A Talk on Causes and Conditions with Ven. Yi Kung    

(We had the wonderful opportunity of participating in a discussion with Ven. Yi Kung at Nan Hua University during our trip to Taiwan. The following is an excerpt of the talk.)

          Causes and conditions inevitably affect all things in this world. The 2001 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Conference confirms this statement by generating invaluable opportunities for youth from all over the world to get to know each other. We had the chance to share our views and discuss important issue with enthusiastic leaders from a variety of geographical backgrounds - these are the causes and conditions of location.

          Today, at Nan Hua University, each and every one of us should be grateful for the circumstances that allowed us to be here. We should be grateful for the Venerables and Shi Ku's who worked hard to organize this event, the volunteers who greeted us at the entrance with ecstatic smiles on their faces and a delicious hot pot dinner to fill our hungry stomachs, and even the kind bus driver who steadily drove through the narrow, winding trails on the journey here.

          Be grateful for your country for granting you the freedom of speech, peace, and harmony among all peoples. Most of all, however, give thanks to your loving parents. They were the ones who opted to sacrifice sleep in hope of improving your well being. They raised you, kept you healthy, and gave you the best that they could.

          These causes and conditions mentioned so far have been positive, but there can be negative ones as well. For example, if some people you know start taking drugs and pressure you to try them, this is the result of a bad cause and condition. We must learn to put ourselves out of dangerous conditions in order to avoid materializing bad karma. Some people avoid eating meat by choice to prevent themselves from creating additional karma.

          We can all accumulate merits (both good and bad) with actions such as giving, but giving is not limited to material objects. Sometimes giving people confidence, our love, and care can do more for them than what money can do, because money can be used to commit bad deeds.

          Paradoxical as it may seem, giving is like collecting money - even though merits might be only "a few cents in change collected a day," but as long as you start saving money now, you will have a large amount of money collected after a while for the future.

Just remember:

In this world...
Contentment and tranquility of the mind are the most coveted riches;
A healthy body is the most precious thing;
And... last but not least,
Learning Buddhism is the happiest thing to do of all!
Amitofa!

Jacqueline Leung

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