Dharma Master Mengcan
If you want to practice Dharma to free yourself from the ocean of suffering,
the first thing you must do is to stop afflictions. You learn the precepts, do
shamatha meditation and develop wisdom—what is the purpose of all this? To put
an end to afflictions.
Meditating and observing the precepts—these are very important. Attaining
concentration can open up wisdom but even more important than these is ending
afflictions.
When fellow practitioners come to see me, I tell them, “Pay attention to your
thoughts. Do not follow your afflictions. Once afflictions arise, precepts,
concentration and wisdom are all gone; if afflictions do not arise in every
thought, then precepts, concentration, and wisdom are present in every
thought.”
Afflictions are the greatest enemy of Dharma practice. Do not get involved in
afflictions; do not get into conflict or arguments with others.
~~
Dharma Master Yin Guang
Jealousy depletes your merits
When seeing others doing virtues or good deeds, we should generate a joyful
heart and express words of praise— this is considered (increasing) our merits
of speech and mind. If you cannot do these deeds yourself, yet feel jealous
when seeing others do it, that is the mindset of a despicable and mean person.
It will certainly reduce one's merits and lifespan, the outcome would not be
positive. We must completely give up such ways.
