Fill spiritual vacuum!
Although our human
life is precious, it is difficult to find and easy to lose. And we have fewer
conditions for survival, and more conditions for death. In careless, everything
around us has potential to lead us to the state of death. When it occurs one
day, nothing can stop it. Did we do something good to humanity? More
importantly, did we do Dharma? These will determine whether we could rest in
peace or not.
We have years for works, but no an hour for Dharma. For our
whole life, we work hard for the momentary happiness. One day we leave
everything behind, and depart from this world alone. At that point, there is
one thing that we can carry with us—also from life to life. That is spiritual
practice we have done and are doing.
Of course, we know that there is no way to avoid death. One
day it falls upon us, but we are not sure when. We think it has long way to go,
because 'I am young', or 'I am not 60 and 70 something'. Also, we wish it
doesn't happen soon. However, we don’t want to die. We are intolerable to
distance from family, friends, materials, fame, beautiful world, etc.
We are even afraid to hear about death. Nevertheless, we
cannot avoid when the time of death come. Our power and wealth can nether
prevent us from death, nor we can escape from it.
It is really beautiful how time lapse moment by moment. If we
get up in the morning and find ourselves having reached 60 years old, we would
be shocked. Maybe we think of suicide. We have no clear idea about getting
older. If it occurs suddenly, we go crazy.
Death has no seniority of young and old. Some die right after
delivery. Some die suddenly. Yesterday we talked to our friend and had lunch
together. Today we pay tribute to his funeral. One day we feel we are at the
point of death. At this time we remember Dharma. But it is very late. So now is
time to do something spiritual.
The topic of death is not to scare us, but to hint us to
prepare before the death. And it is inevitable that we draw close to the door
of death moment by moment, although we do not get notice of the passage of
time.
If we die without some spiritual practice and contribution to
the society and humanity, it is really sad and regretful. It is more regretful
if we die with spiritual vacuum.
Supposed we live for 60 years. We would spend most of our years
with sleeping, work or business, celebration and entertainment. Did we do
something beneficial in all those years? Let's think!
If we want to do Dharma, we must do right now. Tomorrow never
comes. Guntang Rinpoche said: “I passed 20 years, thinking to practice
spiritualism. Another 20 years, saying that I would definitely do it, and
another 20 years, regretting that I could not. This is my vacuum life story.”
Dharma is only one thing that we can carry with ourselves
from life to life. This is the permanent investments, which give us profit from
life after life.
There are people who think that if we do only Dharma, then we
will get no food. I am not saying that we should devote all of our time to
Dharma. We know we will not, nor we can. What I am saying is that we should
give few minutes to Dharma every day.
Geshe Ben Gungyal said: “When I was a layman, I wore a sword
at my belt. I had many enemies and few friends. I used to rob villages at
night. Despite that I had shortage of food and cloths. Now I practice Dharma. I
have shortage of neither food nor clothing, and my enemies leave me in peace.”
We have more time to brows through internet, to enjoy party,
to watch television, to engage in gossip and holiday. Why don’t we have few
minutes to practice Dharma, which gives us inner peace?
For our own peace and bliss, it is wise to make a decision to
engage in spiritual practice from now on.
