a buddhist perspective

If someone slanders us and we try to find a way to refute the slander, we will be asking for trouble. If we think of refuting the slander, we are not according with the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddha did not teach us to refute slander. He taught us to ignore it. Let others do their slandering. We will behave as we usually do.

This is just like someone throwing a punch. If there is no resistance, the fist will fall on emptiness. If someone slanders us and we refute the slander, the situation will develop into a quarrel and then a fight. By remaining silent when being scolded and not striking back when being attacked, we concentrate our minds on cultivation and diligently practice the Buddha’s teachings.

Obviously this is very hard to do. Generally, we cannot tolerate being slandered. But our goal should be to endure what others cannot endure and practice what others cannot practice. In this way, we will progress on our Bodhi path to awakening.

When we reach critical moments in our cultivation, the obstacles we encounter will be grave. We should treat these obstacles as tests: I have progressed this far in my cultivation and need to take this test. With this thinking, we will realize that it is not a bad thing to encounter obstacles.

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

Along the path of cultivation, there are many obstacles. As in a race, we all start at the same starting line, but some progress ahead of others, some lag behind, and some are eliminated. Why? Because there are many obstacles. The obstacles may be people or situations. They may be our family and friends or those we have hurt in the past and owe karmic debts to.

Who can overcome all these obstacles and progress in their practice? Those who single-mindedly concentrate on cultivation. In our practice, we recite the Buddha’s name or our selected sutra every day. We also study the teachings every day. If we are very busy with work and family responsibilities, we can at least chant and study for a few minutes. The main thing is to practice and study every day.

As Master Chin Kung says, whenever there is an obstacle, ignore it. Carefully review and observe to make sure that one’s mind and behavior accord with the teachings of the Buddha. Do not spend time and energy on trying to find a way to deal with the obstacle, or else the obstacle will become even greater.

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

In the sutras, the Buddha often taught us that the giving of wealth will bring wealth. Where do wealthy people get their money? They practiced the giving of wealth in previous lifetimes. Therefore, in this life, no matter what they do, money keeps coming to them.

One should not be stingy. Do not be afraid of being defrauded. Do not think that there are a lot of bad people in this world, who always try to take advantage of you. If they defraud you, they will have to pay you back in the future.

The law of cause and effect, what we often refer to as karma, spans many lifetimes. When someone takes advantage of you financially, you are leaving the money taken for future lifetimes when it will be paid back. Do not dwell on this matter. Do not hesitate to do good deeds because of these obstacles. Just as we appreciate material things coming to us now, we will likewise appreciate them in the future, whether that future is close or distant.

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

To achieve in our practice, we need to let go of worldly concerns. Letting go does not mean that we do not care and would not help. We care, extend our help and let go simultaneously. This is wisdom. Those who care but cannot let go are still ruled by emotions.

How do Buddhas and bodhisattvas manage to care, help, and let go? They have true wisdom. They have turned all their emotions into wisdom, which is the ultimate perfect wisdom. They have wondrous and amazing flexibility and skills. Although they help all beings out of great compassion, there is no slightest attachment in their minds. This is the wonderful working of innate virtues.

The Buddha often said that this wisdom was not exclusive to him. It is innate in every being. Why do Buddhas and bodhisattvas appear to have it but we do not? Because they are awakened and we are deluded.

When one is awakened, there is no obstruction between principle and phenomena, and there is no obstacle between individual phenomena.

When one is deluded, there are obstructions everywhere.

Our problem is that we are deluded, and our delusion obscures our true nature. We need to awaken, to end delusion and attain enlightenment.

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

Expect and embrace obstacles! For without them, we can not make progress in our practice. Only when we comprehend the true nature of adversity and are free of vexations will our wisdom unfold. For example: when provoked by someone our minds nevertheless remain tranquil, calm, and free of vexations.

That is the essence of practice.

~ Analects of Master Kuang-Ch'in