【Description】
Meditation Master JinBodhi was raised in a poor family. As a child on a pure, calm night when the moon shone brightly, he drank a bowl of congee that was almost devoid of rice and consisted mostly of water that reflected the bright moon. In such a difficult situation, what were Meditation Master JinBodhi’s thoughts? Let’s examine and experience his mental state at that moment.
【Content】
When I was young, I lived with a poor family and didn’t have money to give them. One evening, I held a congee bowl in the dark courtyard. The moon was so bright in the clear night sky, that I saw it reflected in the congee, which was mostly water. At the time, I was 16 or 17 and felt free and at ease. I said to the grandma, “Thank you.” “Why thank me?” She was embarrassed. She thought I was mocking her. “Is it because the congee has too much water?”
I said, “Thanks for putting in so much water; without it, the moon wouldn’t appear in my bowl.” This grandma was happy when she heard my words. “Grandma continues to keep the moon in your bowl. Let me give you some sunflower seeds. ” I ate sunflower seeds all night. I was very happy, as they were a bonus. This means “accept whatever you encounter”. You can enjoy any circumstance.
You may wonder why the grandma gave me watery congee. You must know: I was penniless, and had to live and eat at her home. They ate the same thing I ate. How could I be picky? Even if I was a king or a prince, who encountered adversity and had to live in her home, I would share happiness and sorrow with them. We should embrace whatever we encounter. The circumstance is the same, but we can adjust our emotions at any time.
Like a luxury SUV, which can manoeuver all road conditions, passengers always feel secure and comfortable even if the road is bumpy. The wheels are strong and stable like centipedes’ legs, allowing passengers to have a smooth ride. The wheels and shock absorbers cushion the bumps, right? It is the same with a good horse. Riding it, we don’t feel unsettled. Only a horse that doesn’t know how to gallop will toss us around.
A good car lets passengers feel secure and comfortable. This security comes from the car’s adaptability to different road conditions. Cars with such capacity are very good. Our minds should transcend and overcome afflictions. We should learn to adjust our minds. If we have a good mental state, our afflictions and stress will be gone instantly. Look at the stress caused by your mortgage. Is it lighter? Do you feel that your stress has faded? Do you feel this? You’re open and clear now.
This quote reflects that mental state: The moon is yet to shine upon me, but my body and mind are already peaceful. Reach such a state: Though sunlight or moonlight hasn’t shone upon me, my body and mind are already peaceful and at ease. We need to have this mental state, so when dealing with life stresses, we can discard them as easily as we throw away peanut shells. Don’t carry afflictions in your pocket, as they won’t produce better peanuts, but only become burdens and kindling. There is no need to worry. Throw away your troubles.
Good and bad or yin and yang, everything changes. Suffering is happiness. Thus, there is a great philosophical concept: emptiness is form, and form is emptiness. What you perceive as bad may be good in the long term. The result of things is temporary. What follows the result? What will happen next? We must contemplate this.
The moon is yet to shine upon me, but my body and mind are already peaceful. Accept whatever you encounter. Transcend afflictions.