What is the difference between ordinary people and Bodhisattvas? Bodhisattvas correct their faults every day until they become Buddhas. Ordinary people do not yet realize their faults.
Deep concentration is not being attached to external forms. It is to remain in stillness and serenity.
We all want to accumulate merits and virtues. Giving is to cultivate them and patience is to keep them. If we are not patient but give rise to resentment and anger we will constantly be burning up our merits and virtues.
Our mind needs to remain in serenity. Our body needs to continue in movement.
To go along with our true nature, we need to give up trying to control and dominate others. Then our purity of mind will increase and our afflictions will decrease.
To be pure and tranquil is not to be separated from all phenomena, it is to not be attached to all phenomena.
Purity and calmness are the greatest enjoyment of the mind pure. Where do we start? First, let go of selfishness, let go of thoughts of controlling others. All sentient beings have thoughts on controlling others, our environment and infinite objects. These wandering and discriminating thoughts and attachments block our purity of mind.
Why is it called the Pure Land? Because it reflects the qualities of all who live there; kindness, gentleness and purity.
~ Based on the teachings of Venerable Master Chin Kung
Article originally appeared on a buddhist perspective (http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/).
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