【學最好的別人 做最好的自己】/海濤法師

【Learn from the Best Others and Perform the Best Self 】／Master Hai Tao

【Learn from the Best Others and Perform the Best Self 】／Master Hai Tao

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra
No.5: to rejoice at others' meritorious deeds

When it comes to rejoicing at others' meritorious deeds, it's necessary to realize what merits Medicine Buddha has, what merits Avalokitesvara has, what merits Master Hong-guan has, what merits Hinayana has, and what merits Master Kruba BoonChum has.

I believe that everyone has certain advantages. Exactly what merits do these patriarchs and virtuous people have? Rejoicing in merits isn't all talk. "Wow! You are awesome! However, it has nothing to do with me." That means you have no idea about what Buddhist practice really is.

The so-called rejoicing in merits is that I've recognized your virtues, craving the merits appearing from your virtues so much that I rejoice at your good deeds, wishing to gain the same merits like yours one day.

You have never lost your temper, so I'd like to learn your good-tempered characteristic. You are good at arranging flowers gorgeously, so I'd like to learn how to arrange flowers gorgeously. Your Sutra-reciting sounds pleasant, so I'd like to learn how to make reciting Sutras sound pleasant.

How should I learn all these virtues? I make confession of the negative karma created with my mouth, and then I start to cultivate gradually, wishing that one day I could receive the same virtues like yours. If you are not able to obtain the virtues of worldly people, how could it be possible for you to attain the merits of Buddhas?
It's nothing but a boast, is it?

The merits of Avalokitesvara, the merits of Ksitigarbha, and the merits of Maitreya should all be obtained and mastered by us. In order to gain the merits, we have to explore their teachings in the Sutras and rejoice at the merits of other people and religions.

After No.5 to rejoice at others' meritorious deeds comes No.6 to request the turning of the Dharma wheel.