Assignment 4, Jin Shan Shi

“When one’s nature is settled,

Demons are subdued,

And every day is happy.

If false thoughts do not arise,

Every place is peaceful.”

Is one of my favorite verses spoken by Venerable Master Hua.

I like it because it let me how to get rid of anxiety, and have a peaceful mind.

If our nature were stable, our mind would be lucid and clear at all times. At that time, when we encounter something, we know how to deal with it without swaying by our emotions. We will not be delighted by pleasant states, upset by anger states, and sorrow by sad states. We will not attach to things we like or things we want. In other words, we know how to control ourselves when the emotions arise. Our mind will not be disturbed, or influenced by them. Those demons of emotions can not disturb us. Under this situation, we never feel any anxiety or affliction. We are happy all the time.

There is a saying:

“When the mind moves,

Everything appears;

When the mind stops,

All things disappear.”

Everything derives from our mind. If we have a proper mind, when a situation appears, we deal with it. When it is gone, we treat it like nothing has ever happened. Then our mind is not affected by things happened. Since there are no false thoughts arise, no matter wherever we go, we will feel safe and peaceful.

This verse is especially important to cultivators. Once our nature is settled, our ignorance and afflictions are eradicated. Then we can walk on the Bodhi path.