Episode 405 – To Transform with Compassion and Skillful Means
>> “All Buddhas turn the Dharma-wheel according to the capabilities of sentient beings. By teaching them to eliminate afflictions, They enable them to [attain] Bodhi.”
>> “The World-Honored Ones of the future are limitless in number. All of these Tathagatas will also teach the skillful means.”
>> “All of the Tathagatas, by means of infinite skillful teachings, transform all sentient beings so they penetrate the Buddha’s flawless wisdom. Of those who have heard the Dharma, none will fail to become a Buddha.”
>> All of the Tathagatas come to this world for one great cause, to teach sentient beings. But sentient beings have varying capabilities and their bad habits are difficult to eliminate, so for them to be transformed is not easy.
>> Out of compassion and wisdom, Tathagatas use infinite skillful means to teach according to the capabilities of sentient beings so they can be delivered. Sentient beings are drowning in the painful sea of samsara and cannot save themselves. The Introductory Chapter of the Lotus Sutra states: “The guiding teacher of all mystics transformed countless sentient beings.” Those who wish to transform sentient beings must accumulate merits and virtues as the foundation for delivering all beings.
“All Buddhas turn the Dharma-wheel
according to the capabilities of sentient beings.
By teaching them to eliminate afflictions,
They enable them to [attain] Bodhi.”
All past, present and future Buddhas have this same mindset, to bring the principles They realized into the hearts of sentient beings. They do this by “turning the Dharma-wheel.” The Dharma is like a wheel. A cart with wheels can move forward. By the same principle, if there is Dharma in our hearts, we can diligently move forward. It not only teaches us to diligently advance, but to advance in the right direction. Our course must be accurate, so the Buddha comes to this world to teach us how to move forward.
Sentient beings have varying capabilities because of their accumulated habitual tendencies, and everyone’s habitual tendencies are different. So, the Buddha had to teach and transform people according to their capabilities. He wanted to teach sentient beings how to eliminate their many afflictions. In this world, people live in many different ways. Each person’s environment, each person’s experience and each person’s habitual tendencies vary greatly. Because there are so many different afflictions and habitual tendencies, we must listen to the Buddha-Dharma to understand and accept things in this world. We figure out how the things in the world correspond to the Dharma and use the Dharma to explain the principles behind those things. Thus we can open our minds and be understanding. Whatever afflictions we encounter, we can naturally see through them. With principles,
we can overcome all difficult obstacles. No matter how many obstacles there are, all we need is the Dharma. No matter what difficult circumstance we face, as long as we have the Dharma in our hearts, we can overcome those obstacles. This is why the Buddha gave many kinds of teachings. He taught according to people’s capabilities. He wanted to enable everyone to attain Bodhi, which is enlightenment. He hoped they would turn delusion into awakening. This was the Buddha’s main goal in turning the Dharma-wheel.
So, we must, with a sense of gratitude, diligently, mindfully accept the Dharma every day. We must take this Dharma to heart so that whenever something happens, we can apply it right away to turn afflictions into Bodhi. The previous sutra passage states,
“The World-Honored Ones of the future are limitless in number. All of these Tathagatas will also teach the skillful means.”
The sutra passage before this one talked about all Buddhas of the past. This passage discusses “the World-Honored Ones of the future.” This indicates that all past, present and future. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who come to this world all turn the Dharma-wheel. As part of turning the Dharma-wheel, they must spend a very long time teaching skillful means. This is the path that all Buddhas share.
This is what the previous passage said. The following passage continues,
“All of the Tathagatas, by means of infinite skillful teachings, transform all sentient beings so they penetrate the Buddha’s flawless wisdom. Of those who have heard the Dharma, none will fail to become a Buddha.”
The beginning of this passage is telling us that “all of the Tathagatas” who manifest in this world will use many kinds of skillful means to teach sentient beings. Sentient beings have varying capabilities on top of having to face countless troubles and afflictions in this world. Those who want to engage in spiritual practice and seek the Dharma also have varying capabilities. They find it hard to eliminate bad habits. For them to change their bad, unwholesome habitual tendencies, is truly very difficult. Thus, for the Buddha to change and eliminate these people’s challenging habitual tendencies is really not easy. So, the Tathagata had to exercise compassion and wisdom.
