Dear Venerables and Dharma Friends,

More than two thousand five hundred years ago, Sakyamuni Buddha "was born into this world for the cause and condition of a major
mission." This major mission, this cause and condition, is what we now commonly refer to as the "Buddhist Dharma," the Truth realized by
the Buddha.

The Buddhist teachings differ from scholastic inquiry and knowledge. Usual scholastic inquiry focuses on explanations of appearances; it is
an interpretation based on the name and form of phenomena. In contrast, Buddhism emphasizes the penetrative understanding of the nature
of phenomena; it is ultimate and complete. For example, let us talk about my hand. Common knowledge holds that it is a hand. Medical
science looks at it as a structure of bones, muscles, nerves, and cells. Literature defines the hand in terms of style, gesture and expression.
The philosophical interpretation of the hand sees it as the embodiment of destiny and friendship. In physics, the extension and contraction of
the hand is force and movement. In summation, the hand is regarded as real, as something that truly exists. In contrast, the Buddhist view of
my hand is like a penetrating X-ray which surmises that the hand is really only an illusive form, unstable in nature, and will eventually decay
and vanish. It is only a phenomenon that is ultimately empty in its nature. Let’s say I extend my hand and make a grasp. Common
knowledge and intellect would say that I have grasped some air and dust particles. It is a movement and gesture. From the Buddhist point of
view, the grasp is "like a dream, illusion, bubble, or shadow, like the dew or lightning." It is only a phenomenon that exists because of the
combination of certain causes and conditions. Thus, we can see that human perspectives are narrow and confined; they often hinder us from
looking at the world in the radiance of ultimate wisdom. Worldly happiness and suffering do not have an absolute existence of their own.
They arise only because of the differentiations we make in our perceptions and cognitions. When we come to understand and accept the
Buddhist teachings, we need to change our perspectives. We must go beyond superficial phenomena into the ultimate reality of "suchness,"
illuminate our Prajna wisdom and sow Bodhi seeds. Only then, will the Dharma water of Samadhi flow into the spiritual fields of our hearts.

The scripture tells the following story that will further develop my explanation. There was once an old lady who cried all the time. Her elder
daughter was married to an umbrella merchant while the younger daughter was the wife of a noodle vendor. On sunny days, she worried,
"Oh no! The weather is so nice and sunny. No one is going to buy any umbrellas. What will happen if the shop has to be closed?" These
worries made her sad. She just could not help but cry. When it rained, she would cry for the younger daughter. She thought, "Oh no! My
younger daughter is married to a noodle vendor. You cannot dry noodles without the sun. Now there will be no noodles to sell. What should
we do?" As a result, the old lady lived in sorrow everyday. Whether sunny or rainy, she grieved for one of her daughters. Her neighbors
could not console her and jokingly called her "the crying lady."

One day, she met a monk. He was very curious as to why she was always crying. She explained the problem to him. The monk smiled
kindly and said, "Madam! You need not worry. I will show you a way to happiness, and you will need to grieve no more."

The crying lady was very excited. She immediately asked the monk to show her what to do. The master replied, "It is very simple. You just
need to change your perspective. On sunny days, do not think of your elder daughter not being able to sell umbrellas but the younger
daughter being able to dry her noodles. With such good strong sunlight, she must be able to make plenty of noodles and her business must be
very good. When it rains, think about the umbrella store of the elder daughter. With the rain, everyone must be buying umbrellas. She will
sell a lot of umbrellas and her store will prosper."

The old lady saw the light. She followed the monk’s instruction. After a while, she did not cry anymore; instead, she was smiling everyday.
From that day on she was known as "the smiling lady."

When we all have worries and problems, if we can emulate "the crying lady" and change our perspectives a little, we can transform worries
and problems into happiness and fortunes. This does not require magical power. If we can comprehend a minute amount of the wondrous
Dharma of Buddhism and apply it effectively during pivotal junctures in our lives, we can have breakthroughs in our understandings. We will
then turn foolishness into wisdom and ignorance into enlightenment.

Anyone who has the slightest knowledge regarding Buddhism would know that Sakyamuni Buddha achieved enlightenment while gazing at
the evening stars under a Bodhi tree on a "diamond" throne. When the bright shooting star streaked across the sky, what did the Buddha
come to realize?

He has seen the ultimate reality of the universe and life. 

What then is the Truth realized by the Buddha?

It is the law of cause and condition, the law of dependent origination.

