The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.115).

TZU CHI 115 51 * This article is extracted from the book “Reminders under the Sala Trees – A Commentary on the Sutra of the Buddha’s Bequeathed Teachings”. REMINDERS UNDER THE SALA TREES and prostrate so I can show my utmost respect.” It was clear that he had the seed of sincere faith in his every thought. After one month, he told his wife, “I cannot get up to kneel and prostrate to take refuge, but you must tell Master. You can kneel in my place.” Finally, one Sunday I came to him to let him take refuge. He was still chanting “Master, Amitabha.” Superintendent Tu died at the age of 69, which is not a short life. But how deep was his seed of faith after he decided to become a disciple? In his entire lifetime, he diligently chanted the name of the Buddha only during his final month. Nonetheless, his face looked very peaceful when he passed away. More than a thousand people came to chant the name of the Buddha on the day he passed away. Many people saw him smile the moment when he was put into the freezer. Was it a Buddha who came to guide him? If indeed a Buddha came to guide him, it was because of his own efforts in spiritual practice. Nonetheless, he will eventually return to the Saha World and return to the Tzu Chi world to continue working for Tzu Chi’s missions. He had truly found the goal of his life, attained brightness in his mind, and used his wisdom to light the path ahead of him; thus, he smiled. This state can also be said to be a kind of Nirvana. I once said, “It’s better to be reborn while we are still alive, instead of waiting until we have taken our last breath. When we are able to let go of our afflictions of yesterday, we are letting go of everything that happened yesterday; when we are able to awaken our wisdom today, we are liberated today.” If in our practice we wish to attain liberation, we must let go of the previous moment’s afflictions and use a pure and clear mind to transform the afflictions surrounding us. We therefore say, “Let go of the defiled land to delight in the Path.” This encourages us to maintain our mind in a pure and bright state, so that we can be reborn and liberated while we are still alive, instead of waiting until we take our last breath. If we wait, we will not be sure that we will be reborn in the Pure Land. We must cherish time and transform our lives so that we are no longer afflicted but blessed and joyful; this is called “Nirvana”. When our mind is no longer affected by our surroundings and reaches a pure, bright and peaceful state, this is called “the land of tranquil illumination”. When our minds are no longer lost and confused, through our illuminating wisdom, we will easily achieve liberation. (To be continued in the next issue)