The True “Wealth”
Talks during Animal Liberation by over Ten Thousand Practitioners in Beijing
(June 27, 2010 AM)
Today, the main purpose for coming here is not to meet me or look at me, but to recite the scriptures. So, what is the scripture that we are going to recite
I heard that we are going to liberate tens of thousands of birds, and many fish here. Whether we are Buddhist or non-Buddhist, having a kind heart is the basic principle of our life, which we all must possess; and saving the life of living beings is an activity that stems from our kind heart. I am therefore very happy to see many Beijing lay practitioners and Dharma friends perform these virtuous activities.
In today”s society, moral and ethical values decline every day. Very few people carry out virtuous activities. Although external material conditions are improving rapidly, confusion and suffering of the mind is increasing. In this situation, we are able to reverse the trend, to do something truly beneficial for sentient beings and also for ourselves. It is my view that this activity is truly very constructive and meaningful. For this reason, we should all feel joy while carrying out this animal liberation.
Although I have more to say, due to time constraints, I will cut it short. Below, I would like to stress a few points.
Importance of Altruism
Firstly, to make our life meaningful, we must use it to benefit sentient beings. This is the essence of Mahayana Buddhism. As it says in Answers to the Questions of Disciples, “Of all the activities, the most supreme is to benefit others.” In this world, benefiting sentient beings is the supreme activity; other activities have no significant meaning. This is something that Buddha is more than happy to do, and also rejoices in others doing. As it says in the Flower Adornment Sutra, “Whoever cherishes sentient beings will please all the buddhas.” If we can make sentient beings happy, our merits increase automatically. Therefore, I hope that everyone can dedicate more time and effort to doing something meaningful for the benefit of sentient beings in their daily lives.
Care and Love for Life
Secondly, the most precious thing in this world is life. When someone is facing a life-threatening crisis, even if he has to give up all his property, status, and fame to save his life, he will be more than happy to do so. Just like how we do not want our life to be taken away, all other living beings equally value their lives. We should therefore treat them equally. In order to protect life equally for all living beings, we must try our very best to release and liberate them. The Brahmajala Sutra says, “A disciple of the Buddha should have a mind of compassion and cultivate the practice of liberating sentient beings. He must reflect thus: throughout the eons of time, all male sentient beings have been my father, all female sentient beings my mother.” Since every sentient being has been our past mother and father, we should liberate them with a compassionate heart to repay their kindness. The merit of this virtuous activity is definitely vast.
In Chinese Buddhism, Master Lian Chi, Master Han Shan, Master Yin Kuang, and other great masters all advocated animal liberation. In Tibetan Buddhism, the omniscient Longchenpa, Lama Tsongkhapa, Mipham Rinpoche, His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok, and all other great masters also put a lot of energy and efforts into animal liberations, and rescued and protected an infinite number of lives. Knowing the importance of it, if you can arrange a fixed schedule, or even occasionally organize an animal liberation event, this will be very meaningful. Even if you release one fish or one bird in a month or a year, this virtue is still incredible.
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