If we can understand the law of cause and condition, the law of dependent origination, and if we can live by this truth, we will be just like
the Buddha. We can then abandon all the pains and anxieties that are associated with this imperfect worldly existence. The scripture
discourses, "All phenomena arise out of causes and conditions; all phenomena cease due to causes and conditions." What do we mean by
causes and conditions? Causes and conditions are nothing other than human interactions and relationships. Relationships can be loving and
respectful, antagonistic and competitive, good and bad. If we can grasp the law of cause and condition, we can understand the rise and fall
of sentient beings’ welfare, the origin and extinction of existence, the reality of the universe and humanity.

There are usually four ways people look at the ever arising and ceasing of causes and conditions:

A. Without Cause, Without Condition

Commonly held beliefs about life include predetermination, random chance, and divine design. These perspectives do not look at life from
the standpoint of cause and condition. For example, rocks do not normally produce oil, but let us say that once someone accidentally mines
fossil oil from rocks. Instead of analyzing the fossil oil and finding the cause of its formation, the person just assumes it to be a random
occurrence. When a child overeats and chokes to death, instead of preventing overeating, the family members lament it as destiny. An
unsuccessful robbery attempt turns into a murder; the family of the victim just blames it on predetermination. The most pitiful people are
those who lay all responsibilities at gods’ doorsteps. They deny the value of choice, the meaning of efforts, and the importance of
self-determination. This total reliance on destiny negates the significance of self-help. It is an erroneous and one-sided view. It is not in
accordance with the law of cause and condition.

B. Without Cause, but With Condition

Many people do not believe in past causes, conditions, and effects. They believe that life depends on present conditions and current
opportunities. They look at mishaps as the lack of proper conditions, as a predicament that "Everything is in place except for the east wind."
Some siblings in a family can persevere and become successful. Others may just give up and fail. They blame it all on the lack of
opportunities or ill fate and overlook their differences in education and character. Students in the same class finish with different grades.
They attribute the differences only to the apparent condition of how much they apply themselves and overlook the underlying causes of the
variations in aptitude and intellect. This is only a partial and biased understanding of cause and condition.

C. With Cause, but Without Condition

Many people look at cause and condition separately. They attribute their circumstances to causes but not to conditions. They overlook the
wondrous and dynamic interplay of cause and condition. Many examples of talented people failing to live up to their potentials are precisely
due to the lack of proper conditions to exert themselves. When first entering the work force, they apply for jobs that call for experienced
workers. Finally when they are mature, they run into openings that want new graduates. Such situations happen all the time. Some people
view cause and condition as separate and independent. Sometimes they believe in cause but not in condition. Other times, they only accept
the existence of condition. These people fail to realize that cause and condition are not static, but are forever changing in the space-time
continuum, never standing still to wait for anyone. There is an old saying which illustrates this point, "Good begets blessings; evil will be
punished. It is not that there are no effects to our acts; it is just a matter of time."

The three views described above are biased and do not reflect the correct interpretation of the Buddhist view on cause and condition. In
Buddhism, we believe that cause, condition, reward, and punishment are all intertwined, one giving rise to the other. All circumstances
happen because of "the existence of causes and conditions."

D. With Cause and With Condition

In Buddhism, the common thread for all Dharma is the law of cause and condition, regardless of whether it is the school of Mahayana or
Theravada, whether it is viewed from the angle of principles or phenomena, whether the perspective is worldly or transcendental. All
phenomenal existences are products of the proper mix of causes and conditions. It is written in the Surangama Sutra, "All holy teachings,
from elementary to profound, cannot depart from the law of cause and condition." It is like building a house. We need bricks, wood, cement,
and other materials. The construction can only be completed when one has all the essential materials and all prerequisites are met. For
example, if we want to throw a party, there are many conditions to consider. Do we know our guests well? Can they come? Can we find the
appropriate accommodation? Only when all the proper causes and conditions are present can the party be a success. If not, the party will be
a flop. 

Once, a rich man threw a party. When half of the guests had already arrived, the chef asked if he could start to serve. The man told him to
wait a little bit longer. After waiting a few hours, many important guests still had not arrived. Impatient and irritated, he had a slip of the
tongue and complained, "Oh! It is not easy to throw a party. Those who should have come have not; those who should not have come are all
here."

His seated guests were shocked. They thought, "Guess what? I am not really invited. If I am not welcomed, I may as well go home." One by
one, the guests quietly slipped away. Seeing the party was dying, the rich man had another slip of the tongue, "Oh! It is not easy to throw a
party. Those who should leave have not. Those who should not have left are all gone."

Right after these words, every guest was upset. They all stood up and left the party in a huff.

With the appropriate causes and conditions, endeavors will become successful. If we destroy our own causes and conditions, if we cannot
seize the moment given by our own causes and conditions, success will be hard to come by. Allow me to build some good causes and
conditions with you all today, and let me explain the Buddhist view on cause and condition in the following four points.

