Wisdom at Dawn Series by Master Cheng Yen

 

Wisdom at Dawn Series  

by Master Cheng Yen

Open the Drama-door to repentance and allow Dharma-water to enter the mind. If we completely reform and wash away the filth, our lives will naturally turn pure and bright.

So we need to learn and mindfully accept this Dharma. After we accept it, we must practice and realize it in our actions. When we did not know this, we were confused. Now we know, we must constantly remain vigilant. Vigilance is also a form of Dharma. Do not think that Dharma is only about listening to Sutras.

We learn Buddhism to attain Buddha-hood. If that is not our goal, we can stop. Every Buddha, prior to practicing, was just like us. They had to go through a process of spiritual cultivation, which involves resolving to have a great mind & making great vows. A great mind is one of great compassion. A great vow begets strength and power. The great mind and vow are like our two feet. When they act in unison, we can walk easily and smoothly, and can go from the state of ordinary people to the enlightened state of the Buddha. So one must have a great mind and make great vows.
This process is called the Bodhisattva Path, it is called Dharma.

When learning Buddhism, we know that this is a long path and that we will experience many states of mind along the way. How do we choose among the many states of mind ourselves? How do we overcome unwholesome states? How do we direct our broad paths to the state of enlightenment without being deluded by the state of ordinary people? This also requires Dharma. As we walk on the Bodhisattva Path. How do we eliminate afflictions and manifestations of karma? This also requires Dharma. To resolve afflictions, we must constantly repent.

If we meet good people, we must humbly learn from them and be grateful for their teachings. If we meet bad people, we also respectfully thank them for giving us the opportunity to diminish our bad karma.

The Lotus Sutra states that when the Buddha gave His disciples blessings for becoming future Buddhas. He blessed Devadatta as well. He even blessed Devadatta to become a Buddha whose Buddha Land would exist longer and convent more beings than other Buddhas. Someone asked the Buddha: “Devadatta is so bad. Oh Buddha, why did you give him such a great blessing?” The Buddha replied, “I am grateful to Devadatta. He is my spiritual benefactor. Without him, how could I develop so many different ways to teach and transform others? Devadatta has been spiritual friend and he helped me achieve my mission.” Everyone, in our daily living we need to have swift awareness. Even if someone intentionally torments us, we need to quickly say, “Thank you for helping me achieve my goals.” We cannot just say we are grateful while feeling resentful. If we are resentful, we forget our true nature.

Do not intend to do a good deed but forget your original intentions when certain conditions arise. If we forget that initial resolve, when afflictions arise, Dharma cannot enter our minds. If so, the Water Repentance is useless no matter how often we chant it. When chanting the Water Repentance, we must remember to constantly apply it in our daily life.

Repentance is Dharma. Repentance is like water, it can wash away filth. So starting from now, in this place where we cultivate kindness and compassion, we must be very mindful in cleansing our impurities with the Dharma-water of repentance. In this era where 5 Impurities and 3 Calamities frequently occur, we should heighten our vigilance and hold nature in reverence. The teachings of the Buddha and the insights of the ancient sages provide us with methods, all of which are pure water that can cleanse our minds.

So everyone, we must constantly be vigilant. On the Bodhisattva Path, adverse conditions will inevitably arise, so we must always be vigilant. Whatever situation we encounter, we should promptly use this pure Dharma-water to cleanse the filth in our minds this is to repent at all times.

Everyone, please always be mindful.

~ Wisdom at Dawn Series by Master Cheng Yen ~