Teaching of the Kind Mentor
Author: Fafu
Translator : Lotus
Because sentient beings consider themselves wise when in ignorance; they consider themselves correct when in false views; they want to get benefit originally but create bad destinies when in delusion, the Buddha told us in Sutra of the Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva that every single movement or stirring of thought of beings creates karma and offenses. If we analyze precisely our thoughts which we are accustomed to, we can gradually recognize that all of them are ignorance, false views, delusions and we will outsmart ourself and fall instead of rising if we act according to them.
All concepts are the result of inculcation. If somebody is inculcated with the idea that something is good, then he will gain the good feeling for it; if he is inculcated with the idea that something is bad, then he will gain the bad feeling for it.
If we do not know how to deal with people in the world, but only comment, judge and examine them, we will build all kinds of barriers that are difficult to cross. If we consider everything that we see is the best and precious from the deep part of our heart, we will naturally integrate ourselves into it.
Praise the Kind Mentor
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you have been improving our enlightenment continually- “As long as you are fond of something, the greed will arise in you and the sufferings will come into being in yourself, only whether there is the opportunity to trigger it.”
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you have taught us that people should extremely value the rules when practicing- “All the worldly and unworldly teachings must be done according to their sequential principles. If there is a sequence and a rule, you will surely succeed; if there is no sequence and no rule, you will absolutely fail.”
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you have the quality of unparalleled precision- “We should not add any word when there is no need. If we do like this, it will be a failure.”
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you have been expecting us to change ourselves from the root-“After transferring the essence, preserving the Buddha-Dharma, obeying the rules and giving up revenge, then you can change your destiny.”
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you cause us to become firmly established in the idea of being “righteous” through real examples, saying that one righteousness overcomes three evils and from the ancient time until the present, evil has never triumphed over righteousness.
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor. After having been established in limitless patience and perseverance, you have led and inspired the stubborn sentient beings to know the dharma of bliss and suffering and through various microanalysis, have deepened our understanding-“The so-called good feelings are those that make us willingly destroy everything, trapped and unmoved. Greed can bring about ruination, self-harm and future misfortunes, and can sell out our destinies in one life after another in the future.”
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you are the great mentor and educator- “If you learn from the shallowest, every step will be difficult; if you learn from the deepest, every step will be easy.”
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you have been helping us to establish the true wisdom and insight through repeated teachings, supporting our cultivation.
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you have the pure and innocent heart, without any deceit in body, speech and mind.
I praise you endlessly, our Kind Mentor, because you have taken pity on us and helped us to renounce the household life so that we are blessed with the gift of being free from future hellish suffering, indefinite debt, and endless karmic entanglement.
I praise you and are grateful to you, our Kind Mentor. You are the endless treasures and clear like crystal. I am full of desire for your merits and virtues. You have been pure, without any stain and admired by sentient beings.