I. Cause and Condition and Human 

Relationship

Nowadays, it is popular to talk about "inter-personal relationships." With good interpersonal relationships, everything goes smoothly;
otherwise, obstacles and problems abound. Events are the products of combinations of forces with "the major force called the cause; the
lesser forces called conditions." "Interpersonal relationships" are a form of cause and condition.

If we want to have a successful business, we must acquire sufficient capital, research the market, and then establish investments. If we do
our homework, our business will thrive; otherwise, it will fail. These planning and arrangements are the causes and conditions of business.

We must learn to be humble and be appreciative of the relationships we have with others. Arrogance shuts off even the best of causes and
conditions. One such example is the meeting between Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu.

Venerable Bodhidharma, the Ch’an school’s first patriarch, arrived from India to Canton, China by sea at the time of the Ta-Tung era of
Emperor Wu during the Liang Dynasty. The Emperor quickly sent envoys to accompany Bodhidharma to the capital. Emperor Wu, who
wished to show off his past accomplishments, proudly asked Bodhidharma, "I have built numerous temples, published many scriptures, and
supported the Sangha. How much merit do you think I have accumulated?"

Dampening the Emperor’s enthusiasm, Bodhi-dharma replied coolly, "None at all."

The Emperor was very upset. He asked further, "What do you mean? I have done so many good and outstanding acts of benevolence."

Bodhidharma replied, "Your Majesty! They are imperfect causes and will only bring you minor rewards in the human and celestial realms.
They are as illusive as shadows. They are only empty phenomena."

"Well! What then are real merits?"

"Do not become attached to the name and form of merits," smiled Bodhidharma. "Sanctify your thoughts. Realize the ultimate nature of
emptiness. Abstain from greed and do not pursue worldly rewards."

The Emperor could not see this profound meaning. To show off his wisdom as the emperor of his people, he asked in his usual arrogant tone,
"Between heaven and earth, who is the holiest?"

Bodhidharma saw through the vanity of the Emperor. Not letting up, he replied, "Between heaven and earth, there are neither the holy nor
the ordinary."

Emperor Wu asked loudly, "Do you know who I am?"

Bodhidharma smiled lightly, shook his head and said, "I do not know."

The Emperor always considered himself a great benefactor of Buddhism. He was conceited and not truly sincere about learning the Truth.
How could he possibly take such slighting by Bodhidharma? He immediately flaunted his powers as the emperor and rudely sent
Bodhidharma away. In so doing, he had lost the cause and condition to learn Ch’an from Bodhidharma; he had dismissed the excellent
opportunity for the metamorphosis of Chinese Buddhism. Although he eventually regretted his behavior and tried to send for Bodhidharma
again, it was already too late.

As the Emperor was egotistic and hungry for fame, he became caught up in the name of merits and swayed away from the Middle Path. He
could not realize the ultimate truth that is "beyond true or false, beyond good or bad." Since the cause was improper and conditions were
poor, it was no wonder that the encounter went nowhere.

It is written in the Avatamsaka Sutra, "All the water in the oceans can be consumed, all momentary thoughts as innumerable as dust particles
can be counted, all the space can be measured, all the winds can be stopped; yet, the realm of the Buddha can never be fully described." So,
for your elucidation, I will describe an episode involving the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng that can further illustrate the law of cause and
condition.

When Hui Neng was young, he traveled thirty days from Canton to Hupeh to learn the Dharma from the Fifth Patriarch. When they first met,
the Fifth Patriarch immediately knew that Hui Neng had great potential, that the right cause and conditions were ripening. He asked,
"Where are you from? And what are you seeking?"

"I have come from very far away, from Ling Nan. My only goal is to be a Patriarch and become a Buddha."

Hearing such a reply, the Fifth Patriarch was impressed. He wanted to test if Hui Neng had cultivated the right conditions and asked him
pointedly, "You are only a barbarian from the South. How dare you wish to become a Buddha?"

Hui Neng replied calmly and confidently, "People may be from the south or north, but the Buddha nature is non-regional. When the right
cause and condition exists, anyone can become a Buddha. Why not me?"

Hui Neng struck a chord with the Fifth Patriarch. He reflected and replied, "Okay! You are allowed to stay here and work. Report to the
threshing mill."

Everyday for the next eight months, Hui Neng used a huge axe to collect firewood. Everyday, he wore stone weights around his waist to act
as ballasts in helping him thresh grains. Not once did the Fifth Patriarch visit him; not once did the Fifth Patriarch teach him one word. Hui
Neng did not complain or get upset. It was only late one night when the Fifth Patriarch finally handed Hui Neng his robe and bowl, making
him the Sixth Patriarch. The Fifth Patriarch explained himself with this verse: 

        Those with sentience come to sow

        In fields of causation, fruits will grow.

