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I am thankful to the Tzu Chi volunteers from Greater China for putting in tremendous effort to make the eight sessions of Dharma of Infinite Meanings Musical Adaptation happen successfully and meaningfully. This is not just an event but a rare and extraordinary dharma assembly that requires prolonged preparation time. Apart from rehearsals, volunteers also had to set up the Changhua County Stadium for it to be a solemn place for spiritual practice. I felt at ease upon entering the venue, and I couldn’t pick anything wrong with the ambience of the venue. Everyone was orderly and spoke softly. Each sutra adaptation was 3 hours long, but I was unaware of the passing time. I was filled with Dharma joy seeing everyone’s genuine, sincere hearts.
Buddha came to the human realm to guide people to take the path of bodhisattvas, depicted in the Lotus Sutra. The essence of the Lotus Sutra is in the Sutra of Infinite Meanings. After rehearsals, everyone could recite the sutra easily and even move according to the rhythm. The sight of everyone’s fervent concentration was truly memorable, as it was a sign of seeds of kindness being planted in one’s mind. I hope that these seeds can be meticulously cultivated and propagated to more people.
Every movement and word chanted is the essence of Dharma. With the rhythmic reading of sutras, it is easy for others to catch on. Furthermore, the sutras have a lot of underlying lessons. I strongly encourage everyone to read the Sutra of Infinite Meanings every day, even if it is one sentence, chant it fervently and remember it so that these sutra texts will appear at times of adversity to remind yourself to create no evil and cultivate all good.
The benefit of reading Buddhist sutras is it prompts one to be on the right path by being morally and lawfully upright. A slight lapse in judgment can lead to a huge mistake, so be clear on what you should and should not do. With modern-day technological developments that connect more people, there are more chances for moral distractions. For those in power, if they make a misstep, there would be tremendous trouble in the world.
Two thousand five hundred years ago, Buddha’s awakening allowed so many people to know about Dharma. With the same reasoning, if one has a fervent, genuine heart, one can influence others to spread love and kindness, ensuring that society is safe for all.
I often talk about collective karma – the current state of improper minds and climate change is worrying. What we need most now is the congregation of good karma. Some people want to do good but lack a driving force. You should not neglect anyone because they might be predestined to be led into the Bodhisattva path by you! Many people in the world are suffering, and if they are not connected to any social groups, then we would not have the predestination to help them.
Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings with emotions. Such love is not one that is confused like those of ordinary humans, where one is fixated on something and feels disappointed when reality falls far short of their ideals.
If we let go of the relentless pursuit of desires, we would be happier in life. Every day, I take stock of what I have gone through, and I feel very blessed – the blessings come from being affiliated with volunteers who share the same interests as me. I often say how fortunate I am. I cannot say I have suffered in this life, but it is tough to handle every rising thought. I am not on this journey alone, as it takes many to accomplish things. There is no one designated leader, as everyone has a part to play in achieving powerful acts of good.
Spending time with enlightened and compassionate people every day makes me feel very satisfied. Let the place where we are become the venue where kind-hearted people gather. Let us congregate to help those in need, to bring light and joy into the world.
Learning the Dharma is about understanding the truth, thereby broadening one’s worldview. As the saying goes, “A mind can embrace the vast emptiness; the mind is boundless as myriad worlds”. Our minds can embrace everything in the universe. We will not be hurdled by obstacles when we are not obsessed and stubborn. Dharma is close to our mind; it gives us a direction in our every action, and this direction is kindness. I urge everyone to start from the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, plant the seeds of wisdom and embody it in your actions. I hope everyone can fully understand and practise the sutra, be wise and cultivate both compassion and wisdom to get everything done smoothly!
(Translated by Teo Jia Xin)
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