PureInsight | March 23, 2008
[PureInsight.org]
1. Given the same set of circumstances, different people may have different feelings and ways of reacting to it.
For instance, facing poverty, some will complain, some will commit
robbery, some will try to make changes through their efforts and some
will stay calm and confident.
Similarly, having wealth, some will enjoy it and spend lavishly, some
will save it for later generations, some want to get more wealth with
it, and some will treat it lightly.
Sometimes I feel that life is like a test. We receive the questions and then everything depends on how we answer them.
2. Life is like a maze and we don't know where we come from or where we will go.
What we know is that our actions will affect others, bringing them
happiness or suffering. Our actions will affect our future as well,
either positively or negatively. "One harvests gourds when one planted
gourds and harvests beans when one planted beans." Of course, the
effect something brings about won't show momentarily and it may
manifest years later or even in the next life.
The ancients say: "Don't do to others what you do not want done to
yourself." If one could keep this in mind, he would be more considerate
of others from the heart, which would benefit both him and others. This
is to say that good will be met with a good reward.
3. How great it would be if there were some way to get rid of suffering and misfortune.
In ancient times, Buddha Sakyamuni was born as a prince with enormous
amount of wealth and fame, however, what he saw around him were aging,
poverty, sickness and death. So, he thought about getting rid of the
suffering in the cycle of reincarnation.
Similarly, on our paths of life, we are busy rushing about for our
parents as young kids, for studying to establish a career, for our
marriage as grown-ups, for our children after having a family, for
making a living and for personal emotions. There is some happiness and
joy in life, yet more bitterness, hopelessness and inerasable regret.
Having undergone one tribulation after another, perhaps our hearts have become somewhat numb and we do not expect much anymore.
Yet, maybe, one day, we will suddenly realize that life can be truly beautiful and reach eternity. That is called cultivation.
4. What our lives have been waiting for may possibly be this one awakening from a dream.
The thing that can bring our life true magnificence may possibly be right beside us.
I remember a song's lyrics that went like this:
"So vast loomed this world, I knew not who I was.
Oh, how many life times? The number was a blur.
Lost, no help in sight, only distress and pain,
How weary, how weary was this longing heart.
In the dark of night, I shed tears for all that has happened.
Until one day I finally came upon the truth,
Until the way I had sought for pierced the ear like thunder,
Only then did I find myself and know to hasten my steps on the divine path.
Translated from:
http://xinsheng.net/xs/articles/gb/2008/3/6/42718.htm
