We
have various options in this world. The universe is not as rigid and
dull as you might think. So, it's really up to you to decide what you
want to do and how much of a load and responsibility you want to handle.
You can do it as long as you don't hurt other people. God has a few
wishes, but we make the choices ourselves. Otherwise, it would be too
boring if everything were predestined. We can change things, but we
must make good changes, and then it is okay.
For example, this
package of tissues in my hand, I can keep it for my own use, or I can
toss the tissues to people in need - two or three of them. I can toss
them in different directions. I can also discard the packet in the dustbin
and then no one can use it. If I keep it, I am the only one who can
use it; however, people can make use of these tissues if I put some
everywhere. In this way, I have many choices. It's up to me to decide,
and that's all right. It's impossible to say that God has arranged for
me to throw this packet of tissues to a designated person. It can't
be like that. The universe isn't that monotonous; we have many choices.
All kinds of religions
talk about free will, which sometimes brings harm to many people as
well as ourselves and makes us transmigrate. If we make a good decision,
the result will be good, and we'll reap the benefits. Otherwise, we'll
have to shoulder a heavy responsibility that makes us feel uncomfortable
and is very tiresome. Even worse, we'll have to come back to amend the
things we've done wrong, compensate for the harm that we've done or
the losses that all those people have incurred. That's just the way
it is.
It's true; nothing
is really good or bad in the universe, it's only a cycle. Everyone plays
his or her role, and we go back to rest when the time comes. However,
this is not an excuse for us to act irresponsibly. Certainly, we must
choose to do good things because they will benefit us and others, too;
and we won't have to exhaust ourselves with transmigration. There are
many obstacles each time we come here. It's not definite that we can
fix the things we've done wrong within the periods of time that we're
back. Consequently, we have to carry on this way until all has been
amended, and sometimes this takes thousands of years.
Spoken
by Supreme Master Ching Hai
International 7-Day Retreat; Formosa October 29, 1995
(Originally in English)
Please
remember to do the Quan Yin according to the proper proportions. The
Quan Yin is the one to clean. Sometimes people sit there and they don't
do the Quan Yin. In that case, they cannot progress very quickly. Also,
try to check your thoughts. If you check your thoughts, there is no
bad speech and there are no bad deeds. If one thought arises and you
check it immediately, it will not come out of your mouth or result in
action. So, thought is important. Don't follow your passion or your
thoughts, in your mind. You remind each other. The precepts begin from
your thoughts. Purity begins from your thoughts. So, check your own
thinking.
Pearls
of Wisdom 
