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WHY
A traffic jam is not all ignorance. When we slow
down, our minds settle down. We can take the
opportunity to acknowledge similarities among
us as drivers and road users. Like everybody else, BUDDHIST
we pursue happiness tirelessly even though our
‘FANGSHENG’
lives are full of ups and downs. Thus, we are all
inter-connected. Next time when your car can only
moment. Each inch is a new beginning that is worth MERCY
move forward slowly inch by inch during rush hour,
I invite you to see that as a blissful and enjoyable
RELEASE
our gratitude.

The ability to lift ourselves out of our never-ending
negative states and to cultivate peaceful minds RITUALS CAN
through fostering a sense of connectedness, and
BE MORE
gratitude is essential to a healthy life; however, that
ability can be easily lost when we are in a rush.
CRUEL THAN
Almost everyone is negatively affected by the traffic
congestion; however, we have the choice to be
KIND
happy and appreciative. When we sit in the traffic,
take the opportunity to be self-aware so that we
can find the root cause of our painful emotions; to
be grateful so that we can see the beauty and rarity The Guardian, Sept 30, 2017
of the moment; to be open-minded so that we can
discover the bright side and value of everything.
Brighton, UK -- It was intended as a Buddhist act
Remember, it is just a traffic jam. Let’s accept the of mercy and compassion, but ended in a criminal
reality, settle in the environment, and enjoy the conviction and significant environmental risk. The
moment. Our bodies experience a traffic jam; release of hundreds of alien lobsters and crabs into the
meanwhile, we can free our minds from the impact sea off Brighton has highlighted the perils of a ritual
of our negative emotions. While encountering that takes kindness to animals too far.
rush hour traffic on our way to and from work,
Two London Buddhists, Zhixiong Li, 30, and Ni Li,
let’s practice the art of calming our minds by using
33, pleaded guilty last week at Brighton magistrates
positive thinking as a tool (not a destination state)
court to breaking the Wildlife and Countryside Act
to transform our state of mind from being negative
1981 by releasing non-native species into the wild,
to being calm and mindful. With this ability, we can
causing “untold damage” to marine life. The pair were
shape our life to be more efficient and resilient.
ordered to pay a total of more than £28,000 in fines and
compensation.
And of course, let’s send our most sincerest wish
to other drivers on the road wishing them serenity,
They, along with more than 100 other Buddhists,
health, and happiness.
were taking part in a rite known as fangsheng, or
We should all willingly endure hardships with
“life release”, as the highlight of a visit to the UK of
gratitude. EH
Taiwanese Buddhist master Hai Tao two years ago. The
group hired three boats from Brighton marina, emptied
◎ Venerable Chang Zao Translated by Bekki