RSS Feed
Twitter
In order to advance good merit and elevate our moral character, we must constantly ask ourselves the following twelve questions as a means of introspection and reflection. ;
1. Since I am a member of human society, what have I done to benefit my fellow human beings ?
2. Have I tried my best to repay generosity and kindness of my parents and teachers ?
3. Have I returned the many favors that others have bestowed upon me ?
4. Have I done anything to bring harm to my parents, family, friends, teachers or society ?
5. Since others have provided me with good causes and conditions in areas of daily necessities, have I done the same for them ?
6. Do I truly understand the meaning of rebirth ?
7. Have I taken a good look at myself and counted how many times a day I have travelled to hell and back ?
8. Can I explain how my action and thoughts have revolved around greed, hatred, ignorance and jealously ?
9. In self-examination, what are the first three things that I reflect upon ?
10. How can I attain a life of true happiness without attachment ?
11. How can I eradicate defilement, worries and ignorance to rediscover my Buddha nature ?
12. How can I plan my life so I can have good causes and conditions here and now ?
It is clear that the twelve questions were designed to help us improve ourselves in the areas of interpersonal relationship, because in today's society, egoism prevails over altruism, and self-interest takes precedence over the welfare of others. There are simply too many people nowadays who have placed their own interest above that of the country and society, which has led to all kinds of corruption and social illness. Instead of examining their own thoughts and actions, they choose to blame others for their own pitfalls. Some even go far as to blame fate for their misfortune. What they fall to realize is that the real problem lies within them. Their misery and suffering are caused by their ignorance of what is truly right and wrong.
Sixth Patriarch Huineng once said, "By having a good lot without a good heart, one's good fortune will be short-lived; by having a good heart without a good lot, one's life will be well provided for; by having neither a good heart nor a good lot, one's life will be impoverished forever." In Buddhism, there are many examples of those who were not endowed with talent, but attained enlightment with hard work, and there are those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, but have wasted away their good fortune eith selfish acts and intentions. For example, Devadatta, cousin of the Buddha, selfishly attempted to murder the Buddha and destroy the Sangha. Therefore, we must be careful of our actions and intentions, because we will reap the fruits of what we sow. No matter how advanced science and technology may be, we must first demand the most of ourselves and strengthen our moral character for the sake of survival in this world of chaos.
We must be introspective and reflect upon our actions and volition in order to cultivate good causes and conditions for the betterment of our lives. By constantly asking ourselves "The Twelve Question of Life," we will be able to elevate ourselves to a higher level of fulfillment.
1. Since I am a member of human society, what have I done to benefit my fellow human beings ?
2. Have I tried my best to repay generosity and kindness of my parents and teachers ?
3. Have I returned the many favors that others have bestowed upon me ?
4. Have I done anything to bring harm to my parents, family, friends, teachers or society ?
5. Since others have provided me with good causes and conditions in areas of daily necessities, have I done the same for them ?
6. Do I truly understand the meaning of rebirth ?
7. Have I taken a good look at myself and counted how many times a day I have travelled to hell and back ?
8. Can I explain how my action and thoughts have revolved around greed, hatred, ignorance and jealously ?
9. In self-examination, what are the first three things that I reflect upon ?
10. How can I attain a life of true happiness without attachment ?
11. How can I eradicate defilement, worries and ignorance to rediscover my Buddha nature ?
12. How can I plan my life so I can have good causes and conditions here and now ?
It is clear that the twelve questions were designed to help us improve ourselves in the areas of interpersonal relationship, because in today's society, egoism prevails over altruism, and self-interest takes precedence over the welfare of others. There are simply too many people nowadays who have placed their own interest above that of the country and society, which has led to all kinds of corruption and social illness. Instead of examining their own thoughts and actions, they choose to blame others for their own pitfalls. Some even go far as to blame fate for their misfortune. What they fall to realize is that the real problem lies within them. Their misery and suffering are caused by their ignorance of what is truly right and wrong.
Sixth Patriarch Huineng once said, "By having a good lot without a good heart, one's good fortune will be short-lived; by having a good heart without a good lot, one's life will be well provided for; by having neither a good heart nor a good lot, one's life will be impoverished forever." In Buddhism, there are many examples of those who were not endowed with talent, but attained enlightment with hard work, and there are those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, but have wasted away their good fortune eith selfish acts and intentions. For example, Devadatta, cousin of the Buddha, selfishly attempted to murder the Buddha and destroy the Sangha. Therefore, we must be careful of our actions and intentions, because we will reap the fruits of what we sow. No matter how advanced science and technology may be, we must first demand the most of ourselves and strengthen our moral character for the sake of survival in this world of chaos.
We must be introspective and reflect upon our actions and volition in order to cultivate good causes and conditions for the betterment of our lives. By constantly asking ourselves "The Twelve Question of Life," we will be able to elevate ourselves to a higher level of fulfillment.
0 comments:
Post a Comment