The Way of Harmonious Living

The Mirror of Community Life

In a monastic community, we gather from all corners of the world. Each of us brings a unique history, different habits, and distinct personality traits. We often hold onto our own views, subjective opinions, and personal perspectives. Consequently, when we interact, friction is often unavoidable because of these differences.

As practitioners, we must use our time in the bodhimanda and the monastic community to constantly examine our own shortcomings. We must learn the way of getting along with others. This is the essential provision for saving ourselves and helping all beings achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

Cultivating Compassion and Patience

We must learn to embrace the differences and flaws of others. We must work diligently to thoroughly change our own personality traits and habits. Instead of reacting with:

• Anger and dissatisfaction
• Harsh words and angry glares
• Following our old habits and creating more karma

We should cultivate compassion and patience. Cultivating compassion and patience is the key to true tolerance. You must be mindful at all times until this becomes natural. This is the mark of diligent practice.

The Path of No-Self

Only those who have attained a state of no-self and selflessness can truly treat others with sincerity, acting for the benefit of all beings. Even if you face criticism or slander, you will have a clear conscience. If you continue to walk the path straight ahead, the words of others will naturally fade away.

When you are truly empty of mind and thought, even if the swords of criticism fly toward you, they will find no target and fall harmlessly to the ground. Wisdom and a gentle smile can resolve all conflicts. Simply follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way in your daily life.

The Danger of Karma

In Mahayana Buddhism, we understand that as soon as a thought arises, we may be creating karma. If our actions or words are flawed, that is karma. If we argue or use clever talk to cover up our mistakes, that is even greater karma. This attracts spiritual attachments and causes our karmic creditors to manifest. When this happens, we lose our autonomy and our minds become clouded. You must be aware of this immediately and apologise and change your ways. If you cannot do this, how can you ever attain purity? And how much further will you be from realising your true self?

The Six Harmonies

The Six Harmonies are the standard for how a monastic community should live, yet they are difficult to achieve. This is because we still have our "self":

• Our selfishness and personal desires
• Our own thoughts and memories
• Our physical sensations and feelings

Because these are hard to let go of and we often do not even notice our own faults, it is difficult to treat one another with a pure heart. This is why a community truly living in the Six Harmonies is so rare in this world. Students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you must have a deep realisation and change your ways. If you have these faults, change them immediately. If you do not, remain vigilant!

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.