The Delusional Series
Compiled according to the teachings of the Master
Author: Fafu
The Delusional Series: Part 10 –29 Inner Journey 14
Many people say, “If I die, how can I benefit others?” If you die, you may have even greater capacity to benefit others. With a single transformation, you may attain a higher realm. If you cling to this small life, you will merely continue to live a lowly existence. What have you truly gained in this life? You haven’t achieved much in your youth, and now that you are old, what more can you hope to achieve? It would be better to die; then you would have gained everything. With a mind solely focused on great compassion, you are no ordinary being. You are a celestial being of the Brahma realm. How much have you gained?
With our current state, what can we truly gain? Just remember this: sacrificing our afflictions and our physical bodies, sacrificing everything—there is only gain, no loss.
Our practice as followers of the Buddha should emulate the Buddha’s path. From the very beginning of his awakening, the Buddha’s heart was filled with great compassion. When he was known as Bodhisattva Bodhisattva, he made profound vows, vowing to save all beings, no matter how degenerate or wicked. Regardless of how lowly or repulsive they might be, he would find ways to benefit them. The methods he employed were vast and varied.
These beings were often neglected by other bodhisattvas, who might not have the patience or compassion to work with them. Therefore, it was the Buddha who took upon himself the responsibility of helping these difficult beings. This is the constant practice of a Buddha’s disciple.
We should actively seek opportunities to sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of others. If we cannot find such opportunities during the day, we should find at least one. If we still cannot find any, we can practice by upholding the precepts for the sake of those who are suffering and those who do not have faith in the Buddha. In this way, we can rely on the merit of our precepts to help them attain peace and ultimate liberation. This is another way to cultivate great compassion.
There are countless opportunities for us to practice compassion. For example, when people try to harm or deceive us, we can use these situations to cultivate compassion. This is the quickest way to cultivate great compassion, as the Mahayana sutras teach us. Cultivating compassion in this world for even a few days is more beneficial than cultivating it in the Pure Land for countless kalpas.
We should begin practicing great compassion by sacrificing ourselves for the benefit of others right now. In fact, we should eagerly seek opportunities to sacrifice ourselves completely, even to the point of giving up our lives. By doing so, we can be reborn in the realm of Brahma, or even higher. If we become highly skilled in this practice, we can attain the highest levels of the Brahma realm. It is very easy to reach these realms. Therefore, let us diligently practice great compassion, even to the point of sacrificing our lives for the sake of great compassion. We will then be reborn in the Brahma realm.
As mentioned earlier, even if our efforts do not yield the desired results, we will still gain the merit of two great mountains. If we are successful, our rewards will be even greater. This is a classic Buddhist teaching.
Great compassion inherently encompasses compassion, joy, and equanimity. When one practices great compassion, they must be willing to sacrifice and give. This is indeed a joyous matter, a joy arising from the Dharma. Both the giver and the receiver experience happiness. Thus, compassion, joy, and equanimity are all fulfilled. However, when one gives joy to others, the motivation of great compassion may diminish. Similarly, when one cultivates compassion, the full effect of great compassion may not be realized. This is stated in the scriptures. Great compassion, however, encompasses all of compassion, joy, and equanimity. For when we place “sacrifice” as a prefix, it becomes great compassion. With great compassion, one benefits all beings. To sacrifice oneself is to give. This joy arising from the Dharma is experienced by all. At our age, what more can we achieve in another hundred years? Beings suffer greatly. If we can alleviate even a small portion of their suffering, it is worthwhile. Even if someone were to slap us twice, we can endure the pain. This is giving. It is a state of peace. This perfectly fulfills the complete practice of compassion, joy, and equanimity. In fact, I worry that they might not hit me. For example, I sacrifice the comfort of a painless throat and speak even when my throat hurts. Many people think I am torturing myself, but I am not. I am gaining something. I am secretly rejoicing in this, and that is called Dharma joy.