Compassion is not giving up on sentient beings. When sentient beings are not peaceful or when the world is not at peace, the suffering of these times requires people who are willing to dedicate themselves [to helping others]. To exercise this kind of compassion also takes loving-kindness. We must practice loving-kindness to help everyone be at peace, to help everyone feel at ease. As we practice loving-kindness, we must also exercise compassion. It is because sentient beings are hard to train that there is a need for people like us. If we want them to be at peace, we must tame stubbornness and eliminate afflictions and troubles in those who are unable to open their minds. We help everyone understand that life is inherently filled with much suffering and that the natural course of life is birth, aging, illness and death. All this is simply a part of life.
When their karmic retributions manifest, we help them turn things around. This means that we help them understand that every cause created will result in an effect, so when retributions manifest, they can turn things around by being understanding. As they face difficulties and sadness, we can help them get past the worst of the afflictions and difficulties. Of course, to do this, they must change their habitual tendencies. If they do not eliminate their attachments, afflictions and habitual tendencies, they cannot overcome their difficulties. Thus, to get through challenges and difficulties, we must have compassionate wisdom, and we must exercise compassion. So, loving-kindness and compassion must be practiced in parallel.
If we only have great loving-kindness but lack compassion, we cannot help others. If sentient beings act on habitual tendencies while experiencing suffering, they will only increase their suffering. Thus, when the Buddha came to this world, He kept spreading the Dharma, teaching the Path, because He knew that, although He had awakened and was already working with sentient beings, the time He had with them was just too short. He knew, according to the law of nature, that. He would enter Parinirvana after several decades. After He entered Parinirvana, there must be people with the will to accept and then transmit the Dharma so it can be passed on unceasingly. This is why we always say that the Dharma-lineage must be transmitted.
So, in order to carry on the Dharma-lineage, we must have the Four Infinite Minds and practice the Four Great Vows. We must “vow to deliver countless sentient beings” and “vow to eliminate endless afflictions.” Not only must we transform ourselves, we must also vow to transform sentient beings. Not only must we eliminate our own afflictions, we must also help sentient beings eliminate their afflictions and habitual tendencies. This is loving-kindness and compassion. So, we always say we must “practice both loving-kindness and compassion.” We must practice loving-kindness and exercise compassion without regret. Then we will never feel any fear, affliction or resentment as we dedicate ourselves to sentient beings.
The goal of the Buddha and all Tathagatas in coming to this world is [to accomplish] this one great cause. They engage in spiritual practice, awaken, then teach and transmit the Dharma in the hope that this can always be a teaching for sentient beings.
All of the Tathagatas come to this world for one great cause, to teach sentient beings. But sentient beings have varying capabilities and their bad habits are difficult to eliminate, so for them to be transformed is not easy.
The Buddha also knew that with so many sentient beings, all with varying capabilities, bad habits would be difficult to eliminate. So, He had to focus on the people who were willing to accept and continuously transmit the Dharma. However, even those who accept the Dharma have varying capabilities. So, though all Buddhas come to transform sentient beings, helping them eliminate habitual tendencies is not easy at all. However, with determination, Tathagatas still exercised compassion and wisdom and utilized countless skillful means to teach according to sentient beings’ capabilities.
Out of compassion and wisdom, Tathagatas use infinite skillful means to teach according to the capabilities of sentient beings so they can be delivered. Sentient beings are drowning in the painful sea of samsara and cannot save themselves. The Introductory Chapter of the Lotus Sutra states: “The guiding teacher of all mystics transformed countless sentient beings.” Those who wish to transform sentient beings must accumulate merits and virtues as the foundation for delivering all beings.
As humans, we do not know what affinities we created before. We suffer being with those we hate. We suffer being parted from those we love. Some of our relatives seem to be here to torment us. Not only are some not filial to their parents, they rebel against them, causing them much suffering. How do we resolve their grievances? There are also some very filial children, but their time here is short; how can their parents accept that? These are some of the biggest issues in this world. They are very serious problems.
Within our organization, there are also people who have had these experiences. They are always counseling other people who are suffering, but what do they do when they face [these problems]? This is why we [must] care for each other as a Dharma-family. “Teams unite to cultivate the field of blessings.” Most often, Faith Corp members and commissioners are cultivating the field of blessings in the world, but what do they do when they encounter problems? They must promptly “deeply plant the Root of Wisdom on the Bodhisattva-path.” This is why we, as a Dharma-family, must always help each other grow in wisdom and promptly offer reminders and comfort.
