The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.116)

TZU CHI 116 49 REMINDERS UNDER THE SALA TREES them because they are illiterate; this is due to “the view of self”. Because of this, those people will never learn. This elderly volunteer would learn and understand one thing at a time. Even though her mistakes would sometimes draw laughter, she saw it as a way to bring joy to those around her. It is the same with learning the Buddhadharma; one should not think that the principles are too profound and therefore be afraid even to start engaging in spiritual practice. One must be courageous and confident. Actually, the principles of Buddhism are very well-suited for people to practise in their daily lives; the Buddhadharma teaches us to lead a life that is worry-free and at ease. Our starting point is as ordinary beings, and the goal of our practice is to obtain Buddhahood. The path leading from the starting point to the goal is the Noble Eightfold Path and the Bodhisattva Path. So we can see that the Buddhadharma is not really profound and mysterious. If we want to turn this world into a world of Bodhisattvas and fill our daily living with the spirit of Bodhisattvas, then we absolutely must set up a goal for ourselves and put the teachings into practice. By doing so, we will be able to advance towards our goal. “All those who could be transformed had already been transformed.” The Buddha used his wisdom to teach people according to their capabilities. With firm perseverance, he applied skilful means to teach sentient beings. Nonetheless, he never departed from the ultimate truth. This is the Buddha’s true wisdom. Most people’s minds tend to be unsettled. Although we all intrinsically have Buddha-nature, we are still deluded and unable to awaken. We remain headstrong and let our unenlightened minds enslave us under our own desires. However, in order to suit sentient beings’ capabilities, the Buddha established all kinds of expedient teachings. The Buddha attained Buddhahood in the human realm. Actually, in his past lives he had already experienced three great asankya kalpas 1 during which he kept returning to the human realm, serving others out of his compassion for all sentient beings, until in this life he finally attained Buddhahood. Still, this was just one of the “Eight Aspects of Attaining Enlightenment”. Before he became a Buddha, he had already formed good affinities with countless beings, so when causes and effects reached fulfilment, he became a Buddha. At this time, those who had affinities with 1 Countless or innumerable kalpas.