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Each time we forgive others,

we are, in fact, sowing blessings.
The bigger our heart,
the more blessings we enjoy.

Jing Si Aphorism by Dharma Master Cheng Yen

practice of paying her respects to the Buddha The more he thought about this, the more
regularly. So one day, at her insistence, the remorseful and repentant he felt. From that
master of the house accompanied her to the day on, the man became a great benefactor of
temple. the temple and its spiritual practitioners.
As the concubine began her devotional We often say that we must form good
practice, the man wandered around the temple karmic connections with others as we walk
looking at all there was to see. Suddenly, the Bodhisattva-path. To do this, we should
he stopped in his tracks, shocked to see his show compassion to all equally. Toward those
name written on a plaque on top of the altar who have helped us, we should be grateful;
honoring great benefactors. This was usually toward those who were unwilling to help us,
done so that the monks would regularly pray we should also be respectful. We must love
for their good health and wellbeing. He asked all sentient beings equally. In this way, we can
a young monk, who was sweeping the floor show compassion to all equally.
nearby, why that particular name was on an Because the two had a negative karmic
altar honoring great benefactors.
connection, the elderly monk was determined
The monk said, "All I know is that three to dissolve that negative karmic connection
years ago, my master came back in the middle and create a positive one. In doing so, he is a
of the night, soaking wet from the rain. I heard role model for us.
him say that he had encountered a person who Although this is only a story, this is the
treated him poorly because they lacked a good type of mindset that we spiritual practitioners
karmic connection. After he said that, he put must have.
this plaque on the altar here, and every day, he
prays to the Buddha for their negative karmic So, let us walk the Bodhi-path with
connection to be turned into a positive one." gentleness and sincerity. To learn to do this, we
must go among people with compassion and
Hearing this, the man immediately felt very treat everyone equally. May we all spend our
remorseful. Bowing his head, he said, "Three time doing good deeds, benefiting others, and
years ago, during a terrible storm, my servant forming good karmic connections. In this way,
came to me and told me that an elderly monk the people we interact with will become our
was outside in the rain and would like to take spiritual family when we attain Buddhahood
shelter at my house. How could I have felt such in the future. Therefore, we must always be
an aversion toward monks that I did not even mindful.
allow this? Not only did this monk not harbor
a grudge toward me, he even put my name on
the altar with those of great benefactors and
has prayed for my good health and well-being
since that day."

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