-
Charity is a
deed that brings legitimate benefits to you and those around
you. Good deeds always come from the unity of the interests
of the majority. Being useful to the community is considered
a good deed, no matter how big or small the benefit.
-
Evil deeds
are deeds that cause negative consequences for everyone
around. Evil deeds can be of great benefit to you, but
adversely affect those around you. When acting, usually each
person has the ability to perceive his or her actions as
good or evil. You can also define the purpose of what you
do. Of course, sometimes you do wrong by accident or
ignorance, but those are just isolated cases.
-
In this
extremely complicated life, there are very thin lines,
between good and evil only a hair apart. If you don't have a
firm stance and resilience, it's easy to slip into the
whirlpool of life. So whatever you do, no matter how big or
small, you must pay attention to the consequences of that.
In Buddhist Ethics, the Buddha taught:
-
- All evil
should not be done
-
But do all
good deeds.
-
The above
sentence refers to the common relationships of real life,
that is, the relationship between nature and phenomena:
Being good or evil does not depend on how big or small it
is, but on its nature of it. If it is an evil deed, big or
small, it is evil. Stealing a vegetable or a motorbike is
still called a thief. If it is a good deed, even finding a
needle to return to a lost person, showing the way to a lost
person, or saving a life is also a good deed. Therefore,
when doing something, you should have a definitive attitude,
only doing good, not doing evil, no matter how big or small.
This statement is meant to warn those who always make
excuses for their own actions. When you want to do
something, especially when you don't know whether to do it
or not, you often make excuses for yourself. Chopping down a
tree in the forest, the first time you feel it doesn't
affect anyone, but ten times you do it and you will cut down
an entire forest. The same goes for doing evil, maybe for
the first time, you see nothing happens, so you continue
doing it until the consequences happen, you will know that
you did wrong, and it's too late.
-
The
existence and development of society always have a parallel
between good and evil. Evil can never be erased, but if each
person is always aware that only doing good should not do
evil, then surely society will improve more and more. So,
don't see small good deeds that you don't do, don't see
small evil deeds that you do is very meaningful advice for
everyone. Because most of you make this mistake of often
ignoring small good deeds and doing small evil deeds. If it
is a good deed, it should be done, big or small, for
example, taking an old man or a child across the street is
as precious as participating in a charity event, but people
often overlook small and good deeds around you. Doing good
deeds, the most important thing is not to do big or small
things, but in the heart of the person. The precious thing
of a person who does good deeds is to have a heart of love
for fellow human beings, care, and share hardships with
those around you. Doing good is not calculating profit or
loss, is one of the Ten Mindfulness things that the Buddha
taught:
-
- Help
people not to ask for something in return, because asking
for something in return is still a plan.
-
Doing good
deeds impartially will not only bring good things to others
but also give you a peaceful, clear mind. And doing evil, no
matter how small, will not only harm others, but also make
your conscience torment, worry, and lose your own peace. No
one can rest easy after doing a bad deed. Small evil deeds
torment the conscience, great evil deeds are feared and
haunted. So as an admonition, this statement unequivocally
states that:
-
Don't do
evil, do good.
-
This is not
new thinking, but it has a profound practical significance.
You are also aware that you should not do evil but should do
many good things, but you cannot do it, because in your mind
you are always making excuses for small evil deeds expressed
in this saying:
-
- Little
things don't matter.
-
Meanwhile, small good deeds that are worth doing are
ignored, but doing things that are harmful to others,
seeing little harm is being done. There are people who
enthusiastically participate in charity events, but
inadvertently in front of hungry wandering children, these
are the acts that make up great crimes.
-
You are daily, hourly mobilizing people to participate in
charity activities, but you are still indifferent to the
small things around you. Things like putting garbage in
the right place, the yield of the way, and giving up seats
in public places for the elderly and children are really
good deeds that no one cares about. Meanwhile, ready to
pick fruits, break branches, steal public property...
-
Remember that many small drops of water can form a stream
or a river, and the waters of a hundred rivers and streams
can form an ocean. No matter how small the good deeds,
when gathered together can become a huge amount and help
people achieve a lot. Doing good brings change, step by
step, bringing people to a more peaceful world. Don't pass
up the opportunity to do a small act of kindness just
because you think it's too small to make any difference.
Compassion brings hope and helps you become a better
person. That's why the ancients used to say:
-
- Literature is reviewed regularly, and martial arts must
be practiced regularly.
-
So for a student to not forget a subject, you have to
review it every day. Continuity is the most important
factor, what Buddhists call diligence, whether it's math,
painting, dance, martial arts, positive thinking, or
meditation… One of the simplest and easiest ways To
practice positive thinking, kindness, and compassion are:
-
- One good deed every day.
