Hi
Rooney
I remember
the first time when I was truly impressed with Buddha teaching. It
was when I was reading the 4 noble truth, it mentions that in life
there is Dukkha which can be translated as unsatisfactory. The
suffering comes in physical and mental. One the suffering is being
in contact with the enemy or hated one. I was impressed by the
profundity of the truth of suffering which I can see in the daily
living. The best part was I do not need believe in the Buddha in
order to prove the validity of the truth in my life.
Well, in
life there will be times when we are put into the situation with
people whom we don’t like. It will be frustrating and painstaking.
However, we do not know the karmic affinity, we had with the
person.
Recently, I
was doing some reading, I came across this jargon
善知識
which is common word used in Buddhist text
and teaching. A lot of teacher will interpret this word as good
spiritual advisor who will guide a person on the Buddhist path
which is true. However, when I decided to do further search on this
word, I realized that it was used in the context of Lotus Sutra in
reference to Devadatta who was a Sangha traitor, a liar, a snobbish
monk, a murderer and etc. However, Buddha call him a friend, he
mentioned that it was Devadatta therefore I can attain Perfect
Enlightenment.
Lotus Sutra
Devadatta Chapter 12
The Buddha
said to all the bhikshus: “ The former king was myself and the sage
at that juncture was the present Devadatta himself. Through the
good friendship of Devadatta I was enabled to become perfect in the
Six Paramitas, in kindness, compassion, joy,……….the transcendent
powers of the Way, the attainment of Perfect Enlightenment, and the
widespread saving of the living-all this id due to the good
friendship of Devadatta.
提婆達多品第十二
佛告諸比丘：「爾時王者，則我身是。時仙人者，今提婆達多是。由提婆達多善知識故，令我具足六波羅蜜，慈悲喜捨，三十二相，八十種好，紫磨金色，十力、四無所畏、四攝法、十八不共、神通道力，成等正覺，廣度眾生，皆因提婆達多善知識故。」
During my
Nov Nichiren Shu retreat, a nun share this quote with us, “No one
can escape suffering but we can choose how to accept and face the
suffering.”
Hence
wherever and whatever you are going through face with it with the
courage of Buddha and compassion of Kannon Bodhisattvas. At times,
you might blow your top but don’t give up keep trying
because Perseverance is one of the 6 practice
of Bodhisattvas.
Gassho
Namu Myoho
Renge Kyo