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Fame
and Fortune
•Guru's
Talk•
Translated
and Edited by True Buddha Foundation Translation Team
While in my retreat at Leaf Lake,
I had a rather interesting thought involving the familiar
subject of fame and fortune. Do not underestimate the power of
these words, as they literally rule all of our human life.
When I was young, whenever I
heard the names of certain people, I would exclaim, "Ah!
That rich man!" or "Ah! That famous person!"
and I would be very envious of them.
When I was studying at
university, I would keep looking at the Mercedes Benz cars
that others drove around. And when I learned of any VIP, my
heart would be filled with admiration. Thus, [I thought] it
would certainly be a joy to become someone extremely rich and
famous, for he or she would always be in the spotlight.
As a matter of fact, even to this
day, the world’s richest man still receives all the
attention from the world, as does the world famous president
[of the United States].
This is why sentient beings in
this Saha world make all the efforts to climb the two
mountains of fame and fortune. When one gets to the top of
these mountains, everything else simply follows.
I am well aware that when people
eye the emperor's throne, even brothers will harm each other.
And when it comes to money matters, people can easily turn
their backs on their loved ones. These examples are found
everywhere.
Do not assume that cultivators
are exempted from such behaviour. There is a common saying:
"If you want to find a black-hearted person, look for him
among the Buddhists." It is certainly shocking to learn
of this statement. Yet, we find countless examples of people
fighting over temple assets or over the leadership position of
temple abbot. Otherwise, why would the Sixth Patriarch
Hui-Neng have escaped into hiding?
Good heavens! Good heavens! So
sad! So sad!
I have forgone everything to set
an example, keeping my meals simple, my clothing simple,
sleeping on straw mats, and walking in my bare feet. You ought
to know that all fame and fortune are but temporary and can
never be everlasting. It is for you to decide whether you want
to follow the Buddha or the Mara. There is nothing in this
world that you really own.
When we cultivate without being
deluded by the lure of fame and fortune, we shall gain the
power of stability and wisdom. Thus, the cultivator must
exercise caution! It is especially crucial for those
propagating the dharma! They must never go astray.
--->回目錄
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