LESSON FROM THE ABBOT: BY CHERISHING, WE REPAY OUR KARMIC DEBTS
Master Jun Hong Lu: Once, a young monk managed to save a man from killing himself. As soon as the man regained consciousness, to the Buddhist abbot, he said, “Thank you, Master. Honestly, there wasn’t a need for all of you to go to such an extent to save me from the jaws of death. I have set my mind to die and I’m not turning back on this. I might have survived today because you saved me, but when tomorrow comes, I’ll still kill myself”.
Upon hearing this, the abbot sighed and said, “My child, it certainly looks like there is no way that I can save you nor can I stop you from your quest to seek death, but let me ask you this: Have you cleared your debts?”
Dumbfounded, the man said, “My family may be poor but we have enough food on our table and clothes to wear. We have never borrowed money from anyone at all”.
In a measured tone, the abbot said, “My child, your life came from your parents and for this, you are indebted to them. What you eat, wear and use are ‘loans’ from heaven, earth and nature and for this, you are indebted to heaven and earth. The knowledge and wisdom that you acquire are ‘loans’ from your teachers and masters, and hence, you are indebted to them. In this life, all of us have raked up so much debt—yet here you are, wanting to die when you have not cleared your debts?”
The reality suddenly dawned on the man. He said, “This sounds like I have chalked up a lot of debt. But how am I supposed to repay it?”
By now, the abbot burst out laughing, “Haha. How difficult can it be if you can practise these two words”.
Confused, the man probed, “Master, please tell me what the two words are. Your guidance is much appreciated”.
Smiling faintly, the abbot said, “My child, it’s none other than these two words ‘to cherish’”.
Remember: to live in this world, each and every one of us must cherish people who have helped and saved us. Similarly, we must appreciate our close friends and everything that we own. I hope all of you learn to cherish because only then, you will not lose what you own. Those who cherish will have a future; those who do not will have none. It is important to learn to hold dear what you have—this is the first lesson in your Buddhism studies.
As Buddhist practitioners, we must control ourselves through our mind. In our depths of despair, we must learn to be wise and think things through. Think about the number of people in this world who have to suffer more than us. We are much more fortunate to be alive today, compared to those who have been killed or injured in car accidents, or stricken with cancer. Every day, around 150,000 people die across the globe. Think about it, we are indeed very fortunate to be alive.
Take a look at our Heavenly Mother, Guan Yin Bodhisattva, who is constantly caring for us. What other reasons do we have to trample on our conscience and inherent nature? Why would we do anything that lets the Bodhisattva down again? Reflect on this: being alive today is the result of our karmic affinity. We should let this affinity perpetuate and make good use of it to clear our karmic debt. Utilise this mortal body, which is ‘on loan’ to us, to perform virtuous deeds, diligently practise Buddhism, and strive to return to the side of our Heavenly Mother, Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23 December 2016