..續本文上一頁nd tranquility. We can contemplate things clearly and develop wisdom. So we take this quiet and tranquility as our friend and helper. Such an environment is conducive to Dharma practice, so we take it as our dwelling place; we take the mountains and caves for our refuge. Observing natural phenomena, wisdom comes about in such places. We learn from and understand trees and everything else, and it brings about a state of joy. The sounds of nature we hear don”t disturb us. We hear the birds calling, as they will, and it is actually a great enjoyment. We don”t react with any aversion, and we aren”t thinking harmful thoughts. We aren”t speaking harshly or acting aggressively towards anyone or anything. Hearing the sounds of the forest gives delight to the mind; even as we are hearing sounds, the mind is tranquil.

　　The sounds of people, on the other hand, are not peaceful. Even when people speak nicely, it doesn”t bring any deep tranquility to the mind. The sounds that people like, such as music, are not peaceful. They cause excitement and enjoyment, but there is no peace in them. When people are together and seeking pleasure in this way, it will usually lead to mindless and aggressive, contentious speech, and the condition of disturbance keeps increasing.

　　The sounds of humans are like this. They do not bring real comfort or happiness, unless words of Dharma are being spoken. Generally, when people live together in society, they are speaking out of their own interests, upsetting each other, taking offense and accusing each other, and the only result is confusion and upset. Without Dharma, people naturally tend to be like that. The sounds of humans lead us into delusion. The sounds of music and the words of songs agitate and confuse the mind. Take a look at this. Consider the pleasurable sensations that come from listening to music. People feel it”s really something great, that it”s so much fun. They can stand out in the hot sun when they”re listening to a music and dance show. They can stand there until they”re baked to a crisp, but still they feel they”re having fun. But then if someone speaks harshly, criticizing or cursing them, they are unhappy again. This is how it is with the ordinary sounds of humans. But if the sounds of humans become the sounds of Dharma, if the mind is Dharma and we are speaking Dharma, that is something worth listening to, something to think about, to study and contemplate.

　　That kind of sound is good, not in any excessive, unbalanced way, but in a way that brings happiness and tranquility. The ordinary sounds of humans generally only bring confusion, upset, and torment. They lead to the arising of lust, anger, and confusion, and they incite people to be covetous and greedy, to want to harm and destroy others. But the sounds of the forest aren”t like that. If we hear the cry of a bird, it doesn”t cause us to have lust or anger.

　　We should be using our time to create benefit right now, in the present. This was the Buddha”s intention: benefit in this life, benefit in future lives. In this life, from childhood we need to apply ourselves to study, to learn at least enough to be able to earn a living, so that we can support ourselves and eventually establish a family and not live in poverty. But we generally don”t have such a responsible attitude. We only want to seek enjoyment instead. Wherever there”s a festival, a play, or a concert, we”re on our way there, even when it”s getting near harvest time. The old folks will drag the grandchildren along to hear the famous singer.

　　“Where are you off to, Grandmother

　　”

　　“I”m taking the kids to hear the concert!”

　　I don”t know if Grandma is taking the kids, or the kids are taking her. It doesn”t matter how long or difficult a trip it might be. And they go again and again…

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