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If we wish to seek the true Buddha nature, we must seek from within our original, innate nature.”
During the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period in Ancient China, there was a boy in the Kingdom of Yan who had long heard about the rich opera culture in the Kingdom of Zhao, and he was fascinated by the gait of the stage performers. The boy expressly went to the Kingdom of Zhao and stayed there for a few years just to learn how to walk like an opera performer. Unfortunately, not only did he fail to learn that particular style of walking, he had even forgotten his way of walking, and ended up crawling back to the Kingdom of Yan.
As absurd as the story may sound, however, in real life, many people behave like the boy, as they have lost their true, innate nature. Our original, innate nature (also known as the Buddha nature) is as natural as our ability to walk. The ability to walk is something we are born with. A healthy child will be able to learn how to walk naturally as he grows up from infancy.
The boy from the Kingdom of Yan chose to “forgo” his own natural way of walking and sought to learn the gait of an opera performer. Not only did he fail badly in his attempt, he even lost his original walking ability. Therefore, if we wish to seek our true Buddha nature, we must seek from within our original, innate nature.
During a family event organised by Tzu Chi’s nursing college, the students and their families as well as their mentors gathered at a field for a game. The students were in charge of giving instructions, which their mentors and parents willingly followed. Even the school’s principal and his wife joined in the fun.
The game required them to collect various different items. When ties were needed, the adults, including the principal and parents, took off their ties and gave them to the students. Everyone just had fun together, regardless of whether they knew each other or not. And everyone happily contributed what they had when the game required strands of hair, shoe laces, belts etc. Even the principal’s shoes were taken away.
During the game, the social status and age of the participants were of no importance. Nobody cared whether they won or lost, and the students were the judges. The whole point of it was to have fun.
The same applies to our daily life. It would be best if we are able to keep a simple and innocent mindset, do not take issue with one another or care about winning or losing, and just do our part properly. We must not lose ourselves in life. Irrespective of our age, everyone has the same innate (Buddha) nature.
In learning Buddhism, we must first return to our true self and understand our innate nature. However, we often let our thoughts go astray. For example, we may make hasty remarks or say or do something negligently, only to regret later. The life of mundane people is often filled with regrets, because many people fail to take care of their thoughts and understand themselves completely. Therefore, we must safeguard our thoughts at every present moment.
Often times I have people asking me, “Master, what is your plan for this life?”
And I would always reply, “I do have a long-term goal, but I always cherish and take hold of every second in the present.”
If we are able to take hold of our thoughts at the present moment, we will less likely do the wrong thing or say something wrong, and neither will we be lax nor ignorant.
The Buddha said, “It is difficult for one to see one’s innate (Buddha) nature and practise the Way.” This is because people are often unable to take hold of their thoughts in the present. In short, it is not difficult to learn the Way. If we are able to take hold of our thoughts in the now and fully understand our innate nature, it will be much easier.
Extracted from “Sheng Huo De Zhi Hui”《生活的智慧》
Translated by the Tzu Chi Singapore translation team
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