Assignment 4 - Jin-Xiang Shr

One of my favorite quotes of Venerable Master Hua is:

In walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, we should always be attentive. We should be aware of everything we say and do. We should look after ourselves. Don't be like a washing machine that washes other people's clothes, but in the process gets dirty itself.

from Spring Sun, Lotus Flower, p 74.

This picture is from http://www.drbu.org/content/self/thought-cultivation

This advice is useful for me because it has the dual aspects of deportment (body) and self-reflection (mind). Being attentive and aware of one's body in every posture is not easy; to be aware of everything we say and do is not easy either, especially when the weather conditions are extreme, our body conditions are challenged, or when we are faced with different personalities.

There is a saying:

If your ideas aren't working, look within yourself;

If you are kind to people and they don't reciprocate,

take a look at your kindness.

If you give people orders and they don't follow them,

take a look at your orders.

If you pay respect to people and they don't return it,

take a look at your manners.

from "When People Don't Like You," Herein Lies the Treasure Trove, vol. one, 1983, p. 121 .

One of the common problems in life, whether it is spiritual or worldly, is dealing with people. Ability to master any relationship with people around you is a plus in whichever path you take. But I think you may not find this quote in a handbook for developing interrelationship skill, because this tells us to reflect on ourselves, not just for the sake of gaining the benefit of a good relationship on the surface. If we use this advice well, it can ultimately help us to overcome karmic obstacles with our past-life enemies and break our attachments to our views. In addition, by practicing according to it, we create and build up wholesome karma.

Minding our own business and turning the light around when around people help us to lessen our afflictions/outflows and maintain equanimity. In addition, by practicing according to it, we create and build up wholesome karma. Prajna Paramita in a nut shell!