What makes an action good or bad?
Not how it looks, nor whether it is big or small,
But the good or evil motivation behind it.（124）
The above verse underlines the pre-eminent role of motivation, which forms the first link in a chain of events. If we wish to go north but our initial steps are towards the south, we will not arrive at our intended destination. In the same way, if our motivation is tainted, any subsequent action will also be impure and its goal unobtainable. The following contemplations aim to ensure that we engage in the practices of the ‘six perfections’ with pure and altruistic motivation, and in this way accomplish our training in them.
Considering others equal to oneself:
The reason that we are unable to break free of the shackles of samsaric existence is purely due to our fixation on the illusion of an inherently existing ‘I’. In order to counter this delusion, contemplate in the following way:
All beings want to avoid suffering and be happy. A worm that is pulled from the ground and placed in the hot sun will immediately try to return to the cool and safety of the soil. In this respect, its basic desires are no different from our own. However, despite the fact that beings wish to be happy, through ignorance we create the very conditions for the opposite to occur. Even the toughest criminals commit atrocities with the goal of increasing their comfort and well-being. Yet, their acts are the very root of their suffering, and in successive lifetimes they will suffer in the sea of samsara until finally the cycle of negative action and result is broken.
As Dharma practitioners, we should contemplate that through our infinite rebirths, there is not one being who has not been our mother. Therefore, we should not see others as unrelated, but as our own close kin. In addition, we should realize that like us, these mother-beings seek happiness and fear suffering. We should meditate and reflect on this repeatedly until prejudices, bias and feelings of distance from other beings dissolve, and both enemies and friends are considered equal and afforded the same level of love and care.
Exchanging oneself and others:
Look at or visualize a person who is suffering. Then, on an inhalation, imagine taking on all that person's pain and adversity. Likewise, as you exhale, imagine offering him or her all your joy and everything from which you derive pleasure. In the beginning, this practice is accomplished more easily when a single individual is visualized. Later, as we become more adept, the scope of our visualization is extended to include all sentient beings.
Furthermore, whenever we undergo a painful experience, we should consider that many beings are
suffering in a similar way. We give rise to a mind of compassion and make a sincere wish that their pain manifest within us, leaving them happy and free from distress. Likewise, when we are happy and healthy, we should visualize sharing our good fortune with others. Like a bright autumn moon that unconditionally illuminates the world, we should endeavour to bring joy and peace to all beings.
This practice of exchanging oneself and others is one of the most effective methods for positively
transforming the mind. Even a single moment of feeling that one has actually taken on the suffering of others and exchanged it for one's own happiness purifies many aeons' accumulation of negative karma. In addition, it creates an immense store of merit and wisdom, and prevents rebirth in a lower realm.
Considering others more important than oneself:
From the depths of our hearts, we pray that the sufferings of others ripen within us, and that in return, all beings receive our joy and conditions for happiness. We should repeatedly make these aspirations until they reverberate to the very core of our being and the waves of compassion naturally radiate from our hearts like the sun's rays at dawn, bringing warmth, light and sustenance to all. In the past, even secular kings willingly offered their lives and possessions to protect their subjects. How much more should we, as Dharma practitioners, be prepared to help others regardless of the cost to ourselves.
Like the legendary philosopher's stone that transformed base metals into gold, these contemplations have the power to turn our minds into dynamic forces that are capable of fully and fearlessly applying themselves to the Bodhisattva practices of the ‘six perfections’. Therefore, they should be undertaken resolutely and thoroughly.
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(124) Patrul Rinpoche, 1996: 8.
related post: Appendix 3： The Six Perfections
Source Of Information:
《Releasing Life: An Ancient Buddhist practice in the Modern World》, by Shenphen Zangpo (Stephen Powell), distributed by: Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Amitabha Malaysia, 90 & 92, Jalan Pahang, Gombak, 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.)
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.
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