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We often say that “the mind, the Buddha and living beings are the same in essence”. Although it is easy to say this, however, more often than not, people cannot understand its hidden meaning.
What we know about human beings’ equal, innocent and free innate (Buddha) nature is merely an intellectual definition. Very few people in this world truly understand how close our hearts are to the Buddha nature. This is because many people cannot completely contribute their potential and capabilities as a human being despite having a human body.
If we are able to fully contribute our human potential, we will draw close to the Buddha’s heart. Yet, as mundane beings, we are unable to do so. Hence, we are called “sentient beings” (that are trapped in the cycle of birth and death). As mundane, sentient beings, we are very far apart from the Buddha (as we have yet to reach his enlightened state of mind).
Cocks can crow while dogs can bark, but they are unable to perceive the existence of the Truth. This is because living beings in the animal realm are dull and unintelligent. Despite having a simple and innocent nature, animals cannot be awakened to the Truth and do not have the karmic conditions to get near to it. Hence, they are very far from the state of Buddhahood.
In contrast, human beings have the ability to comprehend things. The environment surrounding us is constantly giving us opportunities to experience, learn and self-reflect, and this is the best karmic condition for us to draw near to our innate Buddha nature.
Unfortunately, many people allow these opportunities to go to waste and miss the chance to realise their true, innate nature. Most people spend time learning delusional beliefs and practices instead. For example, they may seek supernatural powers, spiritual connection, and good fortune, but all these are not the original goal and objective of learning Buddhism.
The purpose of learning Buddhism is to apply the Dharma in our daily life. The Dharma dew purifies our body and mind by cleansing away our ignorance and purifying our polluted heart. This is the true goal of learning Buddhism. If we are only seeking supernatural powers or spiritual connection, then our mindset is incorrect.
What we should seek to cultivate is a focused and resolved mind that is unwavering. Only by doing so will we be able to focus our mind on learning the Dharma. If we are always regretful of the mistakes we made the day before or what we said or did wrongly a moment before, our mind will always stay in the past or the future. And thus, we will not be able to concentrate on the people and matters in the present.
If a person cannot even stay focused in the present and yet keeps hoping to gain supernatural powers, he is likely to enter the evil path and slide farther and farther away from the Buddha Path. If we cannot even fully understand our own mind, how can we understand other people’s minds? The right way to learn Buddhism is to face our life in the present. We should always reflect on what our abilities are and whether we have make full use of them for the greater good.
This is a short story that I have told before:
There was a pond in front of an ancient temple, and there lived many toads in the pond. These toads often jumped in and out of the pond. One day, when the knot of toads hopped to the side of the pond, they saw some Buddhist practitioners, who were dressed in religious robes, reciting the Buddha’s name while taking slow, serene footsteps.
Seeing how peaceful and dignified the practitioners were, the toads were envious of them. One of the toads even hopped to the doorstep of the Buddha hall and started praying piously when the practitioners inside were praying to the Buddha. The toad prayed to the Buddha to bestow it a pair of legs so that it could stand and walk on both feet like a human being.
The creature’s sincere piety touched the heart of a heavenly being, who granted its wish. The toad was overjoyed and felt really proud, because the rest of the toads had to hop with four legs while it could stand and walk with two.
One day, a snake suddenly appeared from the grass. The sight of the menacing snake sent many toads escaping for their lives. The toad that could walk on two legs was terrified as well, but it could not move as fast with two legs as those hopping on four legs. Eventually, it was caught by the snake. When it was struggling in pain to escape, it thought regretfully, “Why did I want to give up my original (hopping) ability just for the sake of walking and standing on two legs? Now, I’m going to end up as a meal for the snake. I truly regret my decision!”
Although this is just a folktale, it can serve as a good reminder for us. The purpose of learning the Dharma is to recover our innate abilities and nature. If we seek anything that is beyond our ability by hook or by crook, we will fail eventually.
Some people go to a temple, claiming to want to learn the Buddha Path, but they are hooked on seeking supernatural powers instead. As a result, they may go to extremes and become possessed. Not only may they end up deranged, but they may also destroy their wisdom.
I hope that everyone can clearly see their own innate nature and potentials. If we cannot fully comprehend this, it will be difficult for us to understand the Truth even if the Way is right in front of us. This is why the Buddha said, “It is difficult for one to see one’s true, innate nature and to learn the Way”.
In fact, our pure, innate nature is closest to us. However, people often go after what is beyond reach and neglect what they already own, just like how our eyes can see others clearly, but they cannot see our own face. Therefore, we often cannot see what is nearest to us and neglect it.
The way to learn Buddhism is simply to start from what is closest and nearest to us. And the simplest and most direct way is to make full use of our innate and inborn abilities. We must never seek what is beyond us and neglect what is closest to us.
Extracted from “Sheng Huo De Zhi Hui”《生活的智慧》
Translated by the Tzu Chi Singapore translation team
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