The Mind Like a Soiled Sponge or Like a Clear Mirror?

When we empathize with another, we feel what they feel. We understand their situation and can relate to their problems. We remember situations where we encountered difficulties similar to what the other is experiencing. Empathizing with them, their suffering becomes ours.

Isn't this a good thing? The way a caring person reacts to the suffering of another?

If we don't handle the suffering correctly, no.

When the Buddha encountered Angulimala, a serial killer, the Buddha understood and knew the terrible suffering that Angulimala was undergoing. The Buddha also understood and knew the suffering of all the past victims and of their loved ones. If the Buddha had taken in all that suffering—like a sponge—it would have tainted his calm, clear mind.

Instead, the Buddha saw everything perfectly—like a mirror. Seeing everything perfectly, his mind retained its clarity. And in an instant, he knew the right words to say to enable Angulimala to wake up from his nightmare and to turn away from killing.

As ordinary beings, when we act from empathy, our mind acts like a sponge, absorbing all the pain, anger, and fear that is overwhelming the other person. We are like a compassionate person who jumps into a raging river to save a drowning man.

Too late we realize that, never having learned how to swim, now we too are drowning.

The alternative?

View the suffering of the other as if in a mirror. See everything clearly. Then react calmly. And if there is a way, we will be much better able to discern it and help the other person.

So we have a choice as to how to react to the suffering around us.

We can absorb it and like a sponge become increasingly soiled with time.

Or we can see it clearly and remain pure while we truly help others.

Ethel and Her Egg

In receiving and giving possessions,

we should be clear in what we are doing.

It is better to give more and receive less.

Everyone knows how lady dragons are about their eggs. Dedicated. Protective. Fierce when necessary.

That spring there was no need for ferocity as fire grass was plentiful. Daily, the husbands brought bundles of grass for their wives so they could all share, as was the custom.

All, that is, except Ethel.

Ethel had forgotten that to have food in the future, she needed to share what she had now. So, as her husband brought grass, she hid it. And when the ladies shared their grass with her, she didn’t write it down in her ledger so she’d be sure to repay them. Ethel just put the grass in the pantry and never bothered with updating her ledger.

But that was just one way that Ethel was different. When it came to protecting her egg, Ethel made the other lady dragons pale by comparison. She would hold on to her egg and never leave it. At night, she’d carry it into the cave and lock the door. In the morning, she’d carry it outside. Then she’d crouch in the doorway, furrow her brow, and glower through narrowed eyes.

The other dragons became increasingly concerned about her. One said he’d go tell Ethel’s mother what was going on. When she was told, Ethel’s mom was horrified. And very worried. She came running to Ethel’s cave where she saw her daughter crouching. Ethel’s mother took one look at her glowering daughter and burst into tears.

Since she had three heads, when Ethel’s mom burst into tears, it was really something. As one head wailed, another tearfully looked in their handbag for a handkerchief. The third looked on in fright. Ethel demanded, “Mother, what are you doing? All this noise will disturb the egg! And what are you doing here?”  

 Ethel’s mother’s third head knew what she had to do. “Dear, your friends are very worried about you and your ledger. Your father and I raised you to be unselfish and like all good dragons to always update your ledger. Also, to always be more generous to others than they are to you. This is the only way we can hold our heads high.“

 “But I also came to see about the little one. You’re being far too protective of your egg. Caring for it is one thing. When your baby hatches, he’ll take one look at your expression and be too scared to leave his egg! Then I’ll never get to see my grandson!” And with that her mother’s third head burst into tears.

Well, that got Ethel’s attention. Her baby afraid of her and refusing to leave the egg? Her not being generous as she had been taught? All three of her mother’s heads crying at once?

“Mother, I’m sorry. I’ll stop glowering. See? No more glower.” And indeed Ethel was beginning to smile.

“Mother, I owe you big time. Now, let’s find my ledger.”  

It is always good to give more than we receive.

At Peace With Ourselves

Only when we are at peace

with ourselves,

will we be able to live

peacefully

with others.

The Meaning of Amitabha Buddha

The cultivation method that we practice is mindfully reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha. What is the meaning of Amitabha Buddha? Amitabha means infinite, and Buddha means wisdom and awakening. Therefore, Amitabha Buddha means infinite wisdom and infinite awakening. This is a good thought. Infinite wisdom and awakening is Buddha-nature. In the case of phenomena, it is Dharma-nature.

When we chant Amitabha Buddha, we are chanting Dharma-nature. Wisdom and awakening reside in everything in the universe. Wisdom and awakening are innate in everything in the universe. Wisdom and awakening pervades the whole universe. This Dharma door of mindfully reciting the Buddha-name is absolutely perfect. This is the state described in the Avatamsaka Sutra.

“Mindfully chanting ‘Amituofo’ encompasses the Threefold Learning, the three kinds of wisdom, and all other methods.” This method is absolutely perfect.

~ Based on Ven. Master Chin Kung's 2003 lecture series on the Amitabha Sutra

 

Pure and Unfettered

As we know, all beings in this world have cravings, which in turn generate illimitable and immeasurable vexations. Most of our cravings are for physical gratification and can only be restrained if we remain contented. There is an old saying: "Contentment leads to ceaseless joy." This may sound simple, but is by no means easy to carry out. Yet, it is undeniable that whenever you feel contented, your mind will be free of vexations and attachments and will stay pure and unfettered.

~ Analects of Master Kuang-ch'in