By Venerable Master Hsin Yun, Founder of Fo Guang Shan Temple
On New Year’s Eve, 1999, people all over the world anxiously awaited the dawn of the new millennium. As the sun appeared on the horizon, their excitement could no longer be contained. Their emotions reached a new climax, and their spirits were lifted by the promise of the first light.
Desire and worry trouble many of us in this world. Our minds are polluted by our surroundings. We have become anxious and fearful, without a moment of peace and clarity. All around us, there are people who choose to stay in their own private hell by clinging to their worries. There are those who have imprisoned their minds with egotistical attachments. And there are others who choose to become slaves of material possessions. It really does not matter what we have decided to do with our lives and minds because, in the middle of the night, when all is quiet, each and every one of us will long for a moment of awakening.
We will long for a moment when we can exile all of our hatred, desires and jealousy — a moment devoid of ignorance and defilement. In the middle of the night, we reflect on what we have done and wish for a chance for true freedom. A moment of awakening is of immense value. It is the root of goodness. According to the Buddhist texts, “A mind of purity outweighs all of the world’s gold; wisdom and enlightenment are a part of every living being.” It is that moment of awakening that allows sages to be at ease with their surroundings and leaders to listen to good advice. It is that moment of awakening that allows wrongdoers to repent their transgressions and murderers to have a change of heart. Without that moment of awakening, good conditions will not come about, and we will live in eternal darkness.
When bad desires arise in our minds, we should not worry too much. Instead, we should fear being ignorant of their existence. Only in a moment of awakening will we be able to see through the dark clouds and find the light of hope. Only in a moment of awakening will our minds have clarity and be freed of all defilements. Only in a moment of awakening will darkness be dispelled and our minds enlightened.
In this world of impermanence, let us ignite the inner light of awakening; let us rediscover our innate wisdom in this time of turbulence; let us sow the seeds of compassion in times of hatred and learn to forgive our enemy; let us foster the power of confidence when faced with doubts and illuminate the light of wisdom in times of darkness; and let us have hope in despair and find solace amidst sorrow. We must eradicate all of our doubts, confusion and selfishness, for compassion comes from kindness, truth from clarity, and the beauty of human nature from a moment of awakening.
