Twelve questions of the life

Being human, we need in time to reflect on ourselves to be able to cultivate virtue, advance Buddhahood. There are twelve problems which we need reflectively think about asking ourselves.

1.Being  born in the world, have we done any beneficial things for humankind?

 2.For gratitude to patriarches, teachers, parents; have we gratefully paid to them? 

 3.Having  received good thines from life so how much do we repay for this life?

 4.For patriarches, teachers, relatives, friends, society. Have we owed them?

 5.The world hasprovided us food, clothes, houses, equipments, medicines, education, how are we to pay back?

 6. Have ourselves looked up our original source that where we came from and where to leave for, where and what karpas to be reborn?

 7. Have we ever spotted mind observing the inner world of ourselves and exactly counting times of karpas every-day whether we drifting, grovel, dive, fly, jump in realms three ways, six conditions of heaven, hell, ghosts, animals?

 8. We can control ourselves in daily life facing with toxic disease of greed, anger, arrogant, suspect, prejudiced etc. how can we treat for solution?

 9. Are we alive every day with perceptive mind being careful with three karmas ourselves? What are we awake on?

 10. Flowing in the life river, What should we do for self-happiness?

 11. How should we respond to eliminate trouble, destroy ignorance, find out the truth nature.

  12. How shouls we create goals and plan to settle the life at present and future?

  Twelve above problems of the human life, including the problems between us and people, between us and society, between us and country.

 We generally care for self-benefits, rarely for others since we lay our view on the society causing bad things, and then, when facing with difficulties and obstacles, first we refuse to criticize ourselves, but resent gods and blame for the creature, others, dark destiny pushed. It is not known that these impediments are due to the very act of injustice thought that resides within our own mind. Therefore, we must be drown in the life of affliction, anxiety, sadness.

  Huìnéng advised disciples that:

 â€œGood destiny, good mind will meet prosperity soon.

Good mind, bad destiny, makes the life happy.

For good destiny, bad mind, it is impossible to guarantee in progress of life.

Both bad mind and destiny damage the lifetime in suffering, poor”

 CÅ«lapanthaka has idiocy personality. Because having sincere repentance for karmic offense in the past and effort practice of Buddha teachings, he achieved Buddha Fruit. On the contrary, Devadatta was born in royal family, but he was greedy in ambition and satisfaction;   separated the monks, did harm on Buddha, at the end he got retribution and went to hell.

 Therefore, wise lords said that looking at past events can predict the current effects.  Although being in advance in science and technology, we still need to set up ourselves requirements and comprehension for us to ensure our existence. Additionally, â€œconsidering ourselves, contemplating ourselves” permanently living with a clear mind, caring for good virtues, which is indispensable to step into the peaceful world of liberation!

 HT. Tinh Vân

Translated into English by Bui Thi Bich Huyen