Good day, everyone! Today, we explore the ninth aspect of the “Sixteen Aspects of Great Compassion” — avoiding negative influences. Negative influences bring erroneous views that lead us into delusion, distancing us from right understanding. Through deep memorization of the Dharma, timely reflection and repentance, emulating humility, and awakening to the law of cause and effect, we can steer clear of negative influences and walk the path to liberation from suffering and attainment of joy.
1. Deep Memorization Ensures Constant Right Understanding
Right understanding is the foundation of spiritual practice, and deep memorization keeps it ever-present. When we firmly internalize the truths of the Dharma, we remain unswayed by arrogance or temptation. For instance, when greed for wealth arises, recalling the merit of generosity enables us to let go of attachment and follow the path of the sages. Generosity, which sacrifices self-interest for the benefit of others, aligns with the universal law of cause and effect. Deep memorization empowers us to make wise choices at critical moments, steering us away from error.
2. Timely Reflection and Repentance Eliminate Faults
Humans inevitably err, but the key lies in timely reflection. When we stray from the right path due to ignorance, we must promptly recognize our faults, fear their consequences, and sincerely repent to eradicate negative karma. Repentance is like cleaning a wound — effective only when done promptly. Through reflection and repentance, we strengthen our right understanding and distance ourselves from the misguidance of negative influences.
3. Emulating Humility to Overcome Arrogance
To overcome arrogance, we must emulate the humble and gentle qualities of exemplary figures, modeling our behavior after the sages until our hearts align with theirs. When humility becomes second nature, arrogance naturally dissolves.
4. Awakening to Delusion and Understanding Cause and Effect
Due to ignorance, sentient beings fall into delusion, mistaking harmful actions for beneficial ones. Medieval geocentrism, rotten cheese consumed with larvae, or cow dung soup are all products of misguided conditioning. Worse still, some commit acts of killing, stealing, or deceit, believing them to be right. To dispel such delusions, bodhisattvas teach the law of cause and effect. Only by thoroughly understanding this universal principle can we break free from the false views propagated by negative influences and master the path to liberation from suffering.
Conclusion: Avoiding Negative Influences and Practicing the Right Path
Avoiding negative influences fundamentally means purifying the mind and rejecting erroneous views. Let us take right understanding as our guide, memorize the Dharma, reflect and repent promptly, emulate humility, and awaken to the law of cause and effect. By doing so, we not only distance ourselves from negative influences but also plant good causes within the framework of causality, reaping the fruits of wisdom and compassion.
Thank you for listening!