In our morning volunteer assembly, Tzu Mei, who you may know as Shuzhen, shared her experience with us. She said that when things happen to her fellow volunteers, she can immediately [share the Dharma] because she has been certified [as a commissioner] for a long time. As a very experienced volunteer, she has served in every kind of capacity, from being a team leader to leading various functional teams. So, she has truly taken the Dharma to heart.
For the 40th Anniversary celebration, we had to organize over 40 years of information. Everyone arranged to meet at the hospital, but suddenly, they received a message about the child of a Dharma-brother. The father, Zhang Qingfeng, is a member of the Songshan District Faith Corps. He [and his wife] only had this one child. Their son was very outstanding and filial. That day, on his way to work, he was in a car accident. By the time he reached Tzu Chi Hospital, he had no vital signs. All the efforts to save him were in vain. Knowing that he was their only son, we could guess how they must have felt.
Tzu Mei went to see them right away to offer comfort to her Dharma-family. At the right time, she helped them [bring forth the wisdom to deal with things]. When she saw Mr. Zhang, she said to him, “Brother, first you must calm down and think about how you want to handle things.” Mr. Zhang told her, “Since he can’t be saved, we have decided to donate his organs. We will donate everything that can be used. They told us his eyes, corneas and even his bones could be donated.”
Tzu Mei then asked him, “Brother, how do you want to deal with the one [who caused the accident]?” He answered, “Let the law handle it.” At that moment, Tzu Mei quickly said to him, “Dharma-Brother, right now you must remember when karmic forces manifest before us, we must be mindful of the law of karma. This event has already happened, but we must clearly understand the law of karma. At this time, the most important thing is to create blessings for your child. When afflictions arise, we must see them through the law of karma. The karmic law of cause and effect, which Master constantly teaches us, must be applied at this time.” As she talked, Mr. Zhang took her words to heart and became calm.
Then his child was sent to the operating room so the organs to be donated could be harvested. After the procedure was complete, he was [sewn back up] and brought out. Mr. Zhang quickly went to his son’s side and lifted up the sheets to look at his face. He said, “Son, please remember, the other party didn’t do it intentionally. You must let go of your resentment and hatred. Right now, you must feel a sense of love. You can save so many people with your love. Everything happens because of the law of karma, so don’t carry hate and resentment with you. Please know that you have saved a lot of people.” After he shared these words with his son,
his son’s body was taken away. He shared that, as he talked to his son, his heart began to open up as well. So, he told the person who caused the accident, “I will not [press charges], and I will forgive you. However, from now on, you must eliminate your bad habitual tendencies. You must not drink or speed when you drive. You must change these bad habits.” The other driver was very remorseful and repentant. Mr. Zhang comforted him and eventually guided him into Tzu Chi.
Can you imagine that this kind of suffering, this great blow, could be relieved with one sentence? The lives of two families were changed. One family was able to be understanding and earnestly practice the Bodhisattva-path. The other family, because of this forgiveness, was able to recover without being afflicted by the punishment of facing lawsuits and dealing with [excessive] guilt. Eventually the two families became friends. This is how Bodhisattvas transform sentient beings.
Afterwards, Mr. Zhang told her, “I’m grateful to you. Sister, you helped me grow in wisdom. As I said those words to my son, I was able to open up my heart. It gave me the courage to be forgiving and to transform [that driver]. I’m grateful to you. You are the benefactor of my wisdom-life.” Tzu Mei told him, “Brother, you are also my benefactor. [I learned] that I must make the most of my life. You allowed me to recognize again that life is impermanent. We are each other’s benefactors.”
“Teams unite to cultivate fields of blessings.” Typically, our volunteers cultivate the fields of blessings out in the world. Whenever they encounter [a problem], they must “deeply plant the Root of Wisdom on the Bodhisattva-path.” At this time, we must continue to walk the Bodhisattva-path. Everyone, we have formed aspirations and vows, but we all have varying capabilities. This is why each of us must diligently practice. We must take the Dharma to heart so that we, and others, can use it. All of us can help and inspire each other. Therefore, we must always be mindful.