At the 2020 New Year Assembly, we gathered to reflect upon the path of the Dharma. When we consider how to interact with others in our daily lives, we must look toward the fundamental virtues that allow for true harmony. , mind-capacity, and tolerance are the essential keys to building and maintaining these harmonious relationships. These are not merely social graces, but the very foundation of a life lived in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
Everyone naturally gravitates toward those who embody these virtues. When you are in the presence of someone who possesses genuine compassion, a vast mind-capacity, and a heart of tolerance, you feel a sense of peace. It does not matter what state you are in, whether you are feeling successful or struggling, or whether you are experiencing or sorrow. In the presence of such a person, you feel completely accepted. There is no pressure to perform or to hide your flaws. If you are fortunate enough to encounter such a person, you should cherish the opportunity and learn from them with a sincere heart.
The Challenges of the Modern World
In our contemporary society, these virtues are severely lacking. We live in an era defined by several destructive patterns:
Constant Competition: We are taught to view others as rivals rather than as fellow beings on the path.
Endless Comparison: We measure our worth against others, leading to of inadequacy or arrogance.
Deep-seated Anxiety: We live in a state of perpetual unease, constantly fearing what we might lose.
Because of this, many people find the concepts of compassion, mind-capacity, and tolerance to be entirely foreign. Even those who understand the importance of these virtues often struggle to express them. They may know that they should be kind, but they do not know how to manifest that kindness in their actions. This is because their own hearts are trapped in the cycle of competition, comparison, and fear. When one is consumed by the fear of loss, it is nearly impossible to open the heart to true compassion or to offer genuine tolerance to others.
The Internal Mirror
We must realise that our external relationships are a reflection of our internal state. If you are not compassionate toward yourself, how can you be truly compassionate toward others? Consider your own body, which is composed of fifty trillion cells. If you do not treat these fifty trillion cells with compassion, if you do not have the mind-capacity to accept and tolerate your own internal struggles, how can you possibly extend that same grace to those around you?
True compassion begins within. It requires us to open our hearts to our own shortcomings and to embrace our own imperfections. Only when we have cultivated this internal harmony can we begin to extend it outward. If we cannot be kind to ourselves, we will certainly struggle to be kind to others, and we will find it impossible to extend this compassion to all beings and all things in the universe.
The Wisdom of Oneness
Those who have realised their true nature understand the concept of oneness. Without this perspective, it is very difficult to reach the state of an awakened being. Everything in our lives is created by the heart. The virtues of compassion, mind-capacity, and tolerance are not things that we possess as private property; they are natural expressions of the true heart of an awakened being.
These virtues are not meant to be kept for oneself. They are meant to be shared with everyone. This is the true value of the awakened heart, and it is the ultimate way to achieve harmony in all our relationships. By letting go of our ego and embracing the truth of our interconnectedness, we can move from confusion to , from wrong paths to the right path, and from impurity to purity. Let us strive to embody these virtues in every moment, ensuring that our interactions are always guided by the light of the Dharma.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, as chief writer.
