The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.110)

2019 • 05 42 harma Listen with your eyes, see with your ears I always “listen with my eyes and see with my ears” while interacting with other people. Why? Because if I want to really know someone, it is not enough just to see that person with my eyes or listen to his or her voice with my ears. After encountering the person, I also need to reflect on what I have seen and heard. It means that when I see a person, I also “see” his or her voice; when I hear a person’s voice, I also “listen” to his or her appearance or attitude. When we can listen and see at the same time, and contemplate our interactions, we can eliminate afflictions created through misunderstanding or bias against others from our mind. I listen attentively when someone is talking and ponder what is being said to ascertain what is true and what is false. If I simply see this person with my eyes, my judgment may be clouded and I will not see the whole picture. I am only human, so inevitably I have some blind spots. But if I am given some time, I can think carefully on what other people have said to me. Learning the Buddha’s Way is about learning how to eliminate afflictions. It is very hard for us unenlightened beings to completely avoid afflictions, but we still need to do our utmost to apply our wisdom to reflect on ourselves and rid ourselves of afflictions, so that we may embrace other people with a pure and open mind. Tzu Chi – a big family The Jing Si Abode is like a home to all who come to it. In other temples, people go to pray to the Buddha, burn incense sticks and oil, and then leave—like strangers after a short stopover. But it is different at the Abode. Every person who comes to the Abode has formed a good affinity with us in the past, and has now come to meet us again in this lifetime. Therefore, there is an even closer affinity between us than between blood relatives. The relationship between blood relatives only lasts one lifetime, whereas the bond between Tzu Chi volunteers will last for life after life to come. Tzu Chi is a big family, and we treat all volunteers and members who come to us as our loved ones. Yet, to treat them as family does not mean merely to provide them a place to pay their respects to the Buddha, but to help them experience the true spirit of the Buddhadharma. Learning the Buddha’s Way is not just a matter of listening to sutras and lectures by Dharma Masters, we must also realize the principles experientially through our daily living. This is the best way to learn. 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