[FOREWORD]
All of you have cultivated yourselves according to Tao for a long time, do you know the differences between Saints and human beings? Today Teacher will talk about this question and allow you to have a better selection.
1.The
Differences Between Saints and Human Beings
A.
People do things for themselves, but Saints do things for human beings.
There is a balance scale in everyone's head (to judge whether things are
important or not, and to determine whether something should be done or
not). There are people who can judge if a thing is right or wrong from
their minds, and some judge from words, Both ways can enable one to decide
for oneself. Some people are greedy for the short-term merits close at
hand, while some people plan for the long-term result. Human beings, when
they find that something is profitable for themselves, then they will adore
that thing. But when they find something that is disadvantageous to themselves,
they will be angry and detest it. Thus, when the spring rain is like downpour,
farmers will like the rain because it nourish their corps, but pedestrians
will not like the rain because the road will turn to mud. When the moon
is bright like a mirror in the sky, happy people will feel wonderful about
such a beautiful view, but thieves will hate the luminance of the moon.
B. Some people have power in their hands, and are unwilling to pass it on to others. This is caused by their own selfish desire. Thus it will produce phenomena such as contention for power. When they have profits at hand, they will only consider their own enjoyment. This is caused by their material desire. Thus it produces something like a competition for profits.
If
one can put oneself in the other person's shoes all of the time, then all
undesirable events will be expelled, all extreme anger will be dissolved;
if in all circumstances one could think about other people, then one's
motive for self-profit will be dispelled, and one's sympathy will grow
and increase.
C.
All normal human beings are surrounded by blessings, it is just that they
are not aware of it and thus feel dissatisfied in their temporary condition.
If a person never experiences danger, and never encounters a tough environment,
then he will never know he is surrounded by the blessing of a calm life.
If a person never experiences freezing cold and starvation, then he will
never know the blessing of being safe and sound. If a person never experiences
sickness and pain, then he will never know the blessing of being healthy.
If a person never experiences extreme bitterness, and does not know what
it is like to be homeless and wandering place to place, he will never know
the blessing of peace. Therefore being satisfied will always bring happiness,
and being tolerant will naturally being peace and safety to oneself.
D.
When the person of virtue is in a tough environment, he will not lose his
virtue, and when he is in a successful position he will not be far from
Tao. You should all see that fame and profits are the source of worries.
To lead a tranquil life without worldly desires is the source of a blessed
life.
E.
By renouncing fame and profits, one can free oneself from worldly ways;
by abolishing the concept of life and death, one can become a Saint. One
whose ambition can not be obstructed by glory is one who may be called
a Saint. One who is impervious to the temptations of wealth and high position
may be called a sage.
F. Therefore one who cultivates himself according to Tao should: dispel complaints, have a broad mind, renounce one's physical nature in favor of one's Original Nature, put into practice equality, expel greed, keep a satisfied heart, get rid of one's violent mind, grow a lenient heart, give up one's stinginess, initiate one's generous heart, renounce one's evil ways, and expand one's virtuous heart. These are the differences between Saints and human beings.
[FUTURE GOALS]
On the road of life, confidence is:the best companion, the sweetest provision, and the greatest wealth.
Confidence can bear all the heavy burdens and guide one on the righteous and enlightening way, and allow one to face real difficulties. It also has the power to challenge temptation and to give one the power to fight through long-term trials.
Difficulty
is the benefactor of success, thus one should feel grateful to difficulty
instead of complaining about it. If there exists something which obstructs
our process, then we will be able to generate the power to conquer it.
IT is hoped that all of you can find the confidence and perseverance to
accomplish your great reponsibility.