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Can Anyone Deliver Sentient Beings Every
Day?
- From TBN, issue 470 and 472
- By Living Buddha Lian Sheng, Sheng-Yen Lu
- Translated and Edited by True Buddha Foundation Translation
Team
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While in my retreat at
Leaf Lake, I thought of the practice of “giving for the benefit
of others.” Who can possibly save all sentient beings by himself,
by his own efforts? Even if we could gather together the strength
of everyone, it would still be impossible to provide salvation to
all sentient beings. Who can possibly deliver them day after day?
Is it possible to deliver all sentient beings?
At one moment, here, a nation is flooded.
At one moment, there, a nation is struck by a huge earthquake.
At one moment, a country has a big epidemic.
At one moment, two or more countries are at war.
At one moment, your country is facing a great drought.
At one moment, many countries are suffering from famine.
At one moment, there are typhoons, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
At one moment, there is a big forest fire.
At one moment, there are terrorists.
... and so on ....
Where can you find a piece of Pure Land in this human world? In
the human world, there are dangers everywhere; in the human world,
there are traps everywhere; in the human world, there are disasters
and suffering everywhere. The human body is weak and fragile, subject
to accidents at any moment, such as air disasters, shipwrecks, car
accidents, and illnesses. Indeed, the ocean of suffering knows no
bounds. I have witnessed too much pain and mourning. It is simply
terrible!
Lost for words, I asked the heavens, "How can one save sentient
beings day after day?"
I deliver sentient beings in my “spiritual travelling,”
and there is no end. Even if I conduct bardos day after day, I still
cannot deliver all those souls who have died wrongful deaths [such
as in accidents or disasters or other untimely deaths]. And it is
not just human beings, but all sentient beings in all of the six
realms. The reality is, delivering sentient beings will never be
completed, delivering sentient beings will never come to an end.
A reply from the Virtuous Light Buddha says, "Just do not give
up your heart of mercy. That’s all!"
"What about being vegetarian?"
"Just do not give up your heart of mercy. That’s all!"
"What about giving alms?"
"Just do not give up your heart of mercy. That’s all!"
"What about helping those in danger or in emergency situations?"
"Where you can, when you can, do the best you can, to the best
of your ability, as the affinity allows."
"Is it possible to save all? What about the great epidemic?"
The Virtuous Light Buddha replies, "Benefit to others is not
measured by how big or how small. It still comes back to the statement,
“Just do not give up your heart of mercy. That’s all!’
Chant the Buddha’s name, chant the mantras, and try your best
to give compassion and help—that is delivering sentient beings
day after day."
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