Humble Table, Wise Fare
Greed, anger, and ignorance are the worst sufferings in the world;
Loving kindnes, compassion, joy, and generosity are the best wealth in the world.
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Barks of Life
Find out the Venerable's advice in this podcast episode : https://bit.ly/2MilWVD
Once upon a time, there was a young man named Ray who recently got married. He met his wife in college, and they instantly fell in love with each other.
One evening, Ray met with his friends for dinner. Since Ray was just recently married, his friends were curious and asked him how married life was.
Ray happily replied, “Married life is wonderful! I feel so happy and content. When I was single, I would come home to an empty house with no dinner ready. So I always resorted to eating instant noodles. But now, when I get home, I am greeted by my dear wife, beaming with joy upon seeing me. Her lovely smile is what I look forward to coming home. Not only that, she also brings me my slippers at the door, and makes me feel very at home. Even Fluffy--our adorable dog runs around me, barking with joy. Furthermore, my wife’s delicious cooking is ready on the dining table, waiting for me. Who would complain about such a life? I’m blessed with the perfect married life!”
Ray’s friends nodded as they listened, and felt happy their friend was lucky to have found a great life partner. However, Ray’s happy, married life was not to last forever.
One year later, Ray met with his friends again. Before his friends even had a chance to ask, he began to complain, “Married life is upsetting. When I come home, my wife no longer greets me with a smile, instead, she nags me...telling me to do house chores, demanding that we make this or that investment, expecting that I come home on time, blah blah blah.”
One of his friends interrupted him and asked, “No more slippers then?”
Ray continued, “No! My dog brings me my slippers now. My wife is too busy nagging me. It’s only been a year, my romantic dinners have vanished, my gentle loving wife has turned into a nagging companion. Being married is like being in prison.”
Seeing Ray so downcast, his friends suggested that he go to the temple and speak to a Venerable. Though Ray was not religious, he thought why not, any good reason to get away from his nagging wife is welcomed.
Upon arriving at the temple, Ray went to the Main Shrine and was greeted by a Venerable who was expecting him. The Venerable led him to the reception room. On the table, tea and snacks were available. A little surprised, Ray quietly took a seat. Then the Venerable said, “Please have some tea and help yourself to the snacks.” Ray took a cup and sipped the tea. The Venerable asked, “How can I help?” Without holding back, Ray confided to the Venerable.
After listening to Ray, the Venerable said, “There is no need to feel troubled. You can still enjoy happy days like before.”
Puzzled, Ray asked, “How?”
The Venerable replied, “Well, it sounds to me that nothing has changed. Because when you arrive home, you still have someone that comes to greet you and brings you slippers. And there is still barking in the house.”
Ray frowned and mumbled, “But…”
The Venerable continued, “But the only difference is, your wife and your dog have swapped roles. Now you are greeted by your clever dog Fluffy, who is happy to see you and brings you slippers. As for your wife’s nagging, treat it like your dog’s barking, but in a different tune. You see, your life has not changed, you still have slippers waiting for you and barking when you arrive.”
Ray was comforted by the Venerable’s words and immediately felt better about his situation at home.
The moral of this story is that regardless of how the external world changes, what matters most is how we maintain our internal world. We need not let the external world drive us into misery and trouble. Shifting our mindset and transforming our delusions can help us resolve our internal conflicts. No matter what situation we face, if we can take charge and master our mind, we can live happily and be carefree.
However, we are often influenced by the external world due to our fragile mind. When we hear words of praise and see things we like, we feel like we’re in heaven. On the other hand, if we hear criticism or see things we dislike, we feel upset and hurt, even to the extent of losing sleep over it. As a result, this impacts our mental wellbeing and ability to enjoy life.
One of the Buddhist texts states that the mind of the Buddha is pure, without flattery and deceit, always basking in joy and compassion. Fundamentally, the mind of the Buddha and the ordinary mind is the same. If we can turn stinginess into selflessness, anger into happiness, greed into generosity, and violence into compassion, inevitably our worries and troubles will cease. This can be further explained through an analogy, namely, one will no longer be licking honey from the sharp edge of a knife. This illustrates that we are driven by our desires, that our cravings are strong, like the honey on the sharp edge of a knife. Though dangerous and we could easily cut our tongue licking the knife, we choose to take the risk just so we could satisfy our desires.
If we strive to change our external world, would it not be more important to change our internal world instead? Changing our mindset is the key, as the world can be seen as the manifestation of our mind. For example, on seeing a pond filled with fallen flowers, some may feel sad that the flowers have wilted and are no longer beautiful. In contrast, some people look forward to the fruits that are soon to come. These contrasting interpretations of the same scenario demonstrate that everything in this world can be found in our perceptions. Through transforming the way we think, we can transcend suffering and appreciate the pleasures in life.
