Master's Words

We Must Have A

Sacrificing Spirit

　Without a sacrificing spirit, we cannot grow up. In this way, it is useless even if we practice for several hundred years. To be devoted only to ourselves and not to others is not the way of the Bodhisattvas (enlightened saints). We should then realize that we are still far from being qualified as such. Whenever we do not consider others, we should know that we are associating with maya, the negative power. This is the only difference between a Buddha (an enlightened being) and maya. Once we are selfless in our thinking toward others, we have become a Buddha. Minding only ourselves and forgetting others, we become evil. We can clearly weigh ourselves by this scale. Don't ask me what level you are at or if you have reached Buddhahood!

　You believe I am a Buddha. It is because I only consider others all the time, to the point of me forgetting my own benefit, disadvantage, future, body, comfort, reputation and need. I no longer care for anything. I would sacrifice my life for others regardless of whether I am successful or not. We cannot measure this by success or failure. It is not necessary to be successful each time we do good. Not so! It depends rather on our vow to save the dying, on our sincerity to sacrifice and devote ourselves for the sake of other beings.