The world of Tzu Chi May 2020 (Vol.122)

TZU CHI 122 51 REMINDERS UNDER THE SALA TREES Buddhadharma. Bhiksus refers to the Buddha’s monastic disciples, which is why the Buddha bequeathed his mission to them. Blessed-field monastics transform themselves and benefit others “Bhiksu” is a Sanskrit word which means “one who eliminates wants”. Monastic practitioners are called “blessed-field monastics”, since lay people who make offerings to the Sangha will attain blessings. Spiritual cultivation is like cultivating a field: if it is to grow well, we must first remove rocks and grass, and then spread fertilizer so the soil will be fertile. We must also irrigate the field with plenty of water to allow each planted seed to grow well. After harvesting, everyone will have enough to eat. Therefore, “bhiksu” is translated as “one who eliminates hunger”. “Bhiksu” also has three other meanings: the first is “Mara-scarer”; the second is “almsman”; and the third is “evil-destroyer”. It is usually said that “when a Buddha is born, tens of thousands of sentient beings will attain liberation”. Among the Three Realms, the desire realm, the form realm and the formless realm, the desire realm is ruled by King Mara. Because humans have desires, people are born and grow in the desire realm. However, once they engage in spiritual practice and eliminate these desires, they will no longer transmigrate in the desire realm. Because of this, when someone forms an aspiration to become a monastic practitioner, it means that he will leave the desire realm and King Mara will lose a descendent. Therefore, a monastic is called a “Mara-scarer”. King Mara and his army are afraid of this, so they place many temptations and obstacles in the way of those who aspire to become monastics. There are both external and internal obstacles. An example of an external obstacle is when loved ones use their affection to bind one and make it difficult for one to part with them. As a result, one is bound by the ties of love and affection. There are also internal obstacles. Some people have excellent causes and conditions to become monastics, and they have open-minded parents who allow their children to choose for themselves. However, will one who has a favourable environment be able to smoothly engage in spiritual cultivation? Not necessarily. Even without external obstructions, one might have obstructions within the mind. The first such obstruction is a lack of resolve; the second is a wavering mind. These are Mara-hindrances within the mind. The second meaning of “bhiksu” is “almsman”. “Alms” refers to how bhiksus must beg for food. When one becomes a monastic, one needs to see wealth and fame as floating clouds. However, the body is a vessel for spiritual cultivation, so without a healthy body, we cannot engage in spiritual practice. To keep our body healthy, we need to rely on the Four Offerings: food, clothing, housing and medicine. During the Buddha’s time, bhiksus begged for alms every day to satisfy their basic