Golden Peacock - May you be worthy of being a human being

May it be worthwhile to be human.

In this era, governments often draw up four-year plans, five-year plans, etc., and it would be good if individuals could also plan in advance. Although it is not always possible to plan according to our own will, and it is possible to do whatever we want according to our own ego, at least setting some goals in our lives will make it easier to control ourselves than not having any goals at all.

Small goals

Many people have no specific goals and are always thinking about growth. Some understand money as growth. Some consider career advancement as growth. Some strive for fame, recognition, and admiration. These are popular goals, but they are not ambitious enough for Buddhists who believe in an afterlife.

Noble goal

When it comes to remembering the afterlife, the traditional practices that people do are those of building a Buddha image, building a temple, making a large donation, and observing a fast. Their idea is that if you do good deeds, you will experience the benefits of your good deeds in the next life. The monks also encourage you by saying, “Just give, and you will be given a small gift for the next life.” It is true that you will be given a small gift for the sake of giving. However, they will also recognize that there is something more profound and noble than gold and silver. That is the Dharma.

The word "gentleman"

Apart from the moral code, it is not right to disregard the examples of morality that Western scholars have written about. For example, in the chapter on “Morality” by Dr. Smiles, the distinction between “Gentleman” and “Gentlemen” is very interesting for those who want to study morality. Since I studied that book in school, I have been under the impression that Westerners (although greedy colonialists) also have great scholars who understand morality. The Normal Type

There are two types of “gentleman,” one of which is external, and the other refers to the inner spirit. This is called the True Gentleman. Although the ordinary “gentleman” is only external, he is not a gentleman. In addition to being pure in race, neatly dressed, and having a refined manner, he also has the ability to control his anger without showing it, so he is better than the “I am the one” type.

The attributes of a true gentleman

The qualities of a true “gentleman” (number 2) are not so great. On the surface, he may be a member of a noble family, and he may dress appropriately. However, his inner nature is often compared to pure gold. This type of person has a strong and upright spirit, always speaks the truth, is ashamed to do injustice to others, maintains his dignity, does not act petty, is kind and compassionate, and has compassion. Sometimes this type of person is also found among the poor peasant class, and is called a “natural gentleman.” One of the good things about Westerners is that no matter how low the worldly situation may make them, there are people who know that such a person is worthy of respect. .

Good natured person

One day, a noble man and a young man were walking along when they met a farmer wearing thick shoes and a loose coat. The old man greeted him in a friendly manner and then parted ways. When the farmer was out of sight, the young man asked him, "Are you not ashamed to greet such a poor and uncivilized person?" The old man replied, "What do you mean, you look at the thick shoes and the loose coat and say that there is no man in the thick shoes and the loose coat? I am not greeting the thick shoes and the loose coat, I am greeting the person inside. If you weigh the real qualities of the person in that loose coat, you, me, and ten people like us on one side of the scale, and he will be heavier, my friend. What do you think?" This was because the old man knew that the farmer was a "natural gentleman."

They praise each other,

One of the most admirable things about the English people of the West is that if they are educated , they will try to be gentlemen. They are ashamed of being accused of not being a gentleman. If someone is a “real” person, others will know and say something about it. When I served under the British Government, I was on friendly terms with three or four ICS officers and two or three other English officers. (My job was Camp Clerk, which is the closest I could get to the “chief’s” mentality, except for the butler.) I judged that I saw a “gentleman” among them, and the other officers said, “ That fellow is a gentleman .”