The Eighth Paragraph
Therefore, simply focus on practice, and never stop
learning. Make sure you are fully
awake, and do not become blindly attached to anything. Let go all delusions, and never let them
agitate or disturb you. Only the fool
and the naïve immerge themselves in wealth and power. Only the wise and the truly skilful know how to cultivate their
spiritual merits. Building bridges,
taking people across rivers by ferry, and constructing temples and stupas are
merely what we can do to renovate and decorate the form or the appearance. Cultivating and developing joy and
equanimity, and nurturing compassion lead you to mind liberation as you chant
the Sutra inside you.Training your mind to become a Buddha demands
efforts and diligence. It takes time
going through several procedures and processes to extract gold from sand. Reading sutras, researching into the Dharma,
and practice help make both your seeing and hearing equally keen. While you show respect to the Buddha, and
train yourself, do not consider small things trivial. Do not hesitate in your search for the
ultimate, which is beyond language and expression. Try to observe the Zen Way, and never allow the eight external
factors influence you.*(to be continued)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tran_Nhan_Tong
http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%E1%BA%A7n_Nh%C3%A2n_T%C3%B4ng
http://thuvienhoasen.org/D_1-2_2-137_4-19440_5-50_6-2_17-68_14-1_15-1/#nl_detail_bookmark
*The eight factors are also called “eight winds.” The practitioner’s mind must remain calm against these “winds.” 1. gains, interests or benefits; 2. losses or disasters, difficulties or hardship; 3. worldly joys and pleasures; 4. pains and sufferings; 5. rewards, honors, and promotions; 6.shame or embarrassment; 7. comments, or praises; 8. reproaches and criticisms.