-
In fact, you often do more than one good deed every day,
but you just don't think about it. Every day is a good
deed, either for yourself or for others, because you are
not paying attention, and you think you are not doing
anything. There are many good deeds big or small you can
do every day in your daily life such as:
-
1- Do good deeds for yourself:
-
- Abstain from smoking a cigarette when you have a
craving.
-
- Wanted to lie down a bit longer, but got up to do
housework.
-
- Take a short walk after dinner.
-
- When you are angry about something, turn on soft music
and listen to it and take a nap to forget your anger.
-
2. Doing good deeds for others:
-
- Yield a chair to a woman on the bus.
-
- Take an old man across the street.
-
- Give a beggar some money.
-
- Lend a neighbor an object to use.
-
- Thought of scolding someone, but swallowed and smiled.
-
- Thinking of doing something to make the other person
suffer to relieve your anger, but you recite a Buddha's
name and then decide not to do it.
-
- Pick up a piece of trash and put it in a nearby trash
can.
-
- Someone is about to fight, you can say a few words to
dissuade.
-
Sort of like that. Good deeds abound around you, with just
a little kindness, you will have a lot of opportunities to
do it, without spending any of your efforts.
-
Every day a good deed has great influence and benefits for
yourself and your family. Your good deeds have a direct
impact on 3 groups of people:
-
1- The person you help:
-
Either they receive a good thing from you, or they don't
accept a bad thing from you, that's all good for them. And
they will think:
-
- Well, there are still good people in this world.
-
Such thinking is positive energy in one's mind. There is a
chance it will be multiplied by many people.
-
2- For yourself:
-
Consciousness and action of:
-
- One good deed every day
-
It is a very effective way to practice positive thinking
and meditation. Perhaps there is nothing as effective as
this, for it is a practice by living action.
-
3- Those who hear/see your good deeds:
-
Like passersby, seeing you helping an old woman, they will
think:
-
- Well, there are still good people in this world.
-
Can you see the power of this positive energy in your
world if you only do one good deed a day, and so on for a
lifetime?
-
Please pay attention to remind yourself, and pass this
message on to your friends, inviting everyone to
participate in their own personal projects; so your
personal projects are already a social project, for the
city, the country, and the world you live in.
-
Nothing great. But you should remember that the sound of a
fingernail can vibrate countless worlds. A small good deed
you have done, and share the idea with your other friends
it will spread all over the world. This is not a movement
that lasts a few months, it is a project of a lifetime.
And you've done it all the time, nothing new, just more
systematic thinking. That's all.
-
American writer Elbert Hubbard once said you can
be a miracle worker. Anyone who is intelligent understands
this truth that is:
-
- The only way to help yourself is to help others.
-
And through that is a sample of a story imbued
with human love:
-
A company has a tradition of holding a Christmas party
every year, and there is a lottery, whoever wins the name,
that person will be rewarded. According to the rules of
the sweepstakes, each participating member must contribute
10 USD as a fee. The whole company has 300 people, and the
reward is the total amount of 300 people combined is 3,000
USD. Whoever is lucky will get to take all the money home.
-
On the day of the draw ceremony, the atmosphere was more
jubilant than ever, everyone was looking forward to the
time to try their luck. Each person was given a piece of
paper to write their name on before placing it in the
lucky draw box. And while preparing to register, a young
employee suddenly pondered:
-
- The cleaning lady Sarah has the most difficult family,
her children have many diseases, and she does not have
money to operate on her children. It would be great if she
got this amount of money, but where did she get 10 USD to
participate?
-
After thinking about it, he decided without hesitation to
write Miss Sarah's name instead of writing his name on it.
Although he still knew the chance was too slim, only 1/300
chance, he still wished for luck to smile on her.
-
When it was time to prepare for the draw, the atmosphere
was equally tense. Everyone looked up at the stands when
the company's director chose the lucky ticket. Below, the
young man kept praying to God, asking God to help Sarah…
-
The director slowly unfolded the piece of paper…
Tick, tick, everyone held their breath and waited until
the ticking of the clock could be heard. When looking at
the name on that lucky ticket, the director involuntarily
smiled… then he read it aloud. And… the real miracle
happened! When Sarah's name was called, incessant applause
filled the hall. Sarah was both happy and surprised
because she didn't know she could participate. As she
stepped up to the podium to receive the award, she
profusely thanked:
-
- I'm so lucky, with this money my child is saved, thank
you, everyone, thank you, everyone!
