Wenda20151127 07:16
(Master Lu’s call-in radio program)
MASTER LU’S DISCOURSE ON “NON-SELF” AND “EQUANIMITY”
Caller: Master Lu, you mentioned “Be free from all thoughts and no karma will be generated” in “Buddhism in Plain Terms”. However, in everyday life we are bound to generate numerous thoughts. When you mentioned “Be free from all thoughts”, do you mean we should cultivate “non-self” and “equanimity” towards all sentient beings? Please enlighten us.
Master Lu: That’s right. We need to cultivate equanimity. Once you become selfless, you will always think of the others. In contrast, if you are totally self-centred, would you still be able to think of others? It is impossible for people that are extremely selfish to learn Buddhism. There are also some who have lived to a ripe old age but still do not understand the essence of Buddhism. They might have acquainted themselves with some Buddhist knowledge from the books but only at a superficial level. As such, their knowledge only serves to “adorn” themselves.
There are people who have never claimed to know about Buddhism but when others meet with them, they command respect as they resemble a Buddha. Just like many mothers who have never learned Buddhism or said ‘Amitabha’ but they always act like a Bodhisattva. Their children will say “my mom is as compassionate as a Bodhisattva”. That’s all to it! (Yes, Master Lu, you mentioned that “those who aspire to become a Buddha and Bodhisattva must be devoted to saving sentient beings and to sincerely helping others in our life”). Yes, we must always help and save the others, without doing so one cannot be deemed as a “good person”. Think about this, if your neighbour’s house catches fire but you said, “It has nothing to do with me. I didn’t cause any distress, nor did I set fire to your house”. In this context, do you think you can be regarded as a “good” person? You are not, of course, am I right? (Yes, thank you for answering my question).
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