Teacher Zhen-Ru’s discourse 7th November 2018

This year, the Master’s Remembrance Day event was held consecutively for five days in the north and south districts. As the audiences were different each day, Teacher consequently adjusted the contents of her conversations according to the audience, to impart distinctly interesting, profound and touching messages.

The Bliss and Wisdom Global Website has selectively extracted eight angles from Teacher’s discourse. Though this may not be the complete discourse, nonetheless, these excerpts are furnished for everyone’s reference and revision. The eight angles include “Gratitude for Master Jih-Chang’s teachings”, “Discovering one’s inner strength”, “Treatment for depression”, “Global Lamrim Joint Study”, “Maintain the attitude of a student”, “Stop using plastics starts with me”, “Be more filial to parents and the elderly” and “In the face of aging”. 

1. Gratitude for Master Jih-Chang’s teachings, blessings, support and care

• Master Jih-Chang is our lives’ greatest encounter. With genuine Bodhicitta, he is still perseveringly and inconceivably benefiting us till this day. Many wonderful enterprises originated from his heart, giving us many precious gifts, amongst which is the most treasured “The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment.”

• We should always remember Master’s deep kindness in the same way as   Youthful Sudhana’s statements in the “Array of Stalks” sutra, on page 83 of the Lamrim [volume 1]. I wonder if everyone here has come to this event, holding the same thought as Youthful Sudhana, in “wholeheartedly recollecting our teacher’s kindness”? If so, I very much rejoice everyone, because this is an offering of “practicing according to the guru’s words”.

• The virtuous teacher has many kindness towards us: giving us the teachings, blessings, support and care… the kindness of giving us the teachings is extremely deep. This is because, he teaches us to recognize the difference between correct teachings and counterfeit teachings, virtuous and non-virtuous teachings, in order that we are able to discern between virtue and non-virtue. Hence, [we can then] apply the same to adjust & subdue our mind-stream accordingly.

• We all desire to remove sufferings and attain happiness. Hence, we need to understand: the benefits of cultivating the sublime teachings, the faults of not cultivating them, the method to effectively remove sufferings, attain happiness and ultimately attain Buddhahood – the virtuous teacher is of great importance to us, as he is the only person who can clearly and unmistakably speak about the good qualities of the sublime teachings.  

• Why are we able to obtain the human life of leisure and opportunity in this lifetime? This came about from listening to the virtuous teacher’s sublime teachings that led us to cultivate the virtuous deed of creating the three causes for leisure and opportunity. After we have obtained a human life of leisure and opportunity, the virtuous teacher once again appears before us to enable us to continue our cultivation. Otherwise, without the virtuous teacher’s guidance and blessing, many unfavorable conditions could disrupt our cultivation.

• The reason that we are able to set aside time to listen to the teachings, do volunteer work, facilitate classes, prepare for lessons amidst our busy schedules, is all due to the virtuous teacher leading the way, giving us the teachings, and guiding us in our learning. Otherwise, we will be ignorant about setting aside time to make wonderful preparations for our infinite lives. This is something we should feel deeply grateful to our virtuous teacher for.

2. Master allowed me to discover my inner strength

Even though Master Jih-Chang lived plainly and simply his whole life, his thoughts were brilliant and colourful.  What is the core of Master’s teaching?  Deep in my heart, I strongly feel that Master taught us how to realise the greatness of our minds.  Life is tough, fearful, full of uncertainty, but Master taught me in this instance how to turn my destiny within my heart.

The truth is that our distress and suffering do not come from external situations, certain people or sickness, but come from our own afflictions like greed, anger, ignorance.  In order to attain inner peace, we need to battle afflictions and practise the Buddha’s Teaching to extinguish the fire of these 3 poisons.

According to the Lamrim text, volume 1, page 301, “The Causes of the Afflictions”, we have this seed of affliction in our mind and when a situation appears, we will think negatively/wrongly, which gives rise to afflictions.  The key to change our destiny is that when we are caught in a situation, we have to bring out the teaching that we have learned and use it, get rid of negative thoughts and practise right, positive contemplation.

In many situations that seem all wrong, Master Jih-Chang can always discover its bright spot, seeing light and brightness as well as hope!  In any situation, Master can always discover hope, sometimes he discovers happiness, discovers peace, discovers the current step of practise, this is really rare and precious.

