Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: A Penetrating Superior Mind of Impartial Love (深心 勝心 平等愛心)
Today we use the Advantageous Superior Mind to repent the Tree Obstructions. What kind of mindset must we apply if we wish to eliminate the Tree Obstructions?
Over these last few days, we’ve continually discussed how to tame our minds.
Afflictions in the mind are like dust in the air. Dharma-water can moisten and settle the dust. As long as we accept Dharma we can moisten the land of the mind so it “will be completely purified.”
So we must all resolve that starting today, we will use our” Advantageous Superior Mind” to earnestly repent. “Advantageous” refers to Advantageous Conditions. Right now we have the affinity to gather here, to practice together. Together, we pay respect to Buddha and listen to the repentance text. From this, we understand which method to use to address each affliction. This is a truly exceptional opportunity. So after we listen we should make an exceptional resolve. Since we know how great Buddha- dharma is we must vow to walk the Superior Path.
Now that we have attained this rare and precious human form and heard this rare and precious Buddha- dharma, we must seize this exceptional opportunity and use an impartial, superior and penetrating mind to diligently travel the path of Buddha- dharma. This is the mind on the Superior Path.
What is a mind on the Superior Path？ First, we must have a “Mind of Equality” We do not treat sentient beings as equals. We always think we are wiser, smarter, have a higher social status or have better living conditions. Or we envy others high status and luxuries so we seek to obtain them. This is called discriminating mind.
Whether we are discontent and try to pursue those above us or we are arrogant toward the less fortunate, these are both afflictions. We have already heard so much about taming our afflictions. Fist, we must have a Mind of Equality.
Those above us are not that far above. If they can do it , we can learn from their strengths and their successes. We often say, “In a group of three, my teacher is always there. I will follow what is good and avoid what is bad.”
If others set a good example, let us follow suit. If they have faults, let us correct our same failings. Let us not disparage ourselves and think that others are always better. Whether we are better or worse depends on us. Have we worked hard to master good practices? Have we been diligent?
If we work hard and are diligent, we can achieve what others have achieved. But this is not called arrogance, this is humility. When we see others practice diligently, we must also be diligent. As for those learning more slowly, we cannot look down on them. As long as they keep at it, they can overtake us if we pause for a moment. We should respect those who know less. Even though they started after us, one day they will know as much as we do. They can also be very diligent. This is called a Mind of Equality.
In our relationships we should treat each other as equals. Moreover, in dealing with animals, we should respect all forms of life. All living beings are equal. As long as they are alive, they desire to live, and fear dying. Just as we do. Therefore, we must cherish and love them. This completely impartial love is called the Mind of Equality.
Treat all sentient beings with an impartial and loving mind. This is called the Mind of Equality.
“Superior Mind” means we can never be lax. We should know that “if we can maintain our initial intention, that is enough to attain Buddha-hood.” Let us seize these exceptional circumstances.
Once we make a resolve, we cannot be lax. Seize exceptional circumstances to work hard and be diligent. This is the Superior Mind.
Next is a “penetrating mind.” Last time, we spoke of how afflictions unceasingly encroach on and deeply penetrate our minds once they arise. These are afflictions. To eradicate them, we must immerse ourselves in Dharma, allow it to sink into our minds.
As I said earlier, when the mind lacks the moisture of Dharma-water, afflictions are like dust filling the air. Now that we have accepted Dharma we should constantly use Dharma- water to moisten the land of our minds. So we must delve deeply into the practice of Dharma. This is a penetration mind.
We are already moistened by the Dharma. We must put in more effort to penetrate more deeply into Dharma. In our daily living, everything is wondrous Dharma. Everything is profound Dharma as long as we are mindful.
Penetrate deeply into the Dharma and use Dharma-water to moisten the field in the mind, to wash away dusts and defilements. Such is a penetrating mind.
I often say that Tzu Chi is a training ground. Our Four Main Missions and Eight Footprints all provide training grounds for us to learn and practice. Inevitably, we ordinary people have bad habits. Because of these, we are called ordinary people. We come here to change our habits so we can turn away from the ordinary to cultivate the sagely. If we do not transform our ordinary minds, how can we cultivate the way of sages?
