法の句を耳にすることが稀な理由
The reason why it is rare to hear the words of the Dharma
024-06-08 18:00:00
When a Buddhist practitioner accumulates merit in pursuit of tranquility, they may hear the rare 'words of the Dharma' in the world, which can become an opportunity for enlightenment, leading to liberation if the right conditions are met.
This encompasses the entirety of walking the Buddhist path.
However, is there a reason why Buddhist practitioners have very few opportunities to hear the words of the Dharma?
It is a subtle question, but the following reasons can be considered.
Firstly, the most significant reason is that Buddhist practitioners generally tend to avoid places where the words of the Dharma are spoken.
What this means is that Buddhist practitioners are devoted to their practice in pursuit of tranquility and are seen to consciously avoid the hustle and bustle of the world deep in their hearts.
In other words, when they subconsciously sense the hustle and bustle of the world, they do not approach such places, which means they do not encounter important situations where the words of the Dharma might appear.
This is an assumption based on the practical reality that the words of the Dharma often appear amidst the hustle and bustle of the world.
Additionally, the words of the Dharma are often spoken by women. However, in the case of male practitioners, some might mistakenly believe that simply approaching women violates the precepts.
In other words, the misconception that the words of the Dharma, which lead people to enlightenment, cannot be spoken by women deprives practitioners of the opportunity to hear these words.
Another reason why the opportunity to hear the words of the Dharma is extremely rare is that these words are generally spoken in very simple/ordinary language.
This misconception is often seen in those who try to understand Buddhism academically.
So, how can one avoid missing the opportunity to hear the words of the Dharma?
It is by being attentive and carefully navigating the world.
Additionally, one should have a listening ear and be mindful to let others do most of the talking rather than speaking oneself.
This helps maintain tranquility and increases the likelihood of recognizing the words of the Dharma when they are heard.
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