Fo Guang Bodhi Class – Subdue Anger
On 5th September, BLIA Trustee Tina Hua Mei led 10 elders from the Bodhi class to read Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s article “Subduing Anger”. This piece takes a gatha (verse) from the “Lamrim” which reads: “No Transgression is more serious when compared to anger; nothing is more difficult than practicing tolerance and forbearance, if one can subdue their anger, then the self and others can easily obtain happiness”. This is to remind everyone that if we can all subdue our anger, be calm and carefree, then “the self and other can easily obtain happiness”
Anger is a plume of flame that can negate all our accumulated virtues and merits. Many delusional and ignorant people squander all their hard earned merits and good karmic connections due to their inability to resist anger during one instance of receiving insult, abuse and negative circumstance. Within “Buddha’s Bequeathed Teaching Sutra”, the Buddha earnestly warned us that “The harmful effects of anger can destroy wholesome Dharma and good reputation. During this life time and life times thereafter, people will not be happy to see us. One should know that anger is like a raging fire that should be avoided and protected against.” If we can behave according to the Buddha’s admonitions, then when we encounter negative circumstances we can view it with compassion and loving kindness, view it with forbearance, or brace ourselves by chanting the Buddha’s name. When we can subdue anger, fiery afflictions will surely be turned into cool tranquillity, thus turning suffering into joy. We should know that happiness and suffering are solely dependent on ourselves.
Mountain has great height, water has great depth, and everyone has their own good qualities, so there is no need to compare ourselves with others. Wind has freedom, snow has smoothness, and everyone has their own personalities, so there is no need to imitate. We should be as beautiful as we can be, proceeding according to our heart, thus having no regret through this life time.
Afterwards under the guidance of Alice Ng, all the elders joyfully practiced singing and hand gestures. Then Bao Ju Zhan taught them Tai Chi techniques obtained from 30+ years of experience. Thus hoping everyone to become healthy young hearted Bodhisattvas.