..續本文上一頁ill suffer when you do not have them. Give up everything, even peace.
Q: Did I hear you say that you”re afraid of very diligent disciples
A: Yes, that”s right. I”m afraid that they”re too serious. They try too hard, without wisdom, pushing themselves. into unnecessary suffering. Some of you have determined to become enlightened. You grit your teeth and struggle all the time. You”re just trying too hard. You should just see that people are all the same-they don”t know the nature of things. All formations, mind and body, are impermanent. Simply watch and don”t cling.
Q: I have been meditating for many years. My mind is open and peaceful in almost all circumstances. Now I would like to try to backtrack and practice high states of concentration or mind absorption.
A: Such practices are beneficial mental exercise. If you have wisdom, you will not get hung up on concentrated states of mind. In the same way, wanting to sit for long periods is fine for training, but practice is really separate from any posture. Directly looking at the mind is wisdom. When you have examined and understood the mind, you have the wisdom to know the limitations of concentration or books. If you have practiced and have understood not clinging, you can then return to the books as to a sweet dessert, and they can also help you to teach others. Or you can return to practicing absorption-concentration with the wisdom to know not to hold on to anything.
Q: Please say more about how to share the Dharma with others.
A: To act in ways that are kind and wholesome is the most basic way to further the teaching of Buddha. To do what is good, to help other people, to work with charity and morality, brings good results, brings a cool and happy mind for yourself and others.
To teach other people is a beautiful and important responsibility that one should accept with a full heart. The way to do it properly is to understand that in teaching others you must always be teaching yourself. You have to take care of your own practice and your own purity. It”s not enough to simply tell others what”s correct. You must work with what you teach in your own heart, being unwaveringly honest with yourself and with others. Acknowledge what is pure and what is not. The essence of the Buddha”s teaching is to learn to see things truthfully, fully and clearly. Seeing the truth in itself brings freedom.
Q: Would you review some of the main points of our discussion
A: You must examine yourself. Know who you are. Know your body and mind by simply watching. In sitting, in sleeping, in eating, know your limits. Use wisdom. The practice is not to try to achieve anything. Just be mindful of what is. Our whole meditation is to look directly at the heart / mind. You will see suffering; its cause, and its end. But you must have much patience and endurance. Gradually you will learn. The Buddha taught his disciples to stay with their teacher for at least five years.
Don”t practice too strictly. Don”t get caught up with outward form. Simply be natural and watch that. Our monk”s discipline and monastic rules are very important. They create a simple and harmonious environment. Use them well. But remember, the essence of the monk”s discipline is watching intention, examining the heart. You must have wisdom.
Watching others is bad practice. Don”t discriminate. Would you get upset at a small tree in the forest for not being tall and straight like some of the others
Don”t judge other people. There are all varieties-no need to carry the burden of wishing to change them all.
You must learn the value of giving and of devotion. Be patient; practice morality; live simply and naturally; watch the mind. This practice will lead you to unselfishness and peace.
PART 7
Realization
It is a wonderful disc…
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