How do we know if our problems are caused by slander?

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illarraza
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Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:30 am

How do we know if our problems are caused by slander?

Post by illarraza »

We may use the Lotus Sutra as a guide. It tells us which of our problems are caused by slander and which of our problems are caused by the Three Obstacles and Four Devils. We should avoid slander and its repercussions (punishment) and we should welcome the Three Obstacles and Four Devils. It is imperative to see clearly if we are slandering so we can make corrections. It is necessary to know if our actions are those of votaries of the Lotus Sutra. Does our mind accord with the mind of the Buddha?

If you are a doctor, your hopes and desires are for your patients to get well. If you are slandering the Law they will not get better, They will fair poorly: If you gain something, some benefit either inconspicuous or conspicuous and you lose it quickly, you are slandering the Law. Lets say, you are making the most cogent arguments at work and at home, arguments to realize some goal or to benefit others but despite these logical and well thought out arguments, no one believes you, then you are slandering the Law. Likewise, if you are in some position of power but inferiors are ordering you about, you have damaged the Law. You can know if your mind is in contrast to the Buddha's if you have a relatively mild ailment that festers and won't resolve despite the best of medicaments. You can tell if your slandering the Law if, at a picnic, the ants. fleas and other insects are only biting you. You will realize if you are slandering the Law when you have a bad thought about a votary and the very instant the thought arises something untoward happens. When you are doing something related to Buddhism, take some action that you are not sure is good or bad, and out of nowhere, a malignant wind blows that gives you a fright, you are slandering the Law. When your garden fails to prosper and the leaves are brown and the fruit vines are withered despite optimal weather and irrigation, you are slandering the Law.

On the contrary, if one's patients have a tendency to thrive, despite the most noxious of disease, he or she with the Lotus Sutra dwells. When we obtain a benefit either conspicuous or inconspicuous, material or spiritual, they remain with us long, we can assuredly state, "today I live the Sutra". When we get a cold or a sore, despite non-optimal care, quickly improve and are cured, we are traveling the Buddha Way. When your friends or acquaintances or enemies are out and about being eaten alive by mosquitos and gnats and you remain untouched, you walk with the Buddha. All is accord with the Mind of the Buddha when you are attacked with words or sticks or stones and you remain unruffled, neither angry, fearful, nor blue. When you are enveloped in a gentle breeze while forming The Thought, there is no doubt. When despite a drought your grass is green and your garden is lush with flower and fruit you walk the Way. (For more on this topic, see Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra, The Burning House).

Mark
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