| [ Buddhism ] in KIDS 글 쓴 이(By): Enlight (D.S.) 날 짜 (Date): 2000년 10월 19일 목요일 오전 02시 53분 58초 제 목(Title): Untie the Nine Knots in the Heart 9 The Ninth Knot Selfishness Can Never Bring Blessings We should care about the people around us. If you have the ability to give, you must give. If you don't want to help others while you can, you are selfish. Some people are rich, but they are unwilling to help the poor. Some have knowledge, but are unwilling to teach others because they are afraid others will become better than themselves. These people are selfish too. Such people will never have a nice, respectable character. Helping others is the most fortunate thing in the world. But many people don't understand this. They don't know how much pleasure they can get from giving. Some people kick themselves after they give money to help others. They think, "How stupid I was! Why didn't I keep the money for myself?" Some people become regretful after they teach others something because they are afraid the others will become their competitors. This anxiety after giving also comes from selfishness. To give is to plant blessings. We should be pleased to do that without any worry. It is just like walking: after your front foot steps out, you must let go with the hind foot. Don't ever think that the ground that your hind foot stands on still belongs to you. Otherwise, you will never be able to make progress. The suffering from the entanglements of the nine knots stays with us life after life. Since we are so blessed to have been born human and to have the opportunity to study the Buddha's teachings, we must think deeply about the reasons. Correct your wrong behavior and misconceptions as quickly as you can. As the saying goes, whoever has made the knot must undo it himself. It is of no use if you understand the reason but do nothing to unfasten the knot. Everyone has a treasure in his heart, namely an undefiled nature with wisdom and compassion. Unfortunately, that nature has been covered by the dark clouds of worry. I hope all of you will vow to untie the nine knots, to reveal the brightness of your undefiled nature, and to lead an easy, peaceful life full of wisdom and blessings. -------------------------------------- Show me your smile ------------- |