FIVE METHODS TO CULTIVATE FORBEARANCE: STRENGTH FORBEARANCE
Master Jun Hong Lu: The second type is “Strength Forbearance”. When others insult or slander you, first of all, you have to use your own mental strength to tell yourself, “I did not do any of those things they claimed I did. I am not like how they said I am”. The fact of the matter is, there is strength from this mental energy. With it, you won’t get petty with others, you are able to step back, give in and think, “I am a Buddhist practitioner, I am not going to fuss over minor matters with you”.
With this, you are able to gradually suppress your emotion. You have faith in Bodhisattva. Where did you get the strength? How can you be so patient? This is because you have Buddha and Bodhisattva in your heart. You trust that They will definitely help you.
When you believe that everything in this world is governed by the law of cause and effect, you will be able to ease the tense atmosphere. Thereafter, use your mental effort to pacify your suppressed emotion. At this moment, you should immediately bring forth Guan Yin Bodhisattva and the innumerable Buddhas to your mind. Think about Their unparalleled power of forbearance that has helped to uproot the anger in Them.
Please remember this: a person with mental strength is able to turn around others’ insults and consider them as an exercise to determine if there’s still hatred within themselves. It is common for the victim of insults to harbour hatred; therefore, if you do not, you have a high level of spirituality. This is what “Strength Endurance” entails.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 11 Chapter 44
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