Stupid Thoughts

Words by Lotus

 

 

Many a times I have heard this wise saying: “We are the cause of our own problems”. It took me years before this saying became a very significant part of my belief. I used to think, “How can he do this to me?!” or “Why can’t they just do that!” or “Why is she like this?”, etcetera. I put the blame on others and wanted them to change to my liking.

But when we place the responsibility of fulfilling our expectations on others, our happiness becomes dependent on what others do. How can real happiness be found in this way?

We all feel good when being praised or treated nicely. Because of the attachment to this good feeling, we experience mental suffering when others treat us badly or when someone’s behavior is not up to our expectations. However, as soon as we let go of this burden of attachment, the misery vanishes instantly. It is amazing just how a change in our perception can instantly remove the misery. It is even faster than trying to change others to satisfy our expectations!

It is not easy for the mind to remain unmoved. When someone vents his anger on us, it is much easier to react to that anger. Usually blame, frustration, anger, or even hatred will arise. But is this how we should react? An angry person is bound to suffer mentally and physically, for no angry person is a happy person and angry people fall sick easily. Furthermore, if we believe in the law of karma (cause and effect) and rebirth, those who sow bad seeds will have to reap the results of suffering in this life or other lifetimes. Contemplating thus, how can one not have compassion for those who have anger and hatred in their mind?

Of course, this takes many rounds of contemplation and practice. However, if we persist, slowly but surely, one day, the ‘stupid’ thoughts will no longer arise in the mind. All that is left are ‘right’ thoughts in accordance with the truth. This inner journey of facing defilements and purifying the mind is tough and sometimes painful, but it is the only way to lasting happiness as shared by the Enlightened one.

The enlightened Buddha did not have a single ‘stupid’ thought arising in Him and did not had ill will towards those who blame Him. Instead, out of compassion, He showed us the true cause of misery and the way out of this misery—to identify and remove the root cause of suffering.

May we have the patience and courage to walk the journey (Eightfold path) that leads to the end of all suffering.

追兔

文：山人

来自山城的僧人，

现居佛国，泰缘深厚，

随缘翻译泰僧传记与开示

       
 今天看到这段话，蛮有意思：

“喻一愚人，奔追二兔，结果一兔亦不得。

修定之人，亦复如是，若求两个相反的意念，则必一无所成。”

我想，不只是修定，凡任何事，若不能专精，则难以成就。

想要减肥，却又忍不住美食的诱惑；

想要存钱，却一再地花钱，有出没进；

想要A，但看看B也想要。

结果，就是如此不断地奔追。

最后，不只追不到兔子，可能连为什么要追也不知道。

倒不如，先搞清楚，自己的理想与生命的意义。

问问自己，生命留来做什么？

免得走到尽头，依然一片迷糊。

铁窗回眸之一： 古老相约

文：開照比丘

曾经说过：不再执笔谈监狱、写死囚。

那是因为每次写下囚友的故事，便是一次次的告别。

2009年的今天，这颗心被触动。

彼此都有共鸣与话题，都成为互相的勉励。

一样的地点，古老的监狱。

一样的铁门，古老的道路。

我坐在同样的位置，会见同样的人，

十九年，如一日。

一把椅子，三张草席，

相约古老地方，相隔冰冷铁栏。

四周的脚步声呼喝声无阻我们的诵经声说法声。

我大声说，他们用心听 —

每一声，每一法；每一分，每一秒，

难得一见，短促时间，彼此分外珍惜。

因为难得故 不敢有任何其他奢求，

将重点放在难得会面。

省下怨气，凝神听经，会更有意义。

同样的一幕依然不变，

十九年，如一日。

2009年初，死囚室开始有人被安排上绞台。

死囚的心开始沉重，谁也不晓得明天将会轮到谁。

每个都捉紧难得机会，在老地方见面。

这位死囚，坐牢22年，我踏进监狱已有21年，他认识我19年。

19年来，该说都说了，要交待已交待，

只是在等待那一天的到来。

同样的地方见面，有着同样的心愿：

希望会有奇迹出现。

日夜都不放弃，有那可能的一天。

那怕是被抬着出来，还是走着出来。

如今只有一句话：随缘吧！

他在死囚室的年资最深。

漫长的岁月里，他的故事也不知从何说起。

父子之情已经淡化，妻子之情也没了，

兄弟之情留在记忆里，

仿佛我是他在监狱里最常见的一位老朋友。

那一天临别我们握手，再次提醒彼此：

谁先离去未知数，握手后始终都要走。

也许是最后的回眸，或许今生不再回头。­­­­

无论怎样都好，我们都要守护着临终一念。

但愿能投生再做人继续修戒修定修慧。

老朋友，好好珍重吧！

踏出厚厚的铁门，回望古老的监狱。

我们都有一个的愿，但愿早日能实现。

一次又一次在同样地点见面，一次又一次离别紧握对方的手，

无言传达一个讯息，

有缘再见，无缘彼此护念。