Just as Venerable Master Hsing Yun says,
“Water is quiet if not stirred by the wind.
The mind perseveres if not stirred by distractions.”
Once upon a time, there was a young man named Ray who recently got married. He met his wife in college, and they instantly fell in love with each other.
One evening, Ray met with his friends for dinner. Since Ray was just recently married, his friends were curious and asked him how married life was.
Ray happily replied, “Married life is wonderful! I feel so happy and content. When I was single, I would come home to an empty house with no dinner ready. So I always resorted to eating instant noodles. But now, when I get home, I am greeted by my dear wife, beaming with joy upon seeing me. Her lovely smile is what I look forward to coming home. Not only that, she also brings me my slippers at the door, and makes me feel very at home. Even Fluffy--our adorable dog runs around me, barking with joy. Furthermore, my wife’s delicious cooking is ready on the dining table, waiting for me. Who would complain about such a life? I’m blessed with the perfect married life!”
Ray’s friends nodded as they listened, and felt happy their friend was lucky to have found a great life partner. However, Ray’s happy, married life was not to last forever.
One year later, Ray met with his friends again. Before his friends even had a chance to ask, he began to complain, “Married life is upsetting. When I come home, my wife no longer greets me with a smile, instead, she nags me...telling me to do house chores, demanding that we make this or that investment, expecting that I come home on time, blah blah blah.”
One of his friends interrupted him and asked, “No more slippers then?”
Ray continued, “No! My dog brings me my slippers now. My wife is too busy nagging me. It’s only been a year, my romantic dinners have vanished, my gentle loving wife has turned into a nagging companion. Being married is like being in prison.”
Seeing Ray so downcast, his friends suggested that he go to the temple and speak to a Venerable. Though Ray was not religious, he thought why not, any good reason to get away from his nagging wife is welcomed.
Upon arriving at the temple, Ray went to the Main Shrine and was greeted by a Venerable who was expecting him. The Venerable led him to the reception room. On the table, tea and snacks were available. A little surprised, Ray quietly took a seat. Then the Venerable said, “Please have some tea and help yourself to the snacks.” Ray took a cup and sipped the tea. The Venerable asked, “How can I help?” Without holding back, Ray confided to the Venerable.
After listening to Ray, the Venerable said, “There is no need to feel troubled. You can still enjoy happy days like before.”
Puzzled, Ray asked, “How?”
The Venerable replied, “Well, it sounds to me that nothing has changed. Because when you arrive home, you still have someone that comes to greet you and brings you slippers. And there is still barking in the house.”
Ray frowned and mumbled, “But…”
The Venerable continued, “But the only difference is, your wife and your dog have swapped roles. Now you are greeted by your clever dog Fluffy, who is happy to see you and brings you slippers. As for your wife’s nagging, treat it like your dog’s barking, but in a different tune. You see, your life has not changed, you still have slippers waiting for you and barking when you arrive.”
Ray was comforted by the Venerable’s words and immediately felt better about his situation at home.
The moral of this story is that regardless of how the external world changes, what matters most is how we maintain our internal world. We need not let the external world drive us into misery and trouble. Shifting our mindset and transforming our delusions can help us resolve our internal conflicts. No matter what situation we face, if we can take charge and master our mind, we can live happily and be carefree.
However, we are often influenced by the external world due to our fragile mind. When we hear words of praise and see things we like, we feel like we’re in heaven. On the other hand, if we hear criticism or see things we dislike, we feel upset and hurt, even to the extent of losing sleep over it. As a result, this impacts our mental wellbeing and ability to enjoy life.
One of the Buddhist texts states that the mind of the Buddha is pure, without flattery and deceit, always basking in joy and compassion. Fundamentally, the mind of the Buddha and the ordinary mind is the same. If we can turn stinginess into selflessness, anger into happiness, greed into generosity, and violence into compassion, inevitably our worries and troubles will cease. This can be further explained through an analogy, namely, one will no longer be licking honey from the sharp edge of a knife. This illustrates that we are driven by our desires, that our cravings are strong, like the honey on the sharp edge of a knife. Though dangerous and we could easily cut our tongue licking the knife, we choose to take the risk just so we could satisfy our desires.
If we strive to change our external world, would it not be more important to change our internal world instead? Changing our mindset is the key, as the world can be seen as the manifestation of our mind. For example, on seeing a pond filled with fallen flowers, some may feel sad that the flowers have wilted and are no longer beautiful. In contrast, some people look forward to the fruits that are soon to come. These contrasting interpretations of the same scenario demonstrate that everything in this world can be found in our perceptions. Through transforming the way we think, we can transcend suffering and appreciate the pleasures in life.
Just as Venerable Master Hsing Yun says,
“Water is quiet if not stirred by the wind.
The mind perseveres if not stirred by distractions.”
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