The world of Tzu Chi January 2020 (Vol.118)

53 TZU CHI 118 * The article is extracted from the book “Still Thoughts (Vol. 1)”. Serene Reflection Question & Answer By Dharma Master Cheng Yen Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: I know I have many faults. I will slowly reform myself! If you want to slowly reform, then might as well not change at all! Life is impermanent and uncertain. How much time is there for you to waste? Master, how come others who make mistakes do not have to reform, but I always have to reform? Those who want to achieve Buddhahood must reform. Those who do not want to achieve Buddhahood can bicker with others a little more. One thought of enlightenment and one becomes a Buddha. One thought of affliction and one is a common person. It often happens that we are enlightened when listening to Buddhist teachings, but become confused when facing reality. How can we prevent this? One should have perseverance and determination and make a resolution not to commit the same mistake twice. Always be alert. With courage when facing reality, one can achieve something great. Master, when I am about to lose my temper, I think of the joyful heart that you speak of, and then I can suppress my temper. But when I have to carry that anger in my heart, I feel awful! You feel bad because you still have to carry that anger. If you can nurture a mind that is joyful every moment and open your heart to accommodate everything, you will naturally have pure happiness and you will not feel so awful! This is a step-by-step cultivation, like a small stream of water that keeps on flowing. No matter how uncompromising or stubborn people are, they will be moved by your tenderness and goodness.