..續本文上一頁r not. If not, you only understand them verbally and miss their profound meaning.

　　Actually, our life shows the four edges of impermanence at all time. Many people work hard in their whole life to accumulate wealth, but exhaust them at once. Many skyscrapers are very magnificent, but they fall down quickly. Like the World Trade Center Twin Towers in the US, WTC 1 fell down just within 10 seconds, and WTC 2 within 8 seconds after the attack by the terrorists. Even the 110-story skyscraper cannot escape from impermanence, not to mention others. Some got used to staying in high positions and became extremely arrogant. In just a few years, they lost all reputations. As long as there is birth, and there is death. People may die at young age, middle age, or old age, or may even suddenly die of diseases. For all of us, death date is uncertain, but death itself is for sure. Even though many people wish to live forever, Qin Shi Huang is a good example in particular, however, he died at the age of 49.

　　Since everything cannot escape from impermanence, it is meaningless to strongly cling to anything we temporarily possess. If we understand impermanence deeply, our life and dharma practice will get much better. Otherwise, if we are completely unaware of impermanence, all of our diligent efforts will become the cause of rebirth in higher realms.

　　Compared to ten years ago, today”s Hong Kong has made fast advance in materials, especially in architectures. However, dharma practices do not seem to make much progress. Ten years ago, many people were fascinated by empowerments and worship Buddha just for their wealth and high status, as well as good health and peaceful life. After ten years, it seems nothing has changed. Actually, the fundamental motivation of Buddhism is not for worldly well-being, otherwise Buddhism is not distinguishable from other religions and mundane theories. So what should be the fundamental motivation for us to practice dharma

　　 As we see the true character of samsara, i. e., all sentient beings in the three realms undergo sufferings and almost no happiness, we wish to root out sufferings of others and ourselves through dharma practice.

　　The way of rooting out sufferings only exists in Buddhism. Why

　　 It is because only the Buddha possesses ten powers, four kinds of fearlessness and eighteen distinctive characteristics. Just like Einstein who discovered theory of relativity and Nobel who invented explosives, both of whom had uncommon wisdom, our Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha recognized ignorance as the root cause of samsara with his distinguished supreme merits. Only by cutting off ignorance can one attain ultimate happiness. Thus, if we want to help all sentient beings be happy and apart from suffering, we have to rely on Adhyatuma, i.e., the inner studies of Buddhism.

　　Therefore, I wish all of you Buddhists, especially the young people, to study dharma and pray to Buddha not just for the accumulations of merits of health, wealth, family harmony and social status. As our life is just a few of decades, even if you attain all of these with Buddha”s blessings, they are all temporary happiness and are not worthy of the whole life”s efforts. Being a Buddhist, one shall practice dharma for this and future life, for the benefits of oneself and others. Otherwise, the fundamental motivation is going in the wrong direction.

　　The Sutra of Condensed Dharma says, “All compounded phenomena are impermanent, like water bubbles never lasting; therefore, one should perform virtuous deeds and benefit this life and future life.” I like this teaching very much. Regardless material world or living beings, none of compounded phenomena can last forever, and will fall apart as quickly as the water bubble. Either the strongly attached love o…

《A brief Talk on Impermanence in Buddhism》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…