Joyous Perseverance, to Master Jih-Chang, should be an everlasting concept. He is able to joyously persevere endlessly. When confronted with any setback or any difficulty, he won’t give up so easily and he keeps on fighting his ways towards his goal of attaining enlightenment.

3.  Treatment for Depression, Returning to True Self 

Master Jih-Chang adopts a very practical approach in the long term planning of ourlives. He repeatedly reminded us to observe merits and appreciate the kindness of others, be positive and live in harmony. Through learning the Lamrim, we gradually learn to avoid blaming others each time and all the time. We will not be able to recognise the quintessence of life and the starting point to renew ourselves, if we hold the strong belief that the root of all problems is caused by others. 

It is Master Jih-Chang who not only once [but many times] led us to introspect our minds, to seek answers to life and answers to enhance it. 

We always make numerous self-discoveries each time we introspect based on Master Jih-Chang’s teachings, for instance: I am feeling anxious, pessimistic, observing others’ faults, feeling ill will… we will give such emerging thoughts a definition. We know we need to make self adjustments to our perspective because we become mindful of the unhappy outcomes that such negative thoughts will lead us to. 

If the world and our destiny could change significantly for the better through our self adjustment, why not? Hence, we will and we should adjust our attitude.

• Be mindful of negative thoughts. Do not dwell in sadness for long. When you are feeling down, you could refer to the Lamrim, find someone to talk to, exercise, sun-bathe or confide in Master Jih-Chang and the Boddhisattvas....In short, practice thinking from an optimistic perspective. Have we been so preoccupied with our life that we have forgotten to look within ourselves? For habitual handphone users, do you instinctively search the social media for news and friends in your quiet moments? How many of us would occasionally turn off the lights, retreat from our handphones and television, do nothing but simply come face-to-face with our feelings of anxiety, our fearful and bored mind? Are we able to face our true self during such moments, particularly when we have no material objects to grasp? We should try to feel such quiet moments!

• It has been too long since we last immersed ourselves in quiet serenity, to be with Nature, to watch the night sky and stars or gaze at the bright moon.  Master Jih-Chang's teachings have enabled our state of mind to regain serenity, to return to a frame of positive thinking. This is Master’s greatest education and guidance for my life.

4. Global Lamrim Joint Study

• Master brought this very profound teaching before our eyes, letting us firmly put it into practice in our everyday lives. The way Master explains the Lamrim allows the disciples to feel that Lamrim is very nourishing and very applicable!

• When we learn Lamrim together, I would also very much hope to give all of you an angle in listening to Master’s discourse audio recording. I hope that through Global Lamrim, we can get together to listen to Master’s audio recording and learn earnestly, like in a big virtual classroom. The many things that I would like to tell you are all mentioned during the sessions and I hope all of you can seriously listen. When we face difficulties or sufferings, we can, as a result of listening to the Buddha’s Teachings, tackle it with positivity and see hope in it.

•  The following is an extract from <Array of Stalk Sutra – Entering the Dharma Realm> that I would like to offer to all of you and hope that you can joyously learn Lamrim, this supreme entrance to change our lives:

“This peaceful liberation of mind guides the world

To happiness in accord with the time

By producing the light of truth

To end the darkness of delusion and ignorance.

My kindness is vast and pure.

Developed over boundless eons past;

Dispelling evil, I illumine the world —

Realize this wisdom, O Sudhana, steadfast one.

Measureless is my ocean of compassion for the world;

Herein the buddhas of all times are born,

Hereby the pains of the world are soothed —

Realize this wisdom, O Sudhana, steadfast one.

Producing worldly happiness, both the joys

Which are conditional and those of the sages.

Thereby I am delighted, uplifted, pleased —

Realize this wisdom, O son of Buddha” 

5. Maintain the attitude of a student

What I have set for myself is to be a student. Because there is so much that we need to learn on this path. For instance, we see different people, different matters, travel to different countries and see various life experiences of others. I think there are many great people on earth. They are all earnestly devoting that sincerity, goodness and beauty in their lives, as well as striving and staying strong to face difficulties; these are all very worthy for me to learn.

