..續本文上一頁 Becoming a Monk: “The events of a hundred years are nothing but a midnight dream; in all its vastness, the universe is merely a game of chess.” As one can see, all glory and fortune are impermanent. But if one does not understand this, once impermanence arrives, one would not have the courage to stand up to it. A while ago, someone sadly said to me: “My husband”s factory closed down, he is now bankrupt. When there was money, everyone desperately fawned upon us. Yet now they stay far away from us. We have no more hope…” She looked particularly pitiful. In reality, life is like this, happiness and suffering are always coming and going. If you do not have any beliefs, and have no preparation for this, perhaps you feel that pain and suffering arrive suddenly, and when you encounter them you blame the whole world.
If you learned some Buddhist ideas from a young age, at least you would know: this phenomenon is not because one is very unlucky in this life, but is related to one”s karma from previous births. Once there is this kind of recognition, one can let go of many things, and no matter what happens it would be easier to accept.
Just think, when the financial crisis occurred last year, how many corporations went bust in the US
And how many medium and small enterprises closed down in China
If one has no knowledge of life as a dream, and no correct understanding of status and wealth, then one definitely would not be able to accept this situation. Therefore no matter who it is, one needs to completely reevaluation one”s life.
In today”s society, although it is difficult to survive without any money, but if one is overly attached to it, it destroys one”s conscience, ethics, and compassion. Many people today have almost become the machines in The Matrix. They are busy from dawn to dusk, but always chasing an illusion, never knowing what they are busily chasing for. Some have apparently affluent lives, yet still aimlessly expand their career, never able to fill the huge holes of greed. In this way, no matter how much wealth you have, suffering and confusion would continue to hound you.
That is why young people should learn some Buddhist ideas. In Hong Kong, religions are very open, so there are many opportunities to listen to the Dharma. But many have never truly pondered, or practiced. Without deepening a particular skillful practice, when obstacles arise, one cannot apply any Buddhist knowledge. It is like having studied for years at school but not being able to use any of it when one starts to work. Therefore, it is not very meaningful if Dharma is only relegated to the textual and merely listened to.
Of course, whether you are a teacher or a student, it is not possible for you to place all your energy on Dharma. But no matter what, at least one needs to understand that life is a dream. On this point, starting today, clearly ponder it, and see if you can refute this view. If you cannot, then what do you hold on to, and what do you let go of in life hereafter
Today”s young people place all their time on studying Western science and technology. Although this gives no cause for criticism, but in terms of the spiritual realm, we in the East have extraordinary religions and teachings. It would be such a loss if one has no knowledge of these.
And if one wishes to receive benefits in the spiritual realm, one must look into the past, over 2,500 years ago, into all the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. What was actually said
Do these teachings suit people today
If they suit, they would only be of benefit and of no harm, then why do we not accept them
Of course, we should also thus treat teachings in other religions that are helpful in overcoming sufferings. Only in this way can the human race truly progress. Otherwise, continued seek…
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