On a breezy, partly cloudy Thursday morning, sunlight frequently streamed into the front of Yen Ming Temple, bringing tranquility and warmth to the devotees who came to listen to the lecture. Yen Ming Temple was honoured to invite Master Lian Yi, a Vajra Master from Malaysia who serves as the True Buddha School's online education advisor, to share with the public the application and wisdom of Buddhism in daily life, on the topic of "Buddhism and Life." The Master explained that Buddhism should not merely remain within scriptures and rituals, but should be practically applied to our daily lives. Because everyone faces many problems every day, including family, interpersonal relationships, and work, the most crucial of which is interpersonal interaction. These problems often bring much trouble, and learning Buddhism is key to helping us have a better life. Master Lian Yi specifically quoted a teaching from Grand Master in 2000, pointing out that the highest pursuit in learning Buddhism is "wisdom." A wise person can see problems from different perspectives and will not be led astray by them. Many people, when faced with adversity, remain entangled in it, unable to let go for a long time. The wisdom of Buddhism helps us transform adversity and unfavourable circumstances in life, allowing our minds to achieve true liberation. The Master shared a profound story: In the Zhongnan Mountains, there lived a Taoist priest who had practiced for many years and loved cultivating orchids. One day, the priest went down the mountain and …
On a breezy, partly cloudy Thursday morning, sunlight frequently streamed into the front of Yen Ming Temple, bringing tranquility and warmth to the devotees who came to listen to the lecture.
Yen Ming Temple was honoured to invite Master Lian Yi, a Vajra Master from Malaysia who serves as the True Buddha School’s online education advisor, to share with the public the application and wisdom of Buddhism in daily life, on the topic of “Buddhism and Life.”
The Master explained that Buddhism should not merely remain within scriptures and rituals, but should be practically applied to our daily lives. Because everyone faces many problems every day, including family, interpersonal relationships, and work, the most crucial of which is interpersonal interaction. These problems often bring much trouble, and learning Buddhism is key to helping us have a better life.
Master Lian Yi specifically quoted a teaching from Grand Master in 2000, pointing out that the highest pursuit in learning Buddhism is “wisdom.” A wise person can see problems from different perspectives and will not be led astray by them. Many people, when faced with adversity, remain entangled in it, unable to let go for a long time. The wisdom of Buddhism helps us transform adversity and unfavourable circumstances in life, allowing our minds to achieve true liberation.
The Master shared a profound story: In the Zhongnan Mountains, there lived a Taoist priest who had practiced for many years and loved cultivating orchids. One day, the priest went down the mountain and asked his disciple to help care for the orchids. The disciple accidentally broke one and was terrified of his master’s punishment upon his return. When the priest returned, the disciple confessed to his master, but the priest calmly said, “My purpose in cultivating orchids was to cultivate my mind and beautify the environment, not to make myself angry.”
The Master used this story to illustrate that Buddhist practice aims to make our lives increasingly free and at ease. In temples, as volunteers, we inevitably have different opinions and ideas. When disagreements arise, we should use the wisdom of Buddhism to face them, showing mutual tolerance and understanding. The best relationship between people is one of mutual benefactors. When we help others, we are actually helping ourselves; performing good deeds and giving alms accumulates our own merit.
Master Lian Yi further explained that when life comes to an end, we cannot take worldly possessions like houses, cars, and money with us. However, we can transform these things into something we can take with us—”heavenly things”—our own accumulated merit and virtue. This merit and virtue can help us reach a higher realm and escape the suffering of samsara. Therefore, practicing meditation, registering for Dharma assemblies to pray for blessings, regularly serving as a volunteer at temples, and frequently performing acts of charity are all ways to accumulate heavenly merit and virtue that we can take with us.
Master mentioned that many fellow practitioners have experienced improved health and increased joy in serving the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas through regular volunteer work at temples. Temples have become a source of solace for many, and in effect, they are helping themselves.
Those with good fortune not only possess the resources for worldly life and enjoy a fulfilling existence, but also possess the wisdom for transcending the world. We must understand the importance of “creating more blessings while living in good fortune,” meaning that while enjoying our blessings, we should continue to create more blessings for ourselves so that our good fortune will be continuous. Why does life have its ups and downs? Because if one doesn’t understand Buddhism, and doesn’t know how to cultivate blessings when fortunate, one cannot bear immense wealth; even the richest person can lose it all in an instant.
The Master used Tibet as an example. Although the people there are not materially developed, their hearts are very rich. True spiritual practice is the elevation of the mind and the sublimation of the inner spirit. Through practice, we can receive the great blessings of the Master and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, enabling us to achieve fulfillment in both worldly and spiritual aspects.
Therefore, our daily practice and chanting are accumulating merit for ourselves. The Master gave an example: Two people are pushing a cart full of vases. Along the way, two vases are broken. One person feels unlucky for breaking two vases; the other feels lucky for breaking only two. Different mindsets and wisdom determine different future lives. One person is negative and full of negative energy, while the other is positive and full of positive energy. Spiritual practice is about transforming our magnetic field, gradually transforming our negative energy into positive energy. Spiritual practice helps us to let go of attachments and evil thoughts, and learn the compassion and wisdom of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Taking refuge is planting the seed of Buddhahood in our hearts. With this seed, through practice, reciting Buddha’s name, and chanting mantras, the seed gradually blossoms and bears fruit. The root guru is our guide in practice; in Vajrayana Buddhism, the guru represents the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Master Lian Yi continued to explain, noting that within our sect, many fellow practitioners who have taken refuge include PhDs, Masters, successful entrepreneurs, and even Living Buddhas. This is because they know Grand Master is a virtuous and real buddha.
Master concluded with the saying, “With the Dharma, one can travel the world; without the Way, one can hardly move an inch.” This means that wise people can overcome difficulties, while those without wisdom find it impossible to move forward. Ordinary people are led by their environment, but wise people are not swayed by it.
The lecture concluded successfully with Master Lian Yi’s profound yet accessible teachings. All attendees were filled with Dharma joy, carrying the wisdom and warmth of the Dharma with them as they returned to their daily lives to continue their practice, create blessings, and move towards a better life.
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