Forum Dhammacitta

Buddhisme Awal, Sekte dan Tradisi => Mahayana => Topic started by: wen78 on 14 March 2009, 08:31:20 PM

Title: Jing Si Aphorisms by Master Cheng Yen (Tzu Chi)
Post by: wen78 on 14 March 2009, 08:31:20 PM
While working, learn;
while learning, awaken
to the many truth of life.


Over time, we can
build great character,
achieve great success,
and cultivate great
virtue.


Use wisdom to
contemplate
the meaning of life.
Use resolve to organize
the time you are given.


When walking,
as we step one foot forward,
we lift the other foot up.
In the same way, we should
let go of yesterday
and focus on today.


The future is an illusion,
the past is a memory.
Hold on to the goodness that is
in our heart at this present moment
and take care to fulfill
the duties that we have at hand.


Transient though life may be,
one's contribution will live on;
as we love knows no boundaries,
its spirit will always remain.


A person with
a generous heart
and compassion
for all beings
leads the most blessed life.


To willingly
undergo hardship
for sake of helping others
is compassion.


Those who have great wisdom
must all the more be humble and unassuming,
just like the rice stalk that bows
under the weight of ripe grain


Only those
who respect themselves
have the courage
to be humble.


To be humble
is shrink our ego
until we are small enough
to enter another's eyes
and reside in
their heart and mind.


To regard ourself lightly
is prajna(wisdom).
To regard our self highly
is attachment.


People who are
preoccupied
with past achivements
cannot humble themselves.


We start to slacken
the minute we find excuses
for our self.


To shoulder a burden
is an inspiring force.
To admit a mistake
is a noble virtue.


It is easy to reflect on
major mistakes,
and hard to eliminate
small bad habits.


Repentance
purifies the mind;
a pure mind
can readily
sweep away afflictions.


The hardest thing
for people to see
is them self.


Nothing is impossible
with confidence,
perseverance,
and courage.


We must carry out our task
according to principles,
and not let our principles
be compromised by our task.


Abide by your principles in everything you do.
Never do thing just to satisfy others.
For rather than satifsfying them,
you may get in over your head.


Good action require
everyone's cooperation,
so let's not cling to personal biases.


In handling matters,
let your mind
influence your heart.
In dealing with people,
let your heart
influence your mind.


The beauty of a group
lies in the refinement
of its individuals.


A refined disposition
is naturally expressed
in the way a person
walks, lives, sits,
and sleeps.


Because seeing virtue in others
is in itself a virtue,
in appreciating others,
we in fact dignify ourselves.


Material object were meant to be
tools for us to use.
Yet, lacking wisdom,
we are perpetually discontent,
and we thus become
enslaved by the material objects.

to be continue...
Title: Re: Jing Si Aphorisms by Master Cheng Yen (Tzu Chi)
Post by: wen78 on 15 March 2009, 08:33:29 PM
How bitter life is
when we have desires.
Our demands on others
bring endless misery.


If we can
reduce our desires,
there is nothing
really worth
getting upset about.


One who is content
is immensely broadhearted.
A broadhearted person
will not be
in dispute with others
over any matter.


Know your blessings,
cherish them and sow more blessings.


The ocean can be filled,
yet the tiny mouth
of a human being
can never be filled.


The fist step on a path of Buddhism
is to lessen our desires and be satisfied
with what we have.
Then our mind will relax and we will begin
to gain wisdom.


When we treat others
with loving-kindness,
we will not stir up ill feelings,
and we will able to
form good relationships with others.


Bodhisattvas are not
idol made of wood;
real Bodhisattvas are people
who eat, talk, work,
and relieve suffering
in times of need.


Everyone has
a Buddha nature,
and a Bodhisattva's
strength and spirit.


Dharma is very simple:
eliminate greed, malice,
and ignorance,
and you will discover
your own true nature.


Be faithful and honest
from deep inside,
this is the essence
of spiritual cultivation.


There is no need to learn
many teaching.
If we can put one simple
verse into practice,
we can awaken
our true nature of goodness.


Every single day
is like a blank page of our life.
Every person we meet,
every event we participate in
is a lively essay.


The behavior of a person
during his lifetime,
be it good or evil,
is accumulated over time.


Doing nothing
and idling time away
consumes life.
Giving to others
with total dedication
creates life.


If we don't do something meaningful.
our life will pass be in vain,
but if we work unceasingly,
for the betterment of mankind,
ours will be a beautiful life.


