A Commentary Literature on Faith in Mind

By Wong Weng Hon (MA in Buddhist Studies)
wongwh49@streamyx.com

Equanimity
(Article Series No. 2)

If you want it to appear,
Be neither for not against.
For and against opposing each other,
This is the mind disease.

The mind of enlightenment or the Buddha-mind will be manifested only when one abandons both attachment and aversion. Attachment is clinging on the pleasant or agreeable objects of senses. The Buddha does not admonish lay Dhamma practitioners to reject or abandon the pleasant or agreeable objects, such as the loved ones and material wealth but advises the laity to live with them without attachment or clinging.

When one attends to the unpleasant or disagreeable objects, such as the harsh and abusing words of enemies or unfriendly attitude of associates or some problems or difficulties in life, one should not react angrily and pick up the quarrels or fights. When one is exposed to either favourable or adverse circumstances, one should remain equanimous, unperturbed and should stay composed. This is the true practice of Chan. It is like pouring water on a leave of lotus plant and the water does not cling on it. If there is attachment or aversion, the mind will be defiled with cankers or taints. Liberation is not possible when one is corrupted mentally with cankers or taints (kleśa).

(To be Continue ... )