PRACTISE CONTEMPLATION OF IMPURITY AND GENEROSITY TO QUELL GREED
Master Jun Hong Lu: First and foremost, to quell greed, you must practise contemplation of impurity as well as generosity. What is contemplation of impurity? “Contemplation of Impurity” is an important method in the Zen tradition. Through contemplating the impurity of all things in this world, we are able to eradicate our tendency to cling onto our desires.
What’s there in this world that’s worthy of us clinging onto? After all, greed for riches begets misfortune. The mishaps that have happened to so many people nowadays stem from their greed for money. So many people have toiled throughout their entire lives, but ultimately fell victim to wealth and lust, didn’t they?
In your daily dealing with matters and people, you must practise “contemplation of impurity”. This means, you need to understand that wealth amassed through greed is never pure and you should never take what’s not yours.
The traditional Chinese culture has a saying, “A noble person only makes his wealth through ethical means”. Take only what is rightfully yours as ‘one is partial to those from whom presents have been accepted’.
Due to covetousness, many girls are forced into adulterous exchanges with men and render themselves worthless. They can absolutely lead a good life by being self-sufficient, why should they be covetous of the money of men? From today onward, you must view money as something that is capable of tarnishing your soul and causing you to degenerate. Perceive it as something impure that you should not desire, let alone pursue. This is how you put your greed in check.
A person who is free from greed is one who always practises generosity. Think about it: Would a person who is always eager to give away his personal belongings to others, harbor any greed in his heart? Would someone, who is always out there helping others and demonstrating all-out generosity, be greedy?
When you go, “I want this, I want that, too” – this is the typical mentality of a person who is greedy for fame, riches and the material things in this world. You should practise contemplation of impurity and generosity as these are ways to help you overcome the hindrance of greed.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 12 Chapter 60