Be Cautious

It snowed lightly all night; and in the morning the wind sent the snow flying all around. The little lama next door was going to fetch water when the old lama loudly cautioned him: “The ground is very slippery, be careful!” But the little lama blithely ignored the warning and shot out. No sooner had he left the door than he fell with a thump, accompanied by painful screams.

Kindhearted people will always remind others when there is a looming danger: “Do exercise precaution!” That being said, many people still suffer serious consequences from their own carelessness.

Teachers will also advise students on the spiritual path: “Be scrupulous!” That is, as practitioners, students should be vigilant at all times, always guarding their thought, speech, and action. Maintain mindfulness in all activities of walking, sitting, standing, or sleeping, and cast off improper mental activities. If the student is distracted and slothful, paying no heed to the teacher’s advice, he will act mindlessly and lose control of himself. As a result, he may wander onto the wrong path until, sadly, it is too late to turn back.

The scholar Xue Xuan says: “Painstaking cautiousness leads to great accomplishment.” And Master Hong Yi says:

Integrity as exalted as the blue sky is cultivated in a shabby room and through difficult times.
Epoch-turning prowess comes from being mindful as when nearing a deep ravine or on stepping onto thin ice.

That is to say, noble conduct and integrity as bright as the broad daylight come from perseverance through difficult times and maintaining absolute honesty, even when no one is watching; talent and courage powerful enough to bring about a radical change are derived from an extremely cautious mind, as if standing on the edge of an abyss or walking on eggshells.

Hence we should emulate excellent beings of the past to always maintain an attentive mind, as if we are trembling at the edge of a cliff or walking on thin ice. Only by so doing can we uphold dignity and propriety, be careful and diligent, and eventually attain our ultimate goal.

Watch your step; do not stumble over a block in your way!

9th of September, Year of RenWu
October 14, 2002