Be careful and mindful
when dealing with others,
but do not be
narrow-minded.


To have two good hands
and refuse to work
is no different than
having no hands at all.


Do not think too highly
of yourself,
and yet,
never underestimate
your ability.


To live in peace, we must have inner peace.
To have inner peace,
we must have a clear conscience.
When our conscience is
clear and our mind at peace,
we bring peace and bliss to those around us.


Continue even when it is
hard to go on,
release even when it is
hard to let go,
endure even when it is
hard to bear,
this is how we build
our character.


Speak kind words,
think good thoughts,
do good deeds,
and walk the right path.


When you view the world
from a different perspective,
the world becomes vast and wide.
Try shifting your perspective
in everything you do,
and all will be light and easy.


Be honest and truthful
in everything you do.
Be gentle and forgiving
in your relationships
with others.


Life becomes meaningful
when we shoulder
responsibilities.
Avoiding responsibilities
makes our life empty.


Do not ask for less responsibility
to be free and relaxed --
ask for more strength.


Rather than worry about
the condition of our society,
why not replace it
with confidence and with dedication
to contribute with loving-kindness?


Even the tiniest bolt
must be screwed on tightly
in order to perform its best.


In the face of adversity,
be grateful,
for such opportunities
do not come by easily.


When conflict and
adversity arise,
always preserve
a spacious heart.


Forgive those
who unintentionally hurt us.
Do not be someone
who easily hurt by others.


When life is safe and smooth,
we can easily lose our direction.
Yet even a small setback or misfortune
can awaken our conscience,
and nurture the seed of kindness.


Believe in yourself,
but do not be attached
to your own point of view.


Atheism
is better than
superstition.
Faith must guided
by wisdom.


A wise believer understands
the essence of Buddhism.
Those who are
superstitious misinterpret
the virtue of religion.


When one has correct faith,
one will not go wrong
on a journey of life.


False understanding
leads to superstition,
the search for answer from
psychics and soothsayers; in this way,
we cannot realize the ultimate truth
of the teaching

to be continue...
Title: Re: Jing Si Aphorisms by Master Cheng Yen (Tzu Chi)
Post by: wen78 on 17 March 2009, 12:19:36 AM
The process
of spiritual cultivation
is to nurture virtue
and rectify conduct
and behavior.


To walk the same path
of spiritual cultivation
means
practitioners unite to
inspire each other
and reflect on weaknesses
in behavior and conduct.


Born into this world,
we are always with people;
hence spiritual cultivation
cannot be achieved in isolation.


When our spirit and actions
are in harmony;
when our heart and thoughts
are in accord,
that is deep meditation.


Precepts allow our mind to be free from disturbance.
Equanimity allows us to be calm under adversity.
Wisdom allows us to take
Control of the mind and change our destiny.


We cannot love when filled with suspicion.
We cannot trust when filled with doubts.
We cannot forgive when unwilling to believe.


The more mistrust we feel,
the less confidence we have.


A truly successful person
is accepted by everyone
and accepts everyone.

How can we be free from the suffering of birth and death?
Only when we nurture our heart with joy and unselfish
giving can we truly release our attachments.


Let go of all worries,
only then will you experience
the happiness of a
compassionate heart.


To give with joy
is to help others
with a happy mood.


Manny seek illumination
by lighting up a lamp,
when the true light
is within.


Our mind is like a garden;
if no good seed are sown,
nothing good
will grow from it.


Our thoughts
and actions create
our destiny of
heaven or hell.


Even if every road lead to Rome,
when our mind is indecisive,
constantly wandering,
and unable to concentrate,
we will never make it
to our destination.


When doing something,
instead of worrying
or being vexed about it,
we should just be mindful.


If our view is incorrect,
our action will not be right;
if our thinking is biased,
everything we do will be wrong.


Learn to remain undisturbed
in the tumult of
people and events,
Remain at peace
inside yourself even when
busy and occupied.


A wise person is able to let go.
To let go is actually to receive,
to receive boundless happiness.


Spiritual wisdom is cultivated
in the interplay of
people, objects, and events.
To escape from reality,
to keep away from
people and events,
provides no means
to nurture wisdom.


People often feel upset
because they take
careless remarks
too seriously.


Giving with
an expectation for return
brings misery.


Craving
not only brings misery,
but also leads the way to
moral ruin.


