如何修佛？〈佛光山〉
How to Practice and Cultivate in Buddhism?
We all would like to be successful in life. We wish for a good education, a prosperous career, friends, and a happy family life. In short, we want to be able to achieve what we set out to do. Religious cultivation is no different; we wish to understand the Dharma so that we can live the carefree life and be free of the cycle of birth and death. How do we practice to attain enlightenment? I want to offer you the following four suggestions:
1. Appreciate simplicity – In our efforts to practice the Dharma, we have to learn not to be attached to our emotions, bounded by them. It is best for our practice if our relationships with others are even-keeled; intense relationships often do not last long. There is a Chinese saying which goes like this, “A gentlemanly relationship is as plain as water.” Simple vegetables may taste bland, but if we eat them everyday, we would discover the unique taste of even the simplest greens.
2. Start from nothingness – Nothingness does not mean being without anything, for something can, in deed, arise from nothing. The saying, “From true emptiness comes many wondrous things,” tells us that emptiness is the basis of existence. For example, take a piece of vacant land. It is because it has nothing on it that a building can be constructed there. Similarly, our minds have to be free of prejudice before we can accept the truth of the Dharma. The cup must be empty before it can hold tea or water for us to drink. If the cup already contains wine or oil, the tea would taste differently. Thus, the state of nothingness is not necessarily bad; it can teach us a lot. In our undertakings, we should start with the expectation of “nothingness.” Those who are truly capable do not expect others to do everything for them; they can achieve their goals starting from nothing.
3. Be doubtful – Buddhism differs from other religions in the fact that it emphasizes the importance of being doubtful. Doubts are the seeds of enlightenment, without which enlightenment would not be possible. We should always ask questions in the course of our practice. In the Ch’an school, there is a method of practice which requires the student to contemplate on a saying. If the student is able to contemplate on a certain saying at all times and keeps asking questions, the student will no doubt improve in their practice.
4. Work diligently on our shortcomings – If we are mindful of our shortcomings when we practice, we will definitely make progress. Just like the old saying, “Diligence can compensate for a lot of shortcomings,” as long as we work hard in everything we do, we will be able to make steady progress.
How to practice and cultivate? We should:
1. Appreciate simplicity.
2. Start from nothingness.
3. Be doubtful.
4. Work diligently on our shortcomings.
We all would like to be successful in life. We wish for a good education, a prosperous career, friends, and a happy family life. In short, we want to be able to achieve what we set out to do. Religious cultivation is no different; we wish to understand the Dharma so that we can live the carefree life and be free of the cycle of birth and death. How do we practice to attain enlightenment? I want to offer you the following four suggestions:
1. Appreciate simplicity – In our efforts to practice the Dharma, we have to learn not to be attached to our emotions, bounded by them. It is best for our practice if our relationships with others are even-keeled; intense relationships often do not last long. There is a Chinese saying which goes like this, “A gentlemanly relationship is as plain as water.” Simple vegetables may taste bland, but if we eat them everyday, we would discover the unique taste of even the simplest greens.
2. Start from nothingness – Nothingness does not mean being without anything, for something can, in deed, arise from nothing. The saying, “From true emptiness comes many wondrous things,” tells us that emptiness is the basis of existence. For example, take a piece of vacant land. It is because it has nothing on it that a building can be constructed there. Similarly, our minds have to be free of prejudice before we can accept the truth of the Dharma. The cup must be empty before it can hold tea or water for us to drink. If the cup already contains wine or oil, the tea would taste differently. Thus, the state of nothingness is not necessarily bad; it can teach us a lot. In our undertakings, we should start with the expectation of “nothingness.” Those who are truly capable do not expect others to do everything for them; they can achieve their goals starting from nothing.
3. Be doubtful – Buddhism differs from other religions in the fact that it emphasizes the importance of being doubtful. Doubts are the seeds of enlightenment, without which enlightenment would not be possible. We should always ask questions in the course of our practice. In the Ch’an school, there is a method of practice which requires the student to contemplate on a saying. If the student is able to contemplate on a certain saying at all times and keeps asking questions, the student will no doubt improve in their practice.
4. Work diligently on our shortcomings – If we are mindful of our shortcomings when we practice, we will definitely make progress. Just like the old saying, “Diligence can compensate for a lot of shortcomings,” as long as we work hard in everything we do, we will be able to make steady progress.
How to practice and cultivate? We should:
1. Appreciate simplicity.
2. Start from nothingness.
3. Be doubtful.
4. Work diligently on our shortcomings.
posted by wonderwan at 11:24 AM
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