..续本文上一页to improve the situation gradually and cultivate more good merits. Poverty in living can be overcome by simplicity. The insecure feelings of personal relationship can be overcome by working hard and being modest. The Buddha Dharma teaches us to live with less desire, to feel content with whatever you have, and to live peacefully in accordance with conditions around us.

　　There is a saying in the Sutra,

　　"Whatever treasure and wealth we accumulate,

　　they will disperse one day.

　　Whatever high status we struggle for,

　　t will be lost one day.

　　Whoever we love - families, relatives and friends,

　　they will leave us one day.

　　Whenever there is a birth,

　　there will be a death."

　　This is well known as the Four Impermanent Gathas. It can serve as a ringing statement for your homesickness. You should know that there is no family property that will never disperse, there is no family which will never separate. It is just a matter of time. If one has planted good karma in the past, it is possible to start a business from scratch when the conditions are right. Otherwise, it may be difficult for someone even to maintain the family property. Our worldly properties can be snatched and possessed by five external factors, they are: flood, fire, thieves, despots and prodigal sons. For those who are still living behind the Iron Curtain, their properties are in fact being confiscated by the Communists. Their experience could be worse than what you have suffered now.

　　With regard to families, if the conditions are not fulfilled, even if you live in your hometown, you will still experience the sufferings of separation and death of family members. On the other hand, if the conditions are right, there will always be a time for reunion. You are now thinking day and night about your parents, your wife and your children. Are you wondering how their lives are

　　 Are they healthy

　　 Are they still alive

　　 These worries bring you sleepless nights. As Buddha said,

　　"Whenever craving arises, suffering arises"

　　It is common to worry about one”s family. However, in this disastrous era, you should be independent and make an effort to plan for something more beneficial. You should not immerse yourself in great grief only. Your family would not be glad if they knew that you were so sick and depressed because of your worries. When there is a family reunion, they will be very upset and this will lead to more suffering in the future. From now on, you should think more positively, and not worry too much. Anxiety and worries can never solve your problems. You should let go of your sorrows. This does not imply heartlessness, but it is to free yourself from being deluded by the sentiment of love.

　　The main cause of your suffering is the attachment to the inpidual family. The very first concept in learning the Dharma is to learn to have a wider capacity for tolerance an d have less attachment to self. Since all sentient beings are subject to continual rebirth, on and on through beginningless and endless time, hundreds and millions of people in this land can be your parents, wives, brothers and sisters from many past lives. Why don”t you direct your love to them

　　 All the compatriots who are still trapped behind the Iron Curtain can also be your parents, wives, brothers and sisters from your many past lives, why don”t you worry and feel sad for them

　　 It is because you are living under such a narrow scope that causes so many sorrowful thoughts to arise in your mind. This is not only of no benefit to the others, it also causes harm to yourself. How silly this is! Don”t you remember a saying of Confucius,

　　"One ought to take care of one”s own aged parents first and then to extend the same care to other aged people in general;

　　One ought to take care of one”s own young children first and …

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