..续本文上一页h it. If we can”t do that, maybe we won”t be so lucky the next time. In which way are we lucky
In three ways: First of all to have a human life is very fortunate, but just to have a human life is not enough in itself, because a lot of people can be born as humans and nothing particularly good happens. Not only is it fortunate to be born as humans to fulfil its potential, but also Buddhas have to have appeared within the aeon of our lives. Furthermore, a Buddha needs to have taught the Dharma, which also must be available. Without the teachings, it would be impossible to lead a meaningful life. A third quality that is needed is having faith and confidence in the teachings. Being born as a human being and not as a dog or other animal, the teachings being available, of what use is that if one has no confidence in them
Many people in the world are not in the least interested in the teachings, are disinterested in progressing along a spiritual path, and many are actually hostile towards the instructions that could show them the way; they are not even inspired to become involved with a spiritual practice and sail along with life, which is not making use of the precious human birth. So, a Buddha needs to have appeared, the teachings need to be available, and one needs to feel inspired as a human to take advantage of the precious teachings. Those are the three necessary prerequisites to advance towards Buddhahood. And these three conditions must come together. It is very, very rare for them to come together. One condition isn”t enough, two aren”t enough - all three have to prevail. Only when all three conditions are present, only then is it possible to accomplish both one”s own benefit as well as that of others. This is very, very rare. Now is the time. Thinking, "Well, maybe it will happen again in the future" is not good, because it need not necessarily be the case. It is very, very rare. So now is the time to take full advantage of those three conditions. Based upon having this body, this situation now, make the most of it – that”s very important.
One must exert oneself knowingly, apply oneself with diligence. Being diligent slowly doesn”t work. You have to really do your best, because now is the time, now is the chance - today you are not sick, today you have the capabilities, today you are nourished. You never know what will happen tomorrow or next year, because nothing is ever definite or certain. So, please apply yourself now, while you have the three precious supports.
That”s why it is so important to have conscientiousness, carefulness, and to pay attention, not relaxing, not getting slack about it. If you don”t practice Dharma, if you don”t develop spiritually, then at the time of death, if you think you are going to again get the chance and haven”t practiced, then you won”t get the chance again to take the human form. Then if you don”t take a human form, are born as a cat, or dog, or animal, you won”t know how to give rise to Bodhicitta, you won”t be able to practice virtue, you won”t be able to practice meditation, you won”t be able to recite mantras and prayers, you won”t be able to develop Bodhicitta. What will we be able to do
What will we be able to know as a cat or dog
You”ll know how to steal, you”ll know how to kill, you”ll know what aggression is, you”ll know what pride is, what jealousy is, all those things – that”s what you”ll be doing, that”s what you”ll be in to. So it is better to do good now, to practice Dharma, to uphold the Bodhisattva vow and stay conscientious and attentive. That”s the second point of the verse, being conscientious with regard to one”s precious human birth. So those first two parts, especially the first part that is on what to practice and accomplish, is described in greater detail in…
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