6. Stop using plastics starts with me

• From the statistics, every year, 8 million tonnes of plastic debris   flow into the ocean globally, equivalent to 200kg per minute. This not only pollutes the ocean and endangers the animals, in fact, these plastic micro bits are present in drinking water, salt and plants; this can harm human too.  Stop using plastic is a global action and tough war. We have to start carrying it out ourselves and share with our family and friends about it.

• If we humans do not take action, the land will be destroyed in a few years’ time and the ocean will not be able to take it too. By then, the lives of the people living on earth will be extremely agonizing. So I hope everyone can come together and put our efforts in it.

7. Be more filial towards parents and the elderly

• Be filial towards your parents, grandparents and the elderly when you return home. Having a harmonious and warm relationship with the family will allow us more time to focus on shaping the kind of life we desire, and to love the world.

• Be sure to find a way to please the elderly, a thoughtful small gesture may make parents very happy. A small gift, some heart-warming words, a bright smile, or even to give a respectful bow and say, "Thank you, Dad!" "Thank you, Mom!", or to be able to establish one’s own moral values, live a happy life; these will possibly make parents very happy and at ease - there are too many things you can do to satisfy your parents.

• Are you able to say a few words of gratitude to your parents every day? If he/she is not happy, think of a way to cheer him/her up, even recalling what he/she had done for you in your childhood. If your parents are no longer around, you can recite sutras or do virtuous deeds and dedicate the merits to them, all these virtuous deeds will collectively be there.

• It is not easy to repay the great kindness of our parents. If we cannot handle the conflict we have with them, find guidance through the Lamrim. If you have ever felt the unconditional love of your parents, their ceaseless concern, the love you will not lose, then you will always have support in this life.  Especially when our parents are aging, needing our care and understanding, at that point of time, we will feel heartfelt sincerity towards them, because no matter how old they have become, a family is most blissed when dad and mom are still around. 

• I hope that everyone will reap more and more gratitude towards your parents, in this life. If you have not reaped yet, you will need to deliberately practice to have the ability to feel the love of your parents, feel harmony and happiness. All these are possible to obtain through practise.

8. In the face of aging

• If we can be genuinely sincere and have a heart pure like a child to comfort our parents, making them feel wonderful, what then is there to worry about aging? If our parents can live up to 120 years old, how blissful we will be?  This will allow us to spend a long, long time with them.

• We should look at "aging" in a new perspective. Do not be afraid of aging, for we have taken refuge in the Three Jewels, we have excellent teachers to teach us the Dharma, and we have the great jewel of the Sangha community. Aging means we can live a long life, stay with a number of generations under one roof. If we are not sick with any ailments, and can learn and practice together, aging can also be enjoyable! The key point is not to have any serious illness, even if we fall ill, try not to let the mind be affected by the illness, and everyone come together and help one another. The 70-year- old can take care of the 80-year-old, the 80-year-old can care for the 90-year-old, and the 100-year-old can care for the 120-year-old.  What then is there to fear about the aging society? We are taking care of each other together. As long we have the right views, we will be able to live a wonderful life, able to practice, and this can be very beautiful too.
  

真如老师开示 2018/11/07

今年南北场共五天的忆师恩法会，由于每天与会听众不同，真如老师的谈话也应机调整，展现出不同的精彩、动人与深刻。

福智全球资讯网试着从真如老师的开示中，找出 8 个角度来摘录选编，虽然不是完整开示，仍期盼可以提供大家参考与温习。 8 个角度包括“师父的说法恩”、“发现自心的力量”、“对治忧郁”、“相约在全广”、“保持当学生的心态”、“净塑从我开始”、“多孝顺父母”、“面对老龄化”。

让我们重温法会，跟随老师的脚步一同忆念师父的恩、展望未来学习与行善目标吧！

一、师父的说法恩、加持恩、摄受恩

●师父是我们生命里最伟大的际遇。他以真实无伪的菩提心，到现在依然在精进地、不可思议利益着我们，很多美妙的事业都源于他的心，给我们带来很多非常珍贵的礼物，其中最珍贵的就是《菩提道次第广论》。

●我们要永远铭记师父的深恩，如《广论》35 页引用《华严经》善财童子所说的那样去想。不知道大家今天来的时候，是不是也有学习善财童子“专心思念善知识的恩德”而来到法会？如果是这样就非常随喜大家，因为这也是依教奉行的供养。

