Source: The Internet
Due to a special kind of opportunity, an Indiana native, who had lived in the mountains for a long period of time, accepted an invitation from a friend in New York to visit New York as a guest.
As the friend from New York led the Indiana native out of the airport and was about to cross the road, the Indiana native said to his New York friend, “Can you hear the sound of crickets?”
His New York friend laughed as he replied, “You've probably been on the plane for too long, this airport passageway is linked with the high speed freeway, how can there be crickets?”
They again walked for a couple of steps, and the Indiana friend said again, “There're definitely crickets! I can clearly hear their voices.”
The New York friend laughed even louder, “Look! Construction works are in progress over there and holes are being drilled into the ground, the noise from the machines is so loud, how can you hear the sound of crickets?”
The Indiana native said no more and walked over to the patch of grass on the safety island at the side of the zebra crossing. He moved a heap of dead tree trunks, and then called his New York friend to come over and take a look at the pair of crickets that were singing!
The New York friend showed an expression of disbelief as he cried out impossible.
“Your hearing is exceptionally good, you can hear the sound of crickets in such a noisy environment!”
The Indiana friend said, “You can as well! Everyone can! Can I borrow the change in your pocket to perform an experiment?”
“Yes! Yes! I've more than 10 dollars worth of copper coins in various change in the pocket of my jacket, take them all!” The New York friend quickly took the coins out and gave them to his Indiana friend.
“Now, look carefully, pay special attention to those who have not been looking at our direction!”
When the Indiana friend finished talking, he threw the copper coins onto the tarmac road. Suddenly, a lot of people turned their heads to take a look, someone even turned to bend down to pick up the coins.
“Look! Our hearing abilities are more or less the same, the only difference is that you New Yorkers focus on money, whereas I focus on nature and life. Therefore, whether one can hear or cannot hear depends entirely upon whether one has paid special attention to listen.”
What do we focus upon?
What do our beloved family and friends focus upon?
If we can clearly know and understand, and pay special attention to listen, we can then distinctively hear:
Child’s curiosity, shyness, happiness and creativity, on his journey towards maturity.
Parents’ hopes, expectations, perseverance and kindness, as they work hard for over half a lifetime.
The other half’s happiness, sufferings, comfort, and love that one shares in looking after the family.
Friends’ failure, success, trust and friendship during their challenging journey in business.
If we can clearly know and understand, and pay special attention to listen, we can then distinctively hear:
The desires, responsibilities, freedom and great love in our life and deep within our soul.
The changes, mistreatment, nature of things and the great pathway (the way of virtue and justice) that take place during the cycle of progressive change of the natural environment.
Above is the method of material world, what about the Dharma of spiritual world? Why don’t we all think deeply about:
Worldly people and people who transcend the material world (Buddhist cultivators), both have similar hearing abilities, the only difference is that worldly people focus on money, whereas people who transcend the material world focus on spirituality. Therefore, can hear or cannot hear depends entirely upon whether one has paid special attention to listen, and what one actually wants to hear!
What should the Buddhist cultivators pay special attention to?
What should the fellow followers of the Buddhist cultivators pay special attention to?
If Buddhist cultivators can clearly know and understand, and pay special attention to listen, then they can distinctively hear:
The repetitive lectures which your Guru gives you.
The suggested warnings of advice from other Buddhist followers, not fearing of sacrificing your friendship.
If Buddhist cultivators can clearly know and understand, and pay special attention to listen, then they can distinctively hear:
The heartfelt echo of hopes which your Guru places upon you.
The discourses on precepts, meditation and wisdom given by your Yidam in mandala every day.
The constant reminders given by the tantric dharma protectors, as they accompany you on your journey of cultivation towards maturity.
