HOW TO BALANCE WORLDLY PURSUITS WITH DETACHMENT IN BUDDHISM?
Caller: We live in a world where it is a norm to chase one’s dreams, aspire to get into the best school and find a good job, earn more money, etc. In fact, these ambitions help to propel us forward. Buddhism, on the other hand, teaches us to let go, not to go against the flow, not to grasp, etc. Master Lu, please enlighten us as to how we can go about ascertaining whether we are pursuing our dreams, or it’s a manifestation of our inverted views?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Questions like this show that you have mixed up Buddhism with worldly affairs. Let me ask you, if we were to analyse these issues using the depth of the knowledge of an elementary school level and the level of a professor, do you think we are able to achieve a clear understanding? What is the state-of-mind of a Bodhisattva? Do you think Bodhisattva will advise you to stop working or eating for that matter?
Caller: No.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Well, what’s the state of mind of a Bodhisattva? That is to let go of all affinities and not to be attached to anything. Go ahead with your job, if you have one; if you don’t have one, don’t kick yourself for being jobless. That’s a kind of spiritual state. You work in order to put food on the table, have three meals a day and to keep you going in life. Do you understand?
Caller: I see.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Bodhisattvas are extremely grounded. You may aspire for worldly things and have some ambitious pursuits. It’s fine to think of more ways to make progress in life as long as they are kind, cause no harm to others and meant for the benefit of sentient beings. I don’t see any problem with that.
Caller: This means we have to do all good and avoid all evil?
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right.
Source: Wenda20180722A 13:16, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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