Recently, we visited a friend’s house, and noticed that he bought a new TV. Teasing him, I said that from a guy who used to have no TV, he now has a big and branded one. Sheepishly, he smiled and replied that since he’s not net-savvy, it’s his window to connect to the world.
At first, I wasn’t really sure what he meant, until last week’s episode of CSI Miami series struck me as to how true it can be. For some, TV, video games and the Internet are forms of distraction, that disrupt peace of mind. I once attended a talk, during which the speaker claimed that he does not watch TV even for news, refusing to reads newspapers as well. He said all he does is spiritual cultivation. There’s no absolute right or wrong on this I think. Perhaps a ‘Middle Path’ would be good? Ignorance of the world’s suffering does not nurture compassion or call for action, while ignorance of new discoveries does not nurture wisdom. As much as the media can cause some disturbance to our peace of mind, right programmes can spur the rise of virtues, such as generosity and awareness of the current human condition.
Chan Patriarch Master Hui Neng once said, ‘To seek enlightenment by separating from this world. Is as absurd as to search for a rabbit’s horn.’ Some might be puzzled… Aren’t we supposed to sever ties with Samsara in order to attain enlightenment? Why did he say otherwise? Actually, the things to sever are greed, hatred and ignorance, which comes in many forms. There is no need to sever our karmic affinity with beings of Samsara. If we do, how else can we help them on the Bodhisattva path? A Zen koan might illustrate the above notions more clearly…
Master: Student, what are you doing sitting in the hall?
Student: I’m trying to be like Buddha.
(Master leaves the hall and returns with a tile and rubbing it .)
Student: What are you doing, Master?
Master: Polish it into a mirror.
Student: How can you polish a piece of tile into a mirror?
Master: How can you become a Buddha by just practicing sitting meditation?>
Buddhahood is not attained merely by meditation. Shakyamuni Buddha did not just sit under the Bodhi Tree to gain enlightenment. He cultivated for three big kalpas to perfect the six paramitas:
Dāna paramita: Generosity, giving of oneself and one’s possessions
Śīla paramita : Virtue, morality, discipline, proper conduct
Kṣānti (kshanti) paramita : Patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance
Vīrya paramita : Energy, diligence, vigor, effort
Dhyāna paramita : Concentration, contemplation
Prajñā paramita : Wisdom, insight
The paramitas were perfected while helping countless sentient beings encountered. That was great compassion of the Bodhisattva in action. Perhaps Arahanthood (self-liberation) is good enough for some. There is nothing wrong with that and it is certainly in ideal to cheer for too.
Back to CSI. A nanny was interrogated for the possibility of poisoning her friend. When she finally confessed, she became defensive, saying she did it for the children she was looking after, not for herself. How can a good intention lead one to do evil? In the end, we know that she did have her own selfish agenda to fulfill. Blinded by greed and hatred, she thought she did it out of love for the children. This is just an example of what I learnt from TV.
The three roots of evil are often much more dramatised and amplified on TV. But so are the three roots of goodness – generosity, loving-kindness and wisdom. We can see good and evil thoughts and actions flashing right before our eyes. And the great thing is, we don’t have to go through all the featured tragedies in order to learn from them. This reminds me of a vow of Amitabha Buddha:
(40) If, when I attain Buddhahood, the bodhisattvas in my land who wish to see the immeasurable glorious Buddha-lands of the ten quarters, should not be able to view all of them reflected in the jewelled trees, just as one sees one’s face reflected in a clear mirror, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.
设我得佛 国中菩萨 随意欲见 十方无量 严净佛土 应时如愿
於宝树中 皆悉照见 犹如明镜 睹其面像 若不尔者 不取正觉
I guess, before I reach Pure land, before I can peer into the jewelled trees to mastering understanding of how karma works. For now, TV is an avenue for learning! Of course, we should not be too engrossed. But where else can you see cause and effect portrayed over such wide spectrums of interpersonal experience? Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva has a thousand eyes and hands to help beings when he hears them crying in suffering. Before we can be like him, TV programmes, newspapers and the Internet will be offer a thousand sights and sounds for my pair of eyes and ears. From the media, I see and hear of disasters occurring. There are stories of sadness but there are touching stories of kindness too. I am glad I could play a small part by contributing to Tzu Chi’s fundraising programme to rebuild the devastated villages. Please help too, if not yet. Amituofo!