everyone ISOUR TEACHERWesay that with the guidance of a virtuous and enlightened friend,our life will improve and become more noble. Our fellow practitionerscan be that virtuous and enlightened friend, a very good friend.Even the non-initiated people outside can be our teachers sometimes,reminding us of some beautiful things. For instance, observingthem doing good deeds or speaking some good things, our heartwill become more open. Even if we saw them doing bad deeds, atleast we can learn a lesson and refrain from doing the same!
That was why the ancient sages said, "Inthe company of three people, there will be one who can be my teacher."I would say all three of them are our teachers. Each person livingin this world has their particular obligation and mission. Ifwe are close or related to a certain person, definitely he hasa mission concerning us. It might be good or bad, but he is responsiblefor giving us a lesson. So, please keep your eyes and ears open,detect what God is trying to teach us through that person closeto us. However, we should use what we have learnt, and not keepreciting it like a parrot or a tape recorder, which is uselessof course.
Recently, I have often asked you to help do,or organize disaster relief work. Of course, we are trying tohelp them because of our compassion, and our uneasiness when seeingothers in a suffering condition. However, we are not doing itonly for the victims. Participating in the relief work, we arealso helping to develop our own compassion, fulfil our obligation,and learn how to respond to a situation.
Distributing the rice is not all there is.In the affected area, you will come across people whose emotions,feelings and urgent living needs are similar to yours. You mighthave to face the problems they are facing also. After talkingto them, you can find out more about the inner needs of the individual.Then, you are tested on how you react and how you comfort them,counsel them, help them overcome the problems in their life. Thatis your lesson to learn. Without putting it into practice, itis useless listening to my words for years, because you have notexperienced it in benefiting others.
Okay, I have said that much, so I won't sayany more. I wish everyone a happy and successful new year, achievingearly enlightenment and liberation.
