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At the time when Buddhism is just beginning to dawn in the West, don't turn it into the Dharma-ending Age. The Proper Dharma must certainly dwell long in the world. What does it mean for the Proper Dharma to dwell in the world? If you cultivate honestly, without craving fame, profit, or offerings, then the Proper Dharma is dwelling in the world. If every Sangha member upholds the precept of not touching money, sits in Chan meditation, eats one meal a day at noon, wears the precept sash at all times, and upholds the precepts strictly, then the Proper Dharma is dwelling in the world. We should put the Buddha's teachings into actual practice. If you want to help Buddhism, you have to actually propagate the Buddhadharma, set a good example for others, maintain good deportment, keep the five precepts, and save living beings by means of the four limitless minds of kindness, compassion, joy, and giving. Our conduct should be based upon the Six Guiding Principles of not fighting, not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not pursuing personal advantage, and not lying. If we practice the Buddhadharma according to these guidelines, then the Proper Dharma will be present wherever we are. The decline of the Dharma will not manifest. |
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Our goal in cultivation is to stop all thoughts of fighting, greed, seeking, selfishness, pursuing personal advantage, and lying. We want to prevent them from arising. That way our wisdom will shine through the darkness of ignorance, and we will be able to understand our mind and see our nature, thus attaining the goal of our cultivation. |
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