the 3 Axioms and 4 Stages of everything in the world as well as the progression of age, illness, and death and the arising, abiding, changing and extinction of our mindsets. Thus Pratykabuddhas attained enlightenment.
There was no Buddha during that time, but in truth, Dharma is everywhere and everyone inherently has Buddha-nature. For those with a keen and discerning mind, even in an era without a Buddha, it is possible to realize truths. By observing all the phenomena around them they could awaken the enlightened nature within. Such beings are called Pratykabuddhas, or Self-realizers, since they awakened to truths on their own.
Born in an era without Buddha, they observed everything in the world and the changes in human bodies and minds to attain self-enlightenment and Buddha-hood. Such people are Pratykabuddhas.
Next are Arhats. There are Arhats in eras both with and without Buddhas. They remain pure and have self- respect. But they are scared of cause and effect, so they only try to eliminate past bad karma, they do not know to create future blessings. Blessings can only be attained among the people, but Arhats stayed away from people to focus on their own enlightenment. Such people are Arhats.
They focus on their own enlightenment to attain and realize the path of Emptiness, to eliminate all sources of affliction, and to transcend the cycle of life and death. Such people are Arhats.
All Buddhas attain enlightenment of self, others and perfect enlightened practice. They are called Buddhas or Budhisattvas. They seek enlightenment and to transform others. They are our role models. As for those who remain pure & have self-respect, they are also worthy role models.
Therefore, everyone as Buddhist we cannot slack off. If we do not transform ourselves in this lifetime, when will we have the opportunity to do so again? The opportunity to hear Dharma is rare. Just staying pure, having self-respect, and focusing on self-cultivation is not enough. We must also emulate Bodhisattvas, to seek enlightenment and transform living beings. Our goal is to awaken ourselves, others, and attain perfect enlightened practices. This is the goal we diligently pursue. So, everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
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