..续本文上一页d by the Japanese as their “Cultural Father” and the “Ancestor of the Vinaya.”
The above worldly and non-worldly examples are sufficient to prove that sometimes in our life something as small as even a word, a thought, or a trivial matter can change our faith, our beliefs, and even the fate of our whole life. I strongly believe that if you think deeply about the importance of spiritual development, even though this may seem to be just a thought or trivial matter, the result could be incredible.
II The Unhealthy State of People“s Bodies and Minds Today
In this era, science and technology have been very well developed and the material conditions of much of the world are also in a good state. Yet it is common to see that people are not satisfied, still considering that current innovation is inadequate and economic development is not fast enough, and many more other unsatisfying thoughts. However, compared with the living standards of the 19th and 20th centuries, it is obvious that our present situation has improved significantly. Yet, strangely, even while material development has improved significantly, people”s hearts have grown pale and barren. This paradox suggests that the underlying assumption that material wellbeing alone can bring about happiness is a mistaken view. We should, therefore, seek an alternative: spiritual development. In my opinion, the inclination toward spiritual development will actually bring far more satisfaction and benefits than the satisfaction and benefits that material things can bring, for, generally speaking, it remains with you always. For example, if you give a person one hundred thousand Yuan, or even one million Yuan, should he not treasure it, the money will soon be squandered. On the other hand, if you teach him some very useful knowledge and philosophy, this can bring immense benefits to his whole life, and nobody can rob or steal it from him.
In the present age, people living in big cities tend to seek happiness through material things. Peace of mind and mental calm are often neglected. If we investigate the cause of this phenomenon, we will find that it is due to problems in education. From the moment we first go to school, many teachers only emphasize the importance of earning money, and many parents are also only concerned about our scores in exams. Furthermore, from an early age, they encourage us to cultivate the desire for fame and teach us to be selfish. With this kind of environment, what will the results be when we grow up
It should be evident to everyone. Through observing our own happiness and suffering, as well as observing the various situations of people in different occupations, we can uncover some of the truths behind these situations. It should be evident to us that material wellbeing alone fails to bring the happiness we aspire to have.
In the 21st century, compared with twenty years ago, we have made unprecedented progress toward securing our basic necessities of life. However, as we see, while material things can provide some benefits for us, they also can be a source of anxiety. Due to the effect of various stresses of keeping up with a modern lifestyle, most people are burned out. According to the 2009 “White paper on China”s urban white-collar health,” in Beijing, Shanghai, and more than ten other major cities, 76% of white-collar workers suffer from various ongoing health problems, known as “sub-health conditions,” nearly 60% of respondents were found to be burned out, and less than 3% of all of those surveyed could actually be considered “healthy.” The survey also shows that their stress originates from four primary areas: buying a house and having a mortgage, their parents” health, their children”s education, and relationships and marriage. These are like four …
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