        Ultimately without sentience, having nothing to sow,

        Without nature, there is nothing to grow.

What the Fifth Patriarch was saying through this verse is this: When you first arrived from the distant land of Ling Nan to learn the Truth
from me, the cause was ripe and you were sincere. The environment and conditions, however, were inadequate. I must first have you polish
and cultivate yourself for a period of time to the point "ultimately without sentience, having nothing to sow; without nature, there is nothing to
grow." Only when the right causes and conditions were met, would I then transmit the teachings.

From this story, we can see how cause and condition can greatly influence how people interact with one another. Without the appropriate
cause and condition, human relationships will be imperfect and regretful. Events must await the maturity of cause and condition. It is like
planting flowers. Some seeds planted in spring may blossom in the autumn. Others may take a year to bloom. Some varieties may take even
a few years to flower and bear fruits. Yu Han, a famous Chinese scholar of the Tang dynasty, was demoted and transferred to the remote
area of Chaochow. As this area was far removed and culturally backward, there were few learned scholars with whom he could converse.
When he heard the Ch’an master Ta Tien was preaching in the area, he immediately went over for a visit. It just happened that the Ch’an
master was meditating, so Yu Han decided to wait outside. After a long wait, as the master was still in meditation, Yu Han became restless
so he stood up and was about to leave. The guarding attendant of the master suddenly said, "First, influence through meditative
concentration, then eradicate [arrogance] with wisdom." The words resonated like strong spring thunders and awakened Yu Han. Because
his conditions of timing and opportunity were just right at that moment, Yu Han was able and ready to recognize the teaching and learn the
way of emancipation from the attendant.

Several years ago, a female university graduate left Taiwan with high hopes and traveled halfway across the world to study for her
doctorate degree in the United States. After a period of two years in the States, she felt that life was empty and aimless so she packed her
bags and returned to Taiwan. From Taipei, she took a two-hour train ride to Hsinchu and became a Buddhist nun. This news story got a lot
of attention when reported by the media. The famous Professor Shih Chiu Liang sighed, "If what she had wanted originally was to renounce
and become a nun, all she had to do was take a two-hour train ride from Taipei to Hsinchu. There was no need to fly over to America. Why
spend all that time struggling and then choose to renounce?"

The causes and conditions of human affairs are rather similar to the unfolding circumstances relating to this woman’s renunciation of home
life to become a nun. Events may come and go, people may meet and depart; however random it may appear, there is meaning in all turns of
events. The following Chinese saying captures this point well, "Without a bone-chilling freeze, how could plum blossoms have such great
fragrance?" Everything must first have the right causes and proper conditions before results are produced and other favorable conditions are
generated. There is the story of Ch’an master Shih T’ou Hsi Ch’ien and his master Ch’ing Yuan Hsing Ssu. When they first met, Ch’ing
Yuan asked Shih T’ou if he was a student of the Sixth Patriarch, and if he still had any questions, "What did you take with you when you
first went to Ts’ao Hsi?"

"My nature was complete," Shih T’ou smiled. "I was not missing anything prior to studying with the Sixth Patriarch in Ts’ao Hsi."

"If everything was perfect, why then did you bother to go to study in Ts’ao Hsi?"

Shih T’ou Hsi Ch’ien replied definitively, "If I had not gone, how would I have known that I was not lacking in anything? How could I have
seen through my true and free nature?"

All causes and conditions are within our true nature. We must realize the Truth in our daily living. The continual flow of pure refreshing
water is a form of cause and condition. The blossoming of beautiful flowers everywhere is another form of cause and condition. Parents
raising us are our causes and conditions in family relationships. Teachers educating us are our causes and conditions in the pursuit of
knowledge. Farmers, workers, and merchants supplying our daily needs are the causes and conditions of living in this society. Drivers driving
us over here are the causes and conditions of traveling. Turning on the television and watching television programs are the causes and
conditions of entertainment. It is with these wondrous combinations of causes and conditions that we can live happily and freely.

As far as the cause and condition of human relationships, I will cite a verse that can usually be found in temples next to statues of Maitreya
Bodhisattva:

        Before our eyes are people 

            Connected to us through conditions;

        As we meet and befriend each other, 

        How can we not be filled with joy?

        The world is full 

            Of difficult and unbearable problems;

        As we end up reaping what we sow, 

            Why not open our minds and be magnanimous?

II. How Do We Know Cause and Condition 

Exist?

How can we be certain that cause and condition really exist? How can it be discovered and harvested? For example, a machine in a factory
suddenly stops functioning. The technician opens up the machine and discovers a small screw is broken. This small screw is the cause. When
cause and condition are not fully satisfied, the machine will not function. When we build a house, if a supporting beam is missing, the roof
will collapse. When any ingredient of cause or condition is missing, it can have a great impact on the circumstances of our lives.

