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In the process of helping others, we need to examine ourselves to see if we are helping others with an equanimous mind. If we pay a lot of attention on how much we have contributed to others and whether or not the receivers are thankful to us, then we are not cultivating our mind. Although we are doing good deeds, what is even more important is to cultivate our mind. We must learn to give without expecting anything in return, while at the same time, be grateful to those we help.
Be grateful even when we are the ones giving help
Our mind will be at peace if we do not seek anything in return for helping people. If we are able to feel grateful at the same time, it means that we have achieved a transcendent state where we have let go of our ego—we are no longer attached to the notion of the giver, the receiver and what we have given to help others. This is the ultimate state of spiritual cultivation, which is known as the Threefold Wheel of Essential Emptiness in Buddhism.
However, in order to fully understand such a transcendent state, we need to personally undergo trials and tribulations in life and train our mind as we face them. Some people may think that they have understood the meaning of the teaching after reading the sutras. But when they are faced with trying circumstances, they are not able to calm their minds. For example, they may start thinking why they do not even receive a smile or applause in return after they have done so much for others.
So, how do we keep our mind calm? We have to go amongst people and train our mind while dealing with difficult people and circumstances. We must keep training our mind until we can naturally accept every adversity without asking why and even think that they are nothing to get upset about. When we see everything that comes our way as something usual and ordinary, our minds will be purified of defilements.
Our mind was originally pure, like a clear, pure stream of water. It only became contaminated after being exposed to the influences of the material world. If we are able to return to our original pure state of mind while living in the mundane world, we will achieve true transcendence.
Extracted from a journal on Jing Si Aphorism pedagogy (Issue 58) dated 16th March 2001
Translated by the Tzu Chi Singapore translation team
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