The world of Tzu Chi February 2021(Vol.131)

53 TZU CHI 131 * Extracted from the book “Infinite Teachings, Infinite Meanings”. How can we experience awakening? How are people different before and after awakening? We awaken through experiential understanding. Without personal efforts and experiences, one will not be able to gain experiential understanding. Therefore, we must work to benefit others; only by doing so can we gain such understanding. The joy we attain from this experience is true Dharma-joy. There is a saying, “Before engaging in spiritual practice, you see mountains as mountains and water as water. As you start your spiritual practice, you see mountains not as mountains, and water not as water. After you gain awakening, you see that mountains are still mountains, and water is still water.” The Buddha-Dharma is applicable to our daily life. We have thoroughly awakened when we can clearly understand the principles of our daily living. A few years ago, I asked Master how I could free myself from my worries. Master advised me to gain more understanding in my daily life. However, I still feel that it is actually very difficult for an ordinary being to be free from worries. Even though you know that you should not have worries, you still take troubles to heart and therefore give rise to afflictions. Actually, you just need to “let go”. Let go of your afflictions due to people and matters, and just focus on your duties. Expend your best effort and get involved with bettering society. Some people expect things to be done their way. Otherwise, they feel that nothing meets their expectations. This is a very painful feeling. They should “contemplate all things as being without self”. In this world, nothing is fixed and definite. Our own methods may not necessarily be correct, so we should not stubbornly insist that others do things our way. Serene Reflection Question & Answer By Dharma Master Cheng Yen