Fo Guang Bodhi Class – “Where is my home?”

On 16th May, BLIA Trustee Tina Hua Mei led 9 members of the Bodhi class to read Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s article “Where is my home?” Within, a gatha transcribed by Ch’an Master Long Ya after his awakening to express his state of mind, which goes: “Even though I only have bark, grasses and wild fruits for food, and use wood, grass and straws as clothing, my heart is clear and care free like moon in the sky. My ????mind???? does not involve delusional thoughts of grasping, attachment and comparison; hence my life has no limit. If someone asked where I live, I tell them that amongst crisp clear water and green draped mountains are my home.”

Ordinary people usually cannot let go of the need to “save face”, validate their reputations, fame and “fake personas”. Hence throughout life they will constantly compare with others and fuss over issues. Not only do they want good clothing and tasty food, they also seek for good name, praises and offerings from others. While wallowing within the 5 desires and 6 dusts, there are plenty of attachments, delusions, lustful desires and discrimination, even though many people possess external beauty and elegance, they became ignorant to their inner degradation and scarcity. How can we possibly have happiness if we live by gossip, argument about who is right and wrong, afflictions, vexation and ignorance? Ch’an Masters that have Awakened to the Way only need to live on wild flowers, barks, grasses and fruits, wear leaves, grasses and straws as clothing. But since they do not grasp and seek for delusional desires, do not fight and fuss with others, and do not become attached, they always live within Bodhi, purity, selflessness and the un-conditioned state. Hence they reach the state of “Nobility from non-desire and tranquillity from non-thought”. So everyone should living in a state of “non-abiding”. If we do not abide amongst anything, then we can truly live everywhere!