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Heng sure
March 14, 1978
The loneliness we feel in our lives has its roots in selfishness. We feel empty and spiritually poor because we forgot to be filial.
Ask yourself, "Why are my children un- Filial? Is it not because I myself Was unfilial to my parents? How Shameful! Whether or not they are good To me, I will be good to my children. And to all the world's children. I Shall respect all elders as my elders, And treat all children as my children. In this way the world will quickly Become peaceful." -- Essay by Master Hua, "What great joy" Vajra Bodhi sea # 15
Heng Ch'au
Tuesday
March 14, 1978
"According With All Beings"
"If a bodhisattva accords with all beings, then he accords with and makes offerings to all Buddhas. If he can honor and serve living beings, then he honors and serves the this come ones. If he makes living beings happy, he is making all the thus come ones happy." -- Avatamsaka sutra Chapter 40
What does it mean to "accord"? it means to get along and harmonize with, not to oppress and obstruct. According should be very natural, like falling rain or fruit dropping when ripe. When something comes up, one responds; when it's gone, one is quiet.
Too often I seek after things and try to rush my way through the world. This isn't according, and what doesn't accord soon perishes, there is a time give and a time to be still; a time to roll it up and secretly hide away.
Seeking to give is still greed and often conceals a desire to be spotlighted and acclaimed. True giving is without thought or a mark. It is so natural and appropriate that the giver seems as if empty and the gift passes unnoticed.
We are learning to gather in our energy and to accord with conditions; to honor and serve when it's ripe, to be quiet when it's not. Making living beings oneself, spontaneously unattached and peaceful. Peacefulness comes from knowing sufficiency and not seeking self-benefit.