The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.106)

TZU CHI 106 49 As Buddhist practitioners, our emphasis should be on putting the teachings into practice. If we want to sit in meditation but are unable to quiet our minds, or if we wish to learn to walk the path but are unable to set a clear course for ourselves, then we are simply wasting our time. It has been said, “By grasping one truth, we understand all truths.” We must therefore make good use of every moment and not waste any time. We must keep progressing on the Bodhi Path to awakening. We cannot stand at the crossroads and ask other travellers to tell us where they have been or what the scenery along the road is like. We have to actually walk the path ourselves. Apassage in Introduction to Pure Conduct , written byXiao Ziliang (460 – 494), says: “Anyone who engages in Pure Land practices must give rise to Bodhicitta. If they make this vow because they are averse to the Five Turbidities of this world (the turbidity of views, of afflictions, of sentient beings, of life, and the kalpa of turbidity) and long for rebirth in the Pure Land, then their intention is not in accordance with Bodhicitta. They are following the way of the Hearer, and such a vow should not be made. If they make the vow because they feel great compassion for all living beings and wish to transform them and lead them to Buddhahood, then their intention is in harmony with Bodhicitta. They are following the practice of the Bodhisattvas, and such a vow should be made.” There is no denying that our world is a world of turbidity. However, if we give up on our world because of the afflictions, impurities and suffering in it, and constantly admire the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and seek to be in it, then our motivations are not consistent with Bodhicitta. The lotus is the symbol of Buddhism, because its pristine flower grows from dirty mud, drawing its nourishment from the mud without becoming tainted by it. So, even if we seek the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, we must still remain in this world of Five Turbidities and carry out the mission of the Buddha. When the heart is pure, the land is pure In learning the Buddha’s Way, we must make sure that our minds are pure and unaffected by the impurity of the world. If we can accomplish this, this world of Five Turbidities will be the Pure Land. This is why the Buddha has said, “When the heart is pure, the land is pure.” Only when we carry out the mission of the Buddha with a pure mind in the midst of this world of Five Turbidities, have we truly given rise to Bodhicitta. Spiritual practitioners who renounce the Five Turbidities tend to say, “Life is impermanent and the world is full of suffering. If I do not quickly engage in spiritual cultivation, I will be trapped in cyclic existence and will have to return as a human being again. That is too burdensome!” These are the words of someone who has failed to correctly comprehend the Buddha’s teachings. We should learn the right understanding and right views from the Buddha. In the same way that medical students study to become doctors to cure the sick, we learn the Buddha’s Way for the sake of sentient beings who suffer because of their karma. It was for the sake of living THREE WAYS TO THE PURE LAND THIS WORLD OF FIVE TURBIDITIES IS THE PURE LAND