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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 21

L-R: Chan Master Sheng Yen, Rebecca Li, John Crook (2008) Rebecca Li speaking at the Conference on “Buddhist Action:
Morals, Vision, and Justice” in New York City, 2018.

causes as jobs that make a difference. Yet, I have met in our profession? To innovate? To devote to our
many people who are making a difference by doing a family?
good job and fulfilling their responsibilities in what we
might consider a normal, “ordinary” career. It is really important to emphasize that we need to ask
ourselves, not other people. We may seek out advice
Recently, I met a contractor who remodels bathrooms. from important people in our lives, such as our parents,
He is honest, does a good job, finishes everything mentors, or close friends, and their advice can serve
nicely and meticulously, and charges for his service as a reference. But we need to be true to our values
fairly. When he was recommended to my brother, and priorities, which may be very different from those
he was a huge help as renovating one’s home can be who advise us. We may respect and love them very
very stressful and can result in conflict in the family if much, but it is ultimately our life, and we need to take
things do not go well. Being a good contractor allows responsibility for it.
homeowners to feel reassured that they can count on
someone honest to do the work right and to help guide Another question is: are we ready to take responsibility
them through difficult decisions. It’s a great help in for the consequences of our choices? Or are we
their lives. When we work this way, we are helping seeking and listening to others’ advice to avoid taking
others. And this contractor has no shortage of business. responsibility for our life? A number of years ago,
someone who has been married for years shared with
Hence, we can make a difference regardless of what we me that he was having difficulties in his marriage and
do for a living as long as it is something that is right for asked me if he should get a divorce. I told him that he
us in skill level, temperament, and life circumstances, so needed to figure it out himself so that he could take
that we can devote ourselves to doing a good job. In this responsibility for his decision. Otherwise, he could
way, we can fulfill the functions for which our position is tell himself that it was not really him that decided to
meant and contribute to the society. get a divorce and thus it would be someone else’s fault
if he was not happy with the outcome. The practice
A question we need to ask is: what is important in my of Chan can help us see into our mind more deeply so
life? I do not mean “what should be important in my that we can understand our real motivation in asking
life” but “what is actually important in my life” and for others’ advice and check if we are ready to take full
we need to be honest with ourselves. Is it material responsibility for any choices we may make.
comfort? To be part of a community? To be prominent