Dharma Master Andrew. J. Williams
FOR THE GOOD OF ALL
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“Yes! I think we can all agree that the practise of Buddhism is extremely important and absolutely essential for the sake and benefit of all humankind, as well as for the sake and benefit of all sentient beings, and the wondrous nature that surrounds us on this vast world we call home.
Again my aim here is to give readers some ‘food for thought’, so that we can mentally chew and digest it (contemplate it), allowing us all to think and understand for ourselves.
Dharma is for the ultimate good of all, whether one is a Buddhist or not. All sentient beings benefit from the Dharma, as it points directly to the mind. We practise the Dharma to purify the mind. When the mind is pure, physical and verbal actions will follow suit.
The nature of human beings is to be curious. We seek answers to the important questions in life, to alleviate our confusion and fear. Buddhism clearly answers all of these important questions.
Throughout its 2,600 year history, Buddhism has enriched and brought peace and harmony to wherever it has travelled. Practising Buddhists are moral, compassionate and wise, and of benefit to all sentient beings, by at the very least refraining from causing harm, conflict and trouble. Therefore, when we migrate to different regions around the world, we tend to enrich our adopted culture with peace, harmony and understanding.
We are kind and friendly, and engage in peaceful and harmonious interaction with others, based on understanding, and therefore we tend to be a positive influence on those around us, often silently encouraging others of varying persuasions to do likewise.
From my observation and experience teaching the Dharma in both Australia and the USA, Buddhists and Buddhist communities have done exactly that, been a positive influence and brought benefit to the regions where we live and the people around us. We abide by the law of the land and assimilate peacefully within our chosen communities.
Buddhism is held in high regard as a way of peace. A blameless religion with a history that has caused peace, harmony and understanding wherever it has travelled.
Central to Buddhist practise is the noble eight-fold path of morality, meditation and wisdom, along with the practise of the four immeasurable’s of universal love, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity. We are responsible for our own mental and physical wellbeing, as well as taking it upon ourselves to do whatever is possible to bring benefit to others.
The Buddha said, “All beings tremble at the thought of being harmed, knowing this, how can we harm them”, and “Knowing that we all seek happiness, cultivate love for all.” All sentient beings seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. Not only does the practise of Buddhism provide the way to realise these two aims that are common to all, ultimately it leads to the unconditioned supreme happiness that is beyond suffering, unsurpassed supreme enlightenment.
It may be helpful for us to contemplate the following inspirational verses below from the great Indian master Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva), from the chapter on ‘Commitment’.
“…..By the virtue I have just amassed,
May all the pain of every living being
Be wholly scattered and destroyed.
.
For all those ailing in the world,
Until their every sickness has been healed,
May I myself become for them
The doctor, nurse and medicine itself.
.
Raining down a flood of food and drink,
May I dispel the ills of thirst and famine.
And in the ages marked by scarcity and want,
May I myself appear as drink and sustenance.
.
For sentient beings, poor and destitute,
May I become a treasure ever plentiful,
And lie before them closely in their reach,
A varied source of all that they might need…..
.
…..May I be a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey the road,
For those who wish to go across the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.
.
May I be an isle for those who yearn for landfall,
And a lamp for those who long for light;
For those who need a resting place, a bed;
For all who need a servant, may I be their slave…..
.
…..Like the earth and the pervading elements,
Enduring as the sky itself endures,
For boundless multitudes of living beings,
May I be their ground and sustenance.
Thus for everything that lives,
As far as are the limits of the sky,
May I provide their livelihood and nourishment
Until they pass beyond the bonds of suffering…..”
.
I hope that these few words are somewhat helpful and beneficial on your path to enlightenment. With the help and support of the noble triple gem, may you be well and happy, and may you swiftly attain the enlightened state.
May the immeasurably precious Buddha Dharma flourish throughout the whole world and throughout infinite space.”
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~Dharma Master Andrew. J. Williams~