Buddhism teaches that our bodies are made up of the combination of the four great elements of earth, water, fire, and wind. These four great
elements are the causes. We fall ill when the four elements are not harmonized. Why does a flower fail to blossom? Why is a harvest not
abundant? It could be a lack of proper conditions, such as inadequate irrigation or fertilizers. Even the space shuttle can be delayed by a
simple computer problem. With the slightest offset in cause and condition, the resulting circumstance will be totally different.

No matter what problems or difficulties we may face, we must first reflect. We should examine the situation closely for any missing causes
and conditions. We should not simply blame the gods or other people, or else we are creating further troubles for ourselves. There are many
situations in which a couple falls in love, only to find that the families oppose the marriage, criticizing the other party as unsuitable, poor, etc.
When these conditions, or secondary causes, are absent, the marriage will not work. Other couples fall in love at first sight and get married
with lightning speed. The whole development is even beyond their comprehension. The man may reason that it is a case of "Beauty is in the
eyes of the beholder." The woman may attribute it to the fact that "With the right conditions, people come to meet from thousands of miles
away." This is what we call ripened conditions. 

I will relate another story to illustrate the existence of cause and condition. Once, King Milinda asked Bhiksu Nagasena, "Are your eyes the
real you?"

Bhiksu Nagasena replied, "No!"

King Milinda further inquired, "What about the ears?"

"No!"

"Is the nose you?"

"No!"

"Is the tongue you?"

"No!"

"Then, does it mean that your body is the real you?"

"No, the existence of the body is only an illusory combination."

"Mind must be the real you then."

"It is not either."

King Milinda was annoyed and asked further "Well, if the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and thoughts are not you, then tell me, where is
your true self'?"

Bhiksu Nagasena grinned and replied with a question, "Is the window the house?"

The King was taken by surprise and struggled for an answer, "No!"

"How about the door?"

"No!"

"Are the bricks and tiles the house?"

"No!"

"Then, what about the furniture and pillars?"

"No, of course not."

Bhiksu Nagasena smiled and asked, "If the window, door, bricks, tiles, furniture, and pillars are not house, then where is the real house?"

King Milinda finally understood that causes, conditions, and effects cannot be separated nor understood through a biased and partial view. A
house can only be built with the fulfillment of many conditions. Likewise, human existence also needs the satisfaction of many conditions. If
we know the law of cause and condition, believe in its existence, plant good causes everywhere and cultivate advantageous conditions all
the time, our lives will be a smooth path full of success. To conclude, I will give you this verse to ponder:

        If one understands

            The law of cause and condition,

        One can find spring

            In the midst of autumn frost and winter snow.

III. The Different Levels of Cause and 

Condition 

How many varieties of cause and condition are there? We can examine this from four different perspectives:

A. Having or Not Having

Cause and condition is not a matter of knowledge. It cannot be learned by research or via debates. It must be experienced through the heart
and mind amidst our daily living. If we come to understand cause and condition from real practice and experience, then this is "having" the
true understanding of cause and condition. Under the law of cause and condition, our natures are all equal. The universe is us and we are the
universe. If we comprehend the law of cause and condition superficially through intellectual speculation or as mere word expressions, then
this is "not having" the true understanding of cause and condition. The result will be as futile as looking for fish on trees.

B. Wholesome or Unwholesome

Causes and conditions can be good or evil. Wholesome causes and conditions are good. Unwholesome causes and conditions are evil. Let us
suppose a person lives to be a hundred years old. If he/she does not understand the cause of arising and ceasing—the ultimate reason of
existence—and only comprehends cause and condition superficially, he/she will be easily enslaved by changing environments and be
trapped in dark and evil causes and conditions without the chance for liberation. On the other hand, if a person has a firm belief and correct
understanding, then all resulting causes and conditions will be bright and virtuous.

C. Internal or External

Causes and conditions can be internal or external. External causes and conditions are the commonly noticed environmental factors. Internal
causes and conditions are more related to intrinsic value. It is like farming a field. The external factors may be the same, but the harvest from
different seeds is not. Seeds, in this instance, have different causes and conditions of value. For example, the siblings of the same parents
have different temperaments. The students of the same teacher have varying abilities. External causes and conditions such as parents and
teachers may be the same, but the internal causes and conditions of value such as talents and aptitudes are very much dissimilar. Therefore,
we say that cause and condition may be external and internal. Although external conditions may be complete, if internal causes are
inadequate, the resulting effects will leave much to be desired.

