Episode 453 – Delusion and Awakening Are Decided in a Thought
>> “Good, evil and indeterminate [karma] are decided in a single thought. All phenomena are boundless and arise from the mind. When we realize the One Vehicle, we [attain] the ultimate truth. Delusion and awakening, misfortune and blessing are also determined by a single thought.”
>> “In this evil world of the Five Turbidities, people are still attached to desires. Sentient beings such as these will never seek the path to Buddhahood.”
>> “Unwholesome people in the future, upon hearing the Buddha teach the One Vehicle, will not believe or accept it out of delusion. They will slander the Dharma and fall into the evil realms.”
>> Now or in the future, in the evil world of turbidity, people will accept unwholesome teachings and commit evil deeds. They will not believe in virtuous Dharma nor accept proper teachings. Thus, those who hear the One Vehicle Dharma and can believe and accept it will be hard to find.
>> Deluded, they will not believe or accept it. They will slander the Dharma and fall into the evil realms: Thus, after the Buddha entered Parinirvana, those who could comprehend the [Dharma’s] true meaning became hard to find. For people who are unwholesome, be careful not to teach them this. Teaching them this is not beneficial, and may actually cause harm. Staying silent is better.
“Good, evil and indeterminate [karma] are decided in a single thought.
All phenomena are boundless and arise from the mind.
When we realize the One Vehicle, we [attain] the ultimate truth.
Delusion and awakening, misfortune and blessing are also determined by a single thought.”
Every thought is so critical. Therefore, we must always be vigilant of every single thought, [as our karma can be] good, evil or indeterminate. I continually tell everyone that we all intrinsically have Buddha-nature, but because we ordinary people have given rise to ignorance with a single thought, that ignorance has already multiplied into countless habitual tendencies. Therefore, in our daily living, as we interact with people, matters and things, whether [the karma we create] will be good or evil is determined in the span of that thought. If a good thought arises, we can be of benefit to others. If a greedy thought arises, we may cause many disasters in the world; we can create all kinds of calamities.
So, all phenomena are boundless. All of the many principles in the universe are indeed extensive and boundless. All matters contain true principles and all objects have their own ultimate truth. Plants come in all different shapes and colors. These shapes and colors are the result of different genes. The modern term is “gene;” it is the seed of a cause that converges with various aspects of its nature. Different causes and natures can combine to manifest different forms. This [truth] is contained within all things in the world. No matter what kind of thing it is, it has its own unique underlying principle. Principle cannot be seen. But as [causes and conditions] converge, they form the various appearances of the world.
So, all phenomena are boundless and exist within the space of a thought. If we can thoroughly understand this, then we will not be attached all these different material goods. We will not be tempted by material things that arouse our desires, nor give rise to ignorance due to desire.
Therefore, if we understand the Dharma, we will direct ourselves on the right course towards goodness. If we still have not awakened, then we are deluded. We are either in a state of delusion or awakening. We can look at something and identify it, but in order to break it down and understand its underlying principle, it requires further study. Biologists are able to understand the elements of living things. They carefully analyze their composition and so on. Yet they still do not truly understand the. Three Principles and Four States of Existence and the awakened nature in all things of this world. They know one aspect but not the others.
We each have a profession and a specialty. Regardless of our level of education, we can invent new things. Will these new things be beneficial to the world? Some people are not concerned with that. They only care about inventing something new and being at the forefront of their field. They spend a lot of money in the process and can create pollution or cause harm to nature. But they do not consider these things at all. Some only want the recognition and gains that come from this type of research [and invention]. People like this are very unclear about the workings of things in this world. So, our delusion or awakening determines our blessings or misfortunes in the span of a single thought.
For example, lately (2013), we have been discussing food [safety] issues. For a period of time, we had also discussed genetically modified soy beans and similar issues. These have all formed a dangerous situation around food meant for human consumption. With scientific developments in farming, we are using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, or genetically modified crops and so on. We already know these are harmful to humans.
