| Article Index |
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| Tapping into the Wellspring Within |
| Looking after our minds |
| Everyone is a sutra to learn from |
| Understanding the karma we create |
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Page 2 of 4
Looking after our mindsThe state of California in the United States is dubbed the Golden State. The beautiful name gives people the impression that California is a place full of golden opportunities to get rich. Countless individuals from around the world have moved to California over the years to pursue the American dream.
However, after they arrived in California, many immigrants discovered that the “Golden State” was not exactly what they had dreamed. Currently, the state’s financial woes and high unemployment rate make it hard to find a job. Without formal employment, many are unable to afford their apartments and homes and have been forced to live on the streets. We can only imagine how difficult their lives are and how helpless they must have felt when they fell ill since they have no insurance to cover their medical costs. Their dream of a better life has turned into a nightmare.I once heard a story of a young fashion designer in California who was injured when he accidentally tripped and fell. He was hospitalized for three months, during which he used up almost all of his savings. He couldn’t afford his rent after being discharged from the hospital, so he had to move to a tent city for the homeless. So destitute was he that he even had to use superglue to fix his dentures when they broke; proper dental treatment was just too much for him to afford.
Fortunately, medical volunteers from the U.S. chapter of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association routinely drive a dental van to the tent area to provide the homeless with free dental care and daily necessities. They were able to help this young man.
As a matter of fact, Tzu Chi medical volunteers in California have been performing free dental treatments for years. Moved by our volunteers’ long-term devotion and sincere love, some of the homeless receiving this care have started to save up a coin or two each day, in order to accumulate money to help others—in much the same way that Tzu Chi started its charitable activities over 40 years ago, with 30 housewives saving 50 cents of their grocery money every day. Though these care recipients are homeless, they still want to contribute. Such is the joy of helping others.
In life, do we live in a heaven or hell? It all depends on what thoughts are in our minds. If we are willing to help others, we will be bodhisattvas. Then, even if our living conditions are unfavorable, spiritually we will be in a Pure Land. But if our minds are full of greed and insatiable desires, life can become a nightmare.
Looking after our minds is therefore very important. We must abide by the precepts. Then, we may develop moral discipline, samadhi (an internal state of imperturbability or tranquility), and wisdom, and be able to motivate more people to do good together. Only when we do good will blessings abound. If, however, our minds are swayed by greed, we shall go astray and life will become full of suffering.