-
The party took place in the voices, laughter, and people
toasting each other. The young employee kept thinking
about the happy outcome of Christmas Eve because
everything happened like a miracle. He walked around and
wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Accidentally passing by
the ballot box, he pulled out a sheet of paper with his
hand, and… strangely, on that piece of paper was Miss
Sarah's name. He couldn't believe his eyes, so he quickly
pulled out another piece of paper, and another piece of
paper, all with Miss Sarah's name on it.
-
Emotion welled up in his heart, like a tidal wave rising
violently. His eyes were red, and tears of happiness were
constantly flowing. He realized one thing, this world
really exists as a miracle on Christmas Eve, only that
miracle did not fall from the sky, but it was created by
honest-hearted people around the world.
-
You have to know, kindness is like a blade of grass, even
if you just start it with 10 dollars or a bunch of crushed
vegetables, it will spread and you will be surprised to
see a whole green lawn of the love, empathy, and sharing
that you can have for each other. And this world will
become Earthly Bliss without you having to be great people
to build it. Sometimes you will find that what you give is
so small, that you see whether you do it or not, it
doesn't matter. That's why the Buddha advised that:
-
- Don't see small good deeds that you don't do.
-
Because if one person gives out $3000.00 dollars at one
time, it's too big, they won't be able to do it, but
$10.00 dollars can do it, and so if they want to get
$3000.00 dollars, a gathering of 300 people is not
difficult at all. And because even an old tree begins with
a tiny green sprout. As long as you sow and take care of
it, after a while it will become an ancient tree. As long
as you start with a blade of grass, the world will become
a field of brilliant flowers, just as you start with a
small good deed, this whole life will become a paradise on
earth.
-
In life, sometimes you have the heart to do a good deed,
but because of unfavorable circumstances, with many
reasons to prevent it, you keep making appointments until
tomorrow, then tomorrow. The thing is, tomorrow you won't
have another chance. Here is another sample story:
-
When Shakyamuni Buddha was alive, there was a Brahmin
named A Small Shirt. So-called because he was so poor that
he only had one shirt underneath, and so was his wife. Two
people share the same outerwear, so every time A Small
Shirt or wife goes out the door, the other must stay at
home.
-
One day, everyone told each other that the Buddha was
going to teach the Dharma at the Jetavana Vihara. Both
husband and wife A Small Shirt wanted to listen to the
Dharma, so they agreed:
-
- She goes during the day and he goes at night.
-
Sitting in front of Shakyamuni Buddha, A Small Shirt was
overjoyed. He listened attentively to the words of the
Tathagata preached as if he wanted to swallow every word;
he immediately wanted to make offerings to the Buddha.
However, A Small Shirt has only this jacket as the only
valuable item. If it was offered to the Tathagata, he and
his wife would have no more to wear; Then how will these
two wretches manage?
-
When in his heart there are thousands of selfish thoughts
that do not want to offer robes, there is a devotional
thought that wants to offer robes. The two sides argued
with each other until the first hour passed, A Small Shirt
had not yet been offered to the Buddha. The second watch
came again, A Small Shirt still hesitated to offer it to
the Buddha. Towards the end, A Small Shirt thinks:
-
- Two hours have passed, if I continue to struggle, if I
persist in being selfish like this, I will forever lose
the opportunity to get out of the three sufferings.
-
So he determined to offer the Tathagata the only outer
garment of the couple. Thinking to do it, A Small Shirt
took the shirt and placed it at the feet of Shakyamuni
Buddha, A Small Shirt cried out three times:
-
- I won!
-
During the Dharma lecture that day, there happened to be
King Pasenadi of Kosala; When the king heard A Small Shirt
shout like that, he was very surprised. When knowing the
situation, the king rewarded A Small Shirt with many
clothes. A Small Shirt used the entire reward of the king
to offer to the Tathagata. The king was very grateful, so
he gave A Small Shirt four elephants, four horses, four
thousand gold coins, four women, four maids, and four best
villages.
-
Hearing the above story, the monks discussed it in the
Dharma hall:
-
- OH! A Small Shirt's work is amazing! He received gifts
of four of each kind very quickly! As soon as he did a
good deed, the reward came immediately.
-
By chance, the Buddha was passing by the Dharma hall,
listening to the discussion of the monks, so the Buddha
taught that:
-
- Bhikkhus! If A Small Shirt made an offering to Me in the
first watch, you would have received a gift of sixteen
each. If A Small Shirt was offered in the middle, he
received eight each. But since it was until the last
watch, he only received four of each.