In fact, farmers have a great understanding of astronomy, geography, the four seasons, as well as the 24 divisions of the seasons. Farmers know what should be planted at each point of the 24 divisions of the seasons. Truly, they live by the natural cycle and cultivate the land according to the natural workings of heaven and earth. This is the wisdom of past farmers. Nowadays, humans have already disrupted the climate of the four seasons and allowed the natural ways of farming to gradually fall into disuse. People thought they were clever, but they are actually deluded. As Buddhist practitioners, I hope we can emulate the natural, awakened nature of the Buddha to realize the true principles of all things. We need to learn how the heavens, the earth and people can exist together harmoniously. We need to learn how people can respect the heavens, love the earth and benefit humanity. This is the enlightened nature of the Buddha; these are the principles we need to seek.
In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha gave many explanations that if people did not awaken, [they would face] what the Buddha described over 2000 years ago as “the outcome of the future,” which is our present, an evil world of the Five Turbidities. If we can follow this principle and trace things back, it will not be difficult to return to the ethics and morals we used to have. As long as we have the will, this will not be difficult. This is what we must work towards right now.
So, the previous section of the sutra states,
“In this evil world of the Five Turbidities, people are still attached to desires. Sentient beings such as these will never seek the path to Buddhahood.”
For sentient beings, the Buddha predicted over 2000 years ago what this world would be like right now. Sentient beings are still attached to desires, thus they create this evil world of the Five Turbidities. Sentient beings like this, if asked to listen to the Dharma, will feel afraid. They know that if they accept the Buddha-Dharma, they must abide by the precepts and abstain from satisfying their desires. Some people, knowing this, dare not accept the Buddha-Dharma. That is how the Buddha describes people in this evil world of the Five Turbidities. Attached to desires, they avoid the proper beliefs that can guide them to transcend impurities and evils.
So, the Buddha says in the next sutra passage,
“Unwholesome people in the future, upon hearing the Buddha teach the One Vehicle, will not believe or accept it out of delusion. They will slander the Dharma and fall into the evil realms.”
Some people dare not accept the Buddha-Dharma. When they hear someone intentionally slander it, they begin to pass this on to others. Then these mistaken understandings continue to spread, thus slandering Right Dharma. I often hear people say that they used to have deep misconceptions about Tzu Chi. “Where did that misconception come from? I heard it from someone. What did they say? They said that Tzu Chi is very rich, so….” This misinformation was heard from others and they made no effort to try to verify it. Once they finally learn the truth, they feel great regret for not having joined Tzu Chi decades earlier. This is because of delusions. Sentient beings, deluded by desire and pleasure, easily commit transgressions. This is how evil continues to exist in this world. Those who obstruct Right Dharma and prevent others from practicing it are unwholesome. These are people who hinder virtuous Dharma.
“Unwholesome people in the future, upon hearing the Buddha teach the One Vehicle” refers to people who live now or in the future. In this evil world of the Five Turbidities, because the population is so large, once incorrect teachings become widely shared, those errors continue to be compounded.
Now or in the future, in the evil world of turbidity, people will accept unwholesome teachings and commit evil deeds. They will not believe in virtuous Dharma nor accept proper teachings. Thus, those who hear the One Vehicle Dharma and can believe and accept it will be hard to find.
With advanced modern technology, everyone has a cell phone in their hands. It serves multiple purposes; it can even go online. People can casually write a few words and thousands upon thousands of people can read them within seconds. Once incorrect teachings are circulated, this can be truly disastrous for the world.
Currently (2013), in the international community, all countries are very concerned about the effects of the Jasmine Revolution (Arab Spring), which led to many refugees fleeing, families being destroyed, and people dying. The refugees have spread across many countries. For some countries, like Jordan, a million refugees suddenly appeared at the borders. With so many refugees fleeing there, in addition to more space, they also need food and other necessities. Just getting enough drinking water is a huge problem.
This problem is not limited to Jordan. Many countries have been affected by waves of refugees who are spreading further and further. One small incident led to such extensive troubles. This is the era of Five Turbidities. The spread [of turbidity] through technology is truly frightening.
This is to say that, in the present or the future evil world of turbidities, beginning now and extending into the future, if we do not immediately reflect on ourselves, we will accept unwholesome teachings and commit evil deeds. In this turbid and evil world, all we will receive will be unwholesome teachings. Education will stray from the right course. Originally education was simply about passing on knowledge and teaching trades. It was about teaching what principles to follow and what specialized skills to develop and to make a living. This was the simple goal of education. However, in this evil world of turbidities, from now and on into the future, people learn unwholesome teachings and commit evil deeds. If people receive unwholesome teachings, all of their actions will be evil deeds.
