Cultivating Virtues and Wisdom

Our lives are so occupied that we lose ourselves in the five poisons (greed, aversion, ignorance, doubt, and pride). At the same time, we are exhausting our merits. In the cyclic existence, we must be mindful of impermanence and suffering. Nothing in this world is substantial and everlasting. Everything is merely an illusory display. Experience and realize the impermanence of life through Dharma practice.
Cultivating Virtues and Wisdom- hsintaoThe five poisons (greed, aversion, ignorance, pride, and doubt) are demeritorious qualities. We must learn to transform them into the five wisdoms. Yet, we need to habituate to this transformation consistently. That's why it is encouraged to go to monasteries, listen to Dharma teachings, recite sutras with others, make offerings, and volunteer. Through purification, recitation of sutras and mantras, our mind would come to a thorough understanding, free from confusions and obstacles. "The mind projects all obstacles" means that adversities are none other than the projection of our mind. That's why we must try to experience and realize through Dharma practice. We should purify our karmic memories to see ourselves clearly.
Cultivating Virtues and Wisdom- hsintaoThroughout Dharma practice, we must uphold kind intents and the four immeasurables (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity) at all times. One could set up daily homework to safeguard our minds and stay on track to the unsurpassable enlightenment. Learn with the aspiration to attain Buddhahood. Cultivate our virtues and wisdom continuously through lifetimes.
After we've crossed paths with Dharma, we should uphold an optimistic, active, and positive mindset when working with all people, events, and matters. Be active to engage in virtues, stay spirited, and optimistic. As long as we work with life with such an attitude, we can also offer others positivity. Be positive, active, and optimistic, we can benefit sentient beings. Our favorable conditions will also be in place. Our surrounding sentient beings are our field of merit. Therefore, we must cherish every contact and cultivate the field with virtues. That way, we’d find ourselves in heaven-like joy everywhere we’d be.