●善知识对我们有很多恩：说法恩、加持恩、摄授恩......说法恩是非常深的，因为善知识教我们认识正法与相似法，善法与恶法，让我们知道正确的善恶标准，用以调伏心续。

●我们都有离苦得乐的愿望，需要了解：修学正法有什么利益、不学有什么过患、怎样趣向彻底离苦得乐的佛果——善知识对我们是非常重要的，因为唯有善知识能够清楚无误地为我们宣说正法的功德。

●今天我们能够得到暇满人身，是为什么？因为过去听闻善知识宣说正法，才能造下成办暇满三因的善行。当我们得到暇满之后，善知识再次来到我们面前，让我们可以继续修行；如果没有善知识的引领加持，很多违缘都可能中断我们的修行。

●我们通常很忙，之所以会抽时间听法、做义工、带班、备课，是因为善知识在前面引领、说法、带我们学习的缘故，不然我们不会知道要拨出时间为无限生命做这么美好的准备。这一点要深深感恩善知识。

二、师父让我发现自心的力量

●师父一生简朴，看似朴素无华，思想却大放异彩。师父教授的核心是什么？我感受最深的是，师父让我们发现自心的伟大。生命有很多坎坷，有很多不安恐惧、忧悲苦恼，师父让我看见翻转命运最关键的因素在我的内心。

●真正损恼我们、让我们痛苦的不是外境、某个人或我的身体生病，而是我心中的贪瞋痴烦恼；要想获得内心的安宁，就要跟烦恼抗衡，以如来的言教息灭烦恼的烈火。

●如《广论》172 页“烦恼生因有六”所说，我们心中有烦恼的种子，当境界出现，我又非理作意，由此生出烦恼。改变苦乐命运的杠杆就是——遇到境界时，拿学过的教典出来运用，练习正向思考，断除负面的非理作意。

●在很多看起来一无是处的境界中，师父都能够看到它的亮点，看到非常光明、有希望的地方。无论什么境界，师父都能在其中发现希望，有的时候是发现喜悦、发现宁静、发现当下的一步修行，这是一件非常难能可贵的事情。

●精进，对于师父来说应该是一个永恒的概念，他可以永恒地精进，不会有什么事情使自己趣向无上菩提的旅程突然遭遇挫折而停止。

三、对治忧郁，回归自心

●在对生命长远的规划中，师父对眼前的一步也非常踏实，他不停告诉我们：要观功念恩、要正向作意、要和合......由于学师父《广论》的原因，我们慢慢学会不要把所有的错，都看成是对方的问题。如果强烈认为所有问题都是别人失误造成的，我们就没办法面对生命真正的起点、重新开始的起点。是师父，不只一次让我们回归自心，去找出生命的答案、改善命运的答案。

●每一次在师父的教诲下、回归自心的时候，我们总是有很多发现，比如：我在焦虑、悲观、在观察过失、起瞋心......我们会给这些浮现出来的心相一个定义，知道我的心如果沿着它下去的话，会到达一个不快乐的地方，所以我需要调整。如果世界、命运透过我的调整就会好很多，为什么我不做呢？一定会做的。

●千万小心负面作意，不要伤心太久。心沉的时候，可以听《广论》、找人聊聊、运动、晒太阳，或是到师父、佛菩萨面前倾诉一下......总之，要练习朝乐观的方向想事情，把事情想开。

●我们是否在忙碌的节奏中，忘记看看自己的心？在宁静的时候、没什么事情的时候，如果非常习惯用手机的人，是否就会赶快把手机打开看消息、看朋友圈？有多少人会偶而把灯关掉、不看手机、不看电视、不看什么，就静静地跟自己心慌的感觉相对、跟自己害怕无聊的心相对？去感受一下！当手边没有什么东西可以抓、可以看的时候，我们能不能在这样的时光里面对自己？

●我们已经在太久的时间里远离大自然，远离凝视星空、凝视明月的那一份宁静。在师父很多的教诲之中，都让我们的心情恢复到宁静、恢复到正向作意的状态，这是师父对我的生命最伟大的一个教育。

