For most people, the enjoyment of sensual pleasure is the highest and only happiness for them. The hearts of the world are captive of a happy and splendid life. What they detest most is hardship. So, they struggle and compete amongst themselves for wealth and fame to ease their materialistic hearts. Unfortunately, happiness is illusive and temporary and even the richest man has his own sorrows. Nobody can escape from the bitterness of the world except through the practice of the Truth or Tao. By practising, one can easily accept and live with the suffering thereby easing off bitterness and pain. For people who are materialistic, they may encounter a lot of bitterness and sufferings.
Take an example of a rich man's son who had never tasted hardship since the day he was born. Spoilt and pampered, he indulged himself in pleasure and enjoy his life in entertainment through night clubbing, karaoke, drinking, womanising, gambling, smoking etc. Soon the time came when he had spent all his money. His friends were no more his friends. They deserted him one by one. His happiness disappeared in a flash of light and he is left with unbearable sorrows. Another example of powerful personality such as the kings, presidents, and ministers are also no guarantee of lasting happiness. An act of coup d'etat or an assassination attempt may finish them off. Any immoral or corrupted case may leave behind bad names. That means, the higher one climbs, the heavier one falls. So, where is happiness?
We must realize that wealth and fame are not everlasting. Real happiness is found in our own hands. It is not defined in terms of wealth, honor or fame. If such possessions are taken away forcibly or unjustly obtained, they will be a source of pain and sorrow to the possessors. We must understand that whatever is not ours, it is not ours. Do not go against nature and seek the cause to eradicate bitterness and sufferings. The best way to ease bitterness, suffering and pain is to accept and live with it or forget and forgive.
Examples of such seekings and eradication are Sakyamuni Buddha, Goddess of Mercy, Confucius and many other Saints and Sages.
Sakyamuni Buddha was brought up in luxury but his boundless compassion did not allow him to enjoy the pleasure of a royal household. If he became the king and not the Buddha, then nobody would know him today. He renounced the world not in his old age but in his prime of manhood, not in poverty but in plenty. For six years avoiding the two extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification, donning the yellow robe of an ascetic, alone, penniless, wandered for in search of Truth and peace, he was enlightened sitting crossed-leg (full lotus position) under a bodhi tree. At the age of thirty-five, he eradicated all defilements, purified himself, and realizing things as they truly are, meaning enlightenment or awakening to the Truth of life.
Goddess of Mercy is another example of renounciation and seeking the course of salvation for mankind. Born a princess, she also seeks the course to the suffering of the people. One day, while in the palace garden, "Bodhidharma" Buddha approached and taught her the art of Tao cultivation which she followed diligently and accordingly. She suffered much bitterness under the tests of her father, the Emperor. Ten years later, she also reached the state of perfection and became a Buddha.
In Tao cultivation, one is taught about what is suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering, quite similar to Buddhism. It prevents a person from being materialistic and it also prevents a person from being thrown into sad despair if he happens to meet with repeated failures and disappointments in his life. Through firm heart and patient, a day will come when the result will bear fruits and he will enjoy the consequent fruition of what he has done.
My Heavenly Master JiGong said, "Having ME (the self or ego) is having suffering. And to 'untie the knot of the bell, it must be the one who tied the bell'. In order to liberate oneself from vexation and the bitter sea of life, one must rely on one's strength. No one else can render help. How to liberate oneself? One must start with a firm cultivation on one's body, tongue and intent (actions, words and thoughts). Root out all bad habits and behavior while calm and quiet the moving mind (agitated heart) through firm cultivation. Be able to endure disgrace, be forgiving and be large-minded. Submit meekly to all unfavourable situations and conditions to let your wisdom increase and grow. Have consideration for others at all times and naturally you will live transcendently and happily."
Author: T.A Chew
T.A Chew had encountered a lot of bitterness during the course of his life. It is said that we have to swallow the bitterness ourselves but share the happiness. By practising Tao, he had gained much understanding and be able to forgive and forget easily. Website: http://www.white-sun.com