D. Correct or Erroneous

Causes and conditions can be correct or erroneous. Some people, when they become ill, know that illness is caused by disorders in the body
or mind. They are willing to undergo treatments, and they can be cured. This is the "correct cause and condition." In contrast, there are some
people who, when sick, are confused about the true reason for their malady. They are suspicious and attribute their sickness to divine
punishment. They go about looking for magical charms, special spells, or they ingest incense ashes; their illness will only worsen. This is
"erroneous cause and condition." Life may be smooth or bumpy, and obstacles may be many or few. Many of life’s difficulties are rooted in
misconceptions about the law of cause and condition. We must know how to apply the correct understanding and shun the erroneous views.

Furthermore, as far as the understanding of cause and condition is concerned, there are four levels. They are right understanding, cause and
condition, Sunyata, and Prajna.

A. Right Understanding

As ordinary people, we can understand the law of cause and condition at the level of right understanding. Most of us have the experience
and intellect to enable us to affirm cause and condition in the world. When confronted with sickness, distress, and misfortune, we are able to
find the cause and can therefore liberate ourselves from sufferings. This is the understanding of cause and condition from a worldly angle.

B. Cause and Condition

Those who have reached the level of Arhat have realized the transcendental truth. Since they know that the five skandhas (form, feeling,
perception, mental formation, and consciousness) are empty and can abandon the hindrances of knowledge, they elevate themselves to a
higher spiritual level. They understand that there is no absolute and that all existences are interdependent. They have realized the true
nature of cause and condition.

C. Sunyata

Sunyata, emptiness, is the realm of Bodhisattvas. They have realized both the worldly and transcendental truths and can function in this
world in a transcendental way. They realize that, "Forms and smells are all Dharma. Words or quietude are ultimately Ch’an." When one
can view the law of cause and condition from the point of view of Sunyata, then life is full of possibilities and nothing is unreachable. 

D. Prajna

Prajna, the ultimate wisdom, is in the realm of the Buddhas. It is the wisdom, when one has achieved enlightenment, of one’s original nature.
It is the realm of one who has realized that true nature and phenomenon are one. In this realm, there is no differentiation between the
worldly truth and the transcendental truth. There is no distinction of self versus others. Cause and condition arise and cease of their own
accord, just like the freely fleeting clouds in the sky. Everything is naturally integrated and fulfilled.

We can explain these four levels of understandings from another angle. In order to play a musical instrument, such as a flute, violin or piano,
beginners must first study scales and notes. They must first learn to read the musical score and familiarize themselves with the respective
instruments. To generate each sound, they must look at each note on the score, become knowledgeable in the use of the instrument, and
practice. They continue this process of practicing until they are thoroughly familiar with the music. This is the first level of performance.
These performers can only play with a musical score. Similarly, when we still need to look at the phenomena of the external world for our
understanding, we are at the level of right understanding.

When the performers have perfected their practice, the musical score now has been etched into their hearts and minds. They can close their
eyes and the notes will naturally appear in the mind. Although they appear to perform without the physical music sheet, their minds are still
bound by the existence of the score. They still perform by following the notes and cannot freely express musically. This is the second level of
performance. When the internal understanding is in agreement with the external world, this corresponds to the second level of understanding,
that of cause and condition.

As the performers continue to practice, they soon enter the realm where the boundary between the external and internal vanishes. They do not
need to look at the music sheet, nor do they feel the existence of the score in their minds. When they perform, they become one with the
music, forgoing their sense of separate identity. The resulting music flows seamlessly, smoothly, and wonderfully. Although the performers
no longer hold on to the musical score physically or in their minds, they are still playing something that they have previously learned rather
than out of their spontaneous composition. This level of performance corresponds to the third level of understanding, that of Sunyata.

Finally when the performers truly know and integrate the musical harmony and concepts of composition, they are now musicians in tune with
nature. They are one with the music, and they create beautiful musical compositions with every turn of their thoughts. Everything is music.
Likewise, when one reaches the level in which each thought is Prajna, the ultimate wisdom, and each hand gesture is a wondrous discourse,
one then is in the realm where there are no distinctions of inside versus outside, without remembering or not remembering. This is the highest
level of Prajna realization in the law of cause and condition.

People nowadays tend not to have even the right understanding. We often look at the world in a topsy-turvy way. We regard fame and
fortune, the cause of many afflictions, as pleasure. Out of our equal, undivided, unbound original nature, we insist on making distinctions and
divisions of superiority. When the cause and condition call for our peaceful mutual caring, cooperation, and coexistence, we instead become
distrustful and hostile to each other, thereby generating conflict and disputes among ourselves. What is the point of all these troubles? The
only way to free ourselves is to understand the law of cause and condition correctly. When we can realize Prajna, concentration, and
wisdom, when we are not bound by phenomenal existence, and when we let go of the fixation of us versus them, then we will be able to be
in complete accordance with the Buddhas, venture into the realms of the Dharma and be wonderfully free.

