..续本文上一页lictions can be transformed into bodhi. In the Platform Sutra, it is also said: “Affliction is itself bodhi.” Of course, the phenomena of craving and anger are not bodhi; only recognizing their true nature is bodhi. If you do not recognize it, then no matter how much afflictions you produce, they are still afflictions and will never be transformed into bodhi. This is a particularly profound idea in Buddhism; as soon as you understand a little of it, you will find it very useful when facing troubles and worries.
In this world, no matter who you are, it is not possible to have no afflictions or sufferings. When you encounter them, there is no way of resolving the problem with money or by changing the environment. That is because it comes from within, no matter where you hide, you can never hide from the mind. Thus, if you wish to treat these afflictions, you need to employ the methods of Buddhism to regulate and subdue your own mind.
4. Understanding Buddhism”s union of wisdom and compassion
Mr. Sun Yat-sen once said: “Buddhism is the benevolence that saves the world, Buddhism is the mother of philosophy, the study of Buddhism can complement science, people must not be without religious ideas…Politics treats the body, religion treats the mind, bring out the best by associating the two, and both can be implemented without conflict.” These lines are very important, and can be understood in conjunction with today”s topic of “union of wisdom and compassion”.
You need to know that wisdom and compassion are the two main features of Buddhism, and are also the basic principle of being a human. If one has only wisdom but no compassion, then that wisdom can become wrong wisdom. Like certain highly qualified intellectuals who use their proficiency in skills to conveniently commit wrong deeds. Stealing from banks, embezzling, producing counterfeit goods, creating food that harm the public… they are able to do anything. On the other hand, if one only has compassion and no wisdom, it also will not do. Nowadays quite a few people are very eager when doing charitable deeds, yet without wisdom, they often end up with too many problems to tackle and get themselves sorely battered. Whereas in Buddhism, not only are you taught ways of the world, there are also profound teachings on the existence of past and future lives, the truth of cause and effect, the rarity of the human form, the emptiness of all dharma, and others. Once you understand these, you will establish the right view of life and your actions will not be very blind, very indecisive.
Many people now see Buddhism as a superstition and believe that studying the Dharma is only about going to temples to offer incense and pray in front of the Buddha statues. Yet they are not aware that Buddhist thought is so vast and profound that even the body of Western philosophy pales in comparison. There was one stage when I bought every available book on Western ancient and modern philosophy, and read them day and night. In the end, I discovered that all of their ideas have been taught in Buddhism, and consequently I held even greater confidence in the Buddha. Therefore, Buddhism”s wisdom truly deserves the title of “Mother of Philosophy”.
As for the great compassion of Buddhism, it is the “benevolence that saves the world”. If one is thoroughly versed in Buddhism, then he or she will be equipped not only with worldly and supra-worldly wisdom, but also the compassion and loving kindness that extends to all lives. I heard that the Guangdong Animal Release Association here is the first government approved animal release organization. Its aim is to promote the “3 Lives”, which are preserving harmony of the living ecology, promoting the value of life, and advancing the happiness of lives. This is very go…
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