Fame and Benefit Only Temporary.

The aim of greedy human not only is taken over money, reputation and status in society, yet these things are not found out, sometimes it comesunexpectedly; so the important is have to exactly attitude to treat with it. For example on money, if we have plan, legitimate objectives, after saving an amount of money that we can nobly purchase a “Tripitaka”; or can do it as a fund for scholarship to help poor studious students; which has good intention,I not greedy. If the purpose of saving assets is to be content with personal desires, it is greedy.

Like stock investors, we usually see the share players lead to bankrupt. In fact, using stocks to do legitimate things, nothing is not good, unless they bring it for speculative profiteering, which is greedy, is affliction.

Money is like water. It should be flowing forever; when flowing no matter how much it is good, less is ok, maintaining in a frame. Therefore, as we invest in stock , just need to think of money investing in stocks, which can help the socioeconomic develop; so we find out the money is also good, causingneither win nor sorrow.

 

In case we began cupidity and desire to earn as much money as possible to do investment, we will hit the last gamble, bring all assets for the fatal game. When the result of stock fall down, we lose all, extremely painful. Thus, the same actions, yet different perceptions and attitudes, will lead to wrong different results.

For reputation and status, the most important is reality achievement, even if only nominal it will be great sorrow. Fame is not a tool, because withreputation, naturally, they have position in society, a qualified person makes career, develop their talent. Achieving repute is not bad, but get position at most just only be known at all, we should not take repute to built ourselves. In fact, giving all mind to persue repute is not in need, but when theopportunty comes, it naturally occurs. So, we do not need to attach great importance, calculate gain or loss.

 

As someone acting on movie, who is posted on television many times, become a famous person, so they start to calculate gain or loss about the reputation. They are afraid of sinking in oblivion. If they, in fact, no longer appear in public someday, they feel rejected by society, and bear frustration, affliction.

 

Indeed, a story of the person who was posted on newspaper or television is thank to pupblic release. Nothing is important to him/her; just because we do these things in time people witnessed. If we are actors but we still have not chance for filming, which proclaims that the time and circumstance are not enough for predestiny appears.

Regardless of money or repute, it must be considered temporary, but our representatives. We should have an attitude that there is something good, and it is alright without it. All is predestinied temporarily. Thus, we will not suffer affliction.

 

 HT. Thánh Nghiêm

Translated into English by Bùi Ngọc Trinh.