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Time passes quickly. Autumn is over and winter is approaching. The daylight hours are getting shorter. Life passes by in an instant. The remedy is to seize the present, stay alert and be a person who does not waste a second. If you have to make a decision, do it quickly. If there are tasks to be done, act now. No pain, no gain. Just do it.
The mind is the place where we practise our spiritual path. Everyone is our companion in spiritual cultivation. Mutual care between people calls for gratitude. Even if there is friction with others, we should remain grateful. If anyone causes us unhappiness, we should immediately convert the feeling to gratitude. This is the practice of the present moment. By cultivating discipline and consciousness, wisdom will naturally arise. Everyone is helping us succeed in our spiritual cultivation and everyone can achieve Buddhahood. Never look down on others and always care for them.
When the four seasons follow their natural course and people follow the right principles, everything will flourish. The weather and society are changing in this era, and both are becoming increasingly intense. In the past, people mended their clothes, there would always have visible needlework on their clothing. Nowadays, everyone dresses well. In the earlier days, it was challenging to graduate from a primary or secondary school but today, receiving education is a basic thing and studying abroad is common.
With the changing times, lifestyle has evolved too. What people desire today are different as well. In the past, it was fortunate having vegetables to go with white rice for a meal. But now, there is an endless variety of food and yet, people feel unsatisfied. We pursue not just taste but every aspect in life – food, clothing, shelter and transportation. We enjoy convenience and are consuming more and more of Earth's resources.
Life is always a struggle driven by desires. Commoners have common desires while ambitious people have huge ambitions – “everything belongs to me", and are ready to do anything to satisfy their desires. People are craving for more and are never satisfied. Just like a desert under a scorching sun, the heart is always dry. No matter how much water is added, there will never be a sense of coolness or joy.
Where there is greed, there is competition. Competition exists between people and between nations. When everyone is fighting and seizing what they want, the society becomes unstable. Natural disasters may pass but wars never cease. No matter how much people possess, they will still have to flee their homes when there is war. Who pays attention to refugees in neglected corners? It is heartbreaking to see them. Where can they call home?
Humankind is the most intelligent of all beings and only humans can bring peace to the world. If the direction and intention of our hearts go astray, the further we drift, the further we would be from our destination. The smallest deviation can lead to a great distance. The more a society advances, the more groups and parties there will be, and the larger the need for a better balance. We must take care of our heart and mind. Once there is any bias or greed, even a word or small action could lead to a tragedy in life.
Looking back in history, both fortunate and unfortunate events could arise from a single thought. The aim of religion is to guide people's minds toward higher ideals, seeking not personal gain but the benefit of the greater good. The well-being of fellow humans ensures the peace of safety of each individual.
Everyone has their own perspective. Even siblings in the same family may have different views. When a family is not in harmony, the parents would be troubled. Whether in a family, a city or a society, if everyone’s thoughts are not aligned and have constant disputes and disagreements, the world would be filled with confusion and strife.
Religion is present to harmonise human hearts with a common direction. Kindness and love are universal ideals shared by all religions. The simplest explanation of faith is love — universal love, benevolent love, love for all — love is grand and infinite. No matter what religion one follows, we must respect one other, be grateful and unite. This would be the ideal world in harmony. When everyone follows the principles of religion, our land would be pure and Earth would be a paradise.
The global Tzu Chi community faces people of different races and treats everyone with pure, true, and sincere love without distinguishing between borders. This love and care for the world is “compassion with awareness”. It is not a fleeting emotion, but an eternal and great love that endures.
Suffering in the world is endless and with severe climate changes, disasters are becoming more devastating than ever. When people’s hearts are in conflict, the world would become polluted. By not competing for possessions and not being insatiable, the blessings we receive for the good deeds we do will be greater. This blessing will act as a protective shield for the world and humankind.
When someone calls out and leads the way, love will be activated. By uniting the positive thoughts of all religions, we can guide and educate the public to walk on the path of righteousness. Do not underestimate the power of sincere prayer. This force can drive away evil, gather goodness and harmonise human hearts, bringing peace to the world. Please, everyone, put your heart into it!
Translated by Lee Mui Hoon
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