The world of Tzu Chi August 2020 (Vol.125)

TZU CHI 125 49 REMINDERS UNDER THE SALA TREES relationships. In this way, every place will be safe and peaceful. So, if we take action to do good deeds, then we will have no need to rely on astrology to predict the future, causing us panic and unease. Spiritual practitioners must use proper understanding to patiently guide people and help them break the bonds of superstition. This is called “resolving delusions”. We must not spread incorrect views or understandings that will sow doubt and confusion. As Buddhist practitioners, we must learn to be firm in our resolve. If we have no way to tame our own afflictions, then how can we be of help to others? Our basic duty is to train own minds, not to deliberately create all kinds of appearances. The fourth is to make divinatory calculations. This too, refers to a kind of folk custom. For instance, whenever anything happens in the family, some people will consult a fortune-teller. In the past, if someone in the family was sick and medicine had no effect, they would then go to the diviner to cast divination blocks. After certain calculations, the diviner might tell them that a demon had entered the sick person and disturbed his mind. As Buddhist practitioners, we cannot take part in these things. A proper religion must have a higher purpose and guide people towards correct beliefs. We all need to make the effort to observe our own mind. If we believe in the Buddhadharma, then we must not disregard the law of cause and effect. When we have the correct view of cause and effect, then our mind will naturally become calm and settled. Since we ourselves have planted such causes, we should joyfully accept the effects. If we can bravely accept the results, then we will have no afflictions or fears. As a result, we will never use those heretical practices. Protect the body and do good “They must discipline their body and eat at the right time, and maintain purity in living. They should not participate in worldly affairs or act as emissaries.” A spiritual practitioner views his body as the vessel that can carry him or her from the state of unenlightened beings to the realm of noble beings. We must have a body to practise the Buddhadharma and put it in action. It is rare to be born human, and even more difficult to have the opportunity to listen to the Buddhadharma. Since we have obtained human form and can listen to the Buddhadharma, we must make good use of our bodies to carry out the Buddha’s teachings and walk the Bodhisattva Path. When a person is healthy, he or she can do many good deeds to contribute to the world; the longer our life, the more virtue and merit that we can cultivate. On the other hand, if this person does not know to do good deeds and the majority of his actions cause harm to others, then the longer his life and the stronger his body, the more evil he can commit. Thus, if we are diligent, our body can bring us from our starting point as ordinary beings all the way to the realm of the nobles, but if we do not know how to