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When we are happy, people will feel happy when they see us. However, we must be aware that life may not always go according to our wishes. For instance, people may say things that we may not want to hear or they may even show an attitude contrary to ours. Since not everything may necessarily suit our wishes or match our heart’s desires, there will, of course, be many setbacks in life.
Another example is, you may hear someone criticising another person. Although a person may appear to be quite nice, he may act very differently in reality. Actually, all this has nothing to do with you; yet after hearing the negative comments from others about a person, you may begin to discount him in your heart when you meet him. This is akin to punishing yourself with the mistakes of others.
If we can see past the imperfections in others, everyone will appear pleasant to us and we will see perfection in every person. Then, our hearts are truly full and complete. However, if you begin to judge others critically, that is only because of the prejudice in your own heart. We are reminded of the saying: “When we look at people through the heart of a buddha, we will see everyone as a buddha. When we look at others through the eyes of a demon, we will see everyone as a demon.”
The Buddha is known as the “perfectly enlightened one”, because he has already perfected his character. If we look at people with a full and virtuous heart, then we will also see perfection in others. Thus, we need to fill our hearts with inner goodness, then we will be able to see everyone as a buddha.
In our daily dealings with others, we should not harbour suspicion in our hearts. We must be someone who can be trusted by others, and we must have faith in others, too. It is painful to be either suspected by others or to harbour suspicion against others. Therefore, do not bear a suspicious heart, because suspicion darkens our hearts. We must first adjust our own mindset and broaden our hearts, then we can live a full and complete life.
Extracted from “Xin Ling Zhi Chuang”《心灵之窗》
Translated by the Tzu Chi Singapore translation team
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