IV. How to Multiply and Improve Wholesome Conditions

Some people say, "The greatest invention of the twentieth century is human communication." It is also written in the scripture, "Before
achieving the Buddha Way, we must first cultivate favorable conditions with others." To cultivate favorable conditions is to build harmonious
relationships and to establish good communication with other people. 

One of the greatest treasures of life is the "cultivating of favorable conditions." Building plenty of good conditions is essential for one’s
happiness in particular and the welfare of the public in general. How, then, can we establish a multitude of good conditions with others?

To cultivate favorable conditions with others, people in the past put up lanterns by the side of the road. They built rest stops and provided
free tea drinks. They built bridges to establish good conditions with people of the other shore. They dug wells to develop good conditions
with everyone. Others may give you a watch or a clock to foster good conditions with you. All of these are examples of precious good
conditions with others. If you have a heart of gold, good conditions will open up everywhere. I can provide you some suggestions on a few
methods to form favorable conditions with others. 

1) Monetary Assistance—We can donate money as a way to build good conditions with others. Not only does it make others feel our
concern for them, it may even save a life. For example, if there is a car accident on the road, someone may need a coin to call for
emergency assistance. If you offer a coin, the person can make the call. Paramedics and physicians will then arrive and provide assistance to
the needy victims. Your coin will have built a multitude of good conditions with others.

2) Kind Encouragement—When others are frustrated, a word of encouragement can bring them immense hope. When others are
disappointed, a word of praise can give them a positive outlook on life. There is a saying that, "A kind word is more valuable than the gift of
royal attire; a harsh word is more severe than the fall of the axe." There are times that a few kind words can bring great joy and peace to
everyone.

3) Meritorious Deeds—A small kind gesture or even a simple kind thought can have tremendous impact. Once upon a time in Holland, there
was a child who walked home one evening and saw a small hole in the dike. When he saw that the sea water was slowly seeping in, he
thought to himself, "Oh no! How disastrous! If the hole is not patched up immediately, the dam is going to break before dawn and the town
will be flooded." As he could not find anything to patch the hole, he stuck his finger into the hole to stop the leak. He stood like this by the
dike throughout the windy rainy night. The whole night passed and not even one person walked by the dike. In the morning, he was found
frozen by the dike with his finger still tightly stuck in the hole. The entire town was very grateful to learn that his finger had saved the lives
and properties of the entire town. Therefore, "Do not commit an act of atrocity just because it is minor. Do not pass up the opportunity to
perform a virtuous deed just because it is small." A simple kind thought can save countless lives and build boundless virtue.

4) Educating Others—We can use knowledge and know-how to cultivate favorable conditions with others. Each day, there are over one
hundred and eighty thousand teachers in Taiwan patiently teaching and passing on their knowledge to the younger generations. They are
instrumental in promoting the national intellect and catalyzing growth. You show someone a minor skill; it can be his/her means for future
survival. You teach others a word of wisdom; it can influence his/her entire life and serve as the guiding principle of how he/she deals with
others.

5) Helping Hand—We can gain much respect if we accommodate others. The traffic officer helping an elderly person to cross the street
becomes a model civil servant. The sales representative who kindly helps shoppers find what they need can make the customers’ shopping
experience a real pleasure. The young person who gives his seat up politely to an elderly person gives us confidence in our country’s future.
From the way we assist others in our daily lives, we can gauge if we live in a truly progressive and developed society.

6) Warm Gesture—Sometimes a smile, a nod, or a simple handshake can build us unimaginable good conditions. Once in Taiwan, an
unemployed young man was wandering the streets near the Taipei train station, wanting to commit suicide by running in front of the car of a
wealthy person. In this way, his impoverished mother would be able to collect some monetary compensation to live on. When he was about
to make his move, a beautiful gracious lady walked by and smiled at him. He was so excited that he dismissed the idea of committing
suicide. The next day, he found a job to support his family. Of course, he no longer wanted to die anymore. Therefore, the smile managed to
build such great cause and condition for the young man.

Learning Buddhism and building merits are more than retreating to a mountain or donating money. A kind word, a good deed, a smile, or a
bit of know-how can help us build plenty of good conditions and accrue tremendous merits. In China, there are four famous mountains. Each
mountain is the sacred site for one Bodhisattva preaching his Dharma. These four Bodhisattvas, to whom we commonly pay respect, are
Avalokitesvara, Ksitigarbha, Manjusri, and Samantabhadra. As discussed in the following paragraphs, each of these four Bodhisattvas has a
special cause and condition with us.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has a special condition with us through the Bodhisattva’s kindness and compassion. The Bodhisattva brings
universal salvation to all. Through the Bodhisattva’s kind heart and compassionate vows, all sentient beings may benefit from the nurture of
the Dharma and actualize the mind of compassion.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has a special condition with us through his great vow. The Bodhisattva vows to deliver all living beings as noted in
the verse, "Only when all beings are emancipated, then shall I attain enlightenment. As long as hell is not emptied, I vow not to reach
Buddhahood." For thousands of years, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s limitless vow, as reflected in this verse, has served as the pointer for
countless beings to the path of Buddhahood. It has also lit an eternal light for the Buddhist teachings.

Manjusri Bodhisattva has a special condition with us through his wisdom. The Bodhisattva uses his extraordinary eloquence to expound the
ultimate teachings. He brings light to the blinded and the Dharma sound to the ignorant. With great wisdom the Bodhisattva has propelled
Buddhism into the profound and wondrous realm of great Prajna. Buddhism in China has been greatly benefited.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva has a special condition with us through his actual practice. The Bodhisattva shows us the Way with every
movement of the hands and feet. With the raise of his eyebrows or the twinkle of his eyes, the Bodhisattva expresses the wonderful
teachings. In Chinese Buddhism, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is an exemplary model and has established virtuous ways for the cultivation of
simplicity and the striving for thoroughness.

In addition to these four great Bodhisattvas, there are countless patriarchs, masters, and Buddhist practitioners who cultivate favorable
conditions with others in their unique ways.

Through his calligraphy and upholding the precepts, Venerable Master Hung Yi cultivated favorable conditions with others. For those
sincerely interested in Buddhism, he often used calligraphy to present the words of Dharma wisdom as the means for cultivating good
conditions with them. Personally he was diligent with his cultivation and strict with upholding the precepts. He never uttered a word to slight
the Dharma nor committed an act in violation of the precepts. Like "the luxuriant flowering branches in spring and the perfect full moon in
the sky," he has set a highly regarded example in Buddhism.

With his meditative concentration, Venerable Master Hsu Yun fostered wholesome conditions with others. He was immovable, in
accordance with the ultimate reality of "suchness." His mind was focused and imperturbable. He propagated the Dharma without speaking
about the teachings. He interacted with different types of people, yet remained true to himself.

Through preaching the Dharma, Venerable Master T’ai Hsu was able to cultivate favorable conditions with people. He used words to
expound the great wisdom of Prajna. He preached the sutras to awaken the confused. He traveled to all corners of China and helped to
revive the declining Chinese Buddhism with a dose of effective medicine.

Master Shan Tao cultivated favorable conditions with others through illuminating radiance. For the physically blind, he ensured that they
were not blinded in their minds. For those blinded mentally, he brought the light of wisdom back into their minds. He brightened the dark and
defiled human existence with his illuminating light.

Venerable Master Yin Kuang cultivated favorable connections with others through chanting. With each thought, he was continuously
mindful and contemplative of the Amitabha Buddha, and he chanted the Amitabha Buddha’s name incessantly everyday. In this way, he
guided the faithful to maintain a strong belief in the Western Pure Land and to form wondrous causes and conditions with the Amitabha
Buddha.

Other examples include Elder Sudatta in India who gave alms to cultivate favorable conditions with others. He was well respected for
building the Jetavana Monastery, which became the focal point of the Buddha’s missionary work in Northern India. Ch’an Master Yung
Ming Yen Shou cultivated favorable conditions by setting captured animals free. He saved countless animals and water creatures from the
pain of the slaughterhouse and the torture of fiery stove in the kitchen. Master Lung K’u used tea services to cultivate favorable conditions
with others. He helped to quench the thirst of exhausted travelers and gave them renewed energy to continue with their long journeys.

Society needs to have the unity of group efforts to thrive, just as the happiness of individual existence relies on the integration of the six
senses. Our daily subsistence depends on the close cooperation of all professions working together to facilitate the workings of supply and
demand. In this way, we can live in abundance. We should be thankful for the workings of causes and conditions and for the help of all in
the society. If we want to be successful and happy, we must cultivate favorable causes and conditions with all beings. We must do it for the
present as well as for the future. We should also cultivate favorable Dharma conditions with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We must
treasure, build, and live within our causes and conditions. "[Resources] coming from the ten directions, going to the ten directions, to
accomplish endeavors of the ten directions. Ten thousand people contributing, ten thousand people giving, to cultivate ten thousand
favorable conditions." If we can do this, we will be able to attain Buddhahood and the wisdom of enlightenment.

Finally, my best wishes to all of you. May each of you become a well-respected and loved person. May each of you have plenty of good
causes and great conditions. May each of you be successful.
 

Ven. Master Hsing Yun