Using "Spiritual Environmental Protection" to Eliminate Afflictions and Solve Life Problems

"Silicon Valley Life Code - No Worries at All, a Life Free from Afflictions" Lecture

From June 7th to 13th, DDM former Abbot President Venerable Guo Dong attended the Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Bay Area Center for a visit. While there, he offered loving care to volunteers, attended an outdoor outing with devotees, and delivered a lecture entitled "Silicon Valley Life Code - No Worries at All, a Life Free from Afflictions". 

Nearly 120 people attended the lecture on the afternoon of Saturday, June 10. Prior to the lecture, the video "One Master, One Practice Method – Passing on the Compassionate Vows" was played. Its content briefly describes the journey of how Venerable Guo Dong, under the guidance of DDM founder Venerable Master Sheng Yen, has dedicated his whole life to the Three Jewels, the welfare of all sentient beings, and the spread of the Dharma.

In the lecture, Venerable Guo Dong discussed twelve life problems faced by people in the Silicon Valley of the Bay Area, including: How to deal with the wave of layoffs? How to get rid of the anxiety of getting old and growing old happily? How to overcome helplessness when we live in another country, and thus are unable to take care of our parents? How should one view life and death? How does one bid a final farewell with a tranquil mind?, and so on. With his usual sense of humor, Venerable Guo Dong taught everyone how to deal with afflictions and life problems from a Buddhist point of view, using DDM's Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaign: namely, "Four Fields for Cultivating Peace", "Four Guidelines for Dealing with Desires", "Four Steps for Handling a Problem", "Four Practices for Helping Oneself and Others", and "Four Ways to Cultivating Blessings".
Venerable Guo Dong indicated that the best methods to eliminate afflictions are to practice the Noble Eightfold Path and the Threefold Training (Discipline, Concentration, and Wisdom), constantly contemplate every thought that arises in our mind, and put Buddhist teachings into practice in our daily life. He encouraged the public to develop compassion and wisdom, as well as help all beings eradicate suffering and achieve happiness. Doing so is "constantly according with all sentient beings" in its truest sense. Ven. Guo Dong went on to share that we must take responsibility to play our role well, live in the present, take steady steps in our practice, transform stress into a helping force for personal growth, and not allow ignorance and afflictive emotions to cover up our inherent Buddha nature.

"Death won't come to you until your karmic retribution has exhausted; you won't be still alive unless you have fulfilled your mission in this life." Venerable Guo Dong guided the public to reflect on life and death using Buddhist concepts, thereby reminding everyone to cherish life and improve its quality. Furthermore, he recommended everyone to read three books by Master Sheng Yen: "A Good Farewell: Master Sheng Yen on Life and Death", "Life and Death Without Confusion: 40 Guidelines on Freedom in Life and Death", and "A Joyful Outlook on Life and Death".

Venerable Guo Dong unlocked the secrets of life for devotees in the San Francisco Bay Area, using the refreshing wisdom and insights of Buddhism. After the lecture, Venerable Guo Dong had a tea gathering with devotees. Everyone felt his kindness and sense of humor expressed in his words, and finally went home with a joyous heart. 

Text: Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Bay Area Center
Photos: Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Bay Area Center
Translation: YKL
Editing: Keith Brown