The world of Tzu Chi July-August 2022 (Vol.142)

47 TZU CHI 142 * Extracted from the book “Infinite Teachings, Infinite Meanings”. A Dharma-sister who lived in the US returned to Taiwan and shared her recent interpersonal issues with Master. Master said, “Sentient beings are often caught up with minor issues. I hope everyone can keep the Dharma in mind and let go of their petty conflicts. Because interpersonal issues are a source of afflictions, we can see them as opportunities to train ourselves. I hope we can all regard Tzu Chi as a life-long undertaking and really put forth effort to purifying our minds. We should not use the excuse that we are still “unenlightened beings” to avoid responsibilities, nor should we become attached to how much we have already contributed. We must understand that this is a path that we chose on our own; we are not doing it for others to see. This is just like eating; how much nutrition we receive from our food depends on how much we eat. Therefore, we must take good care of our wisdom-life. How can we understand ourselves? Knowing we are hungry is understanding ourselves; going to sleep when we need to is understanding ourselves; working after we wake up is also understanding ourselves. Do not overthink and over-complicate things. Actually, the most important thing is to understand other people. Think about it, when you are working, do you only choose to do what you enjoy doing and leave what you do not like to do to other people? If you can put yourself in other people’s shoes, then you know that you are an understanding person. If you constantly get irritated by others, then you know that you are a narrow-minded person.