Suffering is caused by
man's endless desire,
which draws people to do evil
and create bad karma.


Worry is a poisonous snake
that sleep in the mind;
the moment you disturb it,
the snake will bite you.


All worries in life
flow from three poisons;
greed, malice and
ignorance.


It is more of a blessing
to serve others
than to be served.


Each time we forgive others,
we are, in fact, sowing blessing.
The more magnanimity we show,
the more blessing we enjoy.


Those who sow
the seeds of blessing
shall harvest
plentiful blessing.

to be continue...
Title: Re: Jing Si Aphorisms by Master Cheng Yen (Tzu Chi)
Post by: wen78 on 17 March 2009, 11:31:20 PM
The expressions on our face and the tone of our voice
all communicate to others.
So smile and speak softly;
preserve a gentle attitude.


Be clear and complete
when you talk and listen.
Do not pick one sentence here,
and one sentence there;
or you may by accident
intensely hurt someone.


Be forgiving towards others.
Be discreet in your speech.


To win the hearts of others
and always be welcomed,
we must be cautious of
our tone of voice
and facial expression.


It is never too late for a
deep-rooted affinity
to blossom.
Do not worry of
a distant journey as long as
one finds the way.


Making vows
without taking any action
is like ploughing a field
without planting any seeds;
there is not harvest to reap.
This is letting opportunity pass us by.


Be grateful to your parents
and to all sentient beings,
everyday.
In everything you do,
never disappoint them.


Death is the new beginning of birth,
birth is the new beginning if death.
Birth and death, living and dying,
are all part of the same cycle.


Do not just seek
a rich material life for your family.
It is more important for parent and child,
and husband and wife to communicate and
nurture harmonious, and close relationships.


Birds have nests;
people have home.
If family members
live far apart,
how can they have
a happy family life?


You must be free of ego
when you are with others,
so expand your heart,
be courteous, cooperative,
and loving.


Life is full of illness.
Disease is illness,
family dispute is illness,
social unrest is illness.


To have a warm and
happy family,
we should nurture
a heart of joy
and shower our family
with blessings.


Never lose courage.
Never lose faith.
Nothing in this world
is impossible
when you are determined.


Regardless how far the
journey is
or how capable we are,
we do our best
to reach our goal.
This is perseverance
at its best.


Hard-work signifies
persistence and patience.
To achieve
great accomplishments,
we must have a
hardworking spirits.


True blessings flow
from our ability to love,
and be loved by others.


Learn to develop pure and
unconditional love;
a love that has no sense of
gain or loss,
that asks for nothing
in return.
In this way we can be
free of worries.


A love with
conditions attached
would never last.
Only pure,
unconditional love
will last forever.


Love is just like a cup of tea;
when properly mixed,
it has a wonderful
light aroma.
If it is too strong,
it will be too bitter to drink.

to be continue...
Title: Re: Jing Si Aphorisms by Master Cheng Yen (Tzu Chi)
Post by: wen78 on 19 March 2009, 10:24:59 AM
Every achievement
grows out of
the seed of determination.


Don't underestimate yourself,
for human beings have unlimited potential.


The journey
of a thousand miles
begins with one first step.
Even the saint was once
an ordinary human being.


To begin is easy,
to persist, difficult.
Talking about the truth
without practicing it
leads neither to
enlightenment
nor realizing the Dharma.


We should not idle away out time,
and drift in frivolous thoughts.
It is best to nurture our innate goodness
and develop our ability to help others.


When we have nothing to do
and idle away our time,
our spirit become weak
and life seem meaningless.


A fulfilling life
is not preoccupied with
material objects,
prestige, or power.
It is a life
that is filled with
true friendship, sharing,
and caring for each other.


To not take things in life
so seriously
is not a negative, resigned attitude;
it is a happy and proactive one.
It does not mean giving up hope;
it is a genuine insight
into the real purpose of life.


To not take things in life so seriously
does not mean being indifferent;
rather, it implies the attitude of
grasping every opportunity to good.
It does not mean
now owing anything,
but being content with whatever you have.


Our accomplishments in life
are build on
the words and actions
we make every day
thus we must be discreet in our
daily speech and behavior.


To give is better than
to receive.


Give without expectation,
and give with gratitude.


Giving is not the privilege
of the rich,
it is the privilege
of the sincere.

Jing Si Aphorisms - Cheng Yen