Harming others is harming oneself; benefiting others is benefiting oneself
The people who hurt you are also controlled by karma, and they are beyond their own control.
As the *Lankham Sutra* says: 'Because one sees resentment or a relative, it is not based on reason to unjustly harm them. Thinking of this, the cause arises, and receiving it is as sweet as honey.'
The harm we receive from others, such as insults, slander, or deliberately creating obstacles, are all done under the influence of ignorance and afflictions. They depend on certain conditions and arise accordingly. Therefore, we should maintain reason and calmness, and feel compassion and empathy towards such circumstances, rather than being controlled by our own ignorance and afflictions.
The Great Master Wushizong once said: 'The suffering of every sentient being is related to the karma of the past. It seems that the external environment has a direct impact on our happiness and sorrow, but in reality, it only acts through karma. The people who hurt you are also controlled by karma, and they are beyond their own control.'
Therefore, when someone hurts you, please treat it with wisdom and do not seek revenge, harbor hatred, or do anything that violates the law of cause and effect.If our own inner state is calm and tranquil, no matter what words or deeds others say or do, they will not cause us much trouble or harm.
Like the eminent monks and nuns throughout history – the external environment will not harm their hearts.
Regardless of whom you harm, you are ultimately harming yourself,We will encounter many people in our lifetime. We may have once thought we were right, resented, or looked down on them, and made various hurtful words and actions. If we look back on it now, do we feel a little regret?
A lama once said: 'Regardless of whom you harm, in the long run, you will harm yourself. Perhaps you are not yet aware of it, but it will surely return. Whatever you do to others is done to yourself; whatever you make them experience, you will experience yourself one day. This is the teaching of all wise men.'
Therefore, we must recognize: benefiting others always benefits ourselves; harming others always harms ourselves.Buddha said: Foolish people selfishly seek personal gain, while wise people always think about benefiting others.
Dan Zhen Rong Bu ◇ Literature
