What Price Progress

Progress is like a race without a finish line, a road without a destination. We are all frantically rushing, but we don’t know exactly where we are heading. In the end, pursuit of progress is a meaningless mission that wastes a precious life. It is another man-made illusion built on the larger illusion of personal or group ego. It means trying to run faster than what nature has prepared us for. In the process, we often stumble, hurting ourselves, or we trample others, hurting them. Often it is a combination of the two.

Most of the harm caused by human beings to our home, planet Earth, comes camouflaged as technological progress. No one would argue that technology has given us certain conveniences and provided benefits that were not available before the advent of modern technology. However, what price are we paying for the conveniences and benefits? Do the costs justify the good things? If we look clearly at what is happening around us on the planet, the answer seems to be a definite no. Another question to ask is: Are the conveniences and benefits essential for the well-being of ourselves and others? Again, the answer seems to be a clear no.

… Most of us are familiar with the contamination of vegetation and the environment through agrochemical products. Pesticides and other chemicals used in the name of agricultural efficiency and effectiveness harm all forms of life. They reach human beings directly through environmental pollution and indirectly through animal products. Other harm caused by agrochemical products includes destruction of beneficial bacteria, contamination of drinking water, and unwitting creation of strains of pests that become more resistant to chemical pesticides.

Those and other environmental crises make a number of things apparent to us. First, our actions have brought about a state of affairs that threatens the survival of life on planet Earth. Second, the major cause of this unfortunate situation is our unrestrained push for material progress backed by an equally unrestrained technology. Third, the root cause of it all is none other than the human ego. And fourth, urgent action is needed if we are to ensure that the earth continues on its journey through many more generations to come.

Let us recognize that there really is no need for the mad technological and industrial scramble in which we are involved. There is enough food and other essentials for all beings on earth if we decide to use these resources for the well-being of all and not to satisfy greed. Also, any technological initiative must be inspired by emulating Mother Earth’s respect for nature, not designed as a target for plundering. Undoubtedly, technology and industry have contributed to the well-being of people, but the amount of resources needed to obtain that benefit is a small proportion of the present enormous waste that has rebounding negative effects on all of us and our children.

~ Bhante Y. Wimala, Lessons of the Lotus: Practical Spiritual Teachings of a Traveling Buddhist Monk

All Beings Live Together in the Western Pure Land

 

The wondrousness of the Western Pure Land is inconceivable. Amitabha’s Pure Land is a land where saints and ordinary beings live together, but it includes all Four Lands. When we go there, of course we go to the Land of Common Residence of Ordinary Beings and Saints because we carry residual karmas.

In all other Buddha-lands of the ten directions, the Four Lands are separate. Sakyamuni Buddha’s Land of Real Reward is in the Dharma Realm of the One Reality, and his Land of Expedient Liberation is in the four enlightened worlds. The lands are separate.

It is like schools in this world. Elementary schools, middle schools, and universities are separate. The Western Pure Land is unique. The students of elementary school, the students of middle school, the students of university, and post-graduate students all share the same classroom. This is unique. This is why it is called a teaching hard to believe.

When we go to the Western Pure Land, we are like elementary school students. But there are also university students, post-graduate students, and Ph. D. students in the same classroom. When we face difficulty, they will help us. An inconceivable world!

Therefore, attaining rebirth in the Land of Common Residence of Ordinary Beings and Saints, the first of the four lands, is the same as attaining rebirth in the Land of Expedient Liberation because arhats are our fellow practitioners.

It is also the same as attaining rebirth in the Land of Real Reward, the third of the four lands, because bodhisattvas are there with us.

It is also the same as attaining rebirth in the Land of Eternally Quiescent Light, the highest of the four lands, because Buddhas are also there with us.

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

Nurturing Feelings of Worth

Feelings of worth can flourish

only in an atmosphere

where individual differences are appreciated,

mistakes are tolerated,

communication is open,

and rules are flexible

—the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.

~ Virginia Satir

Repentance Practice

Question: In Chinese Buddhism the concept of repentance and repentance ceremonies seem to be very important. Are there any specifically Pure Land approaches to repentance?

Response: There is a beautifully moving repentance verse in Buddhism:

All evil actions committed by me since time immemorial,
stemming from greed, anger, and ignorance,
arising from body, speech, and mind,
I deeply repent having committed.

Personally, I find that saying this verse and prostrating along with my practice of chanting "Amituofo" to be deeply moving.

Also, talk to those you have hurt. After saying the verse, tell them how deeply you regret the harm you have done. Ask all those you harmed to please not obstruct you on your path to rebirth in the Pure Land, and Buddhahood. Explain that seeking revenge for past harm will only bring future retaliation, which is of no benefit to them. Ask them to please allow you to practice so you can dedicate the merits to them and to all those who suffer. And assure them that upon attaining that rebirth you will come back to help them also end suffering and attain happiness.

Conserving Our Good Fortune

When we create goodness, we amass good fortune. What does good fortune look like? It can manifest as a safe living environment, satisfactory resources, or a good education. It can be a loving family and caring friends. If we live prudently and do not foolishly drain our good fortune, we will conserve it for when we need it most—at the end of our lives.

 

How might we reduce our good fortune? By taking more than we need and by not using all that we have taken.

Why do we need to conserve it for the end of our lives? Our last moments lead to our next lifetime. To die without pain or suffering, to be clear minded and aware of what is happening is very rare. To be with loved ones and friends who encourage and support us, and to die in an environment where our final wishes are honored is also very rare. To die peacefully enables us to have the thoughts that will lead to a good rebirth.

Whether our wish is to go to heaven or the Pure Land, a peaceful death in which our mind is clear and at ease is essential. And to have all the right conditions to bring this about, we need that good fortune.

Not knowing how much we have or when we will die, conserving our good fortune and not squandering it is our best hope for having it when we really need it.