The world of Tzu Chi March 2020(Vol.120)

TZU CHI 120 51 REMINDERS UNDER THE SALA TREES A woman who was interested in attending a Buddhist college came to the Jing Si Abode. I asked her, “Have you been to the hospital to look around?” “Yes, I have!” she replied. I asked, “What were your thoughts after being there?” She answered, “I felt the impermanence of life, and how we should make the best use of each moment. I wish to quickly study the Buddhadharma and would like to return to the Abode to help in three years’ time. I might also become a monastic spiritual practitioner at a monastery.” Actually, the past is gone and the future is unknown. Life is impermanent. This young lady overlooked the fact that we do not know what will happen tomorrow, let alone three years from now. In my personal view, it is difficult to imagine what will happen over 1,000 days into the future. For this reason, we must seize this moment and make best use of our potential. However, some people view phenomena as impermanent, but at the same time stubbornly believe that the principles are impermanent as well. This too is an inverted view. Human life is not joyful. People who wish to engage in spiritual practice are aware of this; knowing wealth, fame and position are void of true joy, they let go of everything to engage in spiritual cultivation. While this is a personal decision, one’s choice of direction in life can cause one’s family much suffering. ATaitung Commissioner once told me about how the daughter of one of the people helping her raise funds for Tzu Chi wanted to engage in spiritual practice. Her parents wished her to accompany me at the Abode for a period of time. Afterwards, if her spiritual aspiration was still firm, she could become a monastic. However, right after her graduation ceremony, she had her hair shaved and left home to become a Buddhist nun. She did not tell her parents about her decision, nor did she say goodbye to them. This was devastating for her parents. Actually, her parents did not oppose her decision to engage in spiritual practice, they were just worried whether her direction on the path of spiritual practice was correct. Although neither side was wrong, she did not deal with people and matters in a harmonious way. People who wish to take the path of truth must first fulfil their filial duties and moral obligations. Are there any parents who do not genuinely care for their children? This young woman’s parents wanted her to attain purity in mind and body through spiritual practice while at the same time contributing to help others. However, was she able to appreciate the good intentions and thoughtfulness of her parents? Some people become attached to the concept of “non-self”, but in reality they are constantly holding on to their self. Once, a spiritual practitioner who came to our hospital for a physical examination said that since becoming a Buddhist nun several years before, she would often go for physical examinations. At each visit, the doctors told her that she was fine, but she still felt sick all over her body, all the time. I asked, “How long have you been a nun?” She replied, “Four or five years.” I then asked, “Which monastery do you belong to?” She said to me, “I’ve been to a number of spiritual training grounds, but I could not feel settled in any of them. So now, I rent a place outside.” I said, “Why can’t you live in a monastery?” She said, “To spread the Dharma, I need to wholeheartedly study the Buddhadharma.” In situations like this, when we talk about “non-self”, about giving up one’s self to spread the Buddha’s teachings, is that really possible? In fact, many people have a biased attachment to the