1. Yearn
not for a body free of
disease and suffering, because
without going through pain and
illness, sundry desires are easily
awakened.
2.
Wish not for a life free of
mishaps and obstacles, because
without them one tends to become
arrogant and egotistical.
3.
Pray not for a quick shortcut
regarding spiritual introspection,
because without excruciating effort,
one becomes small-minded
4.
Fear not the haunting
disturbance of evil while
accumulating spiritual strength,
because without it one’s
determination does not grow strong.
5.
Hope not for easy success in
one’s work, because without
difficulties and failures, one tends
to undervalue others and become
overly proud.
6.
Build not relationships on
selfish gain, because a relationship
based on profit has lost its genuine
meaning.
7.
Look not for a universal
consensus regarding one’s personal
opinion, because complete adoption
to a single opinion will render
narrow mindedness.
8.
Expect not repayment or
reward from others for one’s
services, because calculation and
expectations contradict true
service.
9.
Engage
not irrationally in
profitable attractions, because
jumping too quickly into temptation
may well blind wisdom.
10.
Stir not at being a victim of
injustice, because eagerness to
clarify reputation belongs to an ego
too attached to let go.
These are the Buddha’s teachings:
-
Consider disease and
suffering as medicines to the body
-
Regard mishaps as a means of
self-liberation
-
Treat obstacles as enjoyable
challenges
-
Greet haunting spirits as
good companions
- Consider
difficulties as one of life’s
enjoyments
-
Thank bad friends as helping
you in self-adjustment
-
View dissents as friendly
entertainment
-
See favors as merely
unimportant sandals plentiful to
discard.
-
Take disinterest from
temptation as an honourable
achievement.
-
Use injustice as an expedient
door into spiritual perfection.
To accept obstacles will bring
wisdom, but to pray for wisdom will
inevitably bring obstacles. It was
within all such obstacles that The
Thus Comes One became enlightened to
the Ultimate Bodhi. He gladly
instilled perfection to the Path of
Enlightenment to all the people who
wished to do harm to him, even with
the great wickedness of Devadatta.
Thus, do the difficulties faced
in life not bring beneficial
results? Can’t people’s destruction
and damage to you bring support to
your achievements? Today, because
Buddhist practitioners dread to
throw themselves into obstacles,
when real obstacles finally come
their way, they are too helpless to
fend for themselves. The Absolute
Dharma of nobility and superiority
is therefore diminishing because of
this pity. How regretful!
