Guanyin Bodhisattva is Our Brother (Issue 306)

Patience is of utmost importance; you must endure the things that you ordinarily find unendurable. For instance, maybe you don’t want to put up with a scolding, but if someone scolds you, you should be happy about it. Perhaps you don’t want to be beaten, but if someone beats you, you should be even happier. Perhaps you don’t want to die, because life is very precious. However, if someone wants to kill you, you should think, “This death can deliver me from the karmic obstacles of this life. He is truly my wise teacher.” All of you! Learn the Buddhadharma from the other way around, cultivate the Way from the other way. How? It is simply a matter of learning to like what you dislike and not passing on to others what you don’t like.

If you’re like ordinary people who cannot see through or renounce things, if you have not emptied out attachments to self and to dharmas, and if you have the marks of self, others, living beings, and a life span, then you’ll have lots of trouble. If you can step back and consider things calmly, then no matter what happens, you’ll always be able to put things in perspective and take them in stride. As we study Buddhism, we shouldn’t go looking for its principles in lofty and profound places. There is a saying, “The ordinary mind is the Way; the straight mind is the place of cultivation.” We should have a straightforward attitude as we cultivate the Way.

As we recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, we shouldn’t cling to greedy notions. Don’t say, “I hope that by reciting Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name, I can strike it rich.” That’s impossible! You might get rich if you don’t have any greed, but as soon as you become greedy, you won’t. Also, there’s no need to publicize that you’re reciting Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name. Don’t boast to others saying, “I’m better than you, because I joined a Guanyin Recitation Session at such and such a place, and you didn’t.” Don’t have such vain thoughts. Don’t crave fame or benefits, and don’t be greedy for luxuries or pleasure.
Recite Guanshiyin Bodhisattva’s name with an ordinary attitude. Don’t scheme or hope for rewards. Don’t be like those people who recite the Bodhisattva’s name thinking, “I don’t have a son. I hope Guanyin Bodhisattva will bring me a son.” Other people seek daughters. Some boys recite the name of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva hoping to find a pretty girlfriend. Some girls seek a boyfriend. That’s not allowed! When we recite Guanshiyin Bodhisattva’s name, we should sweep away all such dirty thoughts. Purge thoughts of greed, anger, and stupidity. For example, we should pay no attention to whether the clothes we wear are pretty or not. If they protect us from the cold, that’s enough. When we take our daily food, we shouldn’t be craving flavorful food. If you have such vain thoughts, then you haven’t recited Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name with a true mind. If you held Guanshiyin Bodhisattva’s name with a true mind, how could you possibly care about eating tasty food or wearing pretty clothes? You would’ve forgotten all those. The only way to become one with Guanshiyin Bodhisattva is to be oblivious to everything else.

There’s a Guanshiyin Bodhisattva inside the mind of every living being. As we recite Guanyin Bodhisattva, we’re recollecting the Guanyin Bodhisattva inside our minds. Someone may say, “I’m searching for Guanyin Bodhisattva inside my mind, but I can’t even find my mind?” If you truly have no mind, then you don’t need to recite Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name, because just that is Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Guanshiyin Bodhisattva doesn’t have a mind. He doesn’t indulge in any idle thoughts. He doesn’t have greed, hatred and stupidity. He doesn’t think, “Today I’ll wear some pretty clothes, eat some delicious food, or enjoy some special offerings.” He has no attachments and seeks nothing whatsoever. All he does is rescue living beings. He wants all living beings to leave suffering, attain bliss, end birth and death, and accomplish Buddhahood. Yet, he seeks nothing from living beings. He hopes that living beings can truly understand the Buddhadharma and be free of greed, anger, and stupidity.

When we recite Guanshiyin Bodhisattva’s name, we shouldn’t indulge in idle thoughts all day long, such as “I didn’t eat anything this morning, and there’s no tea to drink tonight. This is too much suffering! I can’t take it. I’m going to run away!” Those who behave this way are truly worthless cultivators!