First, we must change our habits so we can strengthen our practice of the Noble Path. One day, one of our Faith Corps members, Mr. Chang shared his experienced I was truly moved by his story. He expressed his gratitude to Tzu Chi for being a mirror that revealed his flaws. He used to be very chauvinistic. Every day he went to business functions and returned home drunk. Since he behaved badly after deinking, he would yell at his wife or beat his children. So his wife and children were scared every time he returned. Sometimes he came home very late. When his children heard the door open, they would quickly go to bed. Deep down he knew that when he came home, they would all scatter and run. When he called them, they seemed to be asleep. Sometimes he was annoyed because he had no way to vent his anger.
In the morning, he felt very lonely “Why do I behave so badly that my wife and children are scared of me? No one wants to be near me. What am I working so hard for? I should change.”
But outside of his home changing seemed very difficult. So he continued to live the same way. Then he came to a Parent-Child Camp. At the camp he heard Professor Tseng tell parents that schools are not solely responsible for their children’s education. The family plays a very important role. Parents are children’s role models. If you wish for your child to act a certain way, you have to set an example. Children will model themselves after their fathers and mothers.
These words had a deep impact on him. “Indeed! I examined myself and thought, will my children turn out like me? I must change.” He stared in that moment. There was also an activity where parents and children embraced each other. When children are young, their parents hold them this way. When children are older, there is a sense of distance. The purpose of the Parent-Children camp was to bring them closer together again so there is no sense of distance.
As he embraced his son, his son whispered to him, “Dad, I am sorry.” He also said, “Son, I am sorry.” From then on, he and his sons got along very well. This was due to his change.
He gradually become involved in Tzu Chi, and even volunteered to train for the Faith Corps. In two years he went from a novice to a trainee. He spent a lot of time with senior members of the Faith Corps. He participated in 9/21 Earthquake relief efforts, from building temporary homes to fundraising and volunteering. He has done everything.
Once time, he suffered a heart attack and had to undergo surgery. Fortunately, he recovered. During that time, his wife, children, members of the Faith Corps, and other Tzu Chi volunteers took very good care of him. Then he came to volunteer.
One day, he was at our hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Around noontime, he saw a middle-aged man. Who strutted into the ICU. He handed the man a protective gown and asked, “I didn’t see your morning, right?” The man replied, “I’m only here to see if my father is dead yet.” The words shocked him so he said, “How can you say that?” The man replied, “You don’t understand, I’m the victim here. Since my father was young and I was small, he has been beating me. He beat me until I grew up. So whenever someone mentions my father, I become very hateful.” Then this man shared some stories about his problems with his father.
These stories really scared Mr. Chang. He kept thinking to himself, “Fortunately I have joined Tzu Chi and have changed. Otherwise, I would be resented and hated like his father Thank goodness I’ve already joined Tzu Chi I have spent time practicing here. Here is a mirror that always reflects me. At Tzu Chi, I do not dare to do anything bad. I am afraid that as soon as I so something bad, this mirror will reflect it. So, I am always on my guard. There are so many Tzu Chi volunteers. I run into them wherever I go. So I always have to watch behavior.”
Over these few years, he has become a very diligent member of Faith Corps. He repented with the Advantageous Superior Mind. If it were not for these Advantageous Conditions, he would not have this training ground to repent.
We can often witness people like this, who remind us to be vigilant. Therefore, we must take this opportunity, this Advantageous Superior Mind and these Advantageous Conditions, to cultivate our minds. Since we are practicing, we should aim for a Superior Mind, an exceptional mindset. We must not keep the negative traits of ordinary people. We should apply an exceptional mindset to be diligent on this path of Buddha-dharma. Remember to have a Mind of Equality toward all people.
Treat all and all living beings with love. Thus we perceive the equality of sentient beings. Practice with a Superior Mind, not with those negative traits. People often say, “I do not know why, but I can’t change. My habits are deeply ingrained.” Actually, if we know that, we should correct them quickly. Everyone has the potential to become a Buddha.
Our pure, intrinsic nature is a nature equal to that of the Buddha. So do not look down on yourselves. Have a Superior Mind. With an exceptional mind, be diligent and penetrate the Dharma. Do not listen to something today and then promptly forget it. If we practice with an Advantageous Superior Mind arid thoroughly repent, the Three Obstructions, afflictions, karma, and retribution, will naturally and gradually be eliminated.
In conclusion, there is no other way to learn Buddhism. The best method is to always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV 靜思晨語 法譬如水)
首頁 