For example, right now there are people around the world who specialize in training people for terrorist groups. Every day we hear about how some country has suffered a devastating attack from terrorists. Think about it, isn’t this spreading unwholesome teachings? Isn’t this doing evil deeds? This is truly worrisome. In this turbid and evil world, people’s minds are not inclined to believe in virtuous Dharma and accept proper teachings, so how could they accept the One Vehicle Dharma when they hear it? This is why the Buddha was very concerned. The future sentient beings of His time are those of us living now.
Since we are able to listen to Right Dharma, we should take on the responsibility and mission to prevent Right Dharma from disappearing and help wholesome and virtuous Dharma remain in this world unceasingly. We need to share the Dharma with each other to replicate virtuous Dharma. One gives rise to infinity and infinity arises from one. If we each form aspirations and vows, we should be able to pass on Right Dharma.
Otherwise our present world will be [filled with] those who will not believe or accept it out of delusion. Delusion is the opposite of awareness; it is the inability to discern principles. So, it is ignorance. If people cannot discern or see things clearly, they are in a state of delusion and confusion. People like this do not believe or accept the Buddha-Dharma, because they have already been deluded by a life of desires and pleasures. They take delight in unwholesome teachings. This a result of their environment.
They are like maggots who crave rotting flesh. As human flesh rots, maggots will appear. I remember (in 2000), when Dalin Tzu Chi hospital began operations, we began by holding free clinics. The very first patient of the free clinic was an old lady whose feet had festered so badly that the flesh was rotted and filled with maggots. The doctors and nurses used a cup and tweezers to remove each of the fat, wriggling maggots. Maggots such as these gather around rotten and smelly things.
Indeed, in the past, I saw [a similar case]. A person who was injured in a car accident could only move his head and talk, but was otherwise entirely paralyzed. To support their children, his wife had to work. The man could only lay in bed all day. It was completely dark inside. I reached up and touched the light, one of those old-fashioned five-watt light bulbs. After turning it on, the first thing I saw was a rat, a very plump rat who was biting his feet. Though we came in, the rat was not afraid and refused to leave. How was this possible? We quickly chased it off, but the fat rat waddled off slowly. “The rat was biting you, don’t you feel the pain? I did not feel it at all.” I witnessed this myself; everything I just said is true. So, this was something I witnessed firsthand.
Similarly, right now people are living in such an evil world of turbidities that they consider unwholesome teachings as something very precious. This is just like how each kind of living being has something they take particular delight in. The evil world of turbidities of the future will be truly terrifying, as armed conflicts and the three major and three minor calamities gradually appear in this world. So, we need to seize the present [to practice], otherwise people “will slander the Dharma and fall into the evil realms.” Then in the future, the human realm will also be one of the evil realms, and people will suffer tremendously here.
Deluded, they will not believe or accept it. They will slander the Dharma and fall into the evil realms: Thus, after the Buddha entered Parinirvana, those who could comprehend the [Dharma’s] true meaning became hard to find. For people who are unwholesome, be careful not to teach them this. Teaching them this is not beneficial, and may actually cause harm. Staying silent is better.
“Thus, after the Buddha entered Parinirvana….” These [slanderous] things had already been said during His lifetime, to say nothing of after His Parinirvana! How many people can actually still realize the true, virtuous Dharma? So, “For people who are unwholesome, be careful not to teach them this.” Because many unwholesome people will deliberately try to slander the Dharma, they will cast virtuous Dharma as unwholesome teachings. Thus they will fall into the evil realms.
During the Buddha’s lifetime, there were already evil-natured bhiksus, people like Devadatta. Even if they were given many teachings it would lead them to create karma of speech instead and slander the Dharma. We should refrain from sharing teachings with people like this. Not only is it not beneficial, it is harmful. Therefore, we do not need to share Right Dharma with this kind of people.
It is not easy to propagate the Buddha-Dharma in this world. So, as Buddhist practitioners, we are very blessed to encounter the Dharma. We can cultivate it in our minds and apply it in our actions. I hope we will all safeguard the Dharma’s seeds of goodness. Therefore, we must always be mindful.