The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.111)

2019 • 06 50 harma T o engage in spiritual practice is to cultivate our minds, refine our character, and correct our behaviour. If we have done well in cultivating our minds, naturally our speech and conduct will be open and honest, proper and dignified. We reap what we sow We learn from the Buddha to understand how to maintain a stable and tranquil state of mind, and to put the teachings into practice in our daily living. If we immediately forget what we have heard and continue to follow our habits, then no matter how much time we spend on learning the teachings, we will fail to make any progress and may even regress! What good would that be? When we engage in spiritual cultivation, we must take steady steps in putting the teachings into practice and cultivating our minds. We have accomplished nothing if all we have is an air of spiritual refinement that is not grounded in our actual state of mind. We can only reap what we ourselves sow. If we want something meaningful to come of our spiritual cultivation, we must take action personally. If someone else eats the food, we will not feel full. Similarly, if someone else engages in spiritual practice, we will not reap the fruits of their labour. Greed disrupts our minds Although monastics and lay practitioners have different lifestyles, the steps we take and how they are prioritized to advance our spiritual cultivation are the same. We must all take refuge in the Three Treasures (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha), abide by the Five Precepts (no killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, or drinking of alcohol), practise the Ten Good Deeds (to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, harsh speech, lying, gossip, flattery, greed, anger and delusion), and perfect the Three Cumulative Precepts of Purity. We should earnestly and steadily follow these principles. If we stray from the precepts for just one moment, we bring confusion to our minds. Our inability to maintain our tranquility originates from greed, such as greed for money, for power or for fame. Only by upholding the precepts can we overcome greed. “We can do without clothing and food, but we cannot forsake the precepts.” Even THE THIRD PRINCIPLE Give rise to Bodhicitta Believe in the karmic law of cause and effect Read and recite the Great Vehicle Sutra Diligently progress on the Bodhisattva Path TAKE THE PRECEPTS ASYOUR TEACHER