No Exceptions

Yutang Lin

Suffering situations make no exception for sentient beings;
Leisure available at this moment is indeed rather fortunate.
Practicing in comfortable environment degenerates readily,
When resting on delusive expectation of lasting prosperity.

Comments:

Learning Buddhism under comfortable circumstances one could easily sustain the delusive idea that suffering will not fall upon oneself. Consequently, one's practices degenerate into perfunctory acts. For many Buddhists their practices become excuses for display of worldly habits of making friends, tourism, collection of precious items, attending festive gatherings, etc. In fact, who could be exempt from the suffering of senility, sickness and death? To be effective in Dharma practices one should reflect on whether one could rely on the practices to go through such difficult tests with a peaceful mind.

Written in Chinese on February 4, 2002
Translated on February 25, 2002
El Cerrito, California

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