Turtle

"Imagine that the whole earth was covered with water, and a man was to throw a yoke with a hole in it into the water. Blown by the wind, that yoke would drift north, south, east and west. Now, suppose that once in hundred years a blind turtle would rise to the surface. What do you think? Would that turtle put his head through the hole in the yoke as he rose to the surface once in a hundred years?"

"It is unlikely Lord."

"Well, it is just as unlikely that one will be born as a human being; it is just unlikely that a Tathagata, a Noble One, a fully enlightened Buddha should arise in the world; and it is just as unlikely that the Dhamma and discipline of the Tathagata should be taught. But now you have been born as a human being, a Tathagata has arisen and the Dhamma has been taught. Therefore, strive to realize the Four Noble Truths."

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Greatest Prayer is Patience

I need to build on my patience credits in my emotional bank. Just now, when I was frustrated (I could feel my blood boiling), before I started to think of who I can reach out to, to vent out my frustration - I thought about the prayers I have recited yesterday. Do not speak of others' wrong doings or weaknesses; to inspire others to act with confidence.. so somehow I took a breath, calm down and turn to Google to search for "prayer for patience Buddhist".

I found several webpages and blogs with this quote: The greatest prayer is patience - which is attributed to have been quoted by the Buddha.

I think this is a truly great quote.. in times like this, I need patience to forgive, patience to guide and patience to understand.. which is very hard to practice straight away in such a situation, but which I know, from experience, would have been the path I would have chosen when I looked back at how I have reacted in all past moments of anger and frustrations..

So I pray for patience..

~ttg~
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