四、相约在全广

●师父把非常高远的修行拉到我们眼前，让我们在每天生活中都能够扎实地实践修行。师父讲述的《广论》，让弟子们都感觉到实在是太滋润了，太实用了！

●在我跟大家一起学全广的时候，我也非常努力地希望给大家一个听师父带子的角度。希望透过全广，我们聚在一起听师父的带子，好好学习，就像在虚空中的大课堂一样。我对你们有好多话都讲在那里边，希望大家能够好好地听。当我们遭遇痛苦时，可以因为听闻佛法，乐观以对，看见希望。

●以《华严经．入法界品》的一段话供养大家，希望大家欢喜趣入《广论》这个殊胜的门径，改变生命：

我此解脱门，生净法光明，

能破愚痴暗，待时而演说。

我昔无边劫，勤行广大慈，

普覆诸世间，佛子应修学。

寂静大悲海，出身三世佛，

能灭众生苦，汝应入此门。

能生世间乐，亦生出世乐，

令我心欢喜，汝应入此门。

五、保持当学生的心态

●我对自己的安立其实就是一个学生。因为在这条路上应该学习的实在太多太多了，比如见到不同的人、看到不同的事、走到不同国家、看到不同生命经历的人......我觉得这个地球上有太多伟大的人，他们都认真地奉献着自己生命中那一份真善美，在努力、在非常坚强面对自己生命的困境，这些都是非常值得我学习的。

六、净塑从我开始

●资料显示，每年全球至少有 800 万吨塑胶垃圾流入海洋，速度是一秒钟 200 公斤。它不只污染海洋、危及动物，事实上塑胶微粒已经存在于饮用水、盐与植物中，对人类也会造成伤害。净塑是全球行动、是一场硬仗，我们一定要从自己开始落实，并且跟亲朋好友分享这件事。

●如果我们人类不行动的话，再过几年土地也完了，海洋也不行了，那个时候生活在地球的人可能会非常痛苦，所以希望大家一起努力。

七、多孝顺父母长辈

●回家要多孝顺父母、爷爷奶奶和长辈。拥有和谐、温暖的家庭关系，会让我们有更多时间投注于自我生命的塑造，为世界献出爱心。

●一定要想办法去取悦长辈，一个小小的心思可能就让父母很开心。一个小礼物、一段温暖的话、一个灿烂的笑容，甚至认真鞠一个躬说：“谢谢你，爸爸！” “谢谢你，妈妈！”或是自己建立正确的价值观、活出愉快的人生，可能父母亲就很高兴很安心了——有太多东西可以满足父母亲。

●是否可以每天跟父母亲说几句感恩的话？如果他不高兴，想个办法让他高兴一下，甚至想想小时候他曾经为自己做的事情。如果父母不在了，可以念经或做善行回向给他，这些善业都会在的。

●父母亲的深恩是我们难以报答的，如果无法处理跟父母亲的矛盾，可以透过《广论》得到启示。如果体会过父母无条件的爱、永恒的关注、不会失去的爱，这一生都会有永远的靠山。尤其父母年龄大了，需要我们照顾和理解的时候，那时候我们的心也会非常赤忱，因为不管多老了，爸爸妈妈在身边还是最幸福的一家人。

●希望每个人在生命中收获更多更多对父母的感恩，如果没有的话就要刻意去练习——感受父母的爱的能力，感受和平的能力，感受幸福的能力，这些都是可以练习的。

八、面对老龄化

●如果我们能用自己的真心、非常真切纯洁的童心去宽慰父母，令他们感觉到灿烂的话，老龄化怕什么？如果父母活到 120 岁，我们将多么幸福？这样就可以跟父母在一起很久很久。

●要用新的观点看待“老”。不要怕老，因为我们皈依了三宝、有善知识教导佛法、有大宝僧团。老龄化意味着我们都可以活得很长寿，好几代人可以同堂。如果没有生什么病，一起学习一起修行，也是其乐融融！关键就是不要生特别严重的病，如果病了也要设法让心不要被病纠缠，大家一起来帮忙。 70 岁的照顾 80 岁、80 岁照顾 90 岁、100 岁的可以照顾 120 岁的。老龄社会怕什么？我们在一起互相照顾。只要有正念，可以过精彩人生、可以修行，也是非常美好的。