-
And the Buddha encouraged:
-
- Those who want to do good deeds should not hesitate but
must do it immediately. A delay in meritorious deeds that
brings good results is also delayed.
-
Therefore:
-
- If you want to do good deeds, you must do it as soon as
you have an urge in your heart.
-
Again, in life, sometimes you have the heart to do
something good, but because of unfavorable circumstances,
with many reasons to prevent it, you keep making
appointments from day today. The thing is, I'm afraid it
won't be in time tomorrow. So that:
-
- If you want to visit your elderly parents, pick up the
phone immediately today, because no one knows if your
elderly parents can still wait for you forever?
-
- If you want to forgive someone who has hurt you, forgive
today, because tomorrow you may not have the opportunity
to see them again.
-
- If someone is being deceived by lies and deception, tell
them the truth today, because when the sun rises tomorrow,
they may lose the opportunity forever.
-
The sky is
high and the earth is wide, with the infinity of the
universe, a hundred years of human life is like a blink of
an eye. If you do not take the opportunity to do good, fear
that once you lose your body, the only thing left is
unrelenting regret. Ancient says:
-
- To do good
deeds, which is precious in that it is done immediately,
persistently, and tirelessly. From small to big, little by
little accumulation gradually becomes more.
-
Indeed, for
example, in a 9-story castle, the first floor must also be
built and then gradually built higher. In the same way, the
journey, even if it is a thousand miles, is at the beginning
from your step-by-step feet. So when you know it's a good
deed, you have to do it immediately; Moreover, it must be
done seriously, diligently, and persistently.
-
Having
determined that a good deed must be done with all its might.
If you can change for good, you can also make up for the
damage you have done in the past, reduce guilt and increase
retribution. If you are always hesitant to do, do not listen
to the right words, can't control yourself, it will cause
guilt, it's too late to have regrets.
-
In addition,
have you ever heard that doing good or evil affects people's
lifespan?
-
You may be
surprised, but these are scientific conclusions obtained
through research. Through a survey and research
investigation by Yale University and the University of
California with over 7,000 people living in Alameda County,
California. Along with the results of a follow-up
investigation by the University of Michigan Research Center
on 2,700 people, over 14 years of non-stop, the study came
to the same conclusion:
-
- Doing good
deeds really affects health and longevity
-
The simple
reason is that when the mind often helps others, does good
deeds, and other positive energies, it will help your mind
to be comfortable, and happy, naturally will have health and
longevity.
-
And
researchers on the topic: How social relationships affect
human mortality have shown that:
-
- People who
are always happy and sociable, and willing to help others
often have a longer life expectancy, especially it is more
prominent men.
-
Opposite:
-
- People who
are calculating, selfish, always holding negative thoughts,
harming people, and not getting along with people often have
a mortality rate 1.5 to 2 times higher than that of ordinary
people.
-
- People who
are taciturn, lonely, and do not want to participate in
social activities also have a higher mortality rate than
normal.
-
Therefore
should:
-
If you meet
a good deed, do it immediately, don't hesitate.
-
However, I would also like to remind you, that in dealing
with people, you need to keep an honest heart, but not all
kindness always brings sweet fruit. Many things are
considered good but hide a potential great disaster.
Example:
-
- Some people release living beings but hire someone to
catch birds and fish to sell to let them free...
-
So true honesty must have the wisdom to understand
everything. Humans have to understand the human mind and
the world, and at the same time have to be transparent
about the operating rules of heaven and earth. Actions
that do not violate the laws of nature can help people get
rid of suffering. This is true kindness.
-
In short, in dealing with people, you need to always keep
an honest heart, when others are in trouble, you should
not cross your arms and watch, but should come and lend
them a hand. To do this, first of all for the people
around you, you should get to know them, if you don't
understand them, you'll just see them as crazy, stupid,
mean, ugly, disgusting... an excuse for you to be cruel,
you never see them as pitiful people.
-
You should know, that every person around you, everyone
has a good part that deserves to be cherished and loved.
Life always has ups and downs that make you feel the need
for an honest heart, a place to lean on. And when you are
struggling in the middle of life, if there is a hand ready
to lift you up, give you a fulcrum, and help you overcome
difficulties, that kind heart will be a source of strength
to help you overcome through all the storms of life.
-
In fact, in this life, not only one heart is needed, but
ten thousand hearts and more are needed to share the
suffering of the poor and lonely. To make life less sour,
people's hearts less sour and easier to come together to
love each other more, to live together in love for fellow
human beings, to lead each other to the end of life, like
drops of water of a hundred rivers and streams, not
discriminating against each other, but accompanying each
other to the sea.