Teaching to Be LivelyYutang Lin
Comments: Some disciples asked me to point out their shortcomings, if any, directly and explicitly to spare them guessing on what the Guru's instruction is. They also said that, if it is always like what I am used to, saying "fine" to all matters, then they would not know what standards to adhere to. The way I give instructions is to avoid pointing directly at someone or some matters so as to prevent running into a locked-horns situation. I simply explain Dharma teachings and reasoning that are in accordance with them through my works, so that people who recognize their values could adopt and follow them, and the teachings presented in such a universal way are to be followed by Buddhists, with no exception to myself. Whatever comes are fine to me, (some disciple therefore called me, "Fine Fine Buddha"), on the one hand because there is no attachment sustained in my mind, neither insistence nor rigidity, and on the other hand because I fully comprehended that all matters have their causal and conditional limitations so I don't make demands that are beyond the given conditions. If rules and regulations were set up, they would simply form jail cells. Disciples who adhere to them would soon become stiffen into grasping to formalities. Then, how could it still remain a path to liberation? In the silence of no arguments, and with my working only on exposition of Dharma teachings, gradually people who appreciated my works and gained faith in their validity will be affected and transformed. Thus I hope that they would learn to become lively and liberated in spirit and in deeds.
[Home][Back to list][Back to Chinese versions] |