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Hi jilexin, thanks for understanding the difficulty in understanding. It’s an apt consolation that injects confidence, as compared to being shot down with insinuation of being dull and primitive in mind. :shocked:
Re: ‘being shot down with insinuation of being dull and primitive in mind’
Reply: Was sharing the quote by Master Ou-I because it had a great positive impact on me. My apologies if it hurt any reader. Amituofo. When read in the context of his celebrated commentary on the Amitabha Sutra, it is actually a statement that is a terrific wake-up call made out of great compassion. The commentary can be seen @ http://tinyurl.com/pcxnrc For maximum impact, the statement has to be arrived at after reading the text from the very beginning @ http://www.urbandharma.org/pdf/mindseal.pdf
Re: ‘We can of course continue to try our best to understand, but need not stretch ourselves too much in doing so.’
Reply: Agree. But it’s worth noting that to be born in Pureland, it is crucial to clarify doubts in the Pureland teachings, so as to fortify faith in them. Faith is the first provision, followed by aspiration and practice.
Re: ‘Actually Sakyamuni Buddha has already provided a very simple and attractive reason for us to seriously consider being reborn in Amitabha Buddha’s Pureland. That is: ‘..to be together with the most virtuous people’.
Reply: Yes, the environment provides the Dharma, while the virtuous Purelanders there provide Dharma friendship. Both are important.
Re: ‘Despite your countless flaws, there will definitely be someone who is willing to be a steadfast and virtuous friend to you; who will guide you gently and skillfully to change instead of imposing on you to change.’
Reply: A good place to aspire to go to, to meet many such friends, is Pureland :-] Amituofo
A wake-up quote for one seems like an insult to another. This is interesting. (But yes, the quote should be read in context, just as it should be quoted with its context too). I guess it’s right when they say ‘different strokes for different folks’. But didn’t the Buddha say it is wise to see oneself as foolish if one is? How can we be the fools that Ven Ou-I was talking about if we are ever so enthusiastic to learn? Here’s a story to share that I read a very long time ago. It was one of my ‘wake-up calls’, and hope to share with everyone.
A master once said if we can’t let go of our ego when we are learning the Dharma, we are like a glass full of water that cannot contain any more new stuff. He told of his learning process, of how he was constantly yelled, beaten and laughed at as if he was a fool when he first entered the monastery. He was trapped and embarrassed by the label for years and couldn’t progress at all. It was until he finally accepted it that he could let go of the label. He realised he was REALLY a fool for holding on to that label all these years. And was glad he didn’t cling to that label to the grave. He also said every spiritual practitioner has two great obstacles or hurdles to cross. These are our negative habitual behaviour and our pride (or ego). The former often clouds our perceptions while the latter suffocates our spiritual growth. To truly learn, we have to be humble and empty ourselves of the useless contaminants within. Amituofo _/|\_