The Humble Mind

The mind in Buddhism is a generator which can generates everything; good and bad actions. It depends on how well-trained the mind is. If we train our mind well, our mind will be a brilliant mind which produces happiness, calmness and peace to its owner. On the contrary, if we train our mind badly, it can be a very fierce enemy to its owner. The Buddha discovered the method which suited to train or purify the mind. It is called Dhamma.

Dhamma of the Buddha is comparable to the light of wisdom which chases away the darkness of ignorance as the sun gives light to everywhere on earth and abolishes the dark. As it is believed that we were born in the dark world, we need the light of wisdom to guide our life. It is very fortunate that we have Dhamma of the Buddha which we can learn, practise and make use of it in our daily life. But we should neither look down upon the others nor use Dhamma in the wrong way, we have to learn, practise and make use of Dhamma humbly, as the Buddha said in Dhammapada, “For one who always respects and honours those who are older and more virtuous, four benefits, viz., longevity, beauty, happiness and strength, will increase”. It is very clear that dishonour and scorn cause conflict and problems to oneself and others.

I think that those, who really understand Dhamma, have never showed dishonour and scorn to the others; their presence is just humble, calm and peaceful. It is only those, who don’t really understand, want to show off as it is said, “He who knows does not speak, he who does not know speak”. It is common sense that it is not right to look down upon the others, even we know or understand, because all of us are different; we all have different idea and ability as illustrated in this story, the sun and the little lamp. Here is the story;

Once upon a time, the sun, who has big power and can shine to everywhere on earth, even it can burn all things on earth in just a second is very proud of himself. Because of his big power, he showed his power everywhere, all things below him had to beg for mercy. When he shined, every one such as a firefly, big or small stars, the moon etc, had to give him ways.
One morning the same time that he showed his light early in summer, he saw a little lamp giving a dim light so he just looked down upon the little lamp, saying, “Go out of my way, my light is so powerful and yours is useless”. The little lamp just raised her head and said, “My lord, I know that, but you know? For the night people who seek light, I am very precious to them”. When the sun heard that, he just thought and realized that what the little lamp said was true. So he said sorry to her and slipped away.

It is no doubt that what the lamp said, “For the night people who seek light, I am very precious to them” is true. The sun abolishes the dark by day, it cannot do anything at night, but fireflies, big or small stars, the moon and lamp can do, even illuminate a small area. That is better than nothing.

Therefore, you must appreciate the others’ ability; never look down upon the others. We should help and share each other, both material things and immaterial things. We are equal; no one is better than the others; we just have different ability, what we can do and what the others can. Share and respect are good virtues which we should cultivate within. That is a humble way to do.