White Tara said: “Since time immemorial, human beings have undergone innumerable reincarnations, but have been unable to end the cycle of transmigration and attain the four sacred states. Upon examination, it becomes evident that the hindrance of ‘ignorance’ is the cause.”
White Tara’s words touched me deeply.
Yes.
For many, many people, their lives follow a similar process:
Birth, kindergarten, primary school, junior high school, high school, university, postgraduate or master’s studies, doctorate studies.
Starting a career, retirement.
Marriage, starting a family, having children.
Marriage of sons and daughters, having grandchildren.
Old age, illness, death.
Therefore, Chen Chuan-Fang says:
At age one, one enters the world.
At age ten, one is occupied in studies.
At age twenty, one is filled with billowing thoughts of love.
At age thirty, one strives in one’s career.
At age forty, one puts on some weight.
At age fifty, one is old but vigorous.
At age sixty, one’s blood pressure rises.
At age seventy, one starts becoming forgetful.
At age eighty, one becomes shaky. (walks unsteadily)
At age ninety, one loses direction. (memory loss)
At a hundred years of age, one is a portrait hung on the wall. (death)
This is “human life.” In general, few people are able to break away from this framework, this mode of living.
In this mode, everyone pursues worldly matters and objects relentlessly. Because of these relentless pursuits, “craving,” “hatred,” and “delusion” arise. Consequently, hearts are spurred to commit many negative deeds. The accumulation of negative karma, creates the cause for rebirth in the three lower realms.
White Tara said:
“This is ignorance!”
I said:
If a person has the opportunity to encounter Buddhadharma, then this is an extremely fortunate event indeed, because only Buddhadharma can lead you to exit the secular world, enter into the realm of sages and saints, liberate yourself from reincarnation, and reach the four holy states.
Although some people have already encountered Buddhadharma, and have also met great kind and wise friends, however, they are still unable to resist worldly temptations.
They associate with people who commit cumulative bad deeds.
They pursue status and reputation.
They crave sensual pleasures.
They cause harm to others.
They wrongfully seize others’ wealth and property through force or power.
They kill living beings for their craving for culinary delights.
They covet luxurious residences, premium cars, and jewelry.
White Tara said:
“These types of pursuits often incite one’s heart to commit wrongdoings, to seek relentlessly and tirelessly. It is a cycle of happiness and suffering, swinging between either gain or loss. Unable to let one’s mind be at peace is also ignorance.”
My personal opinion is:
A Buddhist practitioner should cultivate and uphold Buddhadharma single-mindedly.
Ultimately, the purification of one’s body, speech, and mind is necessary.
One must detach oneself from the secular.
Think of ways for oneself to remedy one’s worldly cravings.
Not only learning to remedy one’s cravings, but also influencing others to learn to remedy their cravings; this is bodhicitta.
It is very important not to have a selfish heart and frequently reflect on whether one has selfishness.
Even more importantly, express your love for others, not just for oneself. This is the heart of great compassion.
White Tara said:
“Only such individuals can be called true spiritual cultivators, as they have freed themselves from ignorance.”