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Page 4 of 4
Understanding the karma we createOne day in a market, the Buddha saw a fish vendor whose faced was etched with sorrow and pain. The Buddha approached him and asked him what was wrong.
The old man began to tell the Buddha his story. In the past, his son would go out to sea to catch fish, and then he would come back and sell the fish. However, his son recently drowned on such a trip. To make ends meet, the old man had to start catching and selling fish by himself again. His son’s death brought him tremendous grief, but he also felt miserable at having to work again in his old age.
While the old man was telling his story of pain and suffering, he was completely blind to the suffering of the fish struggling for life in his buckets. The man grieved over the death of his son, but he was insensitive to the agony of the fish in the bucket. Such is the delusion of living beings, the Buddha later pointed out to his disciples.
We must not be like the old man in the story. All that happens in our world is deeply connected to the activities of human beings. If we wish to live in peace and security, we must protect the world around us. We must not selfishly think only of ourselves, without a care for how our actions are damaging the environment.
In an effort to appeal to all nations to protect the earth and cut down on pollution, the United Nations held its Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 in Stockholm, Sweden. Participants at the conference passed the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and designated June 5 as World Environment Day.
Over 30 years have since passed, and yet many people still do not comprehend the importance of protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources. Many continue to exploit and pollute the land. As a result, the world is facing acute problems such as food and water shortages. It is very worrisome.
Indeed, though the eastern part of Taiwan is noted for producing high quality rice, this year some rice farmers in Hualien experienced rice sterility. At the end of the rainy season, when it was time for crops to form grains, farmers found that there were no kernels inside the husks—the rice grains were empty. A whole season of hard toil had come to nothing for these farmers.
For there to be a good harvest, apart from the hard work of the farmers, the environment and the climate must be favorable too. The soil must be fertile, the climate patterns must be in balance, and the amount of sun and water must be just right. Only when all required conditions are met—a favorable climate, fertile land, and people’s hard work—will there be a good harvest. If the environment is polluted or if the climatic conditions are erratic, then no matter how hard farmers toil, rice will not grow abundantly and properly.Erratic global climate and a fall in world food production are a result of the damages that human beings have collectively inflicted on the Earth. Such is the collective karma that we have created. How can such bad collective karma be turned around? By changing people’s mindsets, for it is only when we do good and refrain from unwholesome actions that we can create good karma and keep disasters at bay.
I’m very grateful to our Tzu Chi recycling volunteers because they demonstrate this every day. For many years, they have protected the Earth by collecting recyclables and reclaiming resources. They are truly guardians of the Earth. They not only cherish all material things and lead an eco-friendly life, but they also seize every moment to collect and sort out recyclables. Although the price of recyclables has dropped due to the economic downturn, their dedication to recycling and their love for the world has not abated.
Our recycling volunteers give of themselves without seeking anything in return. All they hope for is that the planet will become healthier, that people will learn to cherish blessings, and that society will become more aware of the importance of environmental protection.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first publication of Jing Si Aphorisms. I am grateful to everyone who has taken the aphorisms to heart. As people mindfully ponder these aphorisms taken from my teachings, they nurture good thoughts and do good deeds, thus creating a healthy and beautiful life.
Language serves as a bridge, enabling us to communicate with one another and exchange our innermost thoughts and feelings. Jing Si aphorisms are but simple phrases, but if one can resonate with their message, they can give inspiration. Indeed, if one can understand the aphorism, appreciate its meaning, and moreover apply it in one’s everyday life, the aphorism becomes a wonderful teaching that can greatly benefit one’s life. But, if one cannot resonate with its message, it is but words on paper which, after being read, are quickly forgotten and leave no lasting impact.
I am very grateful to all those who have drawn inspiration from these aphorisms, apply them in their lives, and furthermore share them with others. Not only do they make use of these aphorisms themselves, but they also pass them on to help others. They are truly doing a meritorious thing.
With permission from shop owners, Tzu Chi volunteers paste up printed posters of these aphorisms on shop walls. With sincere hearts, they visit every shop and ask for permission to put up the posters. Each saying conveys a message of goodness, and each carefully made poster beautifies the environment. If everyone who reads them takes the teachings to heart and practices them in their lives, then the world will be filled with goodness, beauty and truth.
Let us be ever more mindful!
Translated by Teresa Chang and